1. “If Trump wasn’t running, I’m not sure I’d be running,” President Biden said during a fundraising event in Boston on Tuesday. “We cannot let him win,” he added. After announcing his 2020 presidential bid, Biden said he was inspired to run and challenge then-President Trump after the white nationalist Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia in 2017. (JN)
2. Dog owners across the U.S. are worried about a spreading respiratory illness. It looks a lot like kennel cough, but the symptoms are a little different. The Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland says the illness is spread in dogs through breathing on each other, sharing water bowls or licking each others’ faces. For now, experts say if your dog is coughing, you should contact a veterinarian before they have contact with other dogs. (WGME)
3. On average, 233 out of 240 locations analyzed in the United States have warmed up during winter by an average of 3.8F, including Portland. Burlington, VT was number one on the list with a 7.7 degree increase since 1970. Portland has seen an increase of 5.5. (WGME)
4. Mainers wagered $37.6 million in online bets in the first month since the legalization of sportsbook betting on Nov. 3. the state government netted $468,000 in state taxes.Eighty percent of wagers have been made on Draft Kings. NFL games have attracted the most action, with about a quarter of all wagers occurring on Sundays. (BDN)
5. Taco Bell is coming to the rescue of college students on winter break with at-home SOS kits! The kits include a bottle of taco sauce, crunchy shells, both Original and Fajita seasoning packets, and a spill-and-stain-resistant Twin XL Taco Bell fitted sheet. Taco Bell said “Our goal is to allow fans to satisfy their Taco Bell cravings anywhere, anytime, even if there is not a restaurant location nearby – including the students who suffer from the misfortune of a Taco Bell-less campus as they prepare for final exams.” Grab your kit for $7.99 at TacoBellSOS.KraftHeinz.com. (TB)
Made Hot by the Law Offices of Joe Bornstein. Over 25,000 victories for injured Mainers since 1974. 207-CALL-JOE or online at joebornstein.com
