1. President Trump confirmed Sunday that he has asked his administration to explore the possibility of buying Greenland. In the days since news broke the idea has been ridiculed by politicians in Denmark, and Greenland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Friday that the island is not for sale. “Greenland is rich in valuable resources such as minerals, the purest water and ice, fish stocks, seafood, renewable energy and is a new frontier for adventure tourism,” the ministry said in a tweet. “We’re open for business, not for sale.” (Press Herald)
2. More than a hundred demonstrators gathered Sunday in Portland to demand gun safety legislation in response to the recent mass shootings in Ohio and Texas. Wearing red shirts and toting handmade signs, speakers at the rally in Congress Square Park repeatedly called out U.S. Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King by name. They demanded universal background checks on gun sales, as well as “red flag” legislation that would allow authorities to take weapons away from people deemed an immediate threat. (Press Herald)
3. Several burglaries, including four in the past three days at Toni’s Touch, Leavitt & Parris, LB Kitchen, and LIO Restaurant, have taken place at businesses across the City of Portland. Portland Police. Lt. Robert Martin provided a list of 10 businesses where burglaries have happened between July 28 through Saturday. According to investigators, they’re still trying to determine if any or all are connected. Police have not released any information on the items taken in these burglaries but according to the owners of Maine Juice Company, they made away with cash after jimmying open the cash register. Martin said detectives are actively investigating the burglaries and anyone with information is asked to contact Portland Police. (WGME)
4. The sun was shining. The skies were blue. The song “Celebrate” by Kool and the Gang was blaring from the speakers at Simard-Payne Memorial Park. After five consecutive cancellations of the balloon launch, conditions seemed perfect Sunday evening for the first successful launch of the Great Falls Balloon Festival. The launch Sunday evening followed a weekend of overcast weather that resulted in five of the festival’s launches being canceled and left many people on social media clamoring for an earlier start date for the balloon festival next year. Colleen Landry, a crew coordinator for the festival, said organizers are still eyeballing the third weekend of August for 2020. (Press Herald)
5. HOT SUMMER 2019 Saturday August 31 Maine Savings Pavilion At Rock Row In Westbrook starring Wiz Khalifa, A Boogie, YK Osiris, Ally Brooke, Big Freedia, Lil Tecca, Iyla and a Maine Made Showcase. Tickets on Sale HERE – Hot1047maine.com / waterfrontconcerts.com or locally at the box office located at Aura – 121 Center Street Portland.
Made Hot In Maine By the US Army. Make a difference in the world around you in the boots of a US Army soldier and gain leadership skills in one of more than 150 career fields. (Go Army)
