1. U.S. Border Patrol in Maine says it hit a record high of 725 detainments this year, surpassing the previous 2001 record. Officials say those detained came from 46 countries, including alleged members of MS-13 and other gangs, plus one person wanted for murder. (NCM)
2. The Maine DOE has approved its new school construction list, including replacing Bath’s Dike-Newell School, damaged in a 2022 arson fire that displaced 200+ students. The only other project approved is a school in Saint Agatha, making this the smallest list in decades amid rising costs and limited funding. (WGME)
3. The TSA has announced that plane passengers without a REAL ID could have to pay an $18 fee. If you don’t have the required REAL ID, you’ll have to have your identification verified on a new biometric kiosk system before you’ll be allowed through security checkpoints. That $18 fee, which will allow passengers to access TSA checkpoints for 10 days, will help pay for the kiosk’s new technology. A public comment period must pass before the TSA implements the fee. (ABC)
4. JCPenney tops WalletHubs list of best Black Friday deals for the 7th time since 2014, with 74% average discounts across all product categories. Belk and Kohl’s round out the top three retailers for discounts on Black Friday. Jewelry is the most discounted this year. For example, JC Penney shoppers can find a $14,500 engagement ring marked down to $4,000. Online shopping dominated Black Friday shopping last year, with 87.3 million Americans shopping from home versus 81.7 million in stores. (SF)
5. Portland’s Luncheonette has been named one of Eater’s 15 Best New Restaurants of 2025 — the only New England spot to make the list. Open since June on Cumberland Ave., the restaurant from chef-owners Angela Lee and Alex LeBlanc has drawn rave reviews for its inventive menu inspired by Lee’s Korean American heritage. (PH)
Made Hot in Maine by the Law Offices of Joe Bornstein. Accidents happen… to be their specialty. 207-CALL-JOE or online at: joebornstein.com.
