1. Hurricane Melissa has left catastrophic destruction across Jamaica, Haiti, and Cuba. The Category 5 storm brought 185 mile-per-hour winds, killing at least 25 people in Haiti and eight in Jamaica, with many more missing. Thousands of homes were destroyed, power is out for most of Jamaica, and nearly three-quarters of a million Cubans remain in shelters. Melissa has weakened to a Category 1, but still threatens the Bahamas with dangerous winds and flooding tonight. (WMTW)

2. With 170,000 Mainers set to lose SNAP food benefits because of the government shutdown, Governor Janet Mills is stepping in with emergency aid. She’s directing over $1 million to Good Shepherd Food Bank and other programs, plus another $250,000 from the John T. Gorman Foundation, to help feed families in need. Mills is also urging federal leaders to end the shutdown and restore benefits immediately. (WGME)

3. A group called Maine Girl Dads is pushing a 2026 referendum to ban transgender athletes from girls’ and women’s sports. It follows Governor Janet Mills’ clash with President Trump over his executive order on the issue. They’ll need 70,000 signatures to get it on the ballot. (WMTW)

4. A soaking rain hits Maine Thursday night into Friday, bringing one to three inches, gusty winds, and even a few rumbles of thunder. Showers taper off by Friday afternoon, and by Halloween night most of southern Maine looks dry and breezy, with temps in the 50s and low 60s for trick-or-treating. (WMTW)

5. Candy Corn Day – The great Halloween debate. Do you like candy corn?

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.