1. Thousands of federal employees in Maine are preparing for a government shutdown. Roughly 40% will be furloughed and 60% will have to work because their jobs are considered essential. None of them will get paid during a shutdown. Congress needs to reach a budget deal by midnight Saturday to avoid the shutdown. (PH)

2. A tractor-trailer crashed into a bridge on Brown Street in Westbrook Wednesday, closing the road at the intersection with Cumberland Street. The truck stands the standard 13 foot 6 inch height but the bridge only has 11 feet 5 inch clearance. There is no sign or height warning on the side of the bridge the driver was coming from, though there is a caution sign on the other side. (WMTW)

3. A substitute teacher was arrested Wednesday for allegedly assaulting a Gray New Gloucester High School student at a sporting event. The teacher allegedly grabbed a 14-year-old boy by the throat. The incident is still under investigation. (WGME)

4. The University of Southern Maine celebrated the opening of its new career center Wednesday. The 41,000-square-foot McGoldrick Center is designed as a hub for student-employer engagement and career-development programs. (PH)

5. A full moon rises Thursday night, the September harvest moon. As the moon is closer to earth, it will be a supermoon and it will be 14% bigger and brighter than a typical full moon. Conditions look good for viewing, especially earlier Thursday night. (WGME)

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