1. The Portland City Council will vote today on a proposed ordinance to fine commercial property owners who leave ground-floor retail spaces vacant for more than three months. Fines would start at $250 and rise to $7,500 by the 10th year. Supporters say it could revitalize downtown, while Mayor Mark Dion argues taxing businesses isn’t the right solution. (WGME)

2. Organizers of the Back Cove Music & Arts Festival want to bring the event back to Portland for at least three more years, with an option for six. Their proposal, up for review by the Parks Commission Thursday, includes higher per-ticket fees to the city and a $100,000 annual donation to the Portland Parks Conservancy. This year’s inaugural festival at Payson Park drew about 12,000 people each day. (PH)

3. With fewer referees available, Thursday night games are becoming a necessity in Maine high school football. This season, 14 varsity matchups are set for Thursdays, easing pressure on the limited number of officials. Coaches say the shift speeds up the weekly schedule but also gives teams new opportunities and sometimes bigger crowds. (PH)

4. Starbucks says it just had its “best-ever sales week” after launching the fall menu, led by the Pumpkin Spice Latte. The boost comes after six straight quarters of declining sales, though the company didn’t share exact numbers. (Axios)

5. Tonight’s Powerball jackpot is now over $1.3 billion after no one won the Labor Day jackpot.If someone wins the jackpot and selects the cash payout, they’ll take home just under $589 million. This Powerball’s fifth-largest jackpot ever with 1 in 292.2 million odds. (ABC)

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