1. U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, of Maine, officially became chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, which holds jurisdiction over all discretionary spending for the entire federal government. Collins is the first Republican woman to chair the committee and the first Mainer to do so in 92 years. (WMTW)

2. Mt. Ararat High School has canceled two boys hockey practices and postponed today’s home game because of an alleged bullying incident. The co-op team also includes Lisbon and Morse students. The incident is being investigated. (PH)

3. This winter, seven Maine fishermen will be allowed to harvest up to 58,000 pounds of shrimp at their own expense under special licenses. The program’s goal is to assess shrimp stocks and determine whether Maine’s waters can sustain commercial shrimping again. The selected fishermen will be chosen at random by the end of this week, notified next week and will begin fishing in February. (WGME)

4. Minibar, a sports bar and restaurant with an 18-hole indoor mini golf course is expected to launch later this year in the former home of World Gym in East Bayside. Each hole on the course will feature a different sports theme. Televisions tuned to sporting events will hang above the course and throughout the bar and restaurant. The bar program includes both boozy and nonalcoholic milkshakes, cocktails, mocktails, and up to 30 taps for beer, seltzers and ciders. Servers will bring drinks to customers on the course as well. (PH)

5. Lay’s is bringing one of its most popular international flavors to the US for the very first time. All Dressed Chips, a flavorful mix of Barbecue, Salt & Vinegar, and Sour Cream & Onion will hit US store shelves on January 12. (AR)

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