1. Former Maine gubernatorial candidate Eliot Cutler is back behind bars. The convicted sex offender was arrested Thursday for an alleged sixth probation violation since last fall. His attorney says the dispute centers on internet restrictions in a probation treatment plan that Cutler refused to sign. He is currently being held at the Penobscot County Jail. (WMTW)
2. Trump says opening protected fishing areas to commercial harvesting will help America’s fishing industry and lower seafood prices. During the announcement, he claimed, “You had to go to Japan to get a Maine lobster” and “You had to go to Canada to get a Maine lobster,” arguing foreign countries had taken over the industry. Maine officials pushed back, saying Maine fishermen continue to haul in between 75 and 130 million pounds of lobster annually, making lobster the state’s second-largest export. (WGME)
3. South Portland has voted to immediately end its contract with Flock Safety, removing seven AI-powered license plate reader cameras from the city. While police say the cameras helped locate missing people and stolen vehicles, critics raised privacy concerns and questioned how the data could be shared. (WMGE)
4. L.L. Bean has announced the grand opening of its newly renovated flagship store in Freeport will take place September 18th through the 20th. The multi-year renovation includes a larger trout pond, expanded café, bigger custom shop, remodeled kids department and enhanced outdoor spaces. The celebration will feature concerts, giveaways, special guests and events stretching into the holiday season. (WMTW)
5. Americans are expected to wager more than $3 billion on the World Cup through legal online sportsbooks, with another $2.5 billion projected through prediction markets. Industry experts say the tournament could become one of the biggest betting events ever. Here in Maine, sports betting is legal, and local sportsbooks say World Cup wagering is driven mostly by moneyline bets and predicting match winners rather than player prop bets. The tournament runs through July 19th.
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.
