1. Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) joined Democratic Senate candidate Troy Jackson at Portland’s State Theatre Thursday for a campaign town hall. The two took questions on the economy, the war in Iran and immigration. Meanwhile, Senator Susan Collins criticized Jackson for campaigning with progressive Democrats. (WGME)
2. Major toy companies, including Crayola and Build-A-Bear, failed to disclose potentially toxic chemicals in children’s products sold in Maine. Crayola reported cancer-causing formaldehyde in hundreds of products to other states, while Build-A-Bear disclosed chemicals including arsenic and mercury. Neither company filed the required reports in Maine. Crayola says its products are safe and that it eliminated formaldehyde in 2025. (PH)
3. A cockroach infestation has been discovered throughout a Portland Housing Authority apartment building. Residents at Solterra Apartments in Bayside say they’ve found roaches in hallways, trash rooms and even their beds. City code enforcement has issued a violation order requiring professional pest control. The Housing Authority has not responded publicly about its plans to address the problem. (WMTW)
4. Heating oil prices in Maine have hit another all-time high, averaging $6.04 a gallon. That’s up 83% from this time last year, meaning filling a standard 275-gallon tank now costs about $750 more. Roughly half of Maine households rely on heating oil, and the federal government is releasing emergency reserves in an effort to bring prices down. (WMTW)
5. The Maine State Museum in Augusta is reopening Saturday after being closed for renovations since 2020. Visitors will find new interactive exhibits, including skeletons of a humpback whale and her calf, along with updated displays about Maine history. Only two of the museum’s four floors will initially reopen, and admission is free through the end of the year. (WMTW)
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.
