1. A former Buxton cop has pleaded guilty to illegally using a law enforcement database to track down his ex. Prosecutors said Andrew Ward repeatedly searched for the addresses of his ex and her new partner. Ward will pay a $500 fine and surrender his Maine law enforcement certification. Three other charges, including stalking, were dismissed. (PH)

2. A Bangor woman is facing charges after a standoff inside a Portland McDonald’s bathroom Monday. Police say 44-year-old Erin Baker claimed to have a gun and refused to come out for nearly 30 minutes. Officers eventually fired pepperball rounds into the bathroom, and Baker surrendered. No gun was found. (WMTW)

3. Republican gubernatorial candidate Bobby Charles’ campaign has been fined more than $22,600 for accepting campaign contributions over Maine’s legal limit. The state Ethics Commission found more than $45,000 in excessive donations. The campaign blamed an outside consultant for the violations and says it’s working to correct them. (WMTW)

4. More than 178,000 mail-in ballots have already been returned in Maine ahead of next Tuesday’s election. Registered Democrats account for about 50% of those ballots, Republicans 21%, and unenrolled voters the remaining 29%. The deadline to vote absentee in person or request a ballot online is Thursday, and all completed ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day. (WMTW)

5. Dictionary.com has named “maxxing” its 2026 Word of the Year. Short for maximizing, the slang term describes taking everyday activities to the next level, with phrases like gymmaxxing, sleepmaxxing and looksmaxxing. Usage of looksmaxxing alone has jumped more than 1,000% this year. Other finalists included affordability, data center and unc. (CBS)

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.