1. A second round of winter weather is causing slippery travel conditions this morning. Brunswick, Cape Elizabeth, Falmouth, Gorham, Lewiston, Portland, Sanford, Scarborough, South Portland, Wells-Ogunquit, Westbrook, Yarmouth, York, Massabesic, USM closed. Full List of Closings via WGME
2. During his national address from The White House on Tuesday night, President Donald Trump used graphic examples to make his case for a wall between the U.S. and Mexico. Trump discussed victims who were stabbed, beaten and raped by illegal immigrants. He said funding for the wall was needed to resolve the “growing humanitarian and security crisis.” Democratic congressional leaders Nancy Pelosi, the House speaker, and Chuck Schumer, the Senate minority leader gave their own address afterward and slammed the president’s speech as fear mongering. (CNBC)
3. In May, Stephen Mardigan pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Portland to unlawful gambling, money laundering and filing a false tax return. At the sentencing Tuesday, Chief Judge Jon Levy said he believed Mardigan was remorseful and would not reoffend. But he also said he believed the crimes were too serious to avoid incarceration. Court documents show he took bets on sports games. The documents say bets typically ranged from $30 to thousands of dollars, but two gamblers in particular wagered more than $4 million through Mardigan. Under his plea agreement he’ll serve 15 months in federal prison and pay back taxes of more than $1.3 million, which has grown to more than $3 million with fees and interest. (Press Herald)
4. Close to 200 people attended a public forum Tuesday on continued use of the Skowhegan “Indians” nickname for high school sports teams, but judging by the sign-up sheet to speak, the crowd was largely in favor of changing the name. Leading up to the forum, one group, calling itself Skowhegan Indian Pride in a closed Facebook group, led by school board member Jennifer Poirier, insists that using the name “Indians” is done with respect, honoring the people who lived for generations along the banks of the Kennebec River in Skowhegan. It is not mocking or disrespectful, they say. Another group called Not Your Mascot, Maine Chapter, lead by Penobscot Tribal Ambassador Maulian Dana of Indian Island, disagrees. (Press Herald)
5. Maine’s Amy Allen co-wrote the song “Without Me” by Halsey, which has reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 pop music chart, the music magazine reported Monday. It’s Allen’s first No. 1, not bad considering she’s only been writing pop songs full time for less than two years. She co-wrote “Back to You” by Selena Gomez, which was released in May and peaked at No. 18 on the Hot 100 chart in November. Allen also co-wrote a song called “When You’re Ready” on Shawn Mendes’ self-titled album. The album is nominated for a Grammy. (Press Herald)
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