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1. The second week of the Derek Chauvin trial continued Wednesday. A use of force expert testified that Chauvin’s knee was on Floyd’s neck from the time officers put Floyd on the ground until paramedics arrived and the amount of force did not change during the entire restraint period — about 9 1/2 minutes. (WMTW)
2. The U.S. tops 30.9 million covid-19 cases with more than 559,000 related deaths. The Maine CDC reported 1 new death and 401 new cases on Wednesday bringing Maine’s death toll to 747 with 78 Mainers currently hospitalized. More than 24% of Mainers have received their final covid vaccine dose. (WMTW)
3. A campus-wide quarantine is in place at Bates College to contain a growing outbreak of COVID-19. Students are following what the college is calling “in-room restrictions.” They can only leave for things like picking up meals, exercise, or to get vaccinated. It started last week and has already been extended once to April 11. (WGME)
4. This year’s Great Falls Balloon Festival has been canceled due to the ongoing pandemic. The balloon festival can bring up to 100,000 visitors over the course of three days to Lewiston-Auburn. Organizers said they hope the festival will return in 2022. (WGME)
5. Orion Sickels, of Durham, who just started throwing axes 18 months ago, is heading to the US Open Championship. Sickels is believed to be the first Mainer to earn a spot and attend the nationals. (WMTW)
