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1. After more than 15 months, Maine’s COVID-19 state of civil emergency ended on Wednesday. Wednesday also marked the end of the mask requirement for schools and day care settings. Schools and daycares may continue to require masks if they wish. (WMTW)
2. Maine’s statewide ban on single-use plastic bags is set to begin today. It was initially scheduled to go into effect in April 2020 but the state delayed enforcement of the ban due to aspects of the coronavirus pandemic. (WMTW)
3. It’s official the Maine Mariners announced they will start their third season as an affiliate of the Boston Bruins. Portland is now home to three farm clubs of Boston-based sports teams. The Sea Dogs are partners with the Red Sox and the newly-renamed Maine Celtics are NBA G League basketball partners with the Boston Celtics. (PRESS HERALD)
4. Starting today the NCAA will allow student-athletes to earn money off of their names, images, and likenesses. Now, athletes will be able to monetize their social media, sign autographs, run skill camps, and take part in advertising campaigns. (ESPN)
5. The Phoenix Suns are the NBA Western Conference champions. Chris Paul poured in a playoff career-high 41 points to help the Suns advance Wednesday night. This will be Paul’s first trip to the Finals in his 16-year career. This is the first time Phoenix has been in the NBA Finals since 1993. The Suns await the winner of the Atlanta Hawks / Milwaukee Bucks Eastern Conference Finals series. (ESPN)
