1. Many of the dead seals that washed ashore in northern New England in the past few weeks tested positive for either avian influenza or phocine distemper virus, but it is still too soon to say if those viruses are the primary causes of the unusual die-off, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said. More than 400 dead or stranded seals have been reported along the Maine coast so far this year, including more than 100 found on beaches south of Portland in the past two weeks.
(Press Herald)
2. The city of Portland spent $100,000 putting bike lanes on Park Avenue between Deering Oaks and Hadlock Field. The lanes narrow the street from two driving lanes to one. The new traffic pattern is currently causing confusion while residents get use to the change.
(WMTW)
3. Organizers have canceled a cannabis-themed foodie fair in Gray because state inspectors concluded it would violate state marijuana laws. The Cultivator Country Fair was to have begun today at 5 p.m. at Caswell Farm. It was to have included live music, circus performers and a cannabis-infused meal prepared by guest chefs Scott Nikol of Duckfat and Josh Potocki and Roux Sutherland of Bread + Butter Catering in Portland. Proceeds from the $100-per-person event would have gone to Maine Center for Grieving Children. Caregivers are prohibited by state law from working collectively to grow, market or distribute medical marijuana. While voters approved the legalization of adult-use marijuana in 2016, the state has yet to roll out the licensing system needed to allow for commercial recreational sales. That means the only marijuana that can be legally sold in Maine now is medical marijuana, but state inspectors concluded the Cultivator Country Fair did not seem to be medically related.
(Press Herald)
4. Red Delicious apples, once thought to be as American as apple pie, are no longer the most popular apple in the U.S. Bloomberg reports that on Thursday, the U.S. Apple Association revealed that Gala apples have now taken the #1 spot on their ranking of the most popular apple varieties nationwide, ending Red Delicious’ five-decade rule at the top of the charts. Coming in at #3 are Granny Smiths, which barely edged out #4 spot-holder, the Fuji apple. Honeycrisps, which are currently surging in popularity, take the #5 spot, beating out another longtime-fave variety, the Golden Delicious.
(Bloomberg)
5. Saturday, September 1 (Labor Day Weekend) Hot 104.7 & Grass Monkey Present another #HOTSHOW starring Lil Jon at the State Theatre. Just added King Combs and Caye. Tickets ON SALE HERE! Charge by phone at 800-745-3000, in person at the Port City Music Hall box office Wednesday-Friday 10AM-5PM or online at Hot1047Maine.com.
