1. A powerful nor’easter roared into Maine on Thursday, turning into a blizzard packing heavy, drifting snow and gusting winds that created whiteout conditions and caused traffic accidents, power outages and flooding along the coast. Portland received 11” of snow and as of last night Turner had the highest reported amount in Maine at 15”. CLOSINGS (Press Herald)
2. A monster winter storm known as a “bomb cyclone” pummeled large swaths of the eastern U.S. on Thursday, prompting multiple school closures, causing more than 3,000 flight cancellations and killing at least five people. The New York Times reports that meteorologists have coined this weather event (a.k.a. Winter Storm Grayson) a “bomb cyclone” due to its sharp drop in atmospheric pressure. (NY Times)
3. More than 100 Sears and Kmart stores will close in March and April, Sears Holdings announced Thursday. Liquidation sales at the stores will begin as soon as Jan. 12. The Bangor Sears was on the list of stores closing in April. Their Auto Center will close this month. (WCSH)
4. Bomb Cyclone no excuse for being late to work according to Patriot’s coach Bill Belichick. “He’s mentioned that he doesn’t care: ‘Don’t call and say your car got stuck.’ I think everyone knows there are two hotels up here at Patriot Place, so stay there for the night. Find a way,” said safety Devin McCourty “I tell guys, ‘Wake up earlier.’ Especially if you don’t have a garage or something. Wake up and go clean your car off. I think guys know. We’re in the NFL playoffs. I think everyone, if you’ve been here for a week or two weeks, you kind of get that – ‘this guy Bill that talks every day in the early morning, he doesn’t play.’ In December 2009, Reiss recounts, Belichick sent home four players when they didn’t make it to the team’s facility on time because of inclement weather. (BDN)
5. A new Iceland law that took effect Monday is designed to publicly shame companies seen as discriminating against women in terms of pay. Companies with more than 25 employees now have to obtain government certification that female employees are paid the same as men for similar work. Potential job applicants could check to see if a company is certified before applying, and uncertified businesses could be exposed in the news media or on social media. (Press Herald)
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