1. It looks like Christine Blasey Ford, the woman who has accused SCOTUS nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her in high school, may testify before a Senate panel after all. Her lawyers sent an email to the Senate Judiciary Committee yesterday saying Ford “would be prepared to testify next week,” if senators offer her “terms that are fair and which ensure her safety.” (CNN)
2. Charlotte Gill has been getting her lobsters baked before they are boiled. She believes sedating lobsters gives them a more humane death. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals disagrees: “It is highly unlikely that getting a lobster high would make a lick of difference when it comes to the full-blown agony of being boiled or steamed alive.” State health inspectors have asked Gill to stop getting lobsters high while they investigate. (WGME)
3. Mookie Betts was 4-for-5 with five RBIs and three runs scored as the Red Sox pulled out an 11-6 win over the New York Yankees to capture their third straight AL East title. (NewsCenterMaine)
4. Eleven local sandwich shops gathered in Portland’s Monument Square late morning Thursday to build what may be the unofficial World’s Largest Maine Italian Sandwich – 160 feet from end to end. The participants were, in part, trying for a record, but Guinness World Records doesn’t (yet) have a category for the sandwich. So Guinness suggested Portland have a trial run. Next year, the organizers hope do it again with a Guinness representative on hand to make it count. But the real reason behind the sandwich-making spectacle was to bring attention to “Different Roads,” the opening event of this year’s Harvest on the Harbor. The event, 6 to 8:30 p.m. on Oct. 18, highlights how immigration has influenced Maine food. (Press Herald)
5. The Cleveland Browns overcame a two-touchdown deficit to defeat the New York Jets 21-17 on Thursday night, marking the franchise’s first win in two seasons. Quarterback Baker Mayfield, the top pick of the 2018 NFL draft, replaced concussed starter Tyrod Taylor before halftime and proceeded to complete 17 of 23 passes for 201 yards. “This crowd deserved to see that first win at home. And so that’s the thing I’m most proud of, we put it together for the fans at home,” Mayfield said after the game. “I felt the energy. That was an unbelievable feeling.” As promised, Bud Light helped celebrate the team’s first win in 635 days by delivering free beer to at least 10 bars across Ohio. (Cleveland19)
