1. Erin Andrews, who is a native of Lewiston, has been awarded $55 million in her lawsuit against the owner of the Nashville Marriott hotel in which she was filmed while changing clothes in her room. Andrews had asked for $75 million in her lawsuit over the 2008 incident, claiming ongoing emotional distress from the episode and the video’s continued existence online. (BD)
2. Support builds in Maine for switching back to presidential primaries. Reviving the debate, legislative leaders in both parties say the change would prevent extreme delays like those at some caucuses over the weekend. (PH)
3. Drug overdose deaths in Maine soared by 31 percent in 2015, reaching a new high of 272 fatalities that was fueled by a near doubling of heroin deaths. Attorney General Janet Mills said Monday in a news release, “More must be done to preserve lives and protect our communities from the negative effects that drug abuse has on us. Prevention, intervention, treatment and law enforcement all must play larger roles in stemming this deadly tide.” (SJ)
4. The Bowdoin College women’s basketball team is heading to the Sweet Sixteen for the 13th time in school history. (WMTW)
5. Today is International Women’s Day. First celebrated in 1909, this day is meant to celebrate various women’s issues, such as suffrage, so as to promote equal rights for women. It is also National Pancake day. Get a free short stack of buttermilk pancakes between 7 AM and 7 PM at IHOP. Then, consider leaving a donation to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.
