5TYNK 

1. Republicans in the state Senate moved to kill a planned $474 million energy relief bill Wednesday. The plan would have sent out $450 relief checks to most Mainers to help with sky high heating costs this winter. (WGME)

2. Oxford Hills proposed a policy that would allow students to choose the gender with which they identify and allow them to use places like bathrooms and locker rooms that match their gender identities led to a firestorm on social media.  Now two school board members have resigned, one of which was a target for upset parents. (WGME)

3. Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been selected as Time magazine’s Person of the Year.The honor also celebrates the spirit of Ukraine amid its conflict with Russia. Time says, “Zelenskyy’s success as a wartime leader has relied on the fact that courage is contagious.” (Today)   

4. Xander Bogaerts is headed to San Diego. The free-agent shortstop agreed to an 11-year, $280 million deal with the Padres late Wednesday night, ending his 10-year tenure with the Boston Red Sox. (PH)

5. The city of Auburn tree lighting event will take place downtown at 6 p.m. tonight. Santa Claus will also be at Festival Plaza with a special escort from Auburn police, fire, public works, and recreation departments. (WGME)

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