AGP Executive Report

Wildlife Rescue: A Maine couple in Telos Township used their pickup to block a charging black bear and help a moose calf escape, after the calf and bear burst from the woods. Boating Tragedy: A Skowhegan man, 21-year-old Jakub Prokop, drowned on the Kennebec River after being thrown from a boat; officials say he wasn’t wearing a life jacket. Holiday Crash & Gas Leak: A deadly crash in North Windham hit an apartment building’s natural gas meter, triggering evacuations, a power disruption, and a temporary Route 115 closure. Homelessness Count Update: A new Preble Street survey found about 104 people living outside in Portland over two weeks, far higher than prior estimates. Local Education Policy: School districts across the state are updating cellphone rules to match a May law, including requirements that devices be powered off during the school day. Community Sports Moment: Fort Kent’s buzzer-beater sent Caribou packing and put the Warriors in the state championship game for the first time. Health Costs Explained: A guide breaks down how Medicare Advantage’s $0 premium can flip in a bad health year versus Original Medicare plus Medigap.

Utility Merger Watch: U.S. Sen. Angus King is urging federal regulators to block NextEra’s $66.8 billion bid for Dominion Energy, warning a single giant could steer regional power markets too much. Holiday Heat & Safety: A North Windham crash into an apartment building triggered a natural gas leak, evacuations, and a temporary power shutoff while investigators work to determine what happened. Maine 4th of July Scenes: Bar Harbor, Bangor/Brewer, and Presque Isle all held America 250 celebrations with parades and readings of the Declaration, even as heat and storms hovered over plans. Local Fire on the Water: A lobster boat fire in Bass Harbor sent crews from multiple departments and agencies responding; officials say no injuries and no immediate water-quality concerns. Maine Weather Outlook: Forecasters are calling for hot conditions through the weekend with only a small chance of rain and cooler temps overnight. Lottery Results: Powerball numbers for July 4 were 17-38-46-50-69 with Powerball 20 (Power Play 2), plus Maine-area Tri-State Pick 3 and Pick 4 results were also posted.

Maine Heat & Safety: An air quality alert is in effect across Maine for the July 4 weekend as wildfire smoke and particles move in, with officials urging people—especially those with breathing issues—to take it easy. Maine Public Health & Weather: Forecasts call for hot, humid conditions with isolated storms that could briefly disrupt holiday plans, while crews stay busy handling heat impacts. Maine Immigration: Residents in Friendship are rallying to support Wallace’s Market owner Dale Patel after his arrest by ICE, with a petition pushing for him to return to his family and community role. Maine Wildlife: A Telos Township couple helped stop a bear from catching a moose calf, driving between the animals to break the chase. Maine Transportation: A Sullivan man was killed in a head-on motorcycle crash in Hancock, with the investigation ongoing. Maine Community & Culture: The TD Beach to Beacon 10K unveiled a refreshed brand and logo, and Rockport’s Second Sunday Contra Dance series returns July 12 at the Rockport Opera House. Maine State News: The Maine Office of New Americans named Julia Trujillo Luengo as its next director, starting July 30.

Robbins Lumber tragedy: The co-owner of a Midcoast Maine lumber mill, Alden J. Robbins, has died from injuries suffered in the May 15 fire and explosion in Searsmont, bringing fatalities to three. Maine officials say the blaze was accidental and began at the base of a silo, and the investigation remains ongoing. Heat and power strain: A searing heat dome pushed electricity demand to a record on the nation’s largest grid, while in Maine Central Maine Power reported restoring power to more than 18,000 customers after Friday storms, with crews working through the holiday weekend as air-conditioning demand climbs. Independence Day safety in Maine: Kennebunk Fire Rescue is urging water safety after a second drowning this month and will host a free prevention seminar July 16 for pool and rental operators. Local access tech: Bangor is rolling out small “Wall-E” robots to measure curb ramps and other accessibility features, with no personal data collected. Legal update: A federal appeals court allowed the University of Maine System to move forward with redoing the Hutchinson Center sale in Belfast while the case continues. Community note: A new breakfast and catering spot is set to open July 6 in Hancock.

Water Safety Tragedy: Maine Warden Service divers recovered the body of Todd Bradeen, 51, of Standish, after he drowned paddleboarding on Lower Range Pond in Poland; officials say he wasn’t tethered to the board and wasn’t wearing a life jacket, and wind pushed him away. Road Crash: A Sullivan motorcyclist, Jim Hoyt, 44, died in a head-on collision on Route 1 in Hancock; police say he crossed into the other lane and was wearing a helmet. Heat + Air Quality: Wildfire smoke from Quebec is expected to worsen Maine air quality over the Fourth of July weekend, with conditions reaching “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups,” and officials urge people to limit strenuous outdoor activity. Sports Policy: The U.S. Supreme Court upheld state bans on transgender athletes in girls’ and women’s school sports, leaving other states to decide—an issue Maine is actively litigating. Maine Politics: A new NYT/Siena poll shows Sen. Susan Collins leading Graham Platner, with education level strongly tied to support.

Public Safety & Water: Maine Game Wardens are responding to multiple summer-water incidents, including a missing paddleboarder presumed drowned at Range Pond in Poland, a missing Rockland man on Chickawaukie Lake, and a fatal kayak crash on Sabattus Pond—plus dive-team searches for an 18-year-old in the Androscoggin River. Mosquito Season: Maine CDC confirmed Jamestown Canyon virus in mosquito pools in Augusta and urges residents to prevent bites with repellent, long sleeves, and removing standing water. Coastal & Environment: The Maine Department of Marine Resources is seeking public comment on impacts tied to the Searsport Harbor federal navigation dredging project, including confined disposal plans. Local Government: Camden’s Select Board will review a town manager employment “separation of employment” agreement for Audra Caler at its July 7 meeting. Health & Community: The Katahdin Higher Education Center in East Millinocket will stay open with emergency funding, but leaders warn long-term stability still needs support.

Extreme Heat in Maine: A heat warning is in effect for southern and midcoast Maine and parts of western/central areas, with heat index readings pushing into the 100s and dangerous overnight conditions. Public Safety at Airports: MaineDOT says AWOS III weather systems are now operating at Bethel Regional Airport, with Princeton Municipal Airport next, to improve aviation safety and emergency response. Independence Day History in Maine: The Maine Historical Society will tour a Dunlap Broadside of the Declaration of Independence across all 16 counties from July through October, with Norway Savings Bank donating $1,000. Water Safety: The Maine Warden Service reports a Biddeford man drowned after his kayak tipped over on Sabattus Pond; officials urge life jackets and knowing your limits. Local Crime Update: Lewiston police charged an 18-year-old after two people were shot in the face with a pellet gun, with victims taken for treatment. Community & Culture: The Flower Barn is moving from its Jay storefront to a home-based workshop in Livermore Falls, shifting to online/phone orders and pickup by appointment. Local Weather Watch: Central Maine cooling centers are opening as the hottest stretch continues.

Maine Housing Update: Maine’s Housing Opportunity Program says 182 municipalities reported 2025 building-permit, occupancy and demolition data, showing about 7,499 new units permitted—roughly 9% above the 6,900-unit goal—while the state also uses the data portal to track progress year to year. Code Enforcement Staffing: The Portland Press Herald reports Maine is trying to slow the decline in code enforcement officers by pairing $1 million from the Mills administration with a three-year FEMA-funded pilot to regionalize enforcement. Egg Price-Fixing Fallout: Federal and state officials say major egg producers including Cal-Maine, Hickman’s Egg Ranch and Versova settled DOJ price-fixing claims, with $3.3 million in penalties and 53 million eggs donated, after allegations of coordinated manipulation of price quotations. Public Safety—Heat: Multiple reports highlight dangerous heat and humidity across Maine, with cooling centers opening in communities including Aroostook and Central Maine. Local Notes: MaineDOT begins Forest Avenue paving work in Portland July 15, with lane shifts and shoulder closures through late August.

Egg Price-Fixing Fallout: Pennsylvania says more than 3 million eggs are headed to food banks after a multistate settlement with major egg producers accused of manipulating prices; the deal also includes a $3.3 million payment to states and an end to the alleged coordination. Public Assistance Fraud: Federal prosecutors say a criminal group cloned EBT cards and stole more than $100,000 from Maine TANF accounts, with a suspect arrested after alleged ATM withdrawals tied to about 111 recipients. Extreme Heat & Air Quality: New England is under heat and ozone alerts, with officials warning sensitive groups to limit outdoor activity as temperatures and humidity push dangerous heat index levels. Maine Safety & Community Cooling: Fayette’s Starling Hall is opening as a cooling center for July 1-3, and the state is also seeing more local heat-response planning. Maine Politics: A new poll suggests Democrats have a path to flipping the Senate, with Maine showing up as a key battleground. Local Crime: Maine State Police report a crash that killed a 5-year-old and injured a 10-month-old, with the father facing multiple charges. Food Insecurity Support: The John T. Gorman Foundation awarded $200,000 to Good Shepherd Food Bank and Preble Street to help with food and shelter access.

Heat & Health: Maine is bracing for the first major heat wave of the summer, with Lakes Region highs in the mid- to upper 90s and heat indexes around 105–110 through Wednesday to Friday, with nights staying mostly in the 70s. Air Quality: A Maine air quality alert warns ground-level ozone could hit “unhealthy for sensitive groups” along the coast on July 1, with wildfire smoke keeping particle pollution in the moderate range. Cooling Centers: Communities including Portland and other Maine towns are opening cooling centers ahead of the dangerous stretch. Gulf of Maine Fishing: Federal fisheries managers approved an update to the Atlantic cod plan, splitting cod into four genetically distinct populations and requiring 100% observer coverage to help rebuild the fishery. Egg Price-Fixing Fallout: DOJ and state attorneys general say major egg producers coordinated to manipulate prices; a settlement includes $3.3 million in payments and 53 million donated eggs headed to food banks across 17 states, including Maine. Sports Ruling: The U.S. Supreme Court upheld state bans on transgender athletes in girls’ and women’s school sports, a decision that Maine officials say doesn’t change Maine’s current policy. Fourth of July: Midcoast communities are gearing up for fireworks, including Camden’s July 4 show over Camden Harbor.

Local Health & Community: MaineHealth Pen Bay and Waldo Hospitals will launch the inaugural “Partners in Care Community Golf Classic” Sept. 15 at the Samoset Resort in Rockport, with proceeds supporting the Bridge to Care Fund to help families overcome barriers to getting and staying on track with care. Family Support Expansion: Healthy Kids is expanding its child abuse prevention and family support services into Waldo County starting July 1, building on its work in Lincoln and Knox counties. Coastal Resilience Funding: Maine’s Office of Community Affairs is taking applications for about $450,000 in coastal planning grants, offering up to $50,000 for individuals and $75,000 for groups to help communities plan for hazards and storms. School Leadership Update: The RSU 21 School Board accepted the resignation of Kennebunk Elementary principal Ryan Quinn after he’d been on leave since March over allegations involving physical force on a student. Public Safety—Heat & Holidays: Maine is bracing for dangerous heat ahead of the July 4 weekend, and officials are urging people to check local fireworks rules and stay safe. Food Security & Antitrust: Multistate egg price-fixing settlements announced by attorneys general include donations of millions of eggs to food banks, with Maine tied to the broader national effort. Arts & Events: The Brick Store Museum in Kennebunk opened a summer exhibition on the American Revolution and its legacy, timed for the nation’s 250th anniversary.

Maine Politics: A new New York Times/Portland Press Herald/Siena poll finds Democrat Graham Platner narrowly leading Sen. Susan Collins in Maine’s Senate race, 49% to 47%, with the race essentially tied within the survey’s margin of error—while Collins says she’ll debate and points to her track record. Medicaid Fight: A coalition of states, including Maine, is suing the Trump administration to block new Medicaid work requirements, arguing the rules narrow “medically frail” exemptions too much and could cut coverage for vulnerable people. Local Government: Lincoln suspended controversial budget cuts after public backlash, setting up another vote next month. Caribou Taxes: Caribou approved a $15 million budget that is projected to raise property taxes by about 6%, with a mill rate increase on the way. Statewide Practicalities: Antlerless deer permit lottery is open until July 30, and Maine State Police is asking the public to vote on its “America’s Best-Looking Cruiser.” Health & Community: Northern Light Neurology marks Migraine Awareness Month with reminders that effective treatment is available. Summer Events: The TD Beach to Beacon 10K in Cape Elizabeth unveiled a new brand ahead of its Aug. 1 race.

Kennebunk Tragedy: A 4-year-old girl rescued from a Hampton Inn pool earlier this month has died, according to Kennebunk Fire Rescue—she was found in cardiac arrest after the June 20 drowning incident. Supreme Court Watch: The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Trump’s firing of Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook was unconstitutional, while also allowing states to count some mail-in ballots received after Election Day; it also declined to take up Trump’s E. Jean Carroll appeal. Maine Politics: A new poll finds Democrat Graham Platner slightly ahead of Sen. Susan Collins in Maine’s Senate race, but with voters calling Platner “too extreme” and questioning his character and values. Heat Alert: An extreme heat watch is in effect for parts of Maine and New Hampshire, with heat index values possibly near 110—officials urge residents to avoid sun and check on neighbors. Education Funding: Gov. Janet Mills announced $100,000 to keep the Katahdin Higher Education Center in East Millinocket open while a long-term plan is developed. Public Safety: Rockland police say a man pepper-sprayed a female jogger after chasing her, and was arrested on multiple charges.

Child Safety: Fairfield police say a Waterville man, Brandon Phair, 37, was arrested after a 4-year-old reported missing was found at a Waterville home early Saturday; the child was taken to a local hospital as a precaution. Phair faces kidnapping and criminal restraint charges, with more expected, and is held on a $500,000 cash bond. Energy Costs: Lewiston-area CMP customers packed a public hearing urging regulators to block a proposed rate hike, with advocates warning another increase will hit fixed-income households hardest. Public Remembrance: Bangor held a vigil for Charlie Howard, killed in 1984 after being attacked for being openly gay, as community members marked the decades-long impact on local Pride. Fire Update: A lightning strike sparked a fire at the Comfort Inn in Augusta Sunday evening; firefighters put it out and no injuries were reported. Search & Recovery: Maine Warden Service recovered the body of a Lewiston teen who fell into the Androscoggin River while fishing, and Scarborough crews recovered a missing Westbrook woman from a pond near a driving range; causes are under investigation. Weather: Pop-up showers and storms are possible across Maine midweek as heat and humidity build.

Forests & Wildlife: A new report from the University of Maine, Harvard Forest and the Property and Environment Research Center lays out voluntary, incentive-based ways to protect Maine’s remaining mature and old-growth forests, including more than 400,000 acres mapped by LiDAR but still vulnerable to harvest. Rural Health Funding: Maine lawmakers learned how the state plans to spend about $190 million from the federal Rural Health Transformation Fund—roughly $30 million each for electronic medical record upgrades, alternative payment models, and financial stability for the most at-risk rural hospitals. Maine Roads & Bridges: MaineDOT announced a busy stretch of work and closures, including nighttime bridge closures in Bangor, resurfacing plans in Lisbon, Auburn and Lewiston, and ramp/access changes in Augusta. Local Weather: Expect warm conditions with scattered pop-up showers and storms today, with fog possible again overnight. Politics & Elections: State election officials say they don’t expect reliable federal sharing of election threat info in 2026, raising concerns about gaps in coverage. Community & Culture: The Maine Oyster Festival wraps up in Freeport today with free admission and a final push for shucking and seafood.

Maine Public Safety: A Maine Warden Service dive team recovered the body of 18-year-old Siloe C. Irumva from the Androscoggin River in Lewiston after he fell while fishing near the Gulf Island Dam. Child Safety & Arrests: Fairfield police say a 4-year-old reported missing early Saturday was found in Waterville, and Brandon Phair, 37, was arrested on kidnapping and criminal restraint charges. Local Crime Response: Bangor Police investigated a suspicious package along the Pride parade route; the bomb squad cleared it and the incident was resolved. Community & Culture: Bangor Pride drew thousands to a new waterfront location, with Hannah Pingree and Matt Dunlap joining the parade amid ongoing concerns about anti-trans policies. Business & Jobs: Faribault Mill, formerly Faribault Woolen Mill, bought Maine’s Brahms Mount cotton textiles maker and is changing its name as it expands into cotton products. Weather: Forecasters warn of fog and reduced visibility early, with hotter, more humid conditions building midweek.