Welcome to the “Evening Briefing,” a comprehensive look at daily news in Maine. Produced by the Spectrum News Maine team and through partnerships with the state’s top news organizations, the Evening Briefing aims to create stronger Maine communities through a commitment to transparency and carefully reported, factual local journalism.
Here are the top stories for Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023.
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TODAY’S TOP STORIES
Portland City Council to vote on allowing homeless to camp on city property
The Portland City Council will decide on Monday whether to allow homeless Mainers to legally camp out on city property over the next five months.
Fire deaths in Maine are up, and state officials are working on how to reverse the trend
It’s time to do a safety check of home heating systems.
Maine troopers recall accident that broke bones, but not their willingness to serve
The four troopers were investigating a domestic violence call when a car hit them, sending all four to the hospital.
Another victim of Maine mass shooting discharged from hospital as panel prepares to convene
The family of 16-year-old Gavin Robitaille says he was released last week from Mass General for Children in Boston.
Portland Press Herald: Watchdog finds ‘errors on top of errors’ in death of 6-week-old Jaden Harding
A state watchdog agency submitted the critical report to a legislative committee Wednesday.
Bangor Daily News: After Costco’s entry, national grocery chains look poised for Maine expansions
Groceries are Maine’s largest retail industry, accounting for nearly 20,000 jobs and an economic output of $1.2 billion in 2022.
Portland Press Herald: Portland International Jetport’s parking plan upsets next-door neighbors
Stroudwater residents say a plan to add more parking spaces at the jetport would increase exposure to noise, light and air pollution.
Maine & New England Sports
Celtics face the Raptors, aim for 5th straight victory
The teams meet Friday for the second time this season. Boston is 6-1 against division opponents.
Derrick White, Jayson Tatum lead short-handed Celtics over 76ers in matchup of East leaders
Derrick White scored 14 of his 27 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Boston Celtics to a 117-107 win over the Philadelphia 76ers.
Bangor Daily News: Bangor’s new council chair hopes to encourage more housing development
Cara Pelletier is among a handful of women to lead the Bangor council, and she is both openly autistic and a member of the LGBTQ community.
Friday brings sunshine and rain
Rain is returning to our forecast Friday night.
As for Thursday night, our weather remains quiet under a mainly clear sky.
Increasing clouds will gradually filter the sunshine Friday, but it’ll still be the warmest day of the week with everybody getting over 10 degrees above normal. That means 50s virtually statewide.
However, winds should gust around 20 mph in the afternoon. Then clouds will increase Friday evening ahead of a storm system that will bring rain at night.
Showers will linger through the first part of the weekend.
Averting government shutdown, Congress approves temporary funding through the holidays
House Ethics report finds 'substantial evidence' of misconduct by George Santos
After meeting with China's Xi, Biden turns his attention to Asia-Pacific economies
U.S. Navy warship shoots down drone from Yemen over the Red Sea
SpaceX will try again to launch its mega rocket into orbit after first attempt ended in an explosion
Amazon will start selling cars online in 2024, starting with Hyundai
Toyota Prius is the 2024 MotorTrend Car of the Year
Celebrating Friendsgiving, a Thanksgiving party for friends
Spectrum News Maine digital journalists Susan Cover and Sean Murphy contributed to this report, along with media partners the Bangor Daily News, the Portland Press Herald, Sun Journal, CentralMaine.com, The Times Record, the Maine Monitor and The Associated Press.