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 aim of the Evening Briefing is to create stronger Maine communities through a commitment to transparency and carefully reported, factual local journalism.
Here are the top stories for Monday, Jan. 10 — the 10th day of the year. There are 355 days left in 2022.
We start today’s report with the bone-numbing arctic blast that has settled upon the state and will be here for the next couple of days. Meteorologist Amanda Jellig and digital journalist Annie Ropeik take a look at this week’s brutal freezing forecast, how it compares to other staggering Maine cold spells and how cities across the state are preparing to care for the state’s vulnerable populations.
In the day’s other big story, Maine has surpassed 400 COVID-related hospitalizations for the first time since the start of the pandemic. The Maine CDC reported 403 hospitalizations on Monday, including 107 people in intensive care.
Warming centers open as arctic blast brings dangerous wind chill to Maine
A wave of arctic air will bring bitter cold and dangerous wind chills to Maine on Monday evening and into Tuesday. Warming centers are open in Bangor, Cumberland County and elsewhere to shelter people from the freeze. Some portions of the state could see wind chill values fall 30 or 40 degrees below zero.
Amanda Jellig’s forecast: Bitter cold temperatures arrive
Expect bitter cold this evening and through the overnight hours, with the coldest temperatures of the year impacting the entire state. Coastal areas will see lows in the single digits, while inland locations will drop below zero.
We’re talking about dangerously cold temperatures through Tuesday morning. If you’re heading outside, pack on the layers. You will need them!
Wind chill values will make the temperature feel even worse. Western Maine could see wind chill readings as low as 40 below, while coastal and more southern and central locations will see wind chills around -25.
We are expected to escape the bitter cold by Wednesday afternoon and into Thursday.
Portland sunset/sunrise: 4:25 p.m./ 7:11 a.m.
Bangor sunset/sunrise: 4:14 p.m./ 7:10 a.m.
Maine tops 400 COVID-19 hospitalizations Monday, another new record
The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported 403 COVID-related hospitalizations on Monday, another bleak pandemic high. A total of 107 patients are in critical care and 57 are on a ventilator. The state has 53 available critical care beds. An updated patient and death report is scheduled to be released on Tuesday.
Bangor Daily News: Omicron stresses Maine restaurants balancing safety with staying open
After recovering from the early days of the pandemic, Maine restaurants are facing another wave of anxiety as the spread of the omicron variant and ongoing staffing shortages create financial stress for business owners and unease for their workers.
Voters in Gorham, Scarborough to choose new House member Tuesday
All three of the candidates running for the vacant House District 27 seat are emphasizing different priorities if elected, from climate change to education to local control. The winner will serve out the remaining term of Rep. Kyle Bailey, D-Gorham, who stepped down in October. Gorham and Scarborough voters go to the polls on Tuesday.
Kennebec Journal: Small businesses embrace downtown Augusta during COVID-19 pandemic
A byproduct of the “big quit” that many businesses have experienced over the past year is a spark in entrepreneurship. More than a dozen new businesses opened in Augusta in 2021, reports Jessica Lowell of the Kennebec Journal, as people shifted from working for others to working for themselves.
Portland Press Herald: Assignment for schools — Increase teacher diversity
A $2.9 million investment in equity in public schools, approved by Portland voters last year, is expected to help educators of color advance through the Portland Public Schools system while also allowing the city to recruit more diverse educators.
Woman who killed husband in bathtub dies in prison
Roxanne Jeskey, who was sentenced to 50 years in prison for killing her husband in a bathtub in 2011, has died in prison, officials said. Jeskey died at the Maine Correctional Center in Windham on Saturday evening. She was 58 years old. Jeskey was convicted of murder in 2014 for killing Richard “Rick” Jeskey, 53, in a bathtub in a Bangor apartment.
Maine grants to improve senior transportation in rural areas
A charitable foundation in Maine is giving out a series of grants to help with transportation for older residents of the state. The Maine Community Foundation said programs that help older residents with transportation will receive more than $140,000. The grants will help with services such as volunteer transportation programs and food delivery.
'Jeopardy!' champ hits $1 million; talks fame, trans rights
"Jeopardy!" champion Amy Schneider is adding to her list of bragging rights and admirers. Already the highest-earning female contestant in the quiz show's history and the woman with the longest winning streak, on Friday she became one of only four "Jeopardy!" players to reach seven figures in regular-season winnings. She's collected $1.02 million in 28 victories.
More significantly, she's the first transgender person to qualify for the show's tournament of champions. In a series of tweets last November, Schneider said she's proud to be a trans woman and wants people to know that aspect of her, adding, "but I'm a lot of other things, too!"
‘Maintenance issue' with open door being eyed in investigation of horrific Bronx fire
Rep. Jordan rejects Jan. 6 panel request for interview
U.S., Russia meet for talks amid tensions linked to Ukraine
Medicare told to reassess premium hike for Alzheimer's drug
Study: Travel, coal power contributed to U.S. greenhouse gas emissions increase in 2021
Yankees' Balkovec to be first female minor league manager
Dolphins, Bears, Vikings coaches axed on NFL's 'Black Monday'
Betty White death certificate says she died 6 days after suffering stroke
Robert Durst, real estate heir convicted of murder, dies
Quarters featuring Maya Angelou rolled out this month
Spectrum News Maine digital journalists Susan Cover, Angi Gonzalez, Amanda Jellig, Sean Murphy, Maddison Raynor and Annie Ropeik contributed to this report, along with media partners the Portland Press Herald, the Bangor Daily News, the Kennebec Journal and The Associated Press.