Good morning, Bangor.

After Dolly Parton’s passing Tuesday, her Imagination Library has delivered over 100,000 free books to children in Penobscot County since 2023, and Governor Mills ordered flags lowered statewide for one week in her honor (donations are requested in lieu of flowers).

WABI meteorologist Patrick Osborn lost his composure during a prank on anchor Josh Gabbard on Sunday when his laughter went viral and led to a CBS Mornings feature on Tuesday + the moment brought a playful side to local news.

A RAND study found that Maine now has five schools offering three-year degree programs, more than any other state; advocates say the reduced-credit paths could help with college affordability while critics warn they may narrow course content and confuse employers.

A team from the Penobscot Estuary Mercury Remediation Trust began capping mercury-contaminated sediment in a small cove in Orrington (covering 6.3 acres) and will host a public Q&A at Picnic Park today.

The project aims to reduce health risks from decades of contamination and is set to finish around Labor Day weekend.

State regulators on Tuesday selected proposals for a transmission line by Central Maine Power/Avangrid and for an 800-megawatt wind generation project by Clearway Energy for northern renewable energy projects — the choices aim to boost the grid, create jobs and reduce costs by sharing expenses with other New England states.

On Tuesday, the Maine Public Utilities Commission selected CMP to build a 1200 megawatt transmission line from Pittsfield to Haynesville and picked Clearway Energy for an 800 megawatt wind project, with final approval pending federal review.

The Bangor Homelessness Committee met Monday night to plan for winter by refining policy recommendations and seeking a low-barrier day center for unhoused residents.

The group will vote on proposals before presenting them to City Council and reconvene on Sept. 8.

Penobscot Community Health Care faces a cash crisis and possible bankruptcy from stretched vendor payments, with CEO Lori Dwyer (in an email) saying the group is seeking $3 million in state and federal funding and warns that layoffs could follow if help is not found soon.