Good morning, Bangor.

WGAN raised over $16,000 for The Salvation Army’s Holiday Hundred fundraiser as donations grew to nearly $19,000 by Friday afternoon, helping local families with utilities, school supplies, toys, and food.

Donations remain open to support community members in need.

UMaine is re-envisioning its future through a strategic planning process that began in 2024 and now faces faculty concerns over budget cuts and transparency, including anonymous emails criticizing a focus on revenue.

Administrators in Orono say they are addressing these issues in ongoing meetings.

At Central High School in Corinth, students donated presents for Christmas is for Kids yesterday by choosing children to sponsor and gathering at the gym to send off gifts for distribution to about 2,000 local children, continuing a 21-year tradition — a clear display of community generosity.

The 2025 Maine Education Symposium came to Bangor for the first time to honor educators while highlighting Maine’s teacher shortage and opportunities for local students, with voices from Hampden Academy adding hope for staying in-state.

New England regulators decided on Thursday to extend the shrimp fishing ban for at least three years after tests in the Gulf of Maine yielded only 70 shrimp when fishermen were allowed 58,000 pounds; warming ocean conditions continue to lower shrimp numbers after more than a decade of closure.

Bangor City Council paused its plan to clear the homeless encampment along the railroad tracks by the Penobscot River, delaying the Dec.

19 clearance to address safety issues and housing for 20 residents as cold weather approaches. Councilors will meet again Monday to continue developing a sanctioned encampment site.

UMaine lost 74-51 at Fairfield Friday after Adrianna Smith recorded her sixth double-double — marking her 44th overall — and the team will travel to face Quinnipiac Sunday at 1 p.m.

New Year's Eve Celebration

5-11:30 p.m. — Blue Sky Lounge — $199 per couple — Ring in 2026 with dinner, dancing, and a cozy hotel stay.