Le Journal

35325# 20251231_01hoops AUGUSTA, MAINE DECEMBER 31, 2025 Spruce Mountain’s Maddie Grimaldi, center, disrupts the shot of Maranacook’s Alice Ferran during the Capital City Hoops Classic at the Augusta Civic Center in Augusta, Maine Wednesday December 31, 2025. Backing up the play is Spruce Mountain’s Zoe Groomes, left. (Rich Abrahamson/Staff Photographer) " data-image-caption="Spruce Mountain’s Maddie Grimaldi challenges a shot by Maranacook’s Alice Ferran. Grimaldi returned from ACL surgery in December. (Rich Abrahamson/Staff Photographer) " data-medium-file="https://www.pressherald.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/01/43328520_20251231_02hoops.jpg?w=233" data-large-file="https://www.pressherald.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/01/43328520_20251231_02hoops.jpg?w=780" />A backcourt duo is on the mend at Spruce Mountain, Thornton Academy is on a winning streak, and big matchups lie ahead in Class A North.

Rescue personnel on the scene of a bus crash in Standish where a student was killed on Northeast Rd. Tuesday, December 16, 2025. (Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Staff Photographer) " data-image-caption="Rescue personnel on the scene of a bus crash in Standish where a student was killed on Northeast Rd. Tuesday, December 16, 2025. (Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Staff Photographer) " data-medium-file="https://www.pressherald.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/12/43325500_20251216_BusCrash2568.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://www.pressherald.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/12/43325500_20251216_BusCrash2568.jpg?w=780" />The governor is proposing $4.3 million for enhanced bus safety measures and has signed an executive order to create a commission to look at how else the state might improve transportation safety.

ICE agents stand by their vehicle at a gas station, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura) " data-image-caption="ICE agents stand by a vehicle at a gas station in St. Paul, Minn., on Monday. (Yuki Iwamura/Associated Press) " data-medium-file="https://www.pressherald.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/01/AP26020005244223.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://www.pressherald.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/01/AP26020005244223.jpg?w=780" />Two Portland schools briefly locked their doors Tuesday morning amid reports of nearby federal immigration enforcement, while South Portland schools are seeing an increase in student absences.

Gov. Janet Mills speaks at Portland’s City Council meeting on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, to honor the Portland Fire Department and neighboring agencies that responded to the blaze on Custom House Wharf last month. (Derek Davis/Staff Photographer) " data-image-caption="Gov. Janet Mills speaks at Portland’s City Council meeting on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. (Derek Davis/Staff Photographer) " data-medium-file="https://www.pressherald.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/01/43352586_20260105_mills_2.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://www.pressherald.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/01/43352586_20260105_mills_2.jpg?w=780" />The bill would have given auto manufacturers more control over diagnostic data that independent repair shops say is essential to service modern vehicles.