Life & Culture - Portland Press Herald

Miss Maine crowned as pageant receives national attention

by Sophie Burchell May 11, 2025May 12, 2025

Shelby Howell of Bangor won the crown from a field that included the pageant’s first openly transgender contestant and the girlfriend of Bill Belichick. The former Patriots coach was in the audience Sunday.

Health, Maine, News

Pressure is on to extend ACA subsidies as premium hikes loom

by Joe Lawlor May 11, 2025May 11, 2025

The enhanced tax credits, first approved in 2021, would expire at the end of the year if Congress fails to act.

Arts & Entertainment, Life & Culture

‘Bad Press’ tells a tale of bad government and a fearless reporter

by Dennis Perkins May 11, 2025May 9, 2025

A trio of Midcoast organizations helped bring the documentary, about a Native American reporter going up against tribal leaders, to Rockland’s Strand Theatre.

Maine, News, Religion and Values

Mainers witness selection of new pope as white smoke rises in Vatican City

by Morgan Womack, Joe Charpentier, Zoe Schaedle and Amy Calder May 8, 2025May 9, 2025

Cardinal Robert Prevost, who will become Pope Leo XIV, appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica after the conclave election.

Nation & World, Religion and Values

Robert Prevost, first American pope in history, will take the name Leo XIV

by NICOLE WINFIELD Associated Press May 8, 2025May 8, 2025

White smoke poured out of the Sistine Chapel chimney on Thursday, signaling the election of a new pope.

Arts & Entertainment, Life & Culture

Novelist Ron Currie’s new book brings to life a female Franco crime boss in Waterville

by Ray Routhier May 8, 2025May 8, 2025

Currie set ‘The Savage, Noble Death of Babs Dionne’ in his hometown and its Franco-American community.

Arts & Entertainment, Life & Culture

Opera Maine goes dark in anticipation of ‘Sweeney Todd’

by Amy Paradysz May 8, 2025May 8, 2025

Opera Maine, the state’s only professional opera company producing fully staged and orchestrated works, launched its 30th anniversary season May 1 with a wickedly witty gala inspired by its upcoming mainstage production, “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.” Every detail of the Ocean Gateway event was delightfully dark, from the blood red swirls […]