‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ Campaign is Underway

The Maine Bureau of Highway Safety and local law enforcement agencies have kicked off their annual “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign.

It’s a statewide effort to deter impaired driving and runs through New Year’s Day.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says, “There are countless consequences for driving drunk. This December — and every month — choose SAFETY.”

Safe driving begins with responsible choices:

• Remember that it is never okay to drive while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
• Designate a sober driver, plan to stay where you are, or plan to use public transportation/ ride service to get home safely.
• Do you have a friend or family member who is about to drive while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs? Please, take the keys away and help that person plan to get back home safely.
• Watch out for possible impaired drivers on Maine roadways. If you see an impaired driver on the road, call 9-1-1 or contact your local police department immediately.
• With less daylight hours, be more cautious of pedestrians, animals, and other motorists when you get behind the wheel.

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What is the ‘Most Iconic Food’ in Maine?

The website Only In Your State has just released its newest 50 Best list, highlighting the “Most Iconic Food” in every U.S. state.

Spoiler alert, it’s lobster in Maine. Specifically lobster rolls. Absolutely no surprises here.

This ranking is based on a blend of editorial research, user reviews, awards, quality, accessibility, affordability, hours, inclusivity, value, innovation, and creativity. Criteria were weighted to reflect overall experience and relevance. Data came from public reviews, expert input, and available recognition. While we strive for fairness and accuracy, rankings are ultimately subjective and may change over time.

How about the rest of New England? Here are the top results:

• New Hampshire: Maple Syrup
• Vermont: Apple Crisp
• Massachusetts: Boston Cream Pie
• Connecticut: New Haven-Style Pizza
• Rhode Island: Stuffed Clams

More at Only In Your State

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Powerball Jackpot Hits Over a Billion Dollars

The Powerball jackpot, after no winner Wednesday night, 12/10, will grow to an estimated $1 billion for the drawing on Saturday Night, Dec. 13.

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Trump administration blocked from deploying California National Guard in Los Angeles

A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to relinquish control of California National Guard troops deployed in Los Angeles, ruling that the federalization of the state’s Guard units violated longstanding limits on presidential power.

Senior U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer issued the  35-page ruling on Wednesday in San Francisco, granting California’s request for an injunction but delaying its effect until Monday to allow the Justice Department time to appeal. The ruling marks the second time Breyer has sided with state officials who challenged President Donald Trump’s move to deploy Guard members without the governor’s approval.

The Trump administration originally sent more than 2,000 troops to Los Angeles in June, citing unrest surrounding protests against Trump’s immigration enforcement agenda. Although the number dropped to roughly 100 by late fall, the White House extended the deployment into February and attempted to reassign additional California Guard personnel to Portland, Oregon, over objections from local leaders.

State officials argued that conditions had changed dramatically since the initial activation, and that the president was effectively using Guard members as a federal police force. They said such actions ran afoul of the Posse Comitatus Act and exceeded the circumstances in which a president may seize control of state units. Breyer agreed, writing, “The Founders designed our government to be a system of checks and balances. Defendants, however, make clear that the only check they want is a blank one.”

The Justice Department maintained that troops were still needed to safeguard federal personnel and facilities. In court filings, administration lawyers argued that protests and sporadic violence made it impossible to carry out federal law with ordinary resources. But Breyer rejected the claim that such assertions placed the president beyond judicial review, concluding the legal threshold for federalization had not been met. “Without a demonstration that the President’s ability to execute the law is currently being impeded at the time of deployment, he lacks adequate grounds for federalization,” he wrote.

Breyer’s latest decision halts an extension that would have kept about 300 California Guard members under federal control, with many stationed in Oregon and the remainder still in Southern California. California Governor Gavin Newsom—who sued along with Attorney General Rob Bonta—welcomed the outcome, while Los Angeles leaders reiterated there was never a legitimate emergency requiring military intervention. Newsom said, “Trump is unlawfully using the military to terrorize Americans,” and Mayor Karen Bass added that “Los Angeles will not buckle and we will not break.”  Unless an appellate court intervenes, command of the Guard will revert to Gov. Newsom early next week,

The dispute is part of a broader legal battle over Trump’s efforts to send military forces into Democratic-led cities. Courts have already blocked similar deployments to Portland and Chicago, and the Supreme Court is currently weighing an emergency appeal related to troops sent to Illinois.

Editorial credit: Phil Pasquini / Shutterstock.com

Fed. judge grants request to unseal Epstein grand jury files in NY

A federal judge in New York has ordered the DOJ to unseal grand jury materials and investigative records from Jeffrey Epstein’s 2019 sex-trafficking case.

U.S. District Judge Richard Berman issued the four-page ruling Wednesday, becoming the third federal judge in a week to grant similar DOJ requests following passage of the Epstein Files Transparency Act last month. The law requires the department to publicly release materials related to past federal investigations of Epstein and his longtime associate, Ghislaine Maxwell.

Berman said the statute’s language leaves little room for interpretation, calling it “clear” and emphasizing that Congress intended to override traditional grand jury secrecy. “The Court hereby grants the Government’s motion in accordance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act and with the unequivocal right of Epstein victims to have their identity and privacy protected,” he wrote. He also noted that attorneys for survivors stressed that disclosure “CANNOT come at the expense of the privacy, safety, and protection of sexual abuse and sex trafficking victims.”

The ruling follows similar decisions issued Tuesday by Judge Paul Engelmayer, who approved the release of a “voluminous” set of Maxwell grand jury materials in New York, and last week by Judge Rodney Smith in Florida, who authorized unsealing records from the mid-2000s federal probes into Epstein. All three judges required the redaction of victims’ identifying information and sensitive personal details.

Berman had previously rejected the DOJ’s request in August—before the law existed—arguing that the department had not met the legal threshold for unsealing grand jury testimony and already possessed a substantial investigative record. At the time, he pointed out that “the Government’s 100,000 pages of Epstein files and materials dwarf the 70 odd pages of Epstein grand jury materials,” and cited possible risks to victims’ privacy.

But he said Wednesday that the new statute resolves those concerns, referencing a 2004 precedent holding that when a law’s text is unambiguous, courts must follow it. The act requires that records be made public “not later than 30 days” after its Nov. 19 enactment, setting a Dec. 19 deadline for disclosure.

The renewed push to release the files gained bipartisan momentum in Congress after years of controversy over how federal authorities handled Epstein’s earlier cases. The political debate intensified this summer as the administration faced internal divisions over the issue. In July, the president criticized supporters pressing for release of the documents, calling them “weaklings,” before later urging Republicans to back the bill once its passage became certain.

The Justice Department has not announced when the newly unsealed materials will be made available. Epstein died by suicide in a Manhattan jail in 2019 while awaiting trial, a death that has fueled persistent conspiracy theories and renewed scrutiny of the handling of his case.

Editorial credit: Matt Gush / Shutterstock.com

Trace Adkins shares the holiday ballad ‘One More Christmas’

Trace Adkins has released his brand-new original Christmas song ‘One More Christmas’, co-written by Adkins alongside Derek George and Monty Criswell.

Produced by George, the track comes shortly after Adkins appeared on NBC’s ‘Christmas in Nashville’ holiday special, where he performed ‘Naughty List’ for the first time alongside the classic ‘White Christmas’.  The special, hosted by Trisha Yearwood and filmed in front of a live audience at Category 10 in Nashville, also featured performances from The War and Treaty, Bill Murray & His Blood Brothers, Lauren Alaina and Ne-Yo, and is available to stream on Peacock.

See the lyric video for ‘One More Christmas’ – HERE.
Stream One More Christmas – HERE.

Editorial credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

2026 Critics Choice Awards nominations: ‘Sinners’ leads with 17 nods

The 2026 Critics Choice Awards nominations were announced, with the horror film ‘Sinners’ leading with 17 nominations, and the Netflix limited series ‘Adolescence’ leading the television nominees with 6 nods.

Ryan Coogler’s Sinners received a total of 17 nominations – just one shy of the record held by 2024’s Barbie movie. The nominations for Sinners are in categories including Best Picture, Best Director (Ryan Coogler), and Best Actor (Michael B. Jordan).

Other top film nominees include ‘One Battle After Another’ with 14 nominations, ‘Hamnet’ and ‘Frankenstein’ with 11 nods each; ‘Marty Supreme’ with 8 noms; and ‘F1,’ ‘Sentimental Value,’ and ‘Wicked: For Good’ with 7 nominations apiece.

‘Adolescence’ secured nominations for Best Limited Series, as well as acting nominations for Stephen Graham, Owen Cooper, Ashley Walters, Erin Doherty, and Christine Tremarco. Other leading TV nominees include ‘Nobody Wants This’ with 5 nominations, in addition to ‘All Her Fault,’ ‘Death by Lightning,’ ‘Ghosts,’ ‘Hacks,’ ‘Severance,’ ‘The Diplomat,’ and ‘The Pitt’ each with 4 nominations.

The 2026 Critics Choice Awards also has added four new categories to this year’s celebration of critics’ picks for the best in film and TV: best variety series, stunt design, casting/ensemble and sound.

Chelsea Handler will once again serve as host of the 2026 Critics Choice Awards, airing live from the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, Calif on Jan. 4, 2026 – marking Handler’s fourth consecutive year as host. Handler said in a statement: “Kicking off the year with the Critics Choice Awards feels right.  Nothing says ‘new beginnings’ like a room full of critics ready to tell you how you did last year.”

The 31st Critics Choice Awards airs live on Sunday, Jan. 4 from Santa Monica’s Barker Hangar on E! and USA from 7-10 p.m. ET and PT. For a full list of nominees, visit the official Critics Choice website.

Editorial credit: Joe Seer / Shutterstock.com

See Timothée Chalamet in the new trailer for “Marty Supreme”

A24 released the new official trailer for their upcoming drama “Marty Supreme” starring Timothée Chalamet as the titular Marty Supreme.

Director Josh Safide co-wrote the film with Ronald Bronstein, which also stars Gwyneth Paltrow as Kay Stone, Odessa A’zion as Rachel, Kevin O’Leary as Milton Rockwell, Tyler Okonma aka Tyler the Creator as Wally, Abel Ferrara as Ezra, and Fran Drescher as Mrs. Mauser.

The video introduces Chalamet as Marty Mauser, a table tennis player who’s very determined to fulfill his dreams of making it big in the world of sports. His character is loosely inspired by Marty Reisman, who was a champion table tennis player who started as a hustler in New York City playing for bets and prize money.

Marty (Chalamet) is described as a hustler and table tennis star who “goes to hell and back in his pursuit of greatness.” That pursuit involves making enough money to care for his mother, wooing a couple of women and getting on the cover of a Wheaties box for his ping-pong skills.

“Marty Supreme” premiered at the New York Film Festival to critical acclaim, and is set for theatrical release on Dec. 25; see the trailer: HERE.

Editorial credit: Fred Duval / Shutterstock.com

Listen to Jessie Murph’s latest single “I’m Not There For You”

Jessie Murph has shared her new single “I’m Not There For You,” which she originally wrote at just 17 years old.

The now-21 year old Jessie teased “I’m Not There For You” online in 2022, and it quickly became a fan-favorite – accumulating over 100,000 TikTok creations

The new release comes on the heels of Jessie’s sophomore album ‘Sex Hysteria’, which dropped in July 2025 and debuted at No. 8 on the Billboard 200 Chart, marking her first top ten album. The 15-track project featured collaborations with Gucci Mane and Lil Baby, following previous successful collaborations including Jelly Roll and Koe Wetzel.

Jessie also embarked on the Worldwide Hysteria Tour across the United States and Canada, with sold-out dates in Australia and New Zealand to round out the year.

Stream ‘I’m Not There For You’ – HERE.

Editorial credit: L Paul Mann / Shutterstock.com

Senators Nominate Maine Students to Military Service Academies

U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King have announced their nominees to the United States Military Academies.

To be considered for an appointment to a service academy, applicants must be nominated by an authorized nominating source, which includes Members of Congress.

Admission to the United States Coast Guard Academy, also a federal service academy, does not require a congressional nomination.

Senators Collins and King said:

We are proud to have the honor to nominate such an impressive group of Maine students to our nation’s distinguished service academies. The young people we have nominated have earned this honor through a commitment to strong scholarship, leadership, and character.

The following students from Maine have received nominations as candidates to the service academies:

Unites States Military Academy – West Point

• Jacob Biberstein, Orrington, Bangor High School
• Alexis Blue, Bangor, Bangor High School
• Theodore Bluhm, Belfast, Belfast Area High School
• Peter Bonaparte, Monticello, Houlton Middle High School
• Andrew Carroll, Raymond, Solebury School
• Greyson Creamer, Durham, Freeport High School
• Elaina Gagnon, Lebanon, Noble High School
• Zachary Lattanzi, Yarmouth, Yarmouth High School
• Anika Manning, Saco, Thornton Academy
• Cooper Manser, Berwick, Noble High School
• Thomas McLellan, Eliot, Marshwood High School
• Jaden Mizera, Palermo, Erskine Academy
• Isaiah Morgan, Cumberland Center, Greely High School
• Harlow O’Leary, Saco, Thornton Academy
• Ashton O’Roak, Hampden, Hampden Academy
• Samuel Poulin, Scarborough, Cheverus High School
• Joshua Pratt, Rockland, Oceanside High School
• Jasper Wills, Bethel, Gould Academy

United States Naval Academy – Annapolis

• Jacob Biberstein, Orrington, Bangor High School
• Ian Britt, Topsham, Mt. Ararat High School
• Alberto Cutone, Kennebunk, Maine Connections Academy
• Elaina Gagnon, Lebanon, Noble High School
• Elliot Irving, Bangor, John Bapst Memorial High School
• Cooper Manser, Berwick, Noble High School
• Thomas McLellan, Eliot, Marshwood High School
• Jaden Mizera, Palermo, Erskine Academy
• Isaiah Morgan, Cumberland Center, Greely High School
• Thomas Ocampo, Scarborough, Scarborough High School
• Harlow O’Leary, Saco, Thornton Academy
• Ashton O’Roak, Hampden, Hampden Academy
• Samuel Poulin, Scarborough, Cheverus High School
• Joshua Pratt, Rockland, Oceanside High School
• Reed Proscia, Freeport, Freeport High School
• Otto Schoenthal, Southport, Lincoln Academy
• Aiden Surran, Hampden, Hampden Academy
• Cole Tomuschat, Scarborough, Scarborough High School
• Jasper Wills, Bethel, Gould Academy

United States Air Force Academy – Colorado Springs

• Derek Barbie, Yarmouth, Carrabassett Valley Academy
• Jacob Biberstein, Orrington, Bangor High School
• Ian Britt, Topsham, Mt. Ararat High School
• Kayden Daviault, Cape Elizabeth, Cape Elizabeth High School
• Patrick Delaney, Gorham, Gorham High School
• Elaina Gagnon, Lebanon, Noble High School
• Elliot Irving, Bangor, John Bapst Memorial High School
• Cooper Manser, Berwick, Noble High School
• Aiden McKenna, Skowhegan, Skowhegan High School
• Thomas McLellan, Eliot, Marshwood High School
• Leonardo Mlynski, Hampden, Hampden Academy
• Isaiah Morgan, Cumberland Center, Greely High School
• Cooper Neely, Old Town, Old Town High School
• Harlow O’Leary, Saco, Thornton Academy
• Ashton O’Roak, Hampden, Hampden Academy
• Samuel Poulin, Scarborough, Cheverus High School
• Joshua Pratt, Rockland, Oceanside High School
• Seth Starkey, Lebanon, Noble High School

United States Merchant Marine Academy – Kings Point

• Jacob Biberstein, Orrington, Bangor High School
• Kaitlyn Dostie, Hope, Camden Hills Regional High School
• Elliot Irving, Bangor, John Bapst Memorial High School
• Isaiah Morgan, Cumberland Center, Greely High School
• Harlow O’Leary, Saco, Thornton Academy
• Ashton O’Roak, Hampden, Hampden Academy
• Wallace Pooler, South China, The Hill School
• Samuel Poulin, Scarborough, Cheverus High School
• Jasper Wills, Bethel, Gould Academy

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