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Federal grant boosts power grid and renewable energy project in northern Maine – The Boston Globe

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Federal grant boosts power grid and renewable energy project in northern Maine – The Boston Globe


TECHNOLOGY

Google search engine’s latest AI injection will answer voiced questions about video and photos

Google is injecting its search engine with more artificial intelligence that will enable people to voice questions about images and occasionally organize an entire page of results, despite the technology’s past misadventures with misleading information. The latest changes announced Thursday herald the next step in an AI-driven makeover that Google launched in mid-May when it began responding to some queries with summaries written by the technology at the top of its influential results page. Those summaries, dubbed “AI Overviews,” raised fears among publishers that fewer people would click on search links to their websites and undercut the traffic needed to sell digital ads that help finance their operations. — ASSOCIATED PRESS

RETAIL

Amazon is hiring 250,000 for holiday season, unchanged from 2023

Amazon.com Inc. will bring on about 250,000 people in the United States for the holiday shopping rush, unchanged from last year and an indication that the company expects steady demand in its biggest market. The online retailer, which typically announces its fall hiring binge to attract new recruits, recently said it was raising hourly pay by at least $1.50 to more than $22 an hour for its 800,000 US transportation and warehousing workers. — BLOOMBERG NEWS

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A logo on the clock tower of the Starbucks Corp. headquarters in Seattle.David Ryder/Bloomberg

TECHNOLOGY

Starbucks buys research farms as climate change threatens coffee supply

Starbucks Corp. is buying two new research farms that will test everything from drones to microbes as it seeks to make coffee more resilient to climate change, which has already constricted availability and driven up prices. A farm in Costa Rica will look at solutions including how technology can help growers. In Guatemala — a key supply region — Starbucks will replicate the challenges facing the small farms that make up 97 percent of its supply chain. Both locations will also study new coffee varieties as climate change shifts where the crop can thrive. — BLOOMBERG NEWS

DEALS

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US Steel CEO pressed by two senators to defend Nippon Steel deal payout

Two prominent Democratic senators are criticizing United States Steel Corp. chief executive David Burritt over his potential $72 million “golden parachute” if the sale to a Japanese company goes through — while President Biden’s decision on the takeover hangs in the air. Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio, whose race for reelection is one of the closest in the chamber this year, wrote to Burritt Wednesday regarding financial incentives offered to him and other US Steel executives if Nippon Steel Corp. acquires the company in a $14.1 billion deal. The executives would be eligible for the incentives if they’re terminated following a takeover, according to a March filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. — BLOOMBERG NEWS

DRUGS

Lilly weight-loss drug copycats dealt blow as shortage ends

Eli Lilly & Co.’s blockbuster weight-loss and diabetes drugs are no longer considered to be in shortage in the United States, threatening to upend the many knockoffs that became popular when patients couldn’t find the brand-name medicines. The Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday that the shortage of Lilly’s Zepbound and Mounjaro is resolved. The agency added that there are “legal restrictions on making copies of FDA-approved drugs” when there isn’t a shortage. — BLOOMBERG NEWS

WALL STREET

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Oil prices jump again on worries about the Middle East as Wall Street fades

Crude prices jumped Thursday on worries that worsening tensions in the Middle East could disrupt the global flow of oil, while US stocks pulled back further from their records. The S&P 500 fell 0.2 percent amid a shaky week that’s knocked the index off its all-time high set on Monday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 184 points, or 0.4 percent, and the Nasdaq composite edged down by less than 0.1 percent. Stocks sank as oil prices kept rising amid the world’s wait to see how Israel will respond to Iran’s missile attack from Tuesday. A barrel of Brent crude, the international standard, leaped 5 percent to settle at $77.62 after starting the week below $72. It’s potentially on track for its biggest weekly percentage gain in nearly two years. — ASSOCIATED PRESS

A Fidelity Investments branch in Boston.Charles Krupa/Associated Press

FINANCE

Fidelity plans latest mutual fund-to-ETF flip in muni market

Fidelity Investments is looking to convert two of its municipal-bond mutual funds into exchange-traded funds, a move that underscores the popularity of the $10 trillion US arena. The two funds impacted are the $170 million Fidelity Municipal Bond Index Fund and the Fidelity Municipal Core Plus Bond Fund, which has less than $70 million in assets. Both are expected to be converted next year, according to two separate regulatory filings. — BLOOMBERG NEWS

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BIOSCIENCE

‘Lord of the Rings’ director piles $10 million into dodo de-extinction startup

Film director Peter Jackson and his partner, producer Fran Walsh, are the latest wealthy celebrities to throw support behind de-extinction startup Colossal Biosciences Inc. The couple invested $10 million in the company known for trying to bring back animals from the dodo to the woolly mammoth. The filmmaker, famed for making the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies, is backing the biotechnology company as he seeks to prevent species from extinction in his native New Zealand, according to his publicist. — BLOOMBERG NEWS

CORPORATE CULTURE

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Toyota curbs DEI policy after activist attack over LGBTQ support

Toyota Motor Corp., will refocus DEI programs and halt sponsorship of LGBTQ events, citing “a highly politicized discussion” around corporate commitments to diversity, equity and inclusion. The Japanese carmaker told employees it will also end participation in notable rankings by LGBTQ advocacy group the Human Rights Campaign and other corporate culture surveys. The company will “narrow our community activities to align with STEM education and workforce readiness,” it said in a memo Thursday to its 50,000 US employees and 1,500 dealers. The note comes a week after anti-DEI activist Robby Starbuck started a social media campaign against the company, calling for customer boycotts because of its support for LGBTQ events and other initiatives. Toyota said at the time that the LGBTQ programs targeted were led by employee groups, not the company directly. — BLOOMBERG NEWS





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Maine

Maine Lottery results: See winning numbers for Mega Millions, Pick 3 on Dec. 12, 2025

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The Maine Lottery offers several games for those aiming to win big.

You can pick from national lottery games, like the Powerball and Mega Millions, or a variety of local and regional games, like the Pick 3, Pick 4 and Gimme 5.

While your odds of winning a big jackpot in the Powerball or Mega Millions are generally pretty slim (here’s how they compare to being struck by lightning or dealt a royal flush), other games offer better odds to win cash, albeit with lower prize amounts.

Here’s a look at Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 results for each game:

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Winning Mega Millions numbers from Dec. 12 drawing

10-50-55-58-59, Mega Ball: 05

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from Dec. 12 drawing

Day: 7-8-7

Evening: 2-2-6

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

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Winning Pick 4 numbers from Dec. 12 drawing

Day: 4-2-5-7

Evening: 7-7-0-7

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Dec. 12 drawing

06-20-23-30-36, Lucky Ball: 11

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

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Winning Gimme 5 numbers from Dec. 12 drawing

09-11-12-30-37

Check Gimme 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

When are the Maine Lottery drawings held?

  • Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
  • Mega Millions: 11 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
  • Pick 3, 4: 1:10 p.m. (Day) and 6:50 p.m. (Evening) ET daily.
  • Lucky For Life: 10:38 p.m. ET daily.
  • Lotto America: 10:15 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
  • Gimme 5: 6:59 p.m. ET on Monday through Friday.
  • Cash Pop: 8:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m. & 11:30 p.m. ET daily.

Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.

Where can you buy lottery tickets?

Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.

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Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a USA Today editor. You can send feedback using this form.



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Citizen’s initiative wants to roll back recreational cannabis use in Maine

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Citizen’s initiative wants to roll back recreational cannabis use in Maine


A new citizen’s initiative is looking to roll back recreational cannabis use in Maine.  Maine has allowed for prescribing and limited possession of medical marijuana since 1999, and a successful 2009 referendum established licensed and regulated medical dispensaries. Then, in 2016, Maine voters approved recreational use, retail sale and taxation of cannabis, which the state […]



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Maine Commission releases first recommendations to combat growing deed fraud threat

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Maine Commission releases first recommendations to combat growing deed fraud threat


PORTLAND (WGME) — Maine has spent the past two years grappling with a rise in deed fraud schemes.

The CBS13 I-Team first began investigating after an elderly man didn’t receive his tax bill and learned someone had transferred his property without his knowledge.

Since then, multiple landowners have come forward saying something similar almost happened to them. Our reporting has uncovered for-sale signs posted on land, fake driver’s licenses and signed agreements to transfer deeds; all tied to scam attempts.

Maine has spent the past two years grappling with a rise in deed fraud schemes. (The Nathanson family)

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The growing pattern prompted a state commission to issue new recommendations aimed at stopping the fraud.

Landowners say scam nearly cost them their property

Two summers ago, Cheryl and Ralph Nathanson learned their land on Little Sebago Lake had been put up for sale online.

“We could have lost our property,” Cheryl Nathanson said.

The Nathansons, who live in Connecticut, were stunned when they discovered a fraudulent listing for their Maine plot.

“We notified the police and they said they can take a report on it but that there’s nothing they could really do,” Ralph Nathanson said.

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Police told them it was a classic case of deed fraud: scammers posing as property owners, listing land they don’t own and disappearing with the cash.

The couple was advised to sign up for property alerts through the Cumberland County Registry of Deeds, but quickly learned those alerts offered little protection.

“You can register for the deed fraud but it only informs you, by email, after the deed has been transferred. So it’s basically worthless,” Ralph Nathanson said.

A realtor lists their property…. Again

The following summer, the Nathansons discovered a real estate sign had been placed on their land.

“I was notified by a neighbor that there was a for-sale sign, a realtor for-sale sign, on our land,” Ralph Nathanson said.

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A realtor from Old Orchard Beach had unknowingly entered into an agreement with someone impersonating the couple.

“Some of the information was correct, some of it wasn’t. You can get anything off of Google,” Cheryl Nathanson said.

Ralph Nathanson remembers confronting the agent.

“You are selling my property and I’m not selling the property,” Ralph Nathanson said. “The phone went silent.”

Despite the ordeal, the couple believes they were lucky to have seen the sign, knowing how bad these schemes can get.

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State commission concludes work on deed fraud

“Currently, you all might be landowners and your land might be at risk, and you might not know right now that somebody has sold your land,” Jane Towle with the Real Estate Commission said, during the final meeting of the Deed Fraud Commission.

This fall, a state commission of stakeholders convened to examine ways to prevent deed fraud in Maine.

The Nathansons urged the commission to go beyond awareness campaigns.

CBS13 I-Team Reporter Stephanie Grindley: “You think the state should act beyond just awareness?”

Cheryl Nathanson: “100%.”

Ralph Nathanson: “Absolutely. I think the state of Maine has a responsibility to protect landowners.

But not everyone in the meeting agreed on the scope of the problem.

Attorney General calls deed fraud a low-priority scam

In the final meeting, Attorney General Aaron Frey remained staunch in his skepticism, saying complaints of deed fraud are still relatively rare.

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“What we’re seeing for people getting hurt and losing money, this would probably not be the thing I want to highlight over other scams that are happening right now that are actually costing people their retirement savings,” Frey said.

Sen. Henry Ingwersen of York, who spearheaded the commission, sat down with the I-Team following the final meeting.

Grindley: “During the meeting, I did hear the Attorney General essentially call this a non-issue. His office isn’t getting complaints. He doesn’t see a bunch of consumers loosing money to this. Has that changed your stance?”

Ingwersen: “We’ve had three that have really been highlighted just in southern Maine. We haven’t heard a lot from around the rest of the state, but there has been some, so I think that even though it’s rare, we really need to address it.”

“I was pleased that we did come up with a couple of recommendations that we’re going to put in the report,” Ingwersen said.

Key Recommendation: Verify the seller’s identity

The first area of agreement among most, not all, stakeholders would legally require listing agents to verify a seller’s identity.

“The way it is now, it’s best practice. And a lot of professionals are doing best practice,” Ingwersen said. “The red flags in deed fraud are cash sale, land only, a quick sale at below-market value If we had realtors really paying attention to those red flags but also a policy that would require them to check the identity of the fraudulent seller, or of the seller, thoroughly, I think it would prevent, even if it prevented one instance of deed fraud, I think it would be very helpful.”

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The commission did not outline exactly how identification should be verified.

“We didn’t really specify what that identification process was going to be. We’re leaving that up to rule making,” Ingwersen said.

Second Recommendation: Easier path to undo a fraudulent deed

Currently, the only way to reverse a fraudulent deed in Maine is to go to court.

The commission proposes allowing an attorney to file an affidavit with the registry.

“Allow an attorney to file an affidavit with the deed recorder that would allow the deed to be, the fraudulent deed, to be nullified in a way that is a little bit quicker than we currently have,” Ingwersen said.

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The recommendations will now head to the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee. Any legislative change likely wouldn’t take effect until 2027, if the proposals make it into a bill and then survive a vote.

“I think we made some good progress, but I don’t think this is going to go away. I think this will continue,” Ingwersen said.

Landowners fear fraud will try until it succeeds

“We were thinking, do we take a loan out on it just to secure it?” Ralph Nathanson said.

As the legislative process begins, the Nathansons say Maine cannot wait. They fear it’s only a matter of time before a sale of their land goes through.

“To lose land like this or to find out that their land is now gone, I just can’t imagine that,” Ralph Nathanson said.

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Ideas Left on the Table: Title Freeze and National Guidance

Several proposals failed to gain traction, including a “title freeze.” a concept similar to a credit freeze that would allow a landowner to lock their deed from unauthorized transfers. Maine could have been the first state to pilot it, but members said they lacked enough information.

Instead, they pointed to national group studying deed fraud. The Uniform Law Commission is drafting model legislation that states, including Maine, could adopt to better protect landowners.



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