Maine
Maine Senate Democrats select Daughtry as president to lead majority next session • Maine Morning Star
Maine Senate Democrats chose Sen. Mattie Daughtry of Brunswick to serve as chamber president, leading the majority that Democrats maintained on Nov. 5, though likely by slimmer margins as final counts are tallied.
“Our constituents are depending on us to hold the line against cruel and unjust federal policies,” Daughtry shared in a statement Thursday night following the vote. “I will take our messaging extremely seriously because we have a duty to expand our reach, not alienate people.”
A lifelong Brunswick resident and small business owner, Daughtry has served in the Maine Legislature since 2012, when she was first elected to the Maine House of Representatives at 25 years old. After serving in the lower chamber until 2020, Daughtry was elected to the Senate and became assistant majority leader two years later.
On Tuesday, Daughtry won reelection with 69% of the vote, with more than 95% of votes counted, according to The Associated Press.
Among Daughtry’s achievements are helping to craft Maine’s paid family and medical leave law. The senator has also championed efforts to reduce student debt, grow education funding and protect Mainers from forever chemicals.
“I’m committed to serving with fairness and transparency to deliver on climate change, justice reform, reproductive rights, sovereignty issues, protecting our LGBTQIA Mainers, education and so much more,” Daughtry wrote on Thursday.
With the support of the Senate Democratic caucus, Daughtry is expected to be elected as Senate President when a formal vote is held when the Legislature convenes to get sworn in on Dec. 4.
Senate Democrats are heading into the 132nd Legislature with a 20-15 majority. Last session, Democrats had a 9-vote margin in the Senate, with 22 seats to Republicans’ 13. One of the seats that flipped red was formerly held by outgoing Senate President Troy Jackson, District 1 in Aroostook County.
Also Thursday evening, Senate Democrats voted to elect Sen. Teresa Pierce of Falmouth as majority leader and Sen. Jill Duson of Portland as assistant majority leader.
Pierce is wrapping her first term in the Senate, during which she chaired the Housing Committee. From 2014 to 2020, Pierce served in the House, including as chair of the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee, which sets the state budget.
“When you grow up with a coach as a father and a teacher as a mom, you learn that the most successful teams set a common goal and reach those goals when all members can do their jobs and deliver for the people who are counting on them,” Pierce wrote in a statement. “Over our next two years, Maine Senate Democrats will work together to improve all Mainers’ lives. This means creating opportunity in the face of potential hardship. This means a good-paying job, an education, a home and a community. We are excited and ready to get to work.”
Duson was elected to the senate in 2022, becoming the first Black woman to serve in the upper chamber. During her first term, Duson served on the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee. Prior to her time in the Legislature, she spent more than 19 years on the Portland City Council.
“My commitment to public service is fueled by my enduring faith in what we can achieve when we work together to build the community and state Maine people deserve,” Duson wrote in a statement. “This starts with addressing the challenges of today from access to affordable housing to child care so we can realize the potential of tomorrow.”
Duson also vowed to work collaboratively with leadership across the aisle.
Senate Republicans are also expected to vote on their leadership positions this week.
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Maine
Rage Room in Portland, Maine, Developing ‘Scream Room’ Addition
For a lot of people throughout Maine, there’s some built up frustration that they’ve just been keeping inside.
That frustration can come in a lot of different forms. From finances to relationships to the world around you.
So it makes plenty of sense that a rage room opened in Portland, Maine, where people can let some of that frustration out.
It’s called Mayhem and people have been piling in to smash, crush and do dastardly things to inanimate objects that had no idea what was coming.
But Mayhem has realized not everyone is down with swinging a sledgehammer. So they’ve decided to cook up something new.
Mayhem Creating ‘Scream Room’ at Their Space in Portland, Maine
Perhaps the thought of swinging a baseball bat and destroying a glass vase brings you joy. The thought of how sore your body will be after that moment makes you less excited.
Mayhem Portland has heard you loud and clear and is developing a new way to get the rage out. By just screaming.
Mayhem is working on opening their very first scream room. It’s exactly what you think it is, a safe place to spend some time just screaming all of the frustration out.
There isn’t an official opening date set yet but it’s coming soon along with pricing.
Mayhem in Portland, Maine, Will Still Offer Rage Rooms and Paint Splatter
While a scream room is on the way, you can still experience a good time at Mayhem with one of their rage rooms or a paint splatter room.
Both can be experienced in either 20-minute or 30-minute sessions.
All the details including some age and attire requirements can be found here.
TripAdvisor’s Top 10 Things to do in Portland, Maine
Looking for fun things to do in Portland, ME? Here is what the reviewers on TripAdvisor say are the 10 best attractions.
This list was updated in March of 2026
Gallery Credit: Chris Sedenka
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Maine
Maine competition gives creative entrepreneurs the chance to win money
BANGOR, Maine (WABI) – If you’ve ever wondered what goes into pitching a good business idea, you might want to stop by a Big Gig event.
The Big Gig Entrepreneurship Pitch Off brings professionals from across the state together to network and pitch their early-stage business ideas for a chance to win $500.
Tuesday’s competition was held at the Salty Brick Market in Bangor, and it drew a lot of spectators.
“The winners of each semifinal event get $500 and the opportunity to compete for $5,000, so that can make a huge impact on a business that’s just getting off the ground,” said Renee Kelly, a Big Gig organizer.
The winner of the competition, Colin McGuire, was also grateful for the opportunity to showcase his idea “Art on Tap,” which would connect local artists with local venues trying to put on events.
“The support tonight is huge, and it’s just giving me more enthusiasm for running with the idea,” he said.
The season finale of the competition will be held May 19th.
The location is yet to be determined.
If you’d like to apply to compete in the contest, you can go to biggig.org.
Copyright 2026 WABI. All rights reserved.
Maine
This Monster Burrito Challenge in Waterville, Maine, Is Not for the Weak
Are you up for a Maine food challenge, or are your eyes bigger than your stomach?
A Waterville staple, Buen Apetito has a monster burrito just waiting for someone to eat it down to the very last bite.
This thing is a beast, literally called La Bestia, and it’s definitely a mighty task for a fearless foodie.
Take on the Buen Apetito La Bestia Food Challenge in Waterville, Maine
According to Buen Apetito, if you can finish a super-sized burrito in 30 minutes or less, you’ll get the $60 meal for free, a La Bestia champion shirt, and a picture on the wall of fame. That’s not to mention the bragging rights of dominating a task few will be able to conquer.
Wondering what’s in the burrito?
The Mexican restaurant shared in a Facebook comment on a post that the burrito is filled with “grilled chicken, chorizo, and tender shredded beef or pork. Built on a layer of seasoned rice, refried beans, and French fries, it’s melted together with a shredded Mexican cheese blend and a drizzle of creamy cheese sauce, sautéed peppers and onions, green salsa, pico de gallo, sour cream, creamy guacamole, and a bed of shredded lettuce all wrapped in three extra-large tortillas fused into one epic wrap.”
Let’s just say that this thing is packed full.
The first La Bestia contender took up his fork and knife in December 2025, but despite coming close, he couldn’t come out with the win.
As of March 2026, the challenge has remained undefeated. But you never know, someone is bound to come out victorious.
Just note that you can only try your hand at this food challenge on Wednesday and Thursday.
Buen Apetito Has Been a Longstanding Waterville, Maine, Restaurant
First opened in 1999, Buen Apeitito has been around for nearly 30 years.
Centralmaine.com reported that the Mexican restaurant was originally located at the Railroad Square complex off Chaplin Street before moving to 99 West River Road in 2023.
A little over a year later, in 2024, Buen Apetito shared on Facebook that it was passing on the torch to new owners, including Dalia, “the heart and soul of [the] kitchen for twenty years,” her daughter, Norma, and Norma’s husband, Shawn.
READ MORE: Famous Maine Restaurant Buen Apetito Adds Powerhouse New Owner to Crew
And it seems like not only are things still going strong, but new additions like La Bestia food challenge are only enhancing the spirit of big flavor and delicious Mexican food at the Waterville staple.
So, you think you’re up for the task of taking down a beast of a burrito at Buen Apetito? Good luck.
You Know You’re From Maine If You’ve Tried All 19 of These Foods
Here’s a number of foods associated with Maine. How many of them have you had?
Gallery Credit: Sean McKenna
The New York Time’s Best Restaurant Lists Feature These 7 Maine Spots
Gallery Credit: Sean McKenna
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