An inspector checks Fireball whiskey bottles on the line at Boston Brands of Maine in Lewiston in 2020. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal
Following months of negotiations, Maine’s Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages and Lottery Operations reached an agreement to continue contracting with its current liquor distributor for another decade.
The state’s new contract with Pine State Trading Co., which was signed last week and took effect Sunday, replaces two previous contracts that were extended to allow more time for negotiation, said Sharon Huntley, director of communications at the Department Administrative and Financial Services, which oversees the bureau.
Pine State has overseen trade marketing and administration for the department since it was awarded the previous contract in 2014.
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Following an open request for proposal issued late last year, Pine State was the only company to place a bid.
The contract gives the company, based in Gardiner, sole authority to market, sell and distribute distilled spirits products to the more than 600 agency liquor stores within Maine. State law dictates that only agency stores can sell spirits, wine and malt liquor for off-site consumption.
Under the new contract, Pine State is entitled to 7.55% of total net sales and additional revenue within the state’s tightly regulated liquor market. That will likely add up to tens of millions of dollars, based on previous sales figures.
For the last 10 years, the company was entitled to 6.95% of total net sales and revenue in Maine: 4.7% for administration, warehousing and distribution, plus 2.25% for trade marketing.
That amounted to more than $16 million in fiscal year 2023, and more than $120 million over the life of the contracts, according to a review of the bureau’s annual reports. Huntley later confirmed those figures.
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Pine State placed its bids for the 2024-34 administration and marketing contracts nearly a year ago, during a request for proposal period that ended in late January. Weeks later, it was offered the contract, pending final negotiations.
Maine is one of 17 states that controls the sale of spirits at the government level, according to the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association. New Hampshire and Vermont also employ versions of the “control” model.
In Maine, the bureau sets the prices of distilled spirits and organizes sales, meaning operating expenses – including contractor payments – can contribute to the final cost of bottles.
PORTLAND (WGME) — A seasonably cold air mass will continue to impact temperatures through the end of the week.
All eyes will turn to the backend of the weekend with the possibility of a powerful storm that is passing a few hundred miles offshore on Sunday.
Wednesday planner.{ }(WGME)
On Wednesday, the sun will be present with highs near 20 degrees.
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The snow on the ground will make things very bright, so don’t forget your sunglasses!
Boston forecast.{ }(WGME)
The Boston Celtics have a home game Wednesday night at 7:30 PM for travel purposes.
By Thursday, it will be more of a mixed bag of both sun and clouds with similar temperatures.
The next chance for some snow showers will be inland and in the mountains on Friday morning.
Weekend forecast.{ }(WGME)
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For the weekend, Saturday will be the brightest day, yet the coldest.
Our Weather Authority team continues to closely monitor the track of a powerful storm that is passing a few hundred miles offshore on Sunday.
As of midweek, the track will either have Maine under its extreme western edge with some snow or a miss heading out to sea.
There are two scenarios that the storm could take, the first being a large storm track.
If the storm’s center passes off the coast of Cape Cod, we could be looking at a classic blizzard situation with snow and wind.
The second scenario and the more likely of the two, out to sea. The storm may end up cutting in the middle of these two, bringing snow to mostly coastal spots.
This large storm and its track is being watched very closely as any shift in the track will result in major changes to the forecast. Stay tuned.
Cold start to February.{ }(WGME)
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The first week of February is set to continue with those below-normal temperatures.
Do you have any weather questions? Email our Weather Authority team at weather@wgme.com. We’d love to hear from you!
Windham players celebrate a 3-pointer during a preseason game against Edward Little at South Portland High School game on Nov. 29, 2025. (Brianna Soukup/Staff Photographer)
This is the sixth Varsity Maine boys basketball poll of the season, and the No. 1 ranking has changed each time. Windham is back at No. 1 after a big win over No. 4 South Portland. The Eagles, who have won 12 straight, were previously ranked No. 1 in the winter’s first poll.
Windham and last week’s No. 1, Camden Hills, have both topped the poll twice. Sanford and South Portland have each spent one week in first.
The team responsible for this week’s No. 1 switch, Cony, jumped three spots to No. 6 after dealing Camden Hills its first loss on Saturday and upending No. 8 Gardiner last Tuesday.
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Medomak Valley rejoins the poll after a few weeks away, and Hermon is ranked for the first time this season.
The Varsity Maine boys basketball poll is based on games played before Jan. 27, 2026. The top 10 teams are voted on by the Varsity Maine staff, with first-place votes in parentheses, followed by total points.
BOYS BASKETBALL
1.
Windham (6)
86
2.
Sanford
77
3.
Camden Hills (3)
76
4.
South Portland
56
5.
York
49
6.
Cony
43
7.
Brunswick
30
8.
Gardiner
22
9.
Medomak Valley
12
10.
Hermon
10
Poll compiled by Assistant Sports Editor Bob Aube.
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Lee Horton is the Varsity Maine Editor for the Maine Trust for Local News. He joined the Sun Journal as assistant sports editor in July 2016, then served as sports editor from May 2018 to May 2024. Prior…
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One of Maine’s two casinos is suing the state’s gambling control unit director over legalizing online casino games exclusively for the Wabanaki Nations.
Gov. Janet Mills decided earlier this month to allow Maine’s four federally recognized tribes to offer “iGaming.” Oxford Casino is challenging that decision in Maine’s U.S. District Court, accusing the state of unlawfully granting a monopoly for online casino gaming.
“Promoting iGaming through race-based preferences deals a gut-wrenching blow to Maine businesses like Oxford Casino that have heavily invested in the State and its people,” the lawsuit reads.
The casino is accusing the state of violating the Equal Protection Clauses of both the United States and Maine Constitutions, against discrimination based on race, according to the lawsuit, which was filed Friday.
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The lawsuit also states that the casinos could lose millions in revenue and hundreds of employees after the law goes into effect.
Oxford Casino and Hollywood Casino in Bangor opposed the iGaming bill, citing the potential for job losses. Other opponents included the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention as well as the chair of the state’s gambling control board.
The law will take effect 90 days after the Legislature adjourns this year, but state officials say there is no concrete timeline for when the new gambling options will become available.
This is a developing story.
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Morgan covers breaking news and public safety for the Portland Press Herald. Before moving to Maine in 2024, she reported for Michigan State University’s student-run publication, as well as the Indianapolis…
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