Welcome to this week’s recap, everyone - for Friday, October 3, 2025.1
Like what you’re reading? Please support my efforts by liking, subscribing, and sharing!
🗳 Maine News & Politics🗳
The federal government is shut down for the first time since, well, the last time, in 2018-2019. The Portland Press Herald has a good rundown of how this could affect Maine. So far, the state has received little guidance from the federal government. Independent Angus King, along with Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) and Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), was one of three non-Republicans to vote for the continuing resolution. In the House, Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME02) was the only Democrat to vote for it.
Former Secretary of State Matt Dunlap may not have been kidding around about challenging Second District Congressman Jared Golden in the primary. He hasn’t made any formal announcement, nor has he filed with the Federal Elections Commission or the state of Maine as a candidate, but he has filed with the IRS to create a campaign organization.
In another sign of how well Secretary of State Shenna Bellows runs things, the state of Maine is investigating how 250 official state ballots just randomly wound up in a woman’s package from Amazon. This is a serious problem that deserves a serious investigation. Kudos to The Maine Wire for first reporting this breach of election security.
The Trump administration took down signs referencing climate change in Acadia National Park. They were installed in 2023 under the Biden administration.
A federal judge ruled in favor of a Cape Elizabeth man who the current Health and Human Services Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., has accused of libel. That’s no surprise; the bar for libel is particularly high in this country, especially in cases involving a public figure. This case will, no doubt, continue to wind its way through the courts, however.
The federal government eliminated funding for a program at USM that helps veterans go to college, then reversed themselves and restored funding for the program. This follows a similar pattern we’ve seen from this administration for various areas of funding since January. It would be nice if they could be more thoughtful in the first place before making these decisions. It doesn’t bode well for how they’ll handle funding decisions during the shutdown.
🏀 Sports 🏀
The Boston Red Sox notched a thrilling victory in Game One of the AL Wild Card Series, but were eliminated by the Yankees last night in the three-game series. They clearly have some work to do in the offseason, starting with pitching, if they want to do more in October next year. The question, as always, is whether John Henry is actually interested in winning or just treading water.
The New England Patriots absolutely throttled the Carolina Panthers 42-13 at home last Sunday. While it was a great win, bringing them to 2-2 this season, they face the Buffalo Bills on the road this Sunday in the evening game. That will be, shall we say, slightly more challenging.
Al Horford left the Boston Celtics for the Golden State Warriors, with the 39-year-old committing verbally to a multi-year deal, according to reports.
🍺 What I’m drinking 🍺
It’s not often that I first have an IPA at a Phish concert, but that was the case with The Way Life Should Be (6.0%), a terrific hazy IPA from Orono Brewing Company. It’s nice and juicy, without being overwhelming - a terrific fit any day of the week. These days it’s widely available in grocery stores and beer shops, too!
🎵What I’m listening to 🎵
Phish’s Page McConnell, their keyboardist, released a new ambient album, Something Will Land. Why, did someone else come out with an album this week?
Jim is also a weekly columnist for the Portland Press Herald, Maine’s largest daily newspaper. Follow him on X, BlueSky, and on Facebook.
This was written Thursday evening and scheduled for publication Friday morning.