By Billy Kobin, Bangor Daily News Staff Mainers tired of relying on paid tax preparers will soon have a new free option, with the state saying it will opt in to the Internal Revenue Service’s Direct File system by next year.

By Julie Harris, Bangor Daily News Staff From the effects of development and predation to skewed bull-cow ratios and suggestions about the annual hunt, Mainers recorded their observations about changes in the population of the state’s most iconic animal — the moose — in a management survey.

By Michael Shepherd, Bangor Daily News Staff AUGUSTA — More than five weeks of political turmoil, including the replacement of President Joe Biden on the Democratic ticket, is putting presidential politics at the center of the election in Maine’s swing 2nd Congressional District.

PARKMAN — The Parkman Grange awarded six SAD 4 area college students Minnie Welts Bridge Scholarships of $500, each, for the 2024-25 school year.

By Kathleen O’Brien, Bangor Daily News Staff The group that runs Greater Bangor’s meal delivery program for older residents is still facing a six-figure funding gap despite months of fundraising — and the waitlist for the service has only grown.

The Maine Community Foundation is accepting applications for its fall grant programs.

Bob Carey, superintendent of the Maine Bureau of Insurance, cautioned Maine residents to be  aware of salespeople offering “self-funded” health plans to individual consumers.

AUGUSTA — Gov.

DEXTER — In 2012 the town of Dexter adopted a comprehensive plan, and the document was revised in 2018 with an assessment and update of policies, goals, and strategies.

BANGOR – Penquis C.

AUGUSTA – Gov.

AUBURN — Good Shepherd Food Bank of Maine recently welcomed five new board members to its board of directors including Whitney Gould-Cookson, MS, RD, LD, clinical dietitian at Northern Light Mayo Hospital in Dover-Foxcroft.

WASHINGTON, D.

DEXTER — The Maine Red Hot Festival will be back in downtown Dexter on Saturday, Aug.

BOWERBANK — Every five years Bowerbank Days returns to the community of 100-plus citizens and more seasonal residents on the shores of Sebec Lake and in 2024 the festival features events in the village on the evening of Friday, Aug.

By Julie Harris, Bangor Daily News Staff Several bills the Maine Legislature passed into law this session related to boats, ATVs, snowmobiling, invasive species and hunting will go into effect on Aug.

WASHINGTON, D.

Sebasticook Valley Federal Credit Union continues a commitment to the community through member initiatives.