Maine Politics: In House District 45, Rebecca Stephens (R-Waldoboro) leans on decades in healthcare and local school service, while Clint Collamore (I-Waldoboro) frames his bid as a working-class, bipartisan fix for rising costs and taxes. Maine Elections: Maine’s gubernatorial candidates traded sharp jabs in their first televised debate, sparring over housing, energy costs, healthcare, and ethics allegations tied to a state grant. Maine CD2 Race: In the U.S. House District 2 debate, Matt Dunlap and Paul LePage clashed over healthcare affordability and immigration enforcement, with Dunlap pushing to restore insurance subsidies. Immigration Enforcement: New ICE guidance bans high-speed car chases, tightens traffic-stop rules, and requires specific training and body cameras after fatal Maine and Texas encounters. Local Politics: A Lewiston PAC, “Save Lewiston,” is using AI-style campaign materials to back conservative candidates, drawing accusations of secrecy and prompting pushback from opponents. Culture & Lifestyle: A new “Hidden Gems” ranking spotlights New England colleges, while a MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital stroke program earns Joint Commission Gold Seal certification.