Rural Health Care: Maine lawmakers are pressing MaineHealth to explain why it plans to close Lincoln Hospital’s birthing center in Damariscotta, with CEO Andy Mueller citing low delivery volume and staffing challenges—plus the broader issue that no rural state has “effectively solved” maternity-care access. Long-Term Care Deal: Links Healthcare is moving toward acquiring First Atlantic Healthcare’s 20 Maine nursing homes and assisted-living facilities, a major ownership shift that could affect care across nine counties. Food Safety: Maine CDC says cyclosporiasis cases tied to recalled iceberg lettuce are gradually slowing, even as the national outbreak keeps expanding in confirmed counts. Legal/Policy: Opponents of Maine’s 3-day waiting period for gun purchases have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to take up the case, setting up a potential national ripple. Public Safety Tech: The ACLU of Maine is challenging municipalities’ use of license plate readers, citing privacy and error-rate concerns, while Brewer defends its program’s role in solving serious crimes. Economic/Trade: Susan Collins urges the Trump administration to resume Canada trade negotiations, warning retaliatory tariffs could hit Maine’s lobster and other export-heavy industries. Housing: Northern Forest Center broke ground on a $12.5M, 24-unit affordable housing project in Greenville, aimed at year-round residents and long-term newcomers.