By Eesha Pendharkar | Senior Reporter

From my perspective, you can’t celebrate a quarter of a millennium in a day. - Presque Isle public information officer Kimberly Smith, on the dozens of events planned to celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday.

Robert Demmons and his wife Dawn Bruns use the cooling center at the Portland Public library. (Photo by Eesha Pendharkar/Maine Morning Star)

By Eesha Pendharkar

A first-of-its-kind survey by Preble Street found more than 100 people living unsheltered in Portland, suggesting the city's homeless population is far larger than official counts indicate. Released during this week's extreme heat, the report highlights the health risks and daily challenges of living outside, from finding bathrooms and food to charging essential medical devices.

By Emma Davis

Fourteen projects, many of which are year-long endeavors, were made possible through the Maine Semiquincentennial Commission, which was established by state law in 2023 to commemorate 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

By Jennifer Shutt, States Newsroom

With a section of the “big, beautiful” law that banned Medicaid payments to certain reproductive healthcare providers set to expire July 4, GOP lawmakers are trying to find a way to keep the nationwide prohibition in place, though they won’t be able to accomplish that before the deadline. That means states will now determine whether people enrolled in the program can resume access to Planned Parenthood clinics.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Thanks for reading Top of the Morning. Did you know our weekend digest is also free? Sign up here. And if you enjoyed today’s edition, please forward to a friend. Increasing our readership helps us cover more news.