Bangor, Maine News Update: December 31, 2019

Today's winter storm is causing some businesses, agencies, and services to close for the day. We have a list of those cancellations on our website and on our station app, which will be updated throughout the day. Drivers are reminded to give themselves extra travel time and take it slow.

A bill before lawmakers would cap the out-of-pocket cost of insulin for more than 140 thousand diabetes patients. If it’s passed, Maine will join Colorado in capping costs to patients to a reasonable amount, regardless of how much insulin they use. About 10 percent of Mainers suffer from the disease.

The parking garage in downtown Bangor is offering free parking all day and night, for folks who are celebrating New Year's Eve. Anyone in Bangor or Brewer who needs a ride home tonight for themselves and their vehicle can call Union Street Automotive for a free tow. Those phone numbers can be found here.

Members of the key club at Nokomis High School stopped by a local grocery store to put stickers on bottles and boxes of alcohol, reminding adults that it’s illegal to provide alcohol to minors. It’s all part of their sticker shock campaign that aims to discourage underage drinking, and is done in partnership with local law enforcement.

On January 6^th, students and staff at 32 Maine elementary schools will participate in the third annual Winterkids Winter games. It’s an outdoor physical activity and nutrition competition that encourages children to develop healthy habits over the course of four weeks. Over 7 thousand kids will be competing for a possible 5 thousand dollar grand prize for their school.