🌱 Patch AM: How Augusta’s 2026 State House session could hit your wallet

Hello Augusta! Stay connected with the latest updates from around town. Let's dive in! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• How Augusta’s 2026 State House session could hit your wallet
• When Augusta will host a full ‘Lord of the Rings’ marathon

Also on today's calendar: Antique Show and Sale.

Today's riddle: The world champion tongue twister just got arrested! 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Tuesday: Intervals of clouds and sun, with a high of 18 and low of 5 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
• Wednesday: Intervals of clouds and sun, temps: high: 22, low: 10.
• Thursday: Partly sunny and cold, with a high of 20 and low of -2 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• What to expect when Maine lawmakers return to Augusta (pressherald.com) — Maine lawmakers are heading back to the State House in Augusta on Jan. 6 for a high-stakes session shaped by a packed 2026 election cycle. Expect intense debate over Gov. Janet Mills’ supplemental budget, new tax alignment with federal law, and how to use unexpected extra revenue, along with decisions on ghost guns, immigration enforcement, AI regulation, and property tax relief.
   

• Fill your calendar with Maine's can't-miss events in 2026 (centralmaine.com) — Augusta movie fans can catch all three extended-edition “Lord of the Rings” films at Regal Augusta from Jan. 16–24, 2026, as part of a statewide events lineup. The guide also highlights concerts, comedy tours, and special performances in Portland, Bangor, Boothbay, and beyond to help you plan next year’s outings.
   

📸 Around Augusta

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Augusta

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Sunday January 11

• Antique Show and Sale
  Bath Middle School , 6 Old Brunswick Rd , Bath
  10:00 am

📣 Augusta Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Tuesday December 30

• Sabattus Rec Basketball- Gym
  Rsu 04 Litchfield, ME 04350
  6:00 pm

Wednesday December 31

• Open Mic Night
  The Woodshed , 911 Western Ave , Manchester
  6:00 pm
• New Year’s Eve Spectacular
  Johnson Hall Opera House , 280 Water St , Gardiner
  7:30 pm
• The Cowboy Angels at The Maine House — Water Street Hallowell
  The Maine House , 119 Water St , Hallowell
  8:00 pm

Thursday January 1

• New Year's Day - Offices Closed
  Waterville, ME Calendar Waterville, ME 04901

Saturday January 3

• Sabattus Rec Basketball- Gymnasium
  Rsu 04 Litchfield, ME 04350
  8:00 am
• Winter Timber Framing Workshop @ Hoener Farms, Millbrook, NY — Never Stop Building - Crafting Wood with Japanese Techniques
  Never Stop Building LLC , 772 Rome Rd , Mercer
  6:30 pm

Sunday January 4

• Girls Basketball (GYM)
  Rsu 04 Litchfield, ME 04350
  8:30 am

Tuesday January 13

• CROCHET FOR BEGINNERS - Gardiner, ME 2026
  MSAD 11 Adult Education , 40 W Hill Rd , Gardiner
  6:00 pm
• ZUMBA WITH SHEILA POWERS - Pittston, ME 2026
  Pittston Consolidated School , 1023 Pittston School St , Pittston
  6:00 pm

Wednesday January 14

• THE INTUITIVE PATH: UNLOCK YOUR INNER KNOWING
  Adult Education , 39 Highland Ave , Winthrop
  5:30 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Augusta PatchAM possible:

• Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
  Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• A winter storm will begin late this evening into Monday bringing a wintry mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain.
  The morning commute is expected to be slippery due to icy conditions and there is concern that icing could contribute to power outages. Use caution… (Nextdoor )

• Wal-Mart posted a job opening for Cart Attendant in Augusta. Apply here.
• Perry County School District posted a job opening for Science Teacher in Augusta. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Augusta here.

🗞 Nearby News

Gardiner

• Litchfield home destroyed by early morning fire (centralmaine.com)
• "Angel" makes surprise, random gift delivery to Maine family (wmtw.com)
• Obituary: Nancy O'Laughlin (centralmaine.com)

Oakland

Ok Augusta! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I hear they’re giving him a really tough sentence.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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