Things You Need to Know: Maine in Path of Total Solar Eclipse in April 2024

Here are the things you need to  know today......

Zone forecast from Maine.gov

If you missed yesterdays eclipse or were disappointed it was a partial eclipse according to WCSH Maine is in the path of a total solar eclipse April 8, 2024 there will be an eclipse covering Texas to Maine.

State Police are investigating a shooting yesterday in Litchfield. According to centralmaine.com the man was taken to the hospital with a self inflicted wound on his shoulder. Police have not said charges will be filed.

From the Associated Press:

Gas prices have fallen a bit more in northern New England. The latest survey from GasBuddy shows average retail gasoline prices in New Hampshire fell 1.7 cents per gallon in last week, averaging $2.28 per gallon on Sunday. In Maine, the average price was $2.35 per gallon, down 1.6 cents from the previous week. Vermont's average price was $2.34 per gallon, down a penny from a week ago.

Kelp forests are critical to the fishing industry but are disappearing around the world. The Gulf of Maine is the latest global hotspot to lose kelp. Other areas include hundreds of miles in the Mediterranean and off Japan, Australia and the California coast. Scientists say the likely culprits are climate change and invasive species.

First lady Ann LePage is opening up the Blaine House lawn for an ice cream social for military families. More than 100 people are expected to attend the "back to school" event in which each child receives free school supplies. Guests are encouraged to wear play clothes because they'll be engaging in a variety of lawn games.

Gov. Paul LePage is sending handwritten missives to residents who've written to criticize him for his silence following racially charged violence in Charlottesville, Virginia. The Republican responded to constituent Darcey Poulin by saying she "must be reading the liberal press." The governor came under fire after echoing the comments of President Donald Trump, who said white nationalist protesters and counterprotesters shared blame for the deadly violence in Charlottesville on Aug. 12.

Authorities say the body of a Canadian man has been found along the Appalachian Trail in Maine. WABI-TV reports that the body of 55-year-old Gerald Gabon, of Ontario, was found Sunday evening by another hiker along the trail in Wyman Township in Franklin County. The Maine Warden Service says Gabon was hiking alone and may have suffered a medical episode.

A prosecutor says the man who shot and wounded an Ohio judge was the father of a Steubenville High School football player convicted of rape in 2012. Jefferson County Prosecutor Jane Hanlin on Monday identified the shooter as Nathaniel Richmond, the father of Ma'Lik Richmond. Ma'Lik Richmond served about 10 months in a juvenile lockup after being convicted with another Steubenville High School football player of raping a 16-year-old girl during an alcohol-fueled party. Hanlin says authorities aren't aware of a connection between the rape case and the shooting.  Jefferson County Judge Joseph Bruzzese Jr. underwent emergency surgery after the morning shooting but is expected to survive. A visiting judge from Hamilton County and not Bruzzese handled the vast majority of the Steubenville rape case.

Afghanistan's government is applauding President Donald Trump's speech for focusing on needs and conditions instead of timelines. Afghan Ambassador to the U.S. Hamdullah Mohib calls it a "10 out of 10." He tells The Associated Press by telephone from Kabul that Afghans heard "exactly what we needed to."

The U.S. 7th Fleet says Navy and Marine Corps. divers have joined the search for 10 missing sailors and will access flooded compartments on the USS John S. McCain, which was damaged in a collision with an oil tanker. Aircraft and ships from the U.S., Singapore and Malaysian navies will continue searching the waters east of Singapore where the collision occurred.

U.S. military commanders have dismissed the calls for Washington and Seoul to pause or downsize their joint military exercises to tamp down tension created by North Korean threats to lob missiles toward Guam, saying that the drills are critical for the allies to maintain military readiness against the North.

Anger has boiled over at the first Charlottesville City Council meeting since a white nationalist rally in the city descended into violent chaos earlier this month. Residents screamed and cursed at councilors at Monday evening's meeting. Others stood on a dais holding a banner that said "blood on your hands." The council scuttled its agenda to take public comment.