Skip to main content

Nearby Communities

State Edition

National Edition

Stay in the loop with what's happening in South Portland

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.

🌱 What the South Portland School Board couldn’t agree on about AI

South Portland, Maine Patch AM: a 4 min read

Hi South Portland! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • What the South Portland School Board couldn’t agree on about AI
  • Could your South Portland tree light up Monument Square this winter?
  • Why SMCC faculty in South Portland say they’re paid only 80%.

Also on today's calendar: Beeswax Wrap Workshop at the South Portland Library and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What do you get when you drop a Coffee Mug? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
Today's South Portland Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile - America's Best Mobile Network, according to Ookla Speedtest. Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data 1H 2026. We thank T-Mobile for their support in helping to keep communities like ours connected and for making today's South Portland Patch AM possible.
Find a T-Mobile store near South Portland. Advertisement

☑️ Important voting information: The Nov. 3 general election is coming up. Official Maine election resources: Find your polling place | Register to vote | Absentee, mail and early voting. Maine has no online registration-status lookup; contact your municipal clerk to confirm your registration.

Weather forecast:

  • Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 53 and low of 38 degrees.
  • Monday: Plenty of sunshine, temps: high: 56, low: 44.
  • Tuesday: Breezy in the morning, with a high of 63 and low of 41 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• South Portland School Board split on AI policy as community concerns mount — South Portland Board of Education, Oct 14, 2026 (meetingwatch.org) — South Portland families should know the School Board is sharply divided over how to regulate student use of artificial intelligence and has pulled back a broader policy after a split vote. At the same time, parents are pressing for detailed financial, transportation, and staffing plans around a proposed elementary school reconfiguration, while staff warn that cuts to ed tech positions are creating unsafe conditions.
   

• Portland Seeks Holiday Tree as Monument Square Prepares for Annual Tradition (themainewire.com) — If you have a large evergreen in South Portland that needs to come down, it could become Portland’s Monument Square holiday tree this year. The city is seeking 45- to 60-foot spruces or firs from several nearby towns, including South Portland, and will remove the chosen tree at no cost. Submissions are due by Nov. 1 using the Monument Square Tree Donation Form.
   

• Community College Faculty Picket for EQUAL PAY (maineea.org) — Faculty at Southern Maine Community College in South Portland are picketing for equal pay for hands-on lab, shop, and clinical instruction, which currently earns only 80% of standard credit-hour pay. Instructors argue this undervalues crucial, time-intensive training that prepares students for trades and healthcare careers. Their action, backed by colleagues statewide, comes as contract negotiations approach this fall.
   

📸 Around South Portland

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 South Portland

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

📣 South Portland Shout Outs!

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

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

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • The Little Crumb Bakery will be popping up tomorrow!
    Saturday, October 17th from 8am-until sold out! We’ve got some more new items and seasonal favorites! Here is this weeks menu: *CChocolate Chip… (Nextdoor Meeting House Hill)
  • LongHorn Steakhouse posted a job opening for Server in South Portland. Apply here.
  • Rejuvenation posted a job opening for Design Sales Specialist/Home Stylist, Full Time, Portland - Pottery Barn in South Portland. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near South Portland here.

🗞 Nearby News

Portland

Cape Elizabeth

Ok South Portland! 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: "What do you get when you drop a Coffee Mug?" — a Coffee Break! (Thank you Jorie W. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook

Stay in the loop with what's happening in South Portland

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.

Stay in the loop with what's happening in South Portland

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.