Morning Update: What you need to know in Maine today

_A version of this story first appeared in the Morning Update newsletter. [Sign up here](https://www.bangordailynews.com/bdn-newsletters/) to receive the Morning Update and other BDN newsletters directly in your inbox._ ### QUOTE OF THE DAY [“I think that we could have done some more building.”](https://www.bangordailynews.com/2026/01/14/bangor/bangor-housing/bangor-year-of-building-2025-joam40zk0w/) _— Bangor City Councilor Michael Beck reflecting on 2025, which the city had declared the “year of building.”_ ### TODAY’S TOP STORIES [**Bangor named building its top priority of 2025. Here’s how that went**](https://www.bangordailynews.com/2026/01/14/bangor/bangor-housing/bangor-year-of-building-2025-joam40zk0w/)**.** The city doled out a record number of building permits, but available data shows there’s more to the story. [**Here’s what Penobscot County’s budget crisis means for Bangor**](https://www.bangordailynews.com/2026/01/13/bangor/bangor-government/county-taxes-bangor-homeowners-joam40zk0w/)**.** Out of a nearly $4 million jump in the 2026 Penobscot County budget, $1.2 million will be borne by the city’s residents. [**New housing in rural Maine is coming from an unlikely source**](https://www.bangordailynews.com/2026/01/14/business/business-housing/northern-forest-center-building-housing-rural-maine-joam40zk0w/)**.** The Northern Forest Center historically helped rural communities with downtown revitalization, outdoor recreation and forest conservation. [**What... --- *Note: This is a summarized excerpt. Click the source link above to read the full story.*