Welcome to the “Evening Briefing,” a comprehensive look at daily news in Maine. Produced by the Spectrum News Maine team and through partnerships with the state’s top news organizations, the Evening Briefing aims to create stronger Maine communities through a commitment to transparency and carefully reported, factual local journalism. 

Here are the top stories for Friday, Nov. 18, 2022.

TODAY’S TOP STORIES

Recounts requested for three Maine legislative seats

Recounts in two Maine House districts and one Senate district will likely be conducted in the coming weeks ahead of the Legislature’s Dec. 7 swearing-in day.  Even if the recounts change the outcome of individual elections, they will not change the balance of power in the Maine House or Senate.

Lobster rules to protect whales will wait 2 years, judge says

A federal judge has ruled that new lobster fishing restrictions designed to conserve rare whales will be delayed until 2024 to give the government time to design them. The ruling Thursday by U.S. District Judge James Boasberg came on the heels of his July ruling that new, stronger rules are needed to protect the North Atlantic right whale from extinction.

Maine Democrats nominate Talbot Ross to be first Black House Speaker

Maine House Democrats have nominated Rep. Rachel Talbot Ross to be the next House Speaker, a history-making choice if she is confirmed next month. Talbot Ross, of Portland, is poised to be the state’s first Black lawmaker to serve…