The outlook on nearly $500 million in Maine bonds was downgraded by a debt-rating agency just weeks before the state launches a bond offering.

It’s fairly common for Maine governors to highlight their first 100 days in office, but Gov. Paul LePage went a step farther on Friday, releasing a 20-page booklet touting his policy accomplishments in his first 500 days as the state’s chief executive.

The outlook on nearly $500 million in Maine bonds was downgraded by a debt-rating agency just weeks before the state launches a bond offering.

It’s fairly common for Maine governors to highlight their first 100 days in office, but Gov. Paul LePage went a step farther on Friday, releasing a 20-page booklet touting his policy accomplishments in his first 500 days as the state’s chief executive.

SKOWHEGAN — What began as two confirmed cases of whooping cough 10 days ago at the high school and one involving a 7-year-old has spiked to as many as 13 cases districtwide, according to the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

FARMINGTON — A record number of community leaders gathered Friday for the 12th Maine Downtown Conference, which provided a boost for area businesses while highlighting the annual symposium’s efforts to revitalize the state’s economy.