Maine’s 2012 legislative elections have broken another record.

After a couple of days of rumors, public warnings and plans for heightened security, state and local police determined Thursday that there was no message threatening schools in southern Maine.

Sales of existing single-family homes in Maine surged 23.6 percent in November, outpacing national gains, as buyers took advantage of low interest rates and a large inventory of homes on the market.

WASHINGTON — Confronted with a revolt among the rank and file, House Republicans abruptly put off a vote Thursday night on legislation allowing tax rates to rise for households earning $1 million and up, complicating attempts to avoid a year-end fiscal cliff that threatens to send the economy into recession.

Reported cases of whooping cough in Maine more than tripled this year, in line with a national trend that resulted in the worst year of pertussis infection in the United States in more than 50 years.

AUGUSTA — A city man was arrested on a charge of unlawful sexual contact Thursday in connection with a case that involves children, police said.

OAKLAND — The generosity of people near and far has helped a frightened woman sleep a little better this Christmas season.