Launches

Bangor Daily News brings 137 years of Maine journalism to Pugpig Bolt

The Bangor Daily News has launched a new app on Pugpig Bolt through our partnership with Newspack – replacing an older e-paper-only app with live news, personalisation, games and obituaries for Maine’s only independently owned daily newspaper.

20th July 2026

Founded in 1889 and family-owned for four generations, the Bangor Daily News is Maine’s only independently owned daily newspaper. Now, the title has a new app built through our partnership with Newspack, replacing an older e-paper-only app with one built around live news, personalisation and daily habit.

First and foremost a subscriber play, the app is built to retain existing readers and bring in new ones. Free to download from launch to drive downloads and regular use, reader sign-in arrives later this year.

Follow, our user-driven personalisation functionality, lets readers build a personalised feed around specific topics and authors, keeping the experience relevant on every visit. Users can also keep up to date with real-time updates in the latest feed, giving them another reason to check back throughout the day.

Games are built in for readers who want something beyond the day’s stories, extending sessions and encouraging more frequent returns. Obituaries meet a consistent, personal need for local communities, giving the app even more relevance outside of the news cycle.

Powered by Newspack and Pugpig Bolt, the app is built on BDN’s existing WordPress setup – whatever the team publishes goes straight in, no new tools or workflows necessary.

The Bangor Daily News app is available to download on iOS and Android.