Before getting to work on Gov. Janet Mills’ controversial $8 billion, two-year budget proposal, the Legislature has to clear a small spending proposal from the governor that nevertheless contains a few important policy shifts.

Maine lawmakers are considering a bill that would prohibit cities and towns from passing most restrictions on short-term rentals that have exploded on websites like Airbnb.

Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine said she supports a lawsuit aimed at stopping President Donald Trump’s emergency declaration to build a wall on the southern border.

U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont is running for president again next year, but things have changed drastically for the 2016 runner-up for the Democratic nomination and winner of the Maine caucuses since four years ago.

Good morning from Augusta. The new Maine Legislature still hasn’t sent any bills to Gov. Janet Mills, but that may change this week as lawmakers also begin their work in earnest to whittle down more than $1.5 billion in borrowing proposals.

Maine will join roughly a dozen states in filing a lawsuit against the White House over President Donald Trump’s national emergency declaration late last week.

Northern Maine Medical Center announces the following recent births.

Growing up as the oldest of 12 siblings in rural Maine, Bonnie (Bustard) Pratt learned as a youngster to appreciate what she had and not to dwell on things she did not.

The use of electronic cigarettes -- e-cigarettes, vape pens, Juuls, and similar products -- is on the rise in schools in the Valley despite prevention efforts.

Angie Keilhauer will perform live at the University of Maine at Fort Kent on Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2019 at 7 p.m. in the Fox Auditorium.

50 Years Ago --Feb. 20, 1969 Two Area Men To Become Brothers -- Two young men from Maine will become Brothers in the Society of St. Edmund in Mystic, Conn., on Feb. 22. Brothers Louis P. Martin of Madawaska and Michael P. Jacques of Caribou will profess the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience at St. Patrick’s Church.

The Fort Kent Knights of Columbus have announced the winner of their ongoing lotto fundraiser for the week of Feb. 4-Feb. 10, 2019.

Indeed, with comical interest, did I peruse the latest left side contribution to your fine publication from Paul Cyr of Madawaska.

To the editor: After reading Walter Crean’s latest letter to your fine publication, I jumped in my truck and drove around town looking for walls around our houses, businesses, and factories.

If you are reading this on the date of publication, that means it’s Feb. 20, which is a big day for my family, for it was on this date, Febr. 20, 1919, exactly 100 years ago, that my mother, Esther, was born. And it was my dear mother who instilled in me my love of nature, and, through that, I discovered light and landscape, leading to my passion for weather.

To the editor: Some questions of politics are eternal, that is, they transcend time.

Part 2 In “It Came at Night” Part I, Adry, Jesus and their two children survived Hurricane Maria, but are left to deal with the aftermath.

In January 2015, Rick Zaccaro and Bonnie Washuk, a married couple here in Maine, filed their federal income taxes.