Hello, I've returned to the living after missing the past two weeks due to eye surgery.

In addition to getting a handle on what people are doing for today's newspaper, I'm working with the staff to plan upcoming stories. Right now we're putting together a list of story projects for 2008. Basically, these are in-depth or investigative stories that might take weeks or even months to prepare, like our recent series on suspended drivers.

We're also planning stories to coincide with the 5th anniversary of the start of the war in Iraq, on March 19. Among the questions we're exploring: What's it been like for veterans to transition back to civilian life? Have their views of the war changed? How has the war affected the military's recruitment efforts in Maine? How would each of the candidates for president approach the war if elected?

As always, I welcome your story suggestions.

E-mail this entry to a friend