Landmark health bill clears hurdle in Senate
Opponents of a public option join other Democrats to vote 60-39 to begin weeks of floor debate.

Employers bear brunt of soaring insurance costs
Price increases of up to 25 percent for next year are forcing Maine businesses to make hard choices.

Taste in public art a private matter
Today in Audience and online, our team takes a closer look at Portland's growing collection.

Heat's turned up in quest for lobster bait
A limit on catches of the favored herring adds impetus to the search for alternative baits for traps.

Legal-aid group tapped to help vets navigate laws
Pine Tree Legal Assistance will be creating a Web site that military families can consult – and understand.

BILL NEMITZFired up to give to poor, they warm themselves

Feature Obituary: William Harkins, 64, liberal activist, volunteer, fun dad

Dispatches

UMA poised to accept downtown building
The gift of a local developer, the six-story building will be used as classroom space.

Church volunteers help prepare woman's roof for winter
A New Hope Baptist crew replaces shingles at a home in Famington.

Augusta entices businesses with new initiatives
Ideas for revitalizing the city center make progress, even as some business owners close or move.

Legion intends to cheer soldiers
Post 153 is accepting decorations to ship to an Auburn-based Army Reserve unit in Iraq.

Maine Reports: Backlog of pretrial inmates brought to Lincoln commissioners' attention

Old tradition, new times
Bazaars continue to thrive, due in part to the recession's 'new frugality,' with dozens of groups hosting holiday sales.

More plates go empty
Growing numbers of Mainers are seeking food assistance as the economy continues to squeeze jobs and income.

TOWN MEETINGS It's town meeting season. Meeting coverage Lists of meetings: This weekend | Scheduled later Post a story about the meeting or your opinions about it Do you have photos? You can post pictures too. When is your town meeting? Post it to the event calendar.