Graham Platner in Belfast, Maine, on June 6, 2026, just days ahead of the state's June 9 primary. Photo by Nathan Worcester.

As Platner rises, some Mainers have questions 

By Nathan Worcester Contributing Writer  BELFAST, Maine — The streets of downtown Belfast were charged with energy: Politics was working its way through the public square.  On one corner, older men and women held

Letters to the Editor

Rob Kerchner | Long-Suffering Californians

Is it surprising that the side that abolished shame, and championed pride, has acted so shamefully while claiming the “proud Democrat” mantle? After all, we each have friends who grew

Commentary

Jon Decker | Congress and ‘Blame Someone Else Day’

Happy holidays to everyone who celebrates “National Blame Someone Else Day” — which, unintentionally, may include a handful of senators expected to introduce the “American Innovation and Choice Online Act”

World News

OPEC: Iran oil output plunges while Venezuela climbs 

By Andrew Moran Contributing Writer  Venezuela is pumping more crude oil while Iran’s output is plummeting, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries said in a new report released on Thursday.  Total OPEC crude

National News

ActBlue CEO pleads the 5th in House panel hearing 

By Darlene McCormick Sanchez Contributing Writer  ActBlue CEO Regina Wallace-Jones invoked the Fifth Amendment on Wednesday before the House Administration Committee, surrounding reports that she may have misled Congress about how

Letters to the Editor

Jack Teoli | A Breakdown of the L.A. Election

The California primaries are still being counted, but there needs to be a deeper discussion about the Los Angeles mayoral race — not only because some Santa Clarita residents do

Byron York

Byron York | Trump Builds the Wall, as Promised

Lately, there have been news stories expressing alarm about the rapid progress the Trump administration is making building a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. Whatever the stories are nominally about

Immigration News

Trump signs $70B bill to fund ICE, Border Patrol for 3 years 

By Jackson Richman Contributing Writer  President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed a $72 billion bill to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol.  The measure, known as the Secure America Act, funds ICE and Border

Regime: Iran will reassess US talks after clashes 

By Jack Phillips Contributing Writer  An Iranian regime spokesman on Wednesday said Tehran will reassess its negotiations with the United States following strikes launched by both countries this week and U.S. President Donald Trump signaling that

FBI Director Kash Patel testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington on May 12, 2026. Photo by Madalina Kilroy.

Patel: FBI to crack down on ‘laser pointing’ crimes 

By Naveen Athrappully Contributing Writer  The Federal Bureau of Investigation is working with partners to crack down on “laser strikes” and other abuse of lasers, especially during events such as the FIFA World Cup 2026, agency Director

Letters to the Editor

Sharon Devol | Delete the Expletive

Re: Quote from former Gov. Jerry Brown in Dan Walters’ June 6 column: “I want to get s— done.” Did your editor take a vacation? Really, this is so inappropriate