AUGUSTA — Bills from lawyers representing indigent defendants will be paid sooner rather than later now that the governor stepped in with some emergency funding.

AUGUSTA — A simple 10-word question that could appear on the November ballot isn’t making either side of the gay marriage campaign happy.

PORTLAND — Expert witnesses who testified Thursday in Dennis Dechaine’s hearing on a new trial offered contrasting views on whether the DNA evidence at issue is a result of contamination.

PORTLAND — Higher-than-expected construction bids for a train layover garage in Brunswick are forcing Maine rail authorities to look for more money or possibly change plans for the large shed for fixing and cleaning trains.

PORTLAND — The private sector has increased spending on construction projects in most states, making up for the decline in government spending as federal stimulus money dries up, the chief economist for the Associated General Contractors of America told contractors Thursday.

NEW SHARON — George Brown sat in his car outside Douin’s Market earlier this week and scratched a few lottery tickets, reaching the last one without high hopes for a winner.