A lot depends on how long the stoppage lasts and whether President Donald Trump follows through with threatened layoffs.
Eric Russell
Staff Writer
Eric Russell has been a general assignment reporter at the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram since 2012 and has been a journalist in Maine since 2004. Because he doesn’t have a specific geographic or topical area to cover, Eric often is free to roam the state in pursuit of the most interesting stories, whether it’s tackling the big topic of the day or chasing ideas that fall just outside the boundaries of everyday news. His favorite assignments are ones where he can leave the office and meet with people in their homes or their workplaces to talk about their struggles and challenges – and sometimes their triumphs. Or to try and answer complicated questions.
Eric grew up in Southern Maine, went to college at the University of Maine and worked in Bangor for eight years before joining the Press Herald. He lives in Brunswick with his wife, a school teacher, and two daughters.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Live in Maine and affected by the shutdown? We want to hear from you.
The Portland Press Herald is interested in hearing from federal workers and others in the state who expect to see impacts.
advertisement
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Bill Diamond, former Maine secretary of state and state senator, dies at 80
In recent years, the Democrat from Windham had become a fervent critic of Maine’s child protective system.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Sen. King says he no longer supports providing U.S. aid to Israel
Maine’s junior senator cited the ‘growing nutrition and humanitarian crisis in Gaza’ as his reasons for severing support to the Middle East nation.
Posted inElections, Local & State, News, Politics
More Mainers have higher opinion of Gov. Mills than Sen. Collins, poll finds
Mills, who is nearing the end of her second term, has not ruled out challenging Collins, the five-term Republican seen as vulnerable by Democrats nationally.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Maine will aggressively encourage Canadian visitors, Mills assures business owners
The governor participated in a roundtable discussion in Kennebunk on Wednesday, where she heard a mix of concern and some glimmers of optimism about the upcoming tourist season.
Posted inHealth, Local & State, News
Overdose deaths declined in Maine last year, but not as sharply as the U.S. overall
Data released this week by the U.S. CDC showed a 27% decrease in drug deaths nationwide from 2023 to 2024. Fatal overdoses in Maine dropped by 20%.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
Maine sees steep drop in Canadian visitors crossing border
From February through April, 166,000 fewer Canadians traveled by land to Maine. That’s 26% less than the same period last year.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Schools and Education, Sports
Mt. Ararat principal plans more training, supervision after hazing investigation
But before his presentation Thursday, some players’ parents expressed frustrations that the investigation into the allegations was not neutral or complete.
Posted inLocal & State, New England, News, Politics
Janet Mills, other Northeast governors invite Canadian premiers to meet on tariffs and trade
The summit, a response to President Donald Trump’s aggressive stance on U.S.-Canada relations, would be held in Boston at a date to be determined.