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 for 13 years. 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: How does a woman die alone in a Wells mobile home without anyone knowing for 2.5 years? How does a convicted rapist from Massachusetts disappear before his sentencing and then live quietly in Gorham for 34 years before being caught? How does a husband in Bath respond when his wife develops early-onset Alzheimer’s disease? 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.
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PublishedMarch 8, 2024
Maine gets $2 million federal grant for behavioral health in wake of Lewiston tragedy
The money will support the needs of those directly and indirectly impacted by the tragedy in Lewiston, Gov. Janet Mills said.
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PublishedMarch 7, 2024
Army reservists tell commission more could have been done to help Lewiston gunman
Robert Card was a longtime reservist for a Saco-based unit. His colleagues became increasingly concerned about his behavior last year but took few steps to follow up on his mental health treatment.
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PublishedMarch 6, 2024
Good Shepherd president to join Rep. Pingree at State of the Union
Maine’s 1st District congresswoman invited Heather Paquette in part because Pingree expects President Biden to address the need to protect federal food assistance programs.
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PublishedMarch 5, 2024
Maine high court considers whether vacated Portland manslaughter conviction should stand
Mark Cardilli Jr. shot and killed his sister’s boyfriend, Isahak Muse, during a fight at the Cardillis’ Portland home. State prosecutors are challenging a decision last year that vacated his conviction and ordered a new trial.
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PublishedMarch 5, 2024
Patricia Collins, mother of U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, dies at 96
The Aroostook County resident was mother to 6 children, including Maine’s senior senator.
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PublishedMarch 1, 2024
Maine’s unemployment rate hovers near record low
The 2023 rate of 2.9% doesn’t capture the whole picture, though, because many workers have left the workforce entirely in the last few years.
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PublishedFebruary 25, 2024
Maine voters gear up for March 5 presidential primaries, though many are unhappy with the choices
Although the outcomes of the Democratic and Republican primaries seem clear-cut, some voters look forward to casting ballots for their preferred candidates while others dread a rematch of the 2020 presidential race.
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PublishedFebruary 22, 2024
Measure to limit PAC contributions in Maine could be headed for November ballot
If approved, donations from individuals and businesses would be capped at $5,000 in a calendar year in Maine. But the law would likely be challenged in court and, potentially, give the U.S. Supreme Court another chance to weigh in on campaign finance reform.
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PublishedFebruary 12, 2024
$6.5 million awarded to 6 Maine businesses for electric grid updates
The money comes from the state’s share of nearly $1 billion in American Rescue Plan funds, 75% of which has been spent or committed since 2021.
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PublishedJanuary 23, 2024
Maine unemployment rate increases for 5th straight month but remains historically low
The rate of 3.2% in December was the highest it has been in 22 months, according to state data, but is still below the national rate.
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