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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PublishedApril 23, 2024
Gov. Mills vetoes 3 bills, including measure to set minimum wage for farmworkers
The House and Senate will come back to vote on any vetoes, which require two-thirds support to overturn.
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PublishedApril 23, 2024
New federal staffing mandates pose challenges for Maine nursing homes
Critics say the minimum staffing levels are unrealistic and an unfunded mandate that will further burden the state’s nursing homes, many of which are at risk of closing or downsizing because of worker shortages.
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PublishedApril 14, 2024
A lightly traveled border outpost in western Maine is getting a $95 million upgrade
Built in 1932, the station at Coburn Gore is 1 of 5 in Maine in line for overhauls with federal infrastructure funds. But the reasons for this crossing’s outsized expense aren’t entirely clear.
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PublishedApril 12, 2024
Maine lawmakers endorse higher tax brackets for wealthier residents
Both the House and Senate this week passed a bill that lowers state income taxes for low- and middle-wage earners.
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PublishedApril 2, 2024
Bowdoin College student’s death ruled a suicide
Topsham Police Chief Marc Hagan said in a statement Tuesday that 20-year-old Qingyang Zhan, of California, took her own life Sunday morning.
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PublishedApril 1, 2024
Bowdoin College community shaken by student’s death
Authorities are awaiting autopsy results on Qingyang Zhan, a 20-year-old junior whose body was found in a parking lot in Topsham early Sunday. Police say there is no threat to the public.
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PublishedMarch 31, 2024
Mild winter takes a toll on Maine’s outdoor sports, seasonal economy
The 2023-24 winter was devastating for the snowmobile industry and the communities that rely on visitors coming to enjoy Maine’s trails.
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PublishedMarch 26, 2024
New affordable rental housing coming to Waterville and Hallowell as Maine makes strides to ease housing shortage
Gov. Janet Mills joined local officials Tuesday at a housing summit hosted by the Greater Portland Council of Governments focused on finding solutions to build more housing to ease the market and improve the workforce shortage.
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PublishedMarch 23, 2024
Portland eighth grader wins state spelling bee for second year
Evan Trieu of St. Brigid School emerges among 14 finalists on Saturday at Bowdoin College. He won the state bee last year as well.
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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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