The governor’s communications director says the pledge doesn’t address the law enforcement aspect of the drug crisis and calls for expanding access to naloxone, which the governor opposes.
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 inMaine, News
Maine’s senators, representatives react to latest acts of violence
The shooting deaths of five police officers in Dallas followed the deaths of two black men by police officers in Minnesota and Louisiana
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Posted inMaine, News, Politics
Group seeking $12 base wage posted jobs paying $10 an hour
The Maine People’s Alliance insists the pay level in the ad was an error, but a critic of raising the minimum calls it a ‘Do as I say, not as I do’ moment.
Posted inMaine, News
Safe from terrorist violence, a new Mainer builds a very American life
The Somali native whose journey was documented in the NPR series ‘This American Life’ reflects on his new home.
Posted inMaine, News
Opiate abuse crisis touches 6 out of 10 Mainers, poll results reveal
A newspaper poll suggests 780,000 residents know someone who has used heroin or abused painkillers, and shows disagreement over the primary causes: Dealers, disease, moral failing or something else?
Posted inNews, Politics
Poliquin and Cain virtually tied in congressional race
A Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram poll shows Poliquin, the Republican 2nd District representative, has just a 41-40 edge over Cain, while Democratic 1st District congresswoman Chellie Pingree has a 20-point lead over her opponents.
Posted inMaine, News
Federal official says LePage’s threat puts food stamps at risk
Gov. Paul LePage’s threat to stop running the program if sugary drinks and candy remain eligible purchases could leave nearly 200,000 Maine recipients without benefits.
Posted inCops & Courts, Maine, News
Four arrested on drug charges in Oxford County
The arrests come eight months after police investigated the overdose death of a teenager from Harrison.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics
LePage threatens to end state’s oversight of food stamp program
The governor tries to exclude sweetened beverages and candy from the program, but the federal government says the state failed to evaluate how to carry out such a ban.
Posted inMaine, News
Portland becomes first community in Maine to raise minimum age to buy tobacco
The City Council votes unanimously to increase the age from 18 to 21.