Stephen McKenney was shot and killed outside his home in April after his wife called police to say he was threatening suicide.
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 doesnโt 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 itโs 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 โ 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.
LePages bought new home at steep discount
The three-bedroom, 2.5 bath Boothbay house, which had been in foreclosure for a year, was sold to the governor and his wife for less than half of its assessed value.
Federal audit cites Maine’s lax oversight of day care facilities
U.S. Office of Inspector General cites unsafe practices, dangerous equipment and lack of background checks.
State’s family aid caseload halved in two years
The state’s policy change has resulted in cities spending considerably more to assist their low-income residents.
Cutler campaign awaits outcome of donations ruling
A lawsuit by four people in federal court seeks to make all gubernatorial candidates eligible for $3,000 per donor, regardless of whether the candidate has a primary election challenger.
Tick-borne diseases on the rise in Maine
Doctors have already reported more cases of anaplasmosis, a disease transmitted by tick bites, through the first seven months of this year than in all of 2013.
Cutler has committed to Aug. 27 York debate
Michaud will only attend if LePage is there; LePage won’t say if he’s going.
Legislators: State likely won’t recoup $475,000 paid to consultant
Lawmakers say Gov. LePage has told them there is no plan to get back any more money from a consulting firm that was found to have plagiarized reports about public assistance programs.
Charles Gauvin to be new director of Maine Audobon
During the 19 years he led Trout Unlimited, he speaheaded dam removal efforts and increased that group’s annual revenue 11-fold.
LePage: State will drug test convicted drug felons who apply for welfare
Wednesday’s announcement is the latest in a series of initiatives by the Republican governor, who has made welfare his signature issue this election