A 60-month cap on federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or TANF, benefits that was pushed for by Gov. Paul LePage and the Republican-controlled 125th Legislature brought Maine in line with other states and helped reduce welfare dependence, supporters claim.
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 inNation & World, News, Politics
LePage administration OKs raises for DHHS caseworkers
The increases are awarded despite a wage freeze for state employees that has been in effect since 2009.
advertisement
Posted inNews, Politics
LePage slows down east-west highway study
The decision comes after a state senator asks to suspend a feasibility analysis because of residents’ concerns of losing their property.
Posted inNews
Further protests unlikely, but prices please no one
CAP-PELE, New Brunswick — Jean-Pierre Cormier stood on the dock at Aboiteau Wharf Wednesday in this southeastern New Brunswick fishing town. A dozen or so fellow lobstermen stood with him and chatted about the weather and where to go for lunch.
Posted inNews
Lobster fishermen ‘all in the same boat’
Even as an agreement averts a looming crisis in New Brunswick, lobstermen in Canada and Maine remain at the mercy of processors
Posted inNews
Lobster again flowing into Canada
FREDERICTON, New Brunswick — Maine lobster flowed back into Canada on Friday, one day after a judge ordered protesters to stop blocking access to processing facilities.
Posted inBusiness, News
Flow of Maine lobster resumes to Canadian processors
A handful of processors in eastern New Brunswick confirm they are again accepting product from Maine.
Posted inNews
Canadian court limits protests at lobster plants, allows for continued delivery of Maine lobster
The judge granted an injunction that orders protesters not to block entrances to lobster processing plants for the next 10 days. The order says no more than six people can protest at a time, and they must stay at least 200 feet from the plants.
Posted inBusiness, News
Canadian judge rules against lobster protesters
In Maine, Gov. LePage requests a meeting with the state’s three largest lobster processors to discuss the Canadian protests’ impact on the Maine lobster industry.
Posted inNews
Maine, Canadian lobster fishermen rattle sabers, call for government intervention
FREDERICTON, New Brunswick — A cross-border dispute between the United States and Canada about the processing of lobsters has intensified, with Canadian lobstermen insisting on higher prices for their catch while continuing to prevent Maine lobsters from reaching processors. In the U.S., the matter reached the desk of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Wednesday […]