Gov. Janet Mills, however, pushes back on the letter signed by 1 in 5 staff members and criticizes the employees’ union for an ‘extreme approach’ that is not productive.
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 inLocal & State, News
Rape kit backlog shows how much Maine still lags on investigations
A 3-year, $2.5M grant will allow Cumberland County to inventory as many as 500 untested kits and then investigate and prosecute eligible cases. It remains a statewide problem.
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Posted inLocal & State, News, Sports
Lisbon’s football season was derailed by hazing allegations. Here’s how it happened.
The team forfeited the second half of its season after officials began investigating. Seven players were removed from the team.
Posted inHealth, Local & State, News
After 34 years, court oversight of Maine’s mental health services has officially ended
A superior court judge this week approved the state’s petition to dissolve what has come to be known as the AMHI consent decree, which settled a class action lawsuit brought by former patients of Augusta Mental Health Institute.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Remains, artifacts could soon be repatriated to Wabanaki tribes in Maine. It hasn’t always been that easy.
A 1990 federal law requires museums and cultural institutions to inventory remains or items thought to be funerary. But that process is often drawn out and doesn’t always run smoothly.
Posted inVarsity Maine
No charges in what DA calls ‘horseplay’ in Lisbon High School hazing incident
The Androscoggin County prosecutor said he sat down with students and their families multiple times to ensure they had every opportunity to explain what occurred and who was involved.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Justice Department, Maine settle lawsuit over treatment of children with disabilities
The federal agency sued the state in September, saying Maine was violating the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
Maine Trust for Local News announces newsroom leadership changes
Executive Editor Carolyn Fox outlined the changes in a memo to staff this week.
Posted inHealth, Local & State, News, Politics
Maine transgender advocates fear a(nother) Trump presidency but vow to fight
Trump’s campaign often featured disparaging rhetoric and false claims about trans people, but his message was effective in seizing on broader fears.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Federal inspectors flag widespread deficiencies in Maine child abuse and neglect investigations
Maine’s Office of Child and Family Services said problems cited in the audit, which covered cases between October 2021 and September 2022, have been remedied or are in the process of being addressed.