Teachers and child care staff can now begin getting vaccines after Gov. Mills announced that the state would follow President Biden’s recent directive to states.
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.
Maine vaccine shipments to drop next week, just as eligibility expands to include teachers
The state will not receive any doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine after getting 15,000 this week, but more doses may go directly to retail pharmacies next week.
In busy vaccination week, state reports 147 new cases of COVID-19, 2 additional deaths Wednesday
Maine is in the middle of its busiest vaccination week to date, as President Biden announced Tuesday that production is expected to ramp up quickly.
Maine CDC reports 17 more COVID-19-related deaths, 164 new cases, with vaccine boost coming
Only two of the deaths occurred in the last 24 hours. The others were found after a periodic review of vital records to determine whether COVID-19 was a factor.
Maine Democratic leaders pitch COVID-19 Patient Bill of Rights
Lawmakers hold a public hearing on L.D. 1, which would waive all copayments for testing and vaccinations.
Sen. Collins says she’ll vote no on Biden’s nominee to lead budget office
Neera Tanden has been under scrutiny for antagonistic social media posts, and her confirmation is in doubt.
Maine set to receive 14% increase in vaccine doses next week
The 218 new COVID-19 cases reported Thursday represented a slight uptick over previous days, but the seven-day average is about half what it was 2 weeks ago.
Maine will provide rapid tests for COVID-19 to school districts
The state will distribute up to 250,000 antigen tests, which produce results in 15 minutes, enabling schools to keep virus transmission in check and reduce staffing problems.
Criteria for involuntarily committing patients in Maine is about to change
The state supreme court ruled last month that a Damariscotta hospital erred in holding a patient without getting a judge’s approval and in how it evaluated his petition to be released.
Gov. Mills closes state offices Tuesday because of storm
A mix of sleet, freezing rain and snow is expected to make travel conditions treacherous.