There are 468 more children in protective custody now than 6 years ago, when state officials faced fresh scrutiny in the wake of 2 high-profile child deaths. What’s driving the increase?
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 inElection 2024, Local & State, News, Politics
Poll: Economy weighing heavily on Maine voters ahead of November election
Roughly half of those surveyed by the University of New Hampshire say their household is worse off financially now than a year ago. But there is a clear partisan divide among respondents.
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Posted inLocal & State, News
Unexpected water drawdown reveals ‘wild’ stretch of Presumpscot River hidden for decades
A dam malfunction this spring caused the water in Dundee Pond to drain, offering a short-lived glimpse of what Maine’s rivers looked like before industrialization. It also likely devastated an ecosystem.
Posted inBusiness, Health, Local & State, Schools and Education
University of Maine system to explore adding a medical school
The state’s public university system has engaged with a national consultant to study the feasibility of establishing a medical school.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
Wicked good: How ‘sin taxes’ are contributing to Maine’s healthy budget outlook
Revenue from levies on alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and gambling have risen sharply in the last five years, and now account for $353 million a year – 7% of the state’s $5.1 billion annual budget.
Posted inLocal & State, News
In fight for more housing in Maine, one barrier rises above the rest: Us
The state’s ongoing housing crisis wasn’t caused by one thing, but it has put homeownership out of reach for an entire generation and created ripple effects on the broader economy.
Posted inLocal & State, Maine Crime, News
South Portland teen gets year of probation on arson charge
The 17-year-old was acquitted last month on separate charges that he plotted to carry out a school shooting.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
Four Midcoast newspapers to merge into one publication
Reade Brower, who previously owned the Morning Sentinel, Kennebec Journal and several other daily and weekly newspapers in Maine, is combining the 4 papers he didn’t sell into a single entity.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Maine ends 2024 fiscal year with $93.5 million surplus
Despite the extra revenue, forecasters are expecting a leveling-off of revenues and the Mills administration is urging caution during the next budget discussion.
Posted inElection 2024, Local & State, News, Politics
Here’s the order of 5 Maine ballot questions, including PAC limits, state flag
Maine voters will weigh in on 2 referendum questions and 3 separate bonds totaling $65 million in November, including a question about the design of the state flag.