Maine, which reported a 16% drop, is one of four states that saw at least a 15% decline in fatal drug overdoses in 2023.
Joe Lawlor
Staff Writer
Joe Lawlor writes about health and human services for the Press Herald. A 24-year newspaper veteran, Lawlor has worked in Ohio, Michigan and Virginia before relocating to Maine in 2013 to join the Press Herald. He is still considered “from away” but since then, he has learned what a “dooryard” is, eaten “whoopie pies” drank Moxie and boiled some “lobstahs.” The stories he enjoys most are when he learns something and meeting inspiring people.
He lives in South Portland - aka “SoPo” - with his wife, Melanie, and two school-age children.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Kennebunk firefighters simulate rain to calm honeybees after turnpike crash
Nobody was seriously injured when a passenger vehicle rear-ended a tractor-trailer hauling the bees on Tuesday.
advertisement
Posted inLocal & State, News
Kittery man arrested in connection with Jan. 6 riot at U.S. Capitol
Lincoln Deming, 44, of Kittery, was arrested on Saturday on felony charges for breaching the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Browntail moth caterpillars may be facing ‘zombie’ apocalypse in Maine
A fungus that turns the rash-causing pests into the ‘crawling dead’ may lead to a sharp drop in browntail populations this year, scientists say.
Posted inHealth, Local & State, News
Wait times balloon for Maine mental health services as access barriers persist
The Mills administration and lawmakers have invested $34 million in mental health initiatives, but critics say it’s not enough.
Posted inLocal & State
Northern lights likely to put on a show in Maine on Friday, Saturday nights
The aurora borealis is difficult to predict, but keep an eye on the northern sky on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Maine health and human services commissioner is stepping down
Jeanne Lambrew, who led the department through the COVID-19 pandemic, will begin a job at a Washington-based think tank and teach at Harvard University.
Posted inHealth, Local & State, News
MaineHealth helping test new Lyme vaccine
A researcher says earlier tests on vaccine show promise. If proven safe and effective, it could be ready for public rollout in 2 to 3 years.
Posted inHealth, Local & State, News
Researchers launching tick study after record year for Lyme disease
Scientists want to learn how the weather and other wildlife influence deer tick populations and the health risks to humans. The state already has recorded 261 Lyme disease cases this year.
Posted inUncategorized
Maine reaches milestone for school-required vaccinations
The state’s K-12 schools reached “herd immunity” – when at least 95% of a population is vaccinated – for the first time since 2011, health officials said Tuesday.