Opponents of the law see the elimination of non-medical exemptions for schoolchildren as government overreach, while supporters argue that children’s health is at stake.
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 inHealth, Local & State, News, Schools and Education
Flu season ramps up in Maine, hitting some schools hard
A school in Standish and another in Sanford closed Monday, with 3,020 influenza cases reported so far this season across Maine.
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Posted inArts & Entertainment, Local & State, News
Lunar New Year celebration to go on as planned Saturday
The event hosted by the Chinese & American Friendship Association of Maine will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Westbrook Middle School and Performing Arts Center.
Posted inHealth, Local & State, News
Mainers with ties to China describe life amid coronavirus outbreak
More than 8,000 people have been infected worldwide, and efforts to limit exposure have led Mainers with connections to China to curtail or cancel travel and attendance at social or cultural events.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News, Times Record
Supporters push bill to lower hurdles for state workers seeking disability benefits
Many tell lawmakers Wednesday that Maine’s disability retirement system is slanted toward denying benefits.
Posted inHealth, Local & State, News
Maine CDC, hospitals preparing their response to coronavirus
CDC Director Nirav Shah says his agency is calling for all Maine hospitals to screen for the virus while the state is in contact with federal officials to help develop plans in case the virus spreads.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Advocates push bill to eliminate waitlists for adults with certain disabilities
Providing services for about 2,000 Mainers with intellectual, developmental disabilities who are now on waiting lists would cost about $60 million a year.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg to campaign in Maine on Monday
The former New York City mayor, a late entrant in the Democratic primary field, will make stops in Portland and Scarborough.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Advocates for Maine dental bill press Mills for support
An advocacy group presented 1,500 signed postcards to the governor’s office, urging her to back a measure to give dental benefits to adult Medicaid recipients. The change would help roughly 70,000 people receive preventive care.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Times Record
Portland’s Shalom House to end mental health program for 170 clients
The nonprofit says Maine’s stagnant Medicaid reimbursement rates led to mounting losses that forced it to close the program that assists adult mental health patients with daily tasks.