Former Gov. Paul LePage, a Republican who has said he opposes abortion, said he would not try to overturn or restrict the right to abortion in Maine, but refused to promise that he wouldn’t sign an anti-abortion bill if he becomes governor again.
Penelope Overton
Staff Writer
Penny Overton is excited to be the Portland Press Herald’s first climate reporter. Since joining the paper in 2016, she has written about Maine’s lobster and cannabis industries, covered state politics and spent a fellowship year exploring the impact of climate change on the lobster fishery with the Boston Globe’s Spotlight team. Before moving to Maine, she has covered politics, environment, casino gambling and tribal issues in Florida, Connecticut, and Arizona. Her favorite assignments allow her to introduce readers to unusual people, cultures, or subjects. When off the clock, Penny is usually getting lost in a new book at a local coffeehouse, watching foreign crime shows or planning her family’s next adventure.
Posted inLocal & State
Maine prepares for increase in out-of-state abortion seekers
Within hours of Friday’s Supreme Court ruling, Planned Parenthood of Northern New England had already fielded calls from three women living in a so-called ‘dark state’ in search of an abortion appointment in Maine, a spokeswoman says.
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Posted inLocal & State, News, Uncategorized
More than 1,000 march in Portland to protest abortion ruling
The ruling means women no longer have a constitutional right to abortion, but Maine state law protects that right within state borders.
Posted inLocal & State
Justice Department says Maine breaking law by over-institutionalizing disabled kids
The state lacks adequate community-based services for children who need mental health care or have developmental disabilities, according to the agency.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Schools and Education
State weighing impact of Supreme Court ruling on school tuition program
Interpreting the decision on Maine’s tuition program is complicated by a state law that bars schools that receive tuition from discriminating against students and staff based on gender or sexual orientation.
Posted inLocal & State
New federal PFAS advisory adds challenges to Maine’s costly PFAS cleanup
Water filtration systems that the state has been installing in Mainers’ homes appear to be removing detectable levels of harmful forever chemicals, but no one knows if they achieve the much lower levels deemed safe by the EPA.
Posted inHealth, Local & State
Even trace amounts of PFAS chemicals pose health risk, new federal advisory says
Under the new guidance, Maine’s PFAS problem would challenge public water districts that serve hundreds of thousands of customers, not just rural residents and farmers who rely on well water.
Posted inLocal & State, Uncategorized
Vandals deface scenic vista in Cape Elizabeth
The graffiti covers the ocean side of the rocky ledges of Dyer Point near Two Lights and Cape Elizabeth Light.
Posted inLocal & State, Nation & World, Uncategorized
Proposed federal grants would help remove PFAS from rural water supplies
The Healthy H2O Act would help rural areas that rely on well water tests and treat for so-called forever chemicals.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Democrats tout Gov. Mills’ record on LGBTQ rights
The party slams Republican Paul LePage over his 2018 veto of a bill to ban gay conversion therapy, as well as GOP attacks on LGBTQ rights in many states.