Nathan Thayer has served as administrator at the York County Jail for the last three years and will start in his new role at Maine’s largest prison on Monday.
Rachel Ohm
Staff Writer
Rachel covers state government and politics for the Portland Press Herald. It’s her third beat at the paper after stints covering City Hall and education. Prior to her arrival at the Press Herald in the summer of 2019, Rachel worked at the Morning Sentinel in Waterville, covering Franklin and Somerset counties, and the Knoxville News Sentinel in Knoxville, Tennessee, covering higher education. She has a master’s degree in journalism from New York University and when she’s not writing and reporting enjoys running, cooking and traveling to new places.
Bernie Sanders speaks at UNE graduation, says U.S. health care system is broken
America spends more than other countries, yet millions of people are uninsured and underserved, the senator from Vermont said during his remarks at Saturday’s commencement.
Oversight panel questions officials about workplace culture in fire marshal’s office
Fire Marshal Richard McCarthy tells lawmakers that his office is working better and morale has improved, but ‘there is still work to be done.’ But the union chief said employees have been disappointed so far with steps the office has taken.
Absentee voting now underway for June primaries in Maine
The election includes contested Republican primaries in both of Maine’s congressional districts, as well as 18 contested primaries for seats in the Legislature.
Some influential Maine lawmakers are about to give up their seats. What’s next for them?
Here’s what 10 prominent legislators had to say about their time in office and their future plans.
Maine high court hears case challenging Democrats’ budget maneuver
A group including 2 Republican lawmakers has argued that legislative leaders violated the state constitution by passing a party-line budget and then calling a special session to finish other work. But an assistant attorney general told the court the process was lawful.
Lawmakers on budget committee move to fund dozens of additional bills
The bills ‘moved off the table’ still require final approval from lawmakers, who meet again Friday, before they can be sent to Gov. Janet Mills.
College graduations begin in Maine even as protests disrupt ceremonies around the U.S.
Protests have mostly been small and peaceful on Maine campuses, where students have joined the call to end to the war in Gaza and for their schools to divest from defense funds.
Opponents of waiting period on gun purchases vow to challenge law in court
Critics of the new law hope to block it in court, saying it is unconstitutional. Supporters of the waiting period are confident it would be upheld.
In a historic legislative session, some big reforms for Maine still fell short
Some approved legislation still awaits action by the governor, and lawmakers will return for at least one more day to address vetoes.