The Maine House of Representatives voted to pass a bill Thursday that would provide grant funding and support.
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.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Maine attorney general’s office could get dedicated civil rights unit
A bill sponsored by House Speaker Rachel Talbot Ross would create a dedicated unit to investigate complaints and establish a panel to ensure best practices are followed.
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Posted inHealth, Local & State, Politics
Maine lawmakers consider requiring insurance to cover non-prescription birth control
A bill proposed following the FDA’s approval of the first over-the-counter daily birth control pill also would apply to other non-prescription contraceptives such as condoms and the morning-after pill.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Maine House votes for grant program to build mixed-income rental housing
The program would be administered by MaineHousing and support the production of mixed-income housing by nonprofit developers, cooperatives and public entities.
Posted inLocal & State, News
State police say Lewiston mass shooter left note saying he was trained to hurt people
Maine State Police also testified that Card bought the rifle used in the shooting just days before he was in New York to train with his U.S. Army Reserve unit and ended up hospitalized at a psychiatric facility.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Gov. Mills proposes budget with new public safety, mental health funding
The $71 million supplemental proposal also includes previously announced funding for housing and homelessness, child welfare and safety, and to address the opioid crisis.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Lewiston mass shooting commission gets subpoena power
The authorization comes after the commission’s executive director says subpoena power is actively needed, although it’s unclear if the commission will use the new law immediately.
Posted inElections, Local & State, Politics
Unenrolled voters get to cast ballots in Maine primaries, but little sign of mass registration changes
The March 5 presidential primaries will be the first held under a law allowing unenrolled voters to participate in either the Republican or Democratic primaries, but local election clerks have seen no rush of people who want to unenroll from a party to vote in a different primary.
Posted inElections, Local & State, Politics
Supreme Court appears poised to keep Trump on the ballot in case that will impact Maine election
Justices on both the left and right question attorneys for Trump and the Colorado plaintiffs, focusing on the meaning of Section 3 of the 14th Amendment and if states have the ability to disqualify a candidate from the ballot.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Plan to create Office of New Americans advances to Maine House, Senate
The bill, approved by a legislative committee, would create a 2-person office to help immigrants better integrate into the state.