Lawmakers return to the State House on Wednesday for the start of the second regular session of the 131st Legislature.
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 inMaine, Politics
Bellows dismisses intense criticism, says rules and evidence drove decision to bar Trump from ballot
As states around the country arrive at different decisions about the former president’s eligibility to appear on primary ballots, Maine’s secretary of state said election laws here and the evidence presented both played into her decision.
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Posted inMaine, News, Politics
Trump lawyers want Maine secretary of state to disqualify herself from ruling on ballot access
In a filing Wednesday, attorneys for the former president said statements that Secretary of State Shenna Bellows made on social media show she already has decided Trump engaged in insurrection and that she is biased against him.
Posted inMaine, News
Maine land trusts using grant funds to upgrade trail systems around the state
The projects include design and planning of a parking area and the final steps of a trail reroute at nature preserves in Cape Elizabeth and Topsham, as well as the installation of lights on a Nordic ski trail in Norway.
Posted inElections, Maine, Politics
Judge affirms decision to keep Chris Christie off Maine presidential primary ballot
The campaign is evaluating its options regarding a possible appeal, a spokesperson said.
Posted inMaine, News
Mexico woman who ‘enjoyed the little things’ and granddaughter identified as latest storm victims
Rescue personnel found the body of 20-year-old Ciara Cooper on Thursday, a day after they recovered the body of her grandmother, 61-year-old Judy Richards. The 2 are believed to have drowned after Richards’ truck got swept up in flood waters while trying to cross a bridge Monday.
Posted inMaine, Politics
New bill on background checks for gun purchases emerges in wake of Lewiston shootings
Legislative leaders are considering new bill requests for the session that starts Jan. 3, including a background checks proposal from House Speaker Rachel Talbot Ross that’s similar to one that failed in the Maine Senate earlier this year.
Posted inElections, Maine, Politics
Secretary of state delays decision on Trump ballot access after Colorado ruling
Challengers seeking to keep former President Donald Trump off Maine’s presidential primary ballot say a Colorado court ruling this week helps their case.
Posted inBusiness, Maine
Maine airports see more people trying to bring guns through security
Airports in Augusta, Portland and Bangor have reported a total of 14 incidents of people trying to bring firearms through security checkpoints so far this year, a number that is twice what was reported for all of last year.
Posted inMaine, Politics
Attorneys spar over whether Trump can appear on Maine’s presidential primary ballot
While opponents cite Section 3 of the 14th Amendment to make a case for why he should be disqualified, lawyers for the Republican argue at a hearing Friday that the secretary of state doesn’t have the authority to make that decision.