A Canadian Pacific Kansas City freight train derailed around 8:30 a.m. Saturday, but officials said hazardous materials on board the train were not involved in a fire that started.
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, News, Schools and Education
First lady Jill Biden visits Southern Maine Community College
She was joined by Education Secretary Miguel Cardona as part of the Biden administration’s ‘Investing in America’ tour and to highlight career-connected learning and workforce training programs.
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Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Lawmakers consider proposals to stop changing clocks twice a year
The Legislature is weighing 3 bills: One would have the state make Eastern Standard Time permanent, a second would do the same for Eastern Daylight Time, and a third would study the impacts of no longer changing the clocks.
Posted inLocal & State
City plans to reopen Portland Expo as temporary shelter for asylum seekers
Staff plan to open the Expo as a temporary shelter as soon as April 10 and operate it until a private effort to open a new shelter on Blueberry Road is complete.
Posted inLocal & State
State awards $4 million for proposed 280-bed emergency shelter in Portland
The nonprofit Center for Regional Prosperity is collaborating with developers to convert a Blueberry Road site into a 280-bed facility.
Posted inLocal & State
Union representing state employees files complaint alleging labor law violations
The Maine Service Employees Association says the state has refused to negotiate unless the union agrees to limits on the size of its bargaining team and on whether other members can observe negotiations.
Posted inLocal & State, Maine Crime
Department of Public Safety names new state fire marshal and MDEA director
Richard McCarthy has been nominated to serve as the next state fire marshal and Richard Desjardins has been appointed as the new director of the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency.
Posted inLocal & State
One month after Edgecomb toddler killed, neighbor remembers ‘perfect kid’
Maine State Police have not released a cause of death for Makinzlee Handrahan, 3, who was found unresponsive Christmas morning, or filed any criminal charges despite ruling her death a homicide.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Lawmakers consider changes as state’s General Assistance program shows strain
Several proposals call for higher state reimbursement, as well as other changes to rental rates, eligibility and administrative support.
Posted inHealth, Local & State
Panel recommends increases in funding, benefits to boost EMS in Maine
A report from the Blue Ribbon Commission to Study Emergency Medical Services calls for more than $70 million in state funding per year.