Eric Russell has been a general assignment reporter at the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram since 2012 and has been a journalist in Maine for 13 years.
Because he doesn’t have a specific geographic or topical area to cover, Eric often is free to roam the state in pursuit of the most interesting stories, whether it’s tackling the big topic of the day or chasing ideas that fall just outside the boundaries of everyday news.
His favorite assignments are ones where he can leave the office and meet with people in their homes or their workplaces to talk about their struggles and challenges – and sometimes their triumphs. Or to try and answer complicated questions: How does a woman die alone in a Wells mobile home without anyone knowing for 2.5 years? How does a convicted rapist from Massachusetts disappear before his sentencing and then live quietly in Gorham for 34 years before being caught? How does a husband in Bath respond when his wife develops early-onset Alzheimer’s disease?
Eric grew up in Southern Maine, went to college at the University of Maine and worked in Bangor for eight years before joining the Press Herald. He lives in Brunswick with his wife, a school teacher, and two daughters.
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PublishedMay 25, 2023
Maine has nation’s highest rate of hepatitis C, 2nd-highest rate of hepatitis B
State health officials say the number of cases should serve as a reminder for people to get vaccinated.
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PublishedMay 24, 2023
Impacts of federal debt default could spread through Maine’s workforce, economy
The state has a lot of federal workers, and a lot of retirees and veterans who collect benefits. The biggest worry, though, seems to be in the unknown. The U.S. has never defaulted on its debts.
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PublishedMay 23, 2023
Maine lawmakers back bill to allow 16- and 17-year-olds access to gender-affirming care without parents’ consent
The bill was supported by all but one Democrat on the Judiciary Committee. One Republican, Sen. Eric Brakey, voted in support as well; the other Republicans left before the vote Tuesday.
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PublishedMay 21, 2023
Most of Maine’s delegation won’t even talk about an assault weapons ban
Three of the state’s four members of Congress oppose a ban, mostly because they don’t believe it’s practical in a divided government. Only Rep. Chellie Pingree supports it.
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PublishedMay 17, 2023
Maine CDC reports death from exposure to rare tick-borne Powassan virus
The Sagadahoc County resident is the first Mainer to contract the disease in 2023.
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PublishedMay 16, 2023
Sen. King to formally recommend Shah be hired as director of federal CDC
The Maine senator will draft a letter to the White House suggesting that the state’s former CDC director replace Rochelle Walensky, who is stepping down in June.
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PublishedMay 11, 2023
Group trying to gain official party status warned against misleading voters
Maine’s secretary of state has sent a cease-and-desist letter to national organization No Labels, expressing concerns that it has confused voters who think they are signing a petition but instead are enrolling in a new party.
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PublishedMay 7, 2023
A house in Portland is sinking. The city says it’s isolated, but the homeowner is not convinced.
Steve Whitney and his sister have invested tens of thousands of dollars to shore up the home that belonged to their mother. Will it be enough?
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PublishedMay 5, 2023
Maine lawmakers could see their salaries rise in the next legislature
Members of the State and Local Government Committee voted unanimously this week to approve a bill that would increase salaries for House and Senate members to $25,000 for the first year and $20,000 for the second year of each term.
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PublishedMay 4, 2023
Legislative committee endorses bill to raise governor’s salary
The legislation would increase the annual pay for Maine’s governor from $70,000 to $125,000, beginning with the next chief executive.
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Daughter gets an eyeful when she drops in on mom
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Lewiston man taken to hospital after 8-hour standoff with police
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Raccoon euthanized after woman brings it to Auburn pet store and other customers kiss it
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Death almost took Lewiston cyclist John Grenier for a ride on the Golden Gate Bridge
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Two dead, one injured in head-on crash on I-295 in Falmouth