Although an emergency federal law expanded the Family Medical Leave Act, DHHS caseworkers and others in Maine are not eligible, so they must choose between protecting vulnerable children and keeping their own safe.
Eric Russell
Staff Writer
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 since 2004. 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.
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.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Maine reports 3 more virus deaths as Gov. Mills announces protections against evictions
The governor also announced the creation of a $5 million fund through MaineHousing to assist tenants who cannot pay their rent.
advertisement
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Sens. Collins, King join presidential task force to reopen economy
Maine’s U.S. senators are part of a large bipartisan group that includes two-thirds of the Senate and more than 30 House members.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Maine licensing boards caution doctors against prescribing unproven COVID-19 drugs
Two boards say that it would be ‘unprofessional conduct’ for doctors to prescribe chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine or azithromycin to themselves or family members, and that the drugs should not be prescribed for preventive purposes.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Maine doctors prescribing drugs unproven against COVID-19
The state regulatory board for pharmacies issues guidelines for prescribing chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin, drugs promoted by President Trump despite a lack of proof that they work.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Schools & Education
Maine colleges and universities receive $41 million in federal coronavirus aid
Half the money distributed under the federal relief package must go directly to students.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Isolation, disruption of routine hard on children and adolescents
Mental health experts are worried about the effects of long-term isolation on young people.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Maine small businesses to receive $1.5 billion in paycheck protection funds
Approximately 8,400 small businesses have been approved for federal funds that are meant to keep workers employed during the coronavirus outbreak.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Mills eases restrictions on needle exchange programs amid coronavirus
Maine’s governor announces an executive order that allows people to return used needles and get clean ones on an as-needed basis, rather than the traditional one-to-one exchange.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Two more Mainers die of coronavirus, including 1 at Scarborough veterans home
The Maine CDC says 30 more people statewide have been infected with COVID-19, among them six staff members and three residents of the Scarborough facility.