A brief guide to the coronavirus outbreak.
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 doesnโt 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 itโs 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 โ 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.
Huge primary turnout seen as a sign of energized Democrats
In Maine, where Joe Biden narrowly defeated Bernie Sanders, over 200,000 registered Democrats voted Tuesday, or about 58 percent.
ASK ME: Why is Brunswick’s Maine Street not spelled Main Street?
Local historians have some theories but no definitive answer.
Biden edges Sanders in Maine amid heavy Democratic turnout
Although Maine had not had a presidential primary in 20 years, the turnout of roughly 60% of Democratic voters was higher than anyone anticipated and slowed the vote counting.
Portland company’s global seafood expo scratched because of coronavirus fears
Diversified Communications had said last week that it was prepared for the event in Boston, but concerns increased.
Sen. Collins won’t say how she voted in presidential primary
The Republican senator, who did not support President Trump in 2016, has cast an absentee ballot but not said whether she voted for Trump this year.
Maine trade show organizer allaying coronavirus fears
Diversified Communications of Portland has had to make adjustments to a major global seafood expo in Boston this month.
Maine’s members of Congress oppose Trump plan to divert home heating aid to virus response
President Trump, as part of a $2.5 billion plan to combat the coronavirus threat, proposes diverting $37 million from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which serves thousands of Mainers.
Bath will host public meeting on fox trapping plan
The city says a panel of experts will field questions from the public during the meeting at Fisher Mitchell school next Thursday at 5 p.m. to outline the plan that has generated some pushback.
Lawmakers endorse forming commission to study reforms to child protection system
The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Bill Diamond of Windham, said he wants to ensure that discussions continue, and that the public gets input.