A judge known for his anti-abortion views soon could outlaw the most common method of ending an unwanted pregnancy in the state.
Penelope Overton
Staff Writer
Penny Overton is excited to be the Portland Press Herald’s first climate reporter. Since joining the paper in 2016, she has written about Maine’s lobster and cannabis industries, covered state politics and spent a fellowship year exploring the impact of climate change on the lobster fishery with the Boston Globe’s Spotlight team. Before moving to Maine, she has covered politics, environment, casino gambling and tribal issues in Florida, Connecticut, and Arizona. Her favorite assignments allow her to introduce readers to unusual people, cultures, or subjects. When off the clock, Penny is usually getting lost in a new book at a local coffeehouse, watching foreign crime shows or planning her family’s next adventure.
To-go alcoholic drinks may be here to stay
Despite objections from public health advocates, a legislative committee voted Wednesday in favor of permanently legalizing the pandemic-era practice of to-go cocktails, wine, and beer.
Lawmakers consider bill requiring Maine voters to show photo ID at polls
Supporters say a photo ID mandate would boost public confidence in Maine elections, but opponents, including Gov. Mills, say it would do far more harm than good.
Maine developing PFAS safety levels for locally grown food
Preliminary research shows some crops, like potatoes and squash, could be safely grown on a contaminated farm, while others, like lettuce and carrots, appear to absorb and store forever chemicals.
Bill would extend eligibility for special education services
Some school districts, however, balk at cost and opponents question whether the public school system is the right place to best serve this population up to age 22.
Ban on pesticides with PFAS feeds concern about unintended impacts
Some Maine farmers, including some of its 300 certified organic farmers, worry they soon won’t be able to defend their crops from pests, said Julie Ann Smith of the Maine Farm Bureau.
Maine leaders call for new federal clean car standards
The diverse group wants the Biden administration and EPA to mandate higher gas mileage vehicles in a new round of clean car standards for new vehicles made after 2027 through 2035 to protect Maine’s economy, health and environment.
Mills said she wouldn’t seek to alter Maine abortion law. What changed?
Despite saying during the campaign that she had ‘no plans to change the current law,’ the governor has unveiled a bill that would extend abortion access beyond fetal viability when approved by a medical professional.
Bishop Deeley calls proposal to allow abortions late in pregnancy ‘beyond troubling’
While the leader of Maine’s Catholics is vocal in his opposition to Gov. Mills’ bill, other religious leaders are divided.
Yarmouth woman was 8 months pregnant when she learned her baby had a lethal disorder
After being told her son would die in the womb or shortly after birth, Dana Peirce had to fly to Colorado to get an abortion because it wasn’t allowed under Maine law. Her story inspired Gov. Mills’ bid to allow medically approved abortions throughout a pregnancy.