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.
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PublishedMarch 28, 2024
Lawmakers balk at decriminalizing drug possession in Maine; opt for a study instead
The original bill sought to treat substance use as a public health issue and would have set up receiving centers to help people dealing with a crisis.
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PublishedMarch 27, 2024
Committee backs expanded background checks, waiting period for gun purchases
The Judiciary Committee also will soon take up a last-minute bill that would put in place ‘an improved crisis intervention order’ for restricting access to firearms when people are deemed to be a threat.
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PublishedMarch 21, 2024
Divided committee supports study of program to voluntarily waive gun rights
The Legislature’s Judiciary Committee tabled three other gun-related bills during a work session Thursday and will take them up again at a later date.
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PublishedMarch 19, 2024
Maine House supports bill that would require landlords to disclose all costs
The proposal, now headed to a Senate vote, would require landlords to provide a written disclosure of all fees and costs before tenants sign a lease.
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PublishedMarch 18, 2024
Proposal would exempt agricultural pesticides from law banning forever chemicals
Proponents of the bill say farmers need more time to move to alternatives, but opponents say the current law is reasonable and raise concerns about PFAS contamination of food.
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PublishedMarch 15, 2024
Gov. Mills opposes bills that would hide past marijuana offenses
Advocates say more people should be able to have convictions for low-level crimes such as marijuana possession sealed by the courts, but the proposals are opposed by Maine’s governor and others.
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PublishedMarch 15, 2024
Commission: Police should have seized Lewiston shooter’s guns months before tragedy
The interim report, which also faults the Army, calls a Sagadahoc County deputy’s failure to take Robert Card into custody in mid-September ‘an abdication of law enforcement’s responsibility.”‘
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PublishedMarch 14, 2024
Lawmakers hear overwhelming support for tax credit for Hadlock Field renovations
The proposal from Senate President Troy Jackson could provide up to $200,000 per year, or $2 million total, in tax credits for upgrades the team makes to the city-owned stadium.
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PublishedMarch 13, 2024
Advocates rally at Maine State House for rent relief, shelter funding
The demonstration Wednesday came as lawmakers are negotiating budget proposals, including funding for a bill that would establish a pilot program for eviction prevention.
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PublishedMarch 13, 2024
Lawmakers take up gun bills, focus on waiting periods, background checks
The Legislature’s Judiciary Committee holds a work session on a series of bills that include a proposal from Gov. Janet Mills to expand background checks and update the state’s yellow flag law.
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