Rescue personnel found the body of 20-year-old Ciara Cooper on Thursday, a day after they recovered the body of her grandmother, 61-year-old Judy Richards. The 2 are believed to have drowned after Richards’ truck got swept up in flood waters while trying to cross a bridge Monday.
Rachel Ohm
Staff Writer
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.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
New bill on background checks for gun purchases emerges in wake of Lewiston shootings
Legislative leaders are considering new bill requests for the session that starts Jan. 3, including a background checks proposal from House Speaker Rachel Talbot Ross that’s similar to one that failed in the Maine Senate earlier this year.
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Posted inElections, Local & State, Politics
Secretary of state delays decision on Trump ballot access after Colorado ruling
Challengers seeking to keep former President Donald Trump off Maine’s presidential primary ballot say a Colorado court ruling this week helps their case.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State
Maine airports see more people trying to bring guns through security
Airports in Augusta, Portland and Bangor have reported a total of 14 incidents of people trying to bring firearms through security checkpoints so far this year, a number that is twice what was reported for all of last year.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Attorneys spar over whether Trump can appear on Maine’s presidential primary ballot
While opponents cite Section 3 of the 14th Amendment to make a case for why he should be disqualified, lawyers for the Republican argue at a hearing Friday that the secretary of state doesn’t have the authority to make that decision.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Fourth lawsuit filed challenging new law on foreign campaign spending
The suit filed in federal court by a group that includes current and former lawmakers argues the law put in place by voters in November violates the First and 14th amendments.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Maine lawmakers attend White House meeting on gun violence prevention
Eight Democratic senators and representatives from Maine, including House Speaker Rachel Talbot Ross, participated in the meeting with the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention.
Posted inLocal & State, Uncategorized
Maine media groups, energy companies file suits challenging new law on foreign spending on referendums
Separate lawsuits from Versant Power, Central Maine Power and two organizations representing media outlets were all filed Tuesday in federal court.
Posted inElections, Local & State, Politics
Maine secretary of state receives 3 challenges to Trump appearing on primary ballot
The secretary of state’s office will assess the challenges Monday to see if they meet state requirements, and if so will issue a notice for public hearings.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Collins, King, Pingree ask federal agency to extend funding period for asylum seekers
The request comes as federal support for Portland’s resettlement program is set to be replaced with a program that only covers services within 45 days of migrants’ arrival in the United States.