The teacher and activist from Solon faces a steep challenge from the major party candidates, but is hoping ranked-choice voting will help pave the way for independents.
Rachel Ohm
Staff Writer
Rachel covers state government and politics for the Portland Press Herald. Itโs 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 masterโs degree in journalism from New York University and when sheโs not writing and reporting enjoys running, cooking and traveling to new places.
Portland elementary teacher named Maine Teacher of the Year
Cindy Soule, a fourth-grade teacher at the Gerald E. Talbot Community School, received the recognition at an outdoor ceremony Thursday morning.
Alfond’s $240 million gift to UMaine System among largest ever to public higher ed institute
The money from the Harold Alfond Foundation will help transform the University of Southern Maine by providing most of the funding for a new graduate center and law school and access to a multi-university engineering program.
Sand stockpile, rock crusher may have contributed to landslide on Presumpscot
A report from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers also recommends how to stabilize the riverbank in Westbrook where the landslide occurred in mid-September.
Portland schools delay bringing back elementary students for full-time, in-person learning
Space, distancing and staffing challenges contributed to the decision not to resume full-time classroom instruction Oct. 13, the superintendent said in a letter to families.
UMaine System under fire for changes to retirees’ health coverage
University officials say the new insurance will save $2.5 million a year and expand benefits, but lawmakers, unions and retirees want them to reconsider it.
UMaine will remove name of eugenics advocate from academic building
A task force has recommended the board of trustees consider various options for renaming the building on the Orono campus, possibly for a person of Wabanaki descent.
Department of Education labels a 2nd county ‘yellow’ as state reports another 20 cases
The state recommends hybrid instruction for schools in Oxford and York counties, in an update to the school reopening advisory system Friday.
Maine schools receive additional $164 million in federal relief
The money builds on $165 million districts received for pandemic-related expenses in July, but must be used by the end of December, according to federal requirements.
School districts face challenges with rollout of remote-only classes
While in-person learning in many schools has been underway for at least a week, some remote-only options have been slower to start as districts work through technical problems, staffing challenges and access to devices.