Joe Lawlor

Press Herald

Joe Lawlor writes about health and human services for the Press Herald. A 24-year newspaper veteran, Lawlor has worked in Ohio, Michigan and Virginia before relocating to Maine in 2013 to join the Press Herald. He is still considered “from away” but since then, he has learned what a “dooryard” is, eaten “whoopie pies” drank Moxie and boiled some “lobstahs.” The stories he enjoys most are when he learns something and meeting inspiring people. He lives in South Portland - aka “SoPo” - with his wife, Melanie, and two school-age children.

Latest

Published
July 18, 2023

As smoke shrouds Maine skies, scientist foresees more on the horizon

‘What we are seeing are climate change impacts in the here and now,’ says Gail Carlson, a Colby College professor.
Published
July 17, 2023

Canadian wildfire smoke likely to arrive in Maine on Tuesday

The air will be considered ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’ in many areas of Maine, including Cumberland and York counties.
Published
July 5, 2023

Maine hospital operator settles contract dispute with Anthem

Covenant Health, which operates hospitals in Lewiston and Bangor, signs a 2-year deal with the insurance company, preserving in-network care for patients.
Published
July 4, 2023

Promising research at UMaine may help curtail browntail moths

Scientists are studying how to disrupt the moth’s mating patterns by using a synthetically made product to confuse male moths and drastically reduce their ability to reproduce.
Published
June 29, 2023

Families, business owners weigh implications of paid family leave, now likely to become Maine law

Patty Kidder said her family went bankrupt in the 1990s, and that it wouldn’t have happened if they had had access to paid leave. Other Mainers have different reactions.
Published
June 29, 2023

How will Maine’s paid family leave affect me and my employer?

Gov. Janet Mills has said she will sign the law, which would be fully implemented by 2026.
Published
June 21, 2023

Maine Legislature takes first step toward adopting paid family leave program

Senators voted 22-12 to create a new program to provide paid leave to workers who need time off to care for a newborn or sick family member.
Published
June 21, 2023

Maine’s childhood vaccination rate goes from one of nation’s lowest to one of the highest

Only medical exemptions to school-required vaccinations are permitted under the law that eliminated religious and philosophical opt-outs 2 years ago.
Published
June 20, 2023

Maine Senate follows House and approves bill protecting coverage of gender-affirming care

The Maine Senate approved the bill on Tuesday, following House approval on Friday.
Published
June 18, 2023

Maine nurses split over whether state mandate of staff ratios would help

Some see the controversial bill in the Legislature as a means of improving working conditions at badly understaffed hospitals; others say the flexibility is what allows them to do their jobs.