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.
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 inMaine, News, Schools & Education
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.
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Posted inMaine
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.
Posted inMaine, News, Schools & Education
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.
Posted inMaine, News, Schools & Education
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.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics
Poll shows Democrats including Gideon and Biden ahead in Maine
The survey by the New York Times and Siena College showed Democrat Sara Gideon up 5 points in the U.S. Senate race and Biden up 17 points in the presidential race.
Posted inElection 2020, Maine, News, Politics
Ad accusing Gideon of accepting fundraising ‘bribe’ leaves out context
The television ad released Wednesday by the National Republican Senatorial Committee also attacks the Democratic U.S. Senate candidate for her criticism of the Paycheck Protection Program.
Posted inMaine, News, Schools & Education
Maine students return for first day of in-person learning since pandemic shut down schools
Many districts around the state are welcoming students back this week for the first time since March, with new safety precautions.
Posted inMaine, Schools & Education
Teachers and families brace for a very different start to school year
Students in many schools will start returning to classrooms this week, though some districts are reporting significant numbers of students opting to stay remote.
Posted inMaine, News
York County gets ‘yellow’ designation for school reopening after multiple outbreaks
The superintendent in Sanford is pushing back the start of school for high school students to Sept. 14 and said many families are opting to enroll in full-time distance learning because of recent outbreaks.