Rachel Ohm
@rachelohm.bsky.social
Journalist at the Portland Press Herald covering state government and politics.
Planning to vote tomorrow? Here's a review of the two referendums Maine will be considering for voter ID and changes to absentee voting, and a red flag law. www.pressherald.com/2025/10/31/5...
5 things Maine residents should know about the referendums on Tuesday’s ballot
Here's a recap of the proposals to require photo ID and make changes to absentee voting, and to put in place a red flag law.
www.pressherald.com
November 3, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Planning to vote tomorrow? Here's a review of the two referendums Maine will be considering for voter ID and changes to absentee voting, and a red flag law. www.pressherald.com/2025/10/31/5...
Reposted by Rachel Ohm
Susan Collins says Tuesday’s election may be key to ending shutdown
Susan Collins says Tuesday’s election may be key to ending shutdown
Maine's senior senator says she hopes a public commitment from the Republican majority leader to hold a vote on health care subsidies will be enough for Democrats to reopen the federal government.
www.pressherald.com
November 3, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Susan Collins says Tuesday’s election may be key to ending shutdown
Maine joins 24 states suing Trump administration over expected lapse in SNAP benefits. www.pressherald.com/2025/10/28/m...
Maine joins 24 states suing Trump administration over expected lapse in SNAP benefits
The federal food assistance benefits are expected to be suspended starting Nov. 1 due to the ongoing federal government shutdown.
www.pressherald.com
October 29, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Maine joins 24 states suing Trump administration over expected lapse in SNAP benefits. www.pressherald.com/2025/10/28/m...
Reposted by Rachel Ohm
Nirav Shah enters race to become Maine’s next governor
Nirav Shah enters race to become Maine’s next governor
In addition to serving as director of the Maine CDC, Shah, a Democrat, was a top federal health official in the Biden administration and is now a visiting professor at Colby College.
www.pressherald.com
October 20, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Nirav Shah enters race to become Maine’s next governor
Gov. Janet Mills enters the Maine Senate race to challenge Sen. Susan Collins, shaking up the Democratic primary and pledging to take on Trump. Story via @randybillings.bsky.social.
www.pressherald.com/2025/10/14/g...
www.pressherald.com/2025/10/14/g...
Janet Mills looks to challenge Susan Collins in an effort to flip U.S. Senate
The two-term Democratic governor will have to fend off primary challenges from several others, including Graham Platner, a 41-year-old veteran and oyster farmer whose campaign has garnered attention.
www.pressherald.com
October 14, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Gov. Janet Mills enters the Maine Senate race to challenge Sen. Susan Collins, shaking up the Democratic primary and pledging to take on Trump. Story via @randybillings.bsky.social.
www.pressherald.com/2025/10/14/g...
www.pressherald.com/2025/10/14/g...
Hundreds of new Maine laws take effect Wednesday. Here are a few to know. www.pressherald.com/2025/09/23/h...
Hundreds of new Maine laws take effect Wednesday. Here are a few to know.
The laws include protections against online harassment of children, changes to labeling requirements for abortion medication and legislation that would make it easier for residents to purchase their m...
www.pressherald.com
September 23, 2025 at 11:37 PM
Hundreds of new Maine laws take effect Wednesday. Here are a few to know. www.pressherald.com/2025/09/23/h...
Reposted by Rachel Ohm
"I see no basis for her firing," Collins said of the removal of CDC director Susan Monarez @pressherald.com reporter @rachelohm.bsky.social on scene at Collins event in Old Orchard Beach #mepolitics
www.pressherald.com/2025/08/28/s...
www.pressherald.com/2025/08/28/s...
Susan Collins ‘extremely alarmed’ at Trump administration firing of CDC director
Maine's senior senator reacted Thursday to the firing of U.S. CDC Director Susan Monarez, who was let go by the administration this week following a reported clash with Health Secretary Robert F. Kenn...
www.pressherald.com
August 28, 2025 at 7:36 PM
"I see no basis for her firing," Collins said of the removal of CDC director Susan Monarez @pressherald.com reporter @rachelohm.bsky.social on scene at Collins event in Old Orchard Beach #mepolitics
www.pressherald.com/2025/08/28/s...
www.pressherald.com/2025/08/28/s...
Reposted by Rachel Ohm
Maine’s former CDC director Dr. Nirav Shah is considering a run for governor.
“I think we are in a moment where all of us should be considering running for something,” he said in an exclusive interview with the Press Herald on Friday. “I’m considering throwing my hat into the governor’s race.”
“I think we are in a moment where all of us should be considering running for something,” he said in an exclusive interview with the Press Herald on Friday. “I’m considering throwing my hat into the governor’s race.”
Dr. Nirav Shah says he’s considering run for Maine governor
Shah was the face of Maine’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and went on to become a top federal health official during the Biden administration.
www.pressherald.com
August 15, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Maine’s former CDC director Dr. Nirav Shah is considering a run for governor.
“I think we are in a moment where all of us should be considering running for something,” he said in an exclusive interview with the Press Herald on Friday. “I’m considering throwing my hat into the governor’s race.”
“I think we are in a moment where all of us should be considering running for something,” he said in an exclusive interview with the Press Herald on Friday. “I’m considering throwing my hat into the governor’s race.”
Some Democratic-led states are looking at changing congressional maps in response to efforts in Texas to redraw lines to favor Republicans in the 2026 elections. But experts and Democratic leaders say that's unlikely to happen in Maine.
www.pressherald.com/2025/08/05/w...
www.pressherald.com/2025/08/05/w...
Will the battle over congressional redistricting come to Maine?
Democratic leaders in some states are considering changes to congressional maps in response to an effort in Texas, but such changes are unlikely to unfold here.
www.pressherald.com
August 6, 2025 at 12:47 AM
Some Democratic-led states are looking at changing congressional maps in response to efforts in Texas to redraw lines to favor Republicans in the 2026 elections. But experts and Democratic leaders say that's unlikely to happen in Maine.
www.pressherald.com/2025/08/05/w...
www.pressherald.com/2025/08/05/w...
Reposted by Rachel Ohm
New data released Monday show Maine is experiencing a drop in the number of people experiencing homelessness for the third year in a row.
What’s behind the drop in Maine’s homelessness numbers?
New data shows the number of people experiencing homelessness in Maine dropped for the third straight year this year, a decline that is largely attributed to the state moving away from using motels as...
www.pressherald.com
July 15, 2025 at 1:53 PM
New data released Monday show Maine is experiencing a drop in the number of people experiencing homelessness for the third year in a row.
“This is the second time we’ve brought kit tracking bills to the Legislature. … It’s really an issue of survivors being able to understand what’s happened with their evidence, and Maine has already fallen behind without a system in place.”
www.pressherald.com/2025/07/10/m...
www.pressherald.com/2025/07/10/m...
Maine again fails to establish a statewide system to track rape kits
Two bills to create a tracking system received support in the Legislature but weren't funded. A similar bill also failed to make it into law last year.
www.pressherald.com
July 11, 2025 at 2:03 PM
“This is the second time we’ve brought kit tracking bills to the Legislature. … It’s really an issue of survivors being able to understand what’s happened with their evidence, and Maine has already fallen behind without a system in place.”
www.pressherald.com/2025/07/10/m...
www.pressherald.com/2025/07/10/m...
Reposted by Rachel Ohm
Polling places across Maine are open til 8 p.m. to allow voters to weigh in on school budget proposals and, in many communities, elect local officials. Maine allows same-day voter registration.
Maine voters head to polls to vote on school budgets, local races
Turnout is likely to be relatively light for the off-year election, but controversial proposals could drive higher turnout in some communities.
www.pressherald.com
June 10, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Polling places across Maine are open til 8 p.m. to allow voters to weigh in on school budget proposals and, in many communities, elect local officials. Maine allows same-day voter registration.
Today: Gov. Janet Mills has signed into law LD1, a bill to protect Maine against climate change-driven storms.
www.pressherald.com/2025/04/22/m...
www.pressherald.com/2025/04/22/m...
April 22, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Today: Gov. Janet Mills has signed into law LD1, a bill to protect Maine against climate change-driven storms.
www.pressherald.com/2025/04/22/m...
www.pressherald.com/2025/04/22/m...
The Trump administration gave Maine 10 days to sign an agreement ending the policy of allowing transgender athletes in girls' sports. MPA & Greely HS say they won't sign. No word yet from Maine DOE.
www.pressherald.com/2025/03/27/m...
www.pressherald.com/2025/03/27/m...
Maine officials refuse to sign Trump agreement on transgender athletes
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said earlier this month that it would give state and local officials in Maine 10 days to sign a proposed agreement banning transgender athletes or the ...
www.pressherald.com
March 27, 2025 at 2:41 PM
The Trump administration gave Maine 10 days to sign an agreement ending the policy of allowing transgender athletes in girls' sports. MPA & Greely HS say they won't sign. No word yet from Maine DOE.
www.pressherald.com/2025/03/27/m...
www.pressherald.com/2025/03/27/m...
Reposted by Rachel Ohm
BREAKING NEWS #mepolitics @maddow.msnbc.com @nbcnews.com @randybillings.bsky.social @rachelohm.bsky.social @chelliepingree.bsky.social
www.pressherald.com/2025/03/06/s...
www.pressherald.com/2025/03/06/s...
Social Security now requires Maine parents to visit an agency office to register newborns
The change - immediately criticized by pediatric health advocates - eliminates a program that allowed parents to fill out a form at the hospital to secure a Social Security number for their children.
www.pressherald.com
March 6, 2025 at 10:22 PM
Reposted by Rachel Ohm
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi on Tuesday threatened to sue Gov. Janet Mills if she refuses to comply with President Trump’s legally questionable executive order over transgender student-athletes.
The administration has now launched 3 investigations into whether Maine is violating the Title IX law.
The administration has now launched 3 investigations into whether Maine is violating the Title IX law.
US Attorney General threatens Gov. Mills with lawsuit over transgender athletes
'Maine should be on notice,' Pam Bondi said in a letter to the Maine governor over compliance with President Donald Trump's executive order on transgender students competing in school sports.
www.pressherald.com
February 26, 2025 at 2:29 PM
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi on Tuesday threatened to sue Gov. Janet Mills if she refuses to comply with President Trump’s legally questionable executive order over transgender student-athletes.
The administration has now launched 3 investigations into whether Maine is violating the Title IX law.
The administration has now launched 3 investigations into whether Maine is violating the Title IX law.
Reposted by Rachel Ohm
After being censured in a party-line vote, Libby refused to issue a formal apology, so the Republican lawmaker from Auburn will not be allowed to speak or cast votes on the House floor until she does, @rachelohm.bsky.social reports.
www.pressherald.com/2025/02/25/m...
www.pressherald.com/2025/02/25/m...
Maine lawmaker censured for posting photos of student she identified as transgender
The House votes 75-70 along party lines to censure Republican Rep. Laurel Libby for singling out a student who won a track championship to protest Maine's policy allowing transgender athletes to parti...
www.pressherald.com
February 26, 2025 at 1:08 PM
After being censured in a party-line vote, Libby refused to issue a formal apology, so the Republican lawmaker from Auburn will not be allowed to speak or cast votes on the House floor until she does, @rachelohm.bsky.social reports.
www.pressherald.com/2025/02/25/m...
www.pressherald.com/2025/02/25/m...
Reposted by Rachel Ohm
A federal judge has granted a request from gun rights groups to temporarily pause a new three-day waiting period on firearm purchases.
Federal judge pauses Maine’s new waiting period for gun sales
Lawmakers passed the new waiting period as part of a slate of gun safety reforms following the October 2023 mass shooting in Lewiston that killed 18 people.
www.pressherald.com
February 13, 2025 at 6:20 PM
A federal judge has granted a request from gun rights groups to temporarily pause a new three-day waiting period on firearm purchases.
@emduggan.bsky.social is at the State House today covering the protest against President Trump’s first weeks in office. Updates @pressherald.bsky.social ⬇️
The protest is part of a nationwide movement at state capitals across the nation in response to Trump’s executive orders, as well as Project 2025.
Anti-Trump protest draws hundreds to State House Wednesday
"I went to bed and woke up in a different country," said one protester.
www.pressherald.com
February 5, 2025 at 8:26 PM
@emduggan.bsky.social is at the State House today covering the protest against President Trump’s first weeks in office. Updates @pressherald.bsky.social ⬇️
Reposted by Rachel Ohm
Collins was one of two Republicans, along with Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, to vote against Pete Hegseth, a veteran and former Fox News commentator, in a procedural vote on Thursday.
Why Susan Collins said ‘No’ to Pete Hegseth as defense secretary
Collins was one of two Republican senators to break ranks and oppose Hegseth Thursday, but it didn't stop the nomination from moving forward.
www.pressherald.com
January 23, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Collins was one of two Republicans, along with Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, to vote against Pete Hegseth, a veteran and former Fox News commentator, in a procedural vote on Thursday.
Reposted by Rachel Ohm
BREAKING: Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, announces she will vote against Hegseth nomination. Check @pressherald.bsky.social for updates
January 23, 2025 at 8:09 PM
BREAKING: Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, announces she will vote against Hegseth nomination. Check @pressherald.bsky.social for updates
Supporters of a red flag law in Maine handed in over 80,000 signatures today to force a November referendum. "ERPO's provide a life-saving tool," said the head of the Maine Gun Safety Coalition.
www.pressherald.com/2025/01/23/g...
www.pressherald.com/2025/01/23/g...
Gun safety advocates turn in signatures to force fall referendum on red flag law
The Maine Gun Safety Coalition announced at a press conference Thursday morning that it is submitting signatures to put the measure on the ballot this November.
www.pressherald.com
January 23, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Supporters of a red flag law in Maine handed in over 80,000 signatures today to force a November referendum. "ERPO's provide a life-saving tool," said the head of the Maine Gun Safety Coalition.
www.pressherald.com/2025/01/23/g...
www.pressherald.com/2025/01/23/g...
Republicans have a proposal to repeal Maine's 72-hour waiting period on firearms purchases, put in place last spring in the aftermath of the Lewiston mass shooting.
The law passed on thin margins, and the bill's sponsor says he hopes to pull Democratic support.
www.pressherald.com/2025/01/16/r...
The law passed on thin margins, and the bill's sponsor says he hopes to pull Democratic support.
www.pressherald.com/2025/01/16/r...
Republican proposal would repeal 72-hour wait on firearms purchases
House Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham is sponsoring a bill that would repeal the waiting period approved by lawmakers last year.
www.pressherald.com
January 16, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Republicans have a proposal to repeal Maine's 72-hour waiting period on firearms purchases, put in place last spring in the aftermath of the Lewiston mass shooting.
The law passed on thin margins, and the bill's sponsor says he hopes to pull Democratic support.
www.pressherald.com/2025/01/16/r...
The law passed on thin margins, and the bill's sponsor says he hopes to pull Democratic support.
www.pressherald.com/2025/01/16/r...
