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 26, 2016

Health groups oppose Maine CDC push for more control of disease data

Letting the agency withhold locations of outbreaks endangers the public and contradicts its mission, critics say in public comments on a proposed rule change.
Published
July 25, 2016

Maine groups work on opioid fix: More access to Suboxone

They’re trying to persuade additional doctors to prescribe the pill that reduces cravings and often turns lives around, but there are numerous obstacles.
Published
July 21, 2016

Maine CDC wants to limit what you can know about disease outbreaks

A year after the Portland Press Herald sued to get the names of schools with multiple chicken pox cases, the agency looks for more authority to deny records requests.
Published
July 12, 2016

Portland social worker practiced for months after complaint of sexual relations with client

Kelly F. O’Rourke was arrested July 1, six months after the complaint was filed, and he still had his license Monday.
Published
July 10, 2016

Bowdoin grad, social activist back in spotlight after arrest

DeRay Mckesson, a former educator, is one of the most recognizable faces to emerge from the Black Lives Matter movement.
Published
July 10, 2016

Iraqi immigrants in Portland honor those killed in Baghdad suicide attack

About 100 attend a vigil on the steps of the First Parish Church.
Published
July 8, 2016

Anti-LGBT group organizing referendum effort

The campaign by Equal Rights Not Special Rights would remove sexual orientation as a protected status in the Maine Human Rights Act.
Published
July 3, 2016

Bath-Brunswick addiction program seen as possible model

The Addiction Resource Center may be responsible for the low overdose death rate in the midcoast area, thanks to its emphasis on efficiency and timely delivery of services.
Published
June 30, 2016

Young Mainers show most dislike for Affordable Care Act in new poll

The poll also reveals that residents are evenly divided in their opinions of the health care law, but more are in favor than the national average.
Published
June 24, 2016

Browntail moth invasion: They came, they ate, they made many itch

Caterpillars blanketing parts of the midcoast this year have left hundreds scrambling to treat the skin rash caused by their hair fibers.