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
January 25, 2023

Maine’s ACA enrollment declines slightly, but more people have health coverage

The percentage of Mainers without health insurance dropped from 8% in 2019 to 5.7% in 2021, the latest year data was available.
Published
January 23, 2023

Dr. Nirav Shah makes his final rounds in Maine

For perhaps the final time as the state’s CDC director, Shah answered questions about the pandemic and health topics on the ‘MaineCalling’ public radio show.
Published
January 17, 2023

Influenza cases decline for 4th week in Maine

There were only 13 new hospitalizations for influenza, compared to 67 the previous week.
Published
January 13, 2023

As paid family leave gains momentum in Maine Legislature, advocacy group holds off on referendum

A referendum could have gone before voters in November, but the Maine People’s Alliance is waiting to see if lawmakers pass a bill to create paid family leave.
Published
January 12, 2023

CDC director Shah leaving Maine for high-level federal post

Dr. Nirav Shah, who gained prominence for leading the Maine CDC through the COVID pandemic, has been appointed principal deputy director at the U.S. CDC.
Published
January 5, 2023

Northern Light Health to shift 1,400 employees to health services company

No employees will be laid off, and all will retain pay and similar benefits, according to the hospital network, which hopes to save $1 billion over 10 years.
Published
January 4, 2023

New COVID-19 variant spreads in Maine, but hospitalizations not expected to spike

Dr. Nirav Shah, director of the Maine CDC, said a wall of immunity should help prevent the outbreaks experienced last winter.
Published
January 1, 2023

Wells man arrested in New Year’s Eve machete attack on New York City officers

The officers and suspect, who was shot in the shoulder by police, are expected to recover.
Published
January 1, 2023

The Narcan effect: A new lease on life

Even as Maine experiences record numbers of overdose deaths, the expanded availability and use of the lifesaving opioid antidote naloxone presents a competing narrative.
Published
December 29, 2022

UMaine gets federal funds for tick research as state sets record for Lyme disease cases

Maine’s U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King lobbied for the $6.2 million in research funding that’s part of the recently passed federal budget bill.