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
November 16, 2022

Flu cases and hospitalizations surging to our south, and headed north

Maine is so far seeing low numbers of flu cases this fall, but Mainers shouldn’t expect to dodge the flu for much longer, experts say. ‘Flu is on the way here,’ says Dr. Dora Anne Mills of MaineHealth.
Published
November 11, 2022

Maine among states where abortion rates rose since Supreme Court ruling

But only a small portion of the increase in Maine is the result of people traveling here from other states to seek abortions.
Published
November 11, 2022

`We had a mission to do, we did the mission, and we came home’

An oral history will preserve the memories of 9 Maine veterans for posterity.
Published
November 9, 2022

Record spending to support top candidates for governor exceeded $40 per vote

Gov. Janet Mills and her supporters spent $48.14 per vote, while Paul LePage and his backers spent $44.90.
Published
November 8, 2022

Pingree wins reelection in 1st Congressional District

With 44 percent of the votes counted at around 11:15 p.m., Pingree had a commanding lead of 59% to 41% over Republican challenger Ed Thelander.
Published
November 4, 2022

RSV surge could delay some pediatric surgeries at Maine hospitals

The increase in cases of respiratory syncytial virus among young children is straining hospital capacity.
Published
October 28, 2022

Soaring RSV cases raise fears about hospital capacity with COVID rising and flu looming

Public health experts are fretting about a “tri-demic” where RSV, influenza and COVID-19 strain the health care system.
Published
October 25, 2022

Pingree and other House progressives rescind letter calling for direct talks with Putin

The reversal comes a day after the letter triggered fierce pushback from many Democrats, as well as from Ukrainian officials, who argued it was unrealistic to negotiate with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Published
October 24, 2022

Mills, LePage clash on health care policies

The gubernatorial candidates have diverging views and records on how to handle opioids, the pandemic and other issues.
Published
October 13, 2022

Congressional candidate touted debunked myths, but now says it was a mistake

Ed Thelander, who is running against U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-1st District, repeated debunked social media rumors about litter boxes being placed in schools for students who dress and behave like cats.