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
April 7, 2019

Pro bowlers show Portland students how to get those strikes, spares

PBA bowlers are at Bayside Bowl for a professional tournament this week.
Published
April 5, 2019

Number of Maine families opting out of childhood vaccinations hits all-time high

Fewer children are getting vaccinated, even as concerns mount nationally over the resurgence of infectious diseases such as pertussis, measles and chickenpox.
Published
April 5, 2019

Whooping cough cases more than doubled in 1st quarter, with 41 in March alone

The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports 136 cases since the year began, compared with 59 cases for the first three months of last year.
Published
April 5, 2019

Bottled breast milk program expands to Maine Med, and other hospitals may follow

The health benefits of breastfeeding are widely recognized, so the state’s largest hospital is making bottled breast milk available to mothers who can’t immediately breastfeed their infants.
Published
April 3, 2019

With 16,000 more Mainers already covered, feds approve state’s Medicaid expansion

Thousands had applied for the health care coverage starting in July, but were rejected by the LePage administration.
Published
April 3, 2019

Maine flu cases up from last season, but strain less severe

Maine has reported more than 8,000 flu cases so far this season, and 880 people had been hospitalized through March 30.
Published
March 28, 2019

Judge orders Aroostook County Jail to provide opioid treatment to inmate

U.S. District Judge Nancy Torresen says the jail would be violating the Americans with Disabilities Act if it denied Brenda Smith access to Suboxone while she serves her 40-day term.
Published
March 27, 2019

Dozens on both sides debate bill to require MaineCare coverage for abortion services

Opponents raise moral objections, while proponents say the effort – supported by Democrats and independents – would improve access for low-income women.
Published
March 26, 2019

Lawmakers advocate for improvements to Maine’s lead testing program

Bills before the Health and Human Services Committee would mandate testing for all of Maine’s 1- and 2-year-olds.
Published
March 24, 2019

Worst-in-nation status for pertussis rates focuses attention on vaccines

Maine’s rate of pertussis is now eight times the national average, and the state’s low vaccination rate is heightening weaknesses in the vaccine.