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 8, 2018

After criticism, Maine lawmakers propose improving care for those with intellectual disabilities

The measures were prompted by a federal audit in August that highlighted the state’s failure to investigate 133 deaths, as well as other shortcomings in its oversight of community-based services.
Published
January 7, 2018

Maine researchers explore link between climate change and Lyme disease

Academic and health care investigators are learning more about the complex web of factors driving the expansion of tick habitat, including global warming.
Published
January 7, 2018

Lyme disease vaccine sees only plodding progress

The FDA has approved clinical trials for one vaccine, but it will likely be years before a product goes to market to prevent a disease that affects at least 30,000 people in the U.S. each year.
Published
January 6, 2018

ACA bills that Sen. Collins tied to her vote for tax overhaul could be delayed longer

It’s not clear when Congress might get to the two measures Collins sought as an offset to the impacts of the tax reform bill, which eliminated the mandate that all Americans have health insurance.
Published
January 5, 2018

Maine restoring public health nursing workforce

The Department of Health and Human Services is on its way to filling 50 positions to comply with a new state law motivated in part by a critical need for services in rural areas.
Published
January 4, 2018

A hardy few ventured out early to enjoy relative calm before the storm

With much of the state hunkered down and waiting for the worst, a few Mainers take advantage of not having to go to work or school.
Published
January 2, 2018

Brace yourself: Blizzard conditions Thursday, then more frigid cold

The National Weather Service issued a blizzard warning for coastal Maine starting at noon Thursday. Travel will be very
dangerous and up to 12 inches of new snow is expected.
Published
January 2, 2018

Maine hospitals seeing surge in flu cases, mostly of more severe type

The state reports 373 cases and 99 hospitalizations through Dec. 23, up from 52 total cases for a similar period last year.
Published
December 28, 2017

Maine Med expansion plan calls for 8-week shutdown of part of Congress Street

Portland officials say they’re not ready to accept a closure of one of the major arteries on the peninsula and will search for alternatives.
Published
December 20, 2017

Sen. Collins says votes promised on bills to stabilize ACA won’t happen until 2018

She had said passage of the two bills was critical to her supporting tax reform, so she’s ‘not happy’ that her party won’t take them up this year. Critics say ‘she got played, or … (is) playing us.’