Lana Cohen

Press Herald

Lana covers education for the Portland Press Herald. She joins the Press Herald from VTDigger, where she covered Chittenden County, Vermont’s population center. Previously she was a Report for America fellow in Mendocino County, covering environmental news for a digital outlet and a public radio station. She also reported on the environment for digital news outlet, WhoWhatWhy. In her spare time Lana enjoys hiking with her Goldendoodle, Rigby, running, surfing and baking.

Latest

Published
May 28, 2023

Maine adjunct professors join push for wage increases

The instructors acknowledge they have different roles than full-time faculty but say they should be paid similarly for performing the same tasks.
Published
May 22, 2023

UMaine System trustees approve tuition, fee increases

Citing declining enrollment, inflation and other financial pressures, the board adopts a budget that will raise tuition 3% for in-state students beginning this fall. Room and board and student fees also will rise.
Published
May 4, 2023

Bills aim to restrict library books, discussions of race in Maine schools

Three measures presented Thursday ran into a flood of opposition from parents, librarians and others who argue that the legislation is based on false information about what and how students are taught in public schools.
Published
May 4, 2023

Committee backs bill to raise Maine’s minimum teacher salary

The proposal, which got bipartisan support, would raise the minimum salary from $40,000 to $50,000.
Published
April 26, 2023

Proposals to arm school staff draw emotional arguments at State House

Amid a rise in mass shootings nationwide, Maine legislators consider how to keep the state’s students safe.
Published
April 25, 2023

Maine children continue to struggle in pandemic’s wake

More youths are facing mental health, academic and housing instability problems than before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a report by the Maine Children’s Alliance.
Published
April 24, 2023

Bill would ask Mainers to specify who is protected from discrimination

A bill that would ask Maine voters to explicitly prohibit discrimination in the state constitution stirred passionate debate at the Legislature on Monday.
Published
April 21, 2023

Lawmakers propose new standards for recalling local school board members

Two bills would open the door to recall elections for any reason, while a third would require misconduct such as misuse of public funds.
Published
April 20, 2023

Legislators consider bills to stem Maine’s shortage of educators

The Legislature’s Education and Cultural Affairs Committee heard testimony on 8 bills Thursday.
Published
April 18, 2023

Legislators move to create housing subsidies for homeless students

The Legislature’s Committee on Housing votes unanimously on a bill to create a rental assistance program for homeless students and, where applicable, their families.