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
April 13, 2023

Battle over Maine’s strict mining rules spills into Legislature

Some argue that a proposed lithium mine in western Maine would support renewable energy development and help fight climate change. Others say the potential environmental impacts might not be worth it.
Published
April 12, 2023

Maine legislators consider bills to change state K-12 funding formula

The Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs heard testimony on 8 bills proposing changes to or examination of the state’s K-12 funding formula.
Published
April 7, 2023

Thirty Mainers become citizens at joyful naturalization ceremony

Many waited years to gain citizenship and celebrated the milestone with cheering family members.
Published
April 6, 2023

Lawmakers consider bill to raise minimum teacher salary

Supporters say raising the minimum from the current $40,000 to $50,000 by the 2027-28 school year is needed to fight a teacher shortage. Foes worry that a mandate could lead to tax increases and the rejection of school budgets.
Published
April 5, 2023

Mother sues school district for keeping child’s gender expression secret

Amber Lavigne is suing Central Lincoln County School leaders and employees, saying the district did not inform her about her child’s gender expression.
Published
April 2, 2023

Legislature works to fix, or eliminate, popular property tax relief program

The program, which lets some homeowners age 65 and older freeze their bills, has the unintended effect of helping the wealthiest Mainers. Eight separate bills seek a remedy.
Published
March 29, 2023

Maine schools to receive additional state funding after calculation error discovered

Many, but not all, districts around the state will receive more funding. The Portland school district, the state’s largest, will receive $3.6 million more in state funding than initially expected.
Published
March 28, 2023

Legislators consider bills to tackle educator shortage

The Legislature’s Education and Cultural Affairs Committee heard testimony Tuesday about multiple bills aimed at bolstering the state’s educator workforce.
Published
March 26, 2023

Maine school districts confront COVID-19 funding cliff

Across-the-board expenses are rising just as federal pandemic relief is running out. Educators see a ‘perfect storm of financial pressures’ that will challenge schools for the next two years.
Published
March 11, 2023

As daylight saving time returns, some Maine lawmakers hope to stop changing the clocks

Three bills pending in the Legislature consider the future of daylight saving time in the state.