Matt Byrne

Portland Press Herald

Matt Byrne has covered crime and public safety for the Press Herald since 2016. It is his second beat since being hired at the Press Herald in late 2012, when he left the Boston Globe's suburban news bureau. Matt grew up outside Philadelphia, moved to Boston to attend Emerson College and now loves living in Maine. When he is not nerding out on court documents or listening to a police scanner, Matt loves to work on old cars, make things out of metal and try new craft beers. Offers to drive your race car, or news tips, are always welcome.

Latest

Published
April 16, 2015

Seat belt snags, and a Maine couple go viral

Clint Chadbourne’s predicament at a rest stop in York – ‘I am stuck in this cah!’ – has been viewed nearly 30 million times.
Published
April 13, 2015

Portland businesses ready to begin life without polystyrene

The ban that starts April 15 is likely to cost consumers, but it also will help keep non-biodegradable cups and containers out of the bay.
Published
April 8, 2015

Brunswick teacher accused of discussing religious belief

After the ACLU complains, the district says it was not part of the science lesson, just an ill-advised response to a fifth-grader’s question.
Published
April 8, 2015

Fryeburg Academy coach resigns after anti-Islamic Facebook posting

Scott Lees, who had coached boy’s lacrosse since 2011, republished a letter containing false information that derided Muslims for not contributing to American society.
Published
April 6, 2015

Pledge of Allegiance has history of creating wedge, and not just in Maine

The pledge, recently challenged by three South Portland students, is the source of persistent questions in U.S. society about who should, must or will recite it.
Published
March 30, 2015

Portland mayor meets with Gov. LePage to discuss docked shelter payments

Mayor Michael Brennan and the governor discuss their disagreement over General Assistance funding for Portland’s shelters, along with education and workforce issues.
Published
March 30, 2015

Portland settles lawsuit filed by couple charged after filming police vehicle stop

They sued for false arrest and now will get $72,000 in a case involving the rights of citizens to shoot video of officer conduct.
Published
March 26, 2015

Maine National Guard unit staying, LePage says

After firing the Maine Army National Guard’s leader, the governor says that any plan to move the 133rd Engineer Battalion from the state is now ‘a dead issue.’
Published
March 25, 2015

Sanford man, 91, returns to memory-care facility after breaking out to see girlfriend

Real L’Heureux, 91, was away overnight to visit Grace Harakles, but returned to the dementia care facility so he could take his medications.
Published
March 25, 2015

Senior’s daring escape for love’s sake raises a troubling question

Real L’Heureux, who has been diagnosed with mild dementia, busted out of an assisted-living center in Sanford to be with his girlfriend.