Rachel Ohm

Press Herald

Rachel covers state government and politics for the Portland Press Herald. It’s her third beat at the paper after stints covering City Hall and education. Prior to her arrival at the Press Herald in the summer of 2019, Rachel worked at the Morning Sentinel in Waterville, covering Franklin and Somerset counties, and the Knoxville News Sentinel in Knoxville, Tennessee, covering higher education. She has a master’s degree in journalism from New York University and when she’s not writing and reporting enjoys running, cooking and traveling to new places.

Latest

Published
February 11, 2022

Rep. Pingree submits bill to shorten asylum seekers’ wait for work authorization

The legislation, which comes as Portland sees an influx of asylum seekers, would shorten the waiting period for work eligibility to 30 days.
Published
February 5, 2022

Renowned Maine artist and author Ashley Bryan dies at 98

A former longtime resident of Little Cranberry Island, he wrote and illustrated numerous children’s books and was a prolific painter, illustrator, puppet-maker and stained-glass artist.
Published
February 5, 2022

Messy storm dumps over a foot of snow and sleet in some parts of Maine

The heaviest snow accumulation was in central and western Maine, though the weather caused messy driving conditions throughout the state.
Published
February 5, 2022

COVID-19 hospitalizations in Maine continue slight downward trend

There were 339 people hospitalized with the infectious disease on Saturday, the lowest number the state has seen in more than a month.
Published
January 11, 2022

Hunker down or plunge in? Omicron surge prompts a range of responses

Some people have never let down their guard during the pandemic. Some did for a bit, but no longer. Others are resigned about their risks and think everyone will end up getting COVID.
Published
December 27, 2021

Fast-spreading omicron variant becoming dominant in Maine

Newly released data show that omicron went from less than 1% of COVID-19 cases in the state to 10% in 1 week this month, and it already may be causing the majority of new cases statewide.
Published
December 22, 2021

COVID-19 home test maker with site in Westbrook plans to boost production

Abbott Laboratories, which makes the BinaxNOW rapid test, says it now produces more than 50 million tests per month and plans to raise that number to 70 million in January.
Published
December 20, 2021

Community support leads to preservation of undeveloped Casco Bay islands

The islands of Little Whaleboat West, Nate and Tuck are now protected under the Maine Coast Heritage Trust.
Published
December 2, 2021

Maine schools navigate COVID-19 protocols for sports and extracurriculars

With winter coming and COVID-19 case rates high, some Maine schools are requiring vaccination or pooled testing in order for students to participate in sports and activities.
Published
December 1, 2021

Sen. Collins says she’d support legislation to codify protections in Roe v. Wade

Sen. Susan Collins’ stance gains attention after the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a Mississippi case that advocates worry could put new constraints on abortion rights.