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
June 15, 2021

Sen. Collins introduces bill to ban ‘forever chemicals’ in cosmetics

The legislation would direct the Food and Drug Administration to issue a rule banning the intentional use of PFAS in cosmetics such as makeup, moisturizer and perfume.
Published
June 14, 2021

Committee advances plan to keep in-state UMaine System tuition flat

The full board of trustees will meet next week to consider the proposal, which comes after the governor proposed a supplemental budget that would increase state funding for higher education.
Published
June 14, 2021

Maine schools plan robust summer programming to counter COVID-19 impacts

Districts intend to enroll more students in a broader variety of programs this year to help them catch up and give them a boost for the fall.
Published
June 9, 2021

Maine will lift physical distancing requirements for schools this fall

The Department of Education announced that remaining physical distancing requirements will be relaxed next school year and all schools should be able to offer full-time, in-person learning.
Published
June 6, 2021

Maine schools plan for five days per week of in-person learning this fall

Districts are weighing whether to participate in the state’s pooled testing program for COVID-19, which allows for the easing of physical distancing, and some are scaling back or eliminating remote options.
Published
June 3, 2021

Kennebunk area teachers plan march to draw attention to contract negotiations

Teachers have implemented work to rule and are planning to march through downtown Kennebunk on Friday to show solidarity.
Published
June 1, 2021

Maine’s two virtual charter schools see enrollment increase during pandemic

Both schools report strong interest for the fall, but whether it’s temporary because of COVID-19 or becoming more mainstream remains to be seen.
Published
June 1, 2021

Maine charter schools post mixed results but fill a need for families

Ten years after charter schools were authorized in Maine, academic outcomes vary but supporters say they’re meeting a need for students who don’t fit in traditional classrooms.
Published
May 27, 2021

Maine school boards and superintendents oppose bill to create binding arbitration

The proposed legislation would allow public employees to strike if their employer failed to carry out the arbitrator’s determinations.
Published
May 26, 2021

Bill would ban distribution of remote classes recorded in Maine schools

While the bill’s sponsor says it aims to prevent snippets of a class from being taken out of context or used in a way to harm teachers, opponents say it stands in the way of transparency.