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 12, 2020

Portland police investigate shooting Friday in North Deering

A 22-year-old victim was being treated at Maine Medical Center Friday afternoon after the shooting on Auburn Street.
Published
June 8, 2020

Petition asks Portland school board to end use of police in high schools

More than 800 parents, teachers and students have signed the request asking Portland schools to terminate an agreement with the Portland Police Department for the use of two school resource officers.
Published
June 5, 2020

Trump praises Guilford workers, jabs at Mills in visit that draws supporters, protesters

The governor fired back in a statement, accusing Trump of stoking divisions and questioning the value of his efforts to help Maine’s fishing industry by lifting restrictions in a conservation area far from the Maine coast.
Published
June 4, 2020

Sen. Collins and her challengers outline ideas to address racial injustice

Collins points to 5 areas where the Senate can work to address racial disparities, while her challengers offer their ideas for action that can come out of nationwide protests.
Published
June 4, 2020

Maine college leaders release framework for reopening this fall

The guidance suggests schools consider staggering or adjusting the start of the semester and breaks, and recommends preparations for social distancing and flexibility for classes and events.
Published
June 1, 2020

USM plans for equity training, scholarships in response to Floyd death

The university will be expanding racial equity training to include campus police and prioritizing scholarship funding for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Published
May 29, 2020

Biden to address Maine Democrats in remote rally, with convention canceled

The Maine Democratic Party will hold an online rally and remote voting this weekend in lieu of its traditional in-person convention.
Published
May 24, 2020

Maine schools cautiously plan for what a return to classes will look like in the fall

Masks? Plexiglas? Six feet of space? Districts are bracing for what a different start to the school year could look like.
Published
May 20, 2020

Maine rejects federal guidance that would give private schools more relief funds

The guidance from Education Secretary Betsy DeVos has been criticized for giving private schools more money than Congress intended in the CARES Act.
Published
May 15, 2020

State says hotels can reopen, but industry left with more questions than clarity

Guidance from the state set new rules for bookings starting June 1, but included a false statement that COVID-19 case numbers are declining, when in fact they have risen over the past several weeks.