Joe Lawlor

Staff Writer

Joe Lawlor writes about health and human services for the Press Herald. A 24-year newspaper veteran, Lawlor has worked in Ohio, Michigan and Virginia before relocating to Maine in 2013 to join the Press Herald. He is still considered “from away” but since then, he has learned what a “dooryard” is, eaten “whoopie pies” drank Moxie and boiled some “lobstahs.” The stories he enjoys most are when he learns something and meeting inspiring people. He lives in South Portland - aka “SoPo” - with his wife, Melanie, and two school-age children.

Latest

Published
September 27, 2016

Maine lobstermen’s group weighs in on death of entangled whale

There are signs the ropes were from fishing gear not used for lobstering, an official says, as others discuss regulations that protect the endangered animal.
Published
September 23, 2016

Maine attorney general signs onto lawsuit against maker of addiction treatment drug Suboxone

The attorneys general of 36 states, including Maine, accuse Indivior of conspiring with MonoSol Rx to keep cheaper, generic versions of the drug off the market.
Published
September 20, 2016

Mercy Hospital lays off 31 employees

The hospital – which has about 1,500 full-time employees – cuts workers in building maintenance, housekeeping, clinical and administrative positions.
Published
September 18, 2016

Two charity events attract thousands to Back Cove in Portland

About 1,500 runners compete in the Trail to Ale 10K, and 1,000 take part in Hands Around the Cove.
Published
September 16, 2016

The bottom line steered coveted $10.5 billion Coast Guard contract to shipbuilder in Florida

Maine’s congressional delegates promise scrutiny of the contract to build cutters, but politics don’t appear to factor in the decision not to award it to BIW.
Published
September 16, 2016

Maine Medical Center expansion plan will get checkup by state regulators

The state aims to ensure that projects are needed and don’t escalate costs or cause other health care facilities to close.
Published
September 15, 2016

Proposed expansion of Maine Med among nation’s largest

The project ranks 14th in cost out of 578 tracked since 2014 and may also offer a competitive edge for the Portland hospital.
Published
September 13, 2016

Maine Medical Center proposes its largest expansion ever, at a cost of $512 million

The project would add 300,000 square feet to the hospital’s campus, put the main entrance on Congress Street and make changes to enhance patients’ stays.
Published
September 8, 2016

Thieves in U-Haul bust through gate, steal snowblowers in Brunswick

Video captures images of the U-Haul truck the thieves loaded with a dozen snowblowers.
Published
September 7, 2016

Social worker pleads not guilty to accusation of having sex with a client

Kelly O’Rourke has been jailed since July after allegedly contacting the woman in violation of his bail conditions.