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
December 11, 2017

Hepatitis cases mount in wake of opioid epidemic

Several types of the virus are being reported in increasing numbers, with the Maine CDC issuing a public notice Monday about a small but unusual spike in hepatitis A cases.
Published
December 7, 2017

New Maine lead standard fuels 10-fold jump in interventions after children test positive

Under the new law, thresholds for testing have been lowered to align with federal Centers for Disease Control recommendations.
Published
December 1, 2017

Sen. Collins votes to approve Republican tax reform bill

One of four Republican senators who had held out against the proposal, Collins reached her decision after receiving support for several amendments she proposed to the bill.
Published
November 30, 2017

Sen. Collins, a key vote on Republican tax plan, pushes amendments to address ‘a lot of concerns’

Sen. King and others also submit changes, forcing a rewrite of the debt-raising bill and postponing a major vote until at least Friday.
Published
November 28, 2017

Negotiations ease ‘a lot of’ Collins’ concerns about tax reform bill

The senator whose ‘yes’ vote would be crucial to passing the sweeping plan makes positive comments after talks with President Trump and others.
Published
November 27, 2017

Maine unemployment claims system will be down for a week

The blackout period from Thursday through Dec. 6 will allow the state to implement a cloud-based system for filing claims that is the product of a collaboration with three other states to reduce administrative costs and fraud.
Published
November 27, 2017

Portland medical mission increases trips abroad

The fast-growing nonprofit Partners for World Health also is sending more supplies to Third World nations.
Published
November 22, 2017

Maine has nation’s highest rate of increased Affordable Care Act enrollment

The 72 percent jump over 2016 levels occurred despite efforts by the Trump administration to undermine the program and cut funding for outreach and advertising.
Published
November 18, 2017

Feature obituary: Melvin Stone, media fixture and witness to Nuremberg trials, dies at 96

He ended up owning numerous radio stations in Maine and was the first president of the New England Press Association.
Published
November 17, 2017

Neighbors wary as Maine Med seeks zoning change for its big expansion

City council is taking up the hospital’s long-term vision for streets near its growing campus, and some worry about the potential impact on development, housing and amenities such as restaurants.