Rachel Ohm

Staff Writer

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.

Elections, Local & State, Local Elections

Recount underway in Waterville council’s Ward 1

by Rachel Ohm November 7, 2018November 7, 2018

A voter-approved ban on plastic shopping bags at large retailers may also be challenged, Mayor Nick Isgro says.

Business, Local & State

Developer questioned about timeline for Madison strawberry greenhouse project

by Rachel Ohm November 6, 2018November 7, 2018

A representative for Northern Farms LLC said the project is “going well, but it’s a very, very slow process.”

Election 2018, Local & State, News, Politics

Waterville group challenging absentee ballots of 150 Colby students

by Rachel Ohm November 5, 2018November 5, 2018

The addresses used could cause confusion over which wards and districts a student should be voting in, but the city clerk says the problem is easily fixed.

Local & State, News

Officials gear up to address top health issues in Franklin County

by Rachel Ohm November 4, 2018November 4, 2018

Several groups will be setting strategic priorities after a report identifies access to health care, lack of physical activity, substance use and mental health as key concerns.

Business, Local & State, News, Politics

New Balance achieves milestone, ships first athletic shoes to military after long battle

by Rachel Ohm October 30, 2018October 30, 2018

Members of Maine’s congressional delegation visit the plant in Norridgewock to help celebrate the fruits of a $17.3 million contract that complies with a law requiring U.S. soldiers to wear American-made apparel.

Local & State, Nation & World, Politics

Collins, King, Pingree slam Trump’s proposal to end birthright citizenship

by Rachel Ohm October 30, 2018October 31, 2018

Rep. Bruce Poliquin initially declined comment on the president’s plan, saying he ‘didn’t see that,’ but later issued a statement saying ‘any executive order or law must pass Constitutional muster.’

Health, Local & State, Politics

Former state official says Maine fails its poor

by Rachel Ohm October 25, 2018October 25, 2018

The governor’s office responded by saying poverty in Maine has declined over the last eight years and Kevin Concannon’s remarks ‘played on stereotypes of reform.’

Business, Local & State

Madison mill that closed in 2016 seeks to recover taxes from town

by Rachel Ohm October 24, 2018October 25, 2018

The Maine State Board of Property Tax Review is scheduled to begin a hearing Thursday to determine whether Madison Paper Industries was overcharged for taxes the year the mill closed.