Rachel Ohm

Staff Writer

Rachel covers K-12 schools, higher education and statewide education issues for the Press Herald. She previously covered Franklin and Somerset counties for the Morning Sentinel in Waterville and higher education at the Knoxville News Sentinel in Knoxville, Tennessee. Prior to her arrival in Maine, Rachel spent time in New York City and earned a master’s degree in journalism from New York University. A native of upstate New York, she loves the outdoorsy life in Maine and spends as much time hiking and exploring the coast as possible.

Latest

Published
June 30, 2023

Portland asks Mills to house asylum seekers at college campus in Unity or call in National Guard

The letter to the governor, spurred by a proposal from the Greater Portland Council of Governments, comes as the city is preparing to close a shelter for asylum seekers at the Portland Expo on Aug. 16.
Published
June 29, 2023

Proposal to exempt smaller landlords from Portland rent control qualifies for ballot

The City Council can send the measure to voters, adopt it outright or add a competing measure to the ballot.
Published
June 29, 2023

Portland City Councilor Mark Dion announces run for mayor

Dion is the second city councilor, and third candidate, to enter the race following Andrew Zarro’s announcement last month.
Published
June 28, 2023

Portland city councilors get a look at resources to develop affordable housing

At a workshop Wednesday, the council got a look at ways the city can help subsidize projects and talked about whether current goals are enough to meet the need.
Published
June 28, 2023

Asylum seekers protest conditions at Portland Expo, lack of long-term plan

City officials met with the protesters, who say they have been served expired food and worry about where they will go when the Expo closes in mid-August.
Published
June 26, 2023

City says sponsor has decided not to proceed with Payson Park music festival proposal

City councilors voted 7-0 Monday to indefinitely postpone action on the festival originally proposed for July 2023.
Published
June 26, 2023

Portland City Council confirms appointment of new police chief

Mark Dubois is expected to start on the job July 31 and will earn a salary of $165,000.
Published
June 23, 2023

Portland City Council expected to postpone action on municipal budget until July

City staff members are requesting another delay as they wait for the Legislature to determine General Assistance reimbursement levels.
Published
June 22, 2023

Portland housing office staff to present rent control changes to City Council

A city spokesperson said Thursday that the proposal consists of ‘housekeeping amendments,’ but supporters of the current rent control ordinance said it could significantly weaken tenant protections.
Published
June 22, 2023

These 4 asylum seekers spent months sleeping on the streets of Portland

Private fundraising efforts are helping the men find shelter for now, but they worry about their long-term housing options as city shelters remain full.