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.

Local & State, Politics

Former Portland city councilor enters race for mayor

by Rachel Ohm July 18, 2023July 18, 2023

Justin Costa, a former school board member and city councilor, is the fourth candidate to enter the race.

Local & State, News

Portland council presses pause on proposal to change referendum process

by Rachel Ohm July 17, 2023July 18, 2023

The council voted 6-3 Monday night to indefinitely postpone action on a proposal to make several changes to the citizen-initiated referendum process.

Local & State

Portland is bringing back home-share program for asylum seekers

by Rachel Ohm July 17, 2023July 17, 2023

Hosts in Portland will be eligible for payment but are being asked to commit to a longer time frame than in 2019, when a voluntary program was used to house people leaving the Portland Expo.

Local & State

Flood watch in effect across Maine with more rain expected Sunday

by Rachel Ohm July 15, 2023July 15, 2023

Multiple rounds of torrential rainfall could produce flash flooding starting midmorning Sunday, according to the National Weather Service.

Local & State, News

Additional state GA funding should prevent higher tax increase in Portland budget

by Rachel Ohm July 13, 2023July 13, 2023

The city is expected to get about $7.45 million from the state to offset General Assistance costs over the next year.

Business, Local & State

Nonprofit trust buying Press Herald, other Maine newspapers in landmark deal

by Rachel Ohm July 10, 2023July 13, 2023

The National Trust for Local News has agreed to purchase 5 of the state’s 6 daily papers and 17 of its weeklies in an effort to preserve local journalism.

Local & State, News

They couldn’t find an apartment in Portland. So they got a bus.

by Rachel Ohm July 9, 2023July 9, 2023

But after two years, it hasn’t been the adventurous solution Jeremy and Taylor Michelson had imagined. Their home has been idled outside a U-Haul facility, racking up thousands of dollars in parking tickets.

Local & State