Schools say a combination of vaccine mandates, indoor masking in public spaces and regular testing have kept case numbers low.
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.
Posted inLocal & State
Maine reports 738 new cases and 2 deaths as CDC continues to work through backlog
The seven-day average of new cases rose to 593 on Friday, but the state is continuing to work through a backlog of positive test results that date back more than a week.
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Posted inLocal & State, Schools and Education
Maine schools that closed because of threats will reopen Friday
A threat that closed Old Town High School is believed to be unrelated to social media threats that affected Portland High School and SAD 6.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Schools and Education
New COVID cases and outbreaks jump again in Maine schools
The 108 schools with reported outbreaks this week represent 15% of the schools statewide, but Education Commissioner Pender Makin says the department is confident that in-school learning can continue.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Schools and Education
With depleted roster of school bus drivers, Portland struggles to get athletes to games
The district is down 4 full-time bus drivers and 5 bus assistants, out of a transportation staff of 48.
Posted inHealth, Local & State, News
Maine author says father died after COVID-19 exposure in Bangor hospital
Christina Baker Kline says the virus was not the ultimate cause of her father’s death, but ‘he died in quarantine with COVID with multiple infections that he got in the hospital as the result of COVID-related delays.’
Posted inLocal & State, News, Schools and Education
Old Orchard Beach High condemns photo of white students wearing do-rags, flashing ‘gang signals’
The photo posted on Instagram was deleted after school administrators raised concerns about cultural appropriation.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News, Schools and Education
Students push UMaine System to end its investments in fossil fuels
A policy adopted in 2016 has significantly reduced the university system’s investments in fossil fuels, but students say they want to see full divestment.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Schools and Education
Portland councilor and school leaders clash over race and income inequities in city’s schools
District officials agree with City Councilor Tae Chong that more needs to be done, but dispute some of his claims and say they’re making progress to address disparities.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Maine schools now have 72 outbreaks and 2,080 cases as COVID surge continues
The state has set hospitalization records repeatedly in recent days, although a recent decline in the rate of positive tests could be a sign that the latest surge is easing.