Eric Russell has been a general assignment reporter at the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram since 2012 and has been a journalist in Maine for 13 years. Because he doesn’t have a specific geographic or topical area to cover, Eric often is free to roam the state in pursuit of the most interesting stories, whether it’s tackling the big topic of the day or chasing ideas that fall just outside the boundaries of everyday news. His favorite assignments are ones where he can leave the office and meet with people in their homes or their workplaces to talk about their struggles and challenges – and sometimes their triumphs. Or to try and answer complicated questions: How does a woman die alone in a Wells mobile home without anyone knowing for 2.5 years? How does a convicted rapist from Massachusetts disappear before his sentencing and then live quietly in Gorham for 34 years before being caught? How does a husband in Bath respond when his wife develops early-onset Alzheimer’s disease? Eric grew up in Southern Maine, went to college at the University of Maine and worked in Bangor for eight years before joining the Press Herald. He lives in Brunswick with his wife, a school teacher, and two daughters.
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PublishedApril 14, 2024
A lightly traveled border outpost in western Maine is getting a $95 million upgrade
Built in 1932, the station at Coburn Gore is 1 of 5 in Maine in line for overhauls with federal infrastructure funds. But the reasons for this crossing’s outsized expense aren’t entirely clear.
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PublishedApril 12, 2024
Maine lawmakers endorse higher tax brackets for wealthier residents
Both the House and Senate this week passed a bill that lowers state income taxes for low- and middle-wage earners.
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PublishedApril 2, 2024
Bowdoin College student’s death ruled a suicide
Topsham Police Chief Marc Hagan said in a statement Tuesday that 20-year-old Qingyang Zhan, of California, took her own life Sunday morning.
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PublishedApril 1, 2024
Bowdoin College community shaken by student’s death
Authorities are awaiting autopsy results on Qingyang Zhan, a 20-year-old junior whose body was found in a parking lot in Topsham early Sunday. Police say there is no threat to the public.
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PublishedMarch 31, 2024
Mild winter takes a toll on Maine’s outdoor sports, seasonal economy
The 2023-24 winter was devastating for the snowmobile industry and the communities that rely on visitors coming to enjoy Maine’s trails.
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PublishedMarch 26, 2024
Pushback on growth is a major barrier even as Maine makes strides to ease housing shortage
Gov. Janet Mills joined local officials Tuesday at a summit hosted by the Greater Portland Council of Governments focused on finding solutions to the state’s housing shortage.
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PublishedMarch 23, 2024
Portland eighth grader wins state spelling bee for second year
Evan Trieu of St. Brigid School emerges among 14 finalists on Saturday at Bowdoin College. He won the state bee last year as well.
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PublishedMarch 23, 2024
Heavy spring snow blankets Maine, putting a damper on Maple Sunday weekend
More than 5 inches of snow were recorded at the Portland International Jetport before the precipitation turned to freezing rain Saturday afternoon.
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PublishedMarch 8, 2024
Maine gets $2 million federal grant for behavioral health in wake of Lewiston tragedy
The money will support the needs of those directly and indirectly impacted by the tragedy in Lewiston, Gov. Janet Mills said.
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PublishedMarch 7, 2024
Army reservists tell commission more could have been done to help Lewiston gunman
Robert Card was a longtime reservist for a Saco-based unit. His colleagues became increasingly concerned about his behavior last year but took few steps to follow up on his mental health treatment.
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