As a graduate student, I’m required to have health insurance, and since I’m financing my education with student loans, this cost is becoming part of my student loan debt. When I attempted to register for an Affordable Care Act plan, my student loan income was already considered debt and rendered me ineligible for the ACA. […]

I am writing in response to the article posted Nov. 19 (“In court, Portland defends panhandling limits”), discussing the prohibition of panhandling by the city of Portland. It is frustrating to see the number of complaints about panhandling when the real issue is being overlooked. Why do the residents of Portland think people are panhandling? […]

The Press Herald should stop using the phrase “oil sands” to refer to the product coming from the Athabasca tar sands deposits in Alberta. The phrase is nothing but deliberate oil industry PR. Even the oil industry refers to it as “dilbit” or “dilute bitumen.” Bitumen is tar, plain and simple. What could be shipped […]

We are writing to voice strong support for the proposed midtown project in Portland’s Bayside neighborhood. While bringing much-needed construction jobs to the local area, the project will benefit local businesses such as ours as partners in providing materials and expertise toward realizing “A Vision for Bayside.” Midtown is a major economic opportunity, as well […]

Fox News’ Bill O’Reilly and Megyn Kelly are claiming Santa Claus is Caucasian. They are partly wrong. Needed is a backtrack to New Amsterdam (now New York) in 1652, just prior to the English takeover of that Dutch colony. On Dec. 8 each year, tradition called for a person dressed as St. Nicholas – a […]

I must admit that, for a multitude of reasons, Gov. LePage has had me scratching my head, over and over, throughout his gubernatorial term. However, a recent article on him (“LePage renews effort to target Maine welfare fraud,” Dec. 18) had me rubbing my chin instead. I’m actually in agreement with him regarding making some […]