Jamie Whittemore’s suit, which her attorneys believe is the first of its kind in the nation, says drugs to treat obesity must be covered because the Affordable Care Act prohibits discrimination based on a disability.
Joe Lawlor
Staff Writer
Joe Lawlor writes about health and human services for the Press Herald. A 24-year newspaper veteran, Lawlor has worked in Ohio, Michigan and Virginia before relocating to Maine in 2013 to join the Press Herald. He is still considered “from away” but since then, he has learned what a “dooryard” is, eaten “whoopie pies” drank Moxie and boiled some “lobstahs.” The stories he enjoys most are when he learns something and meeting inspiring people.
He lives in South Portland - aka “SoPo” - with his wife, Melanie, and two school-age children.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, Politics
Business group objects to proposed rules for new paid family leave law
The Maine State Chamber of Commerce says employers who want to eventually opt out of the program by offering their own paid leave benefit still would have to pay into the fund for 16 months.
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Posted inLocal & State, Maine Crime
Maine supreme court upholds manslaughter sentence for woman who abandoned baby at birth
The Maine Supreme Judicial Court upheld the 6-year sentence given to Lee Ann Daigle, who left her infant daughter in a gravel pit after giving birth in 1985.
Posted inLocal & State, Maine Crime
Maine high court denies mother’s appeal of murder conviction in death of 3-year-old son
Jessica Trefethen was sentenced to 47 years in prison for the death of her son, Maddox Williams, in 2022.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State
Moody’s upgrades Maine’s credit rating to second-highest
The credit rating agency cites the state’s ‘sustained financial improvements including a large increase in reserves and solid pension contributions practices.’
Posted inBusiness, Local & State
USPS says changes at Hampden mail facility are on hold – for now
The Postal Service had proposed converting the Hampden facility into a local processing center, which Maine’s delegation strongly opposed.
Posted inHealth, Local & State
Maine records one of nation’s biggest declines in overdose deaths
Maine, which reported a 16% drop, is one of four states that saw at least a 15% decline in fatal drug overdoses in 2023.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Kennebunk firefighters simulate rain to calm honeybees after turnpike crash
Nobody was seriously injured when a passenger vehicle rear-ended a tractor-trailer hauling the bees on Tuesday.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Kittery man arrested in connection with Jan. 6 riot at U.S. Capitol
Lincoln Deming, 44, of Kittery, was arrested on Saturday on felony charges for breaching the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Browntail moth caterpillars may be facing ‘zombie’ apocalypse in Maine
A fungus that turns the rash-causing pests into the ‘crawling dead’ may lead to a sharp drop in browntail populations this year, scientists say.