Author: Channa Steinmetz
Channa earned her Master's degree in Journalism at Northwestern University in Chicago. Her passion for storytelling and media is rooted in a desire to understand humans, share marginalized voices and build connections. While previously reporting in Kansas City, she won awards for her coverage on youth entrepreneurs and religion. She now lives in Portland. Channa can be reached at [email protected]
Maine veterans gathered in Bangor on Monday to demand answers from Sen. Susan Collins following revelations that federal investigators had been investigating allegations of a pay-to-play arrangement involving the senator and a major campaign donor before the Trump administration shut down the investigation. The veterans, members of the Maine Veterans Alliance (which, like Beacon, is…
Maine Democrats and former state officials are among those calling for answers about new corruption allegations against Sen. Susan Collins, and why the Trump administration shut them down. ProPublica reported Tuesday that federal investigators had been investigating an alleged pay to play arrangement involving Collins and a major campaign donor, but that the investigation was…
Former Maine Gov. Paul LePage is again criticizing Medicaid expansion as he campaigns for Maine’s 2nd Congressional District, despite ample evidence that the program has helped rural hospitals and increased access to care. LePage, the Republican nominee in Maine’s 2nd Congressional District, claimed during a May radio interview that expanding Medicaid had hurt rural hospitals.…
When Prime Healthcare took over Central Maine Medical Center in February, registered nurse Katie Grinnell was hopeful the new ownership would bring more resources to the Lewiston hospital. Instead, she says the months that followed brought staffing changes, supply shortages and growing concerns about patient care. Grinnell joined her coworkers in organizing a union to…
Lewiston mobile home park residents are calling on City Councilor Bret Martel to recuse himself from decisions over a proposed rent stabilization ordinance after his state House campaign reported receiving more than $2,000 from entities connected to a private equity company that owns three parks in the city. Martel, a Republican running for Maine House…
Today, Sept. 15 marks National Voter Registration Day, and Maine election officials are reminding residents that it’s not too late to register ahead of the Nov. 3 general election. Maine allows eligible voters to register and cast a ballot on the same day, including on Election Day. Mainers can also register online through 5 p.m.…
Anita Charles, the sister of Republican gubernatorial nominee Bobby Charles, publicly came out against her brother’s campaign Wednesday morning, saying his rhetoric, education proposals and opposition to abortion rights have pushed her to speak out and support Democrat Hannah Pingree. Speaking at the Maine Democratic Party’s office in Portland, Anita said she and her brother…
Maine’s Democratic candidates spent Labor Day alongside union members and organizers Monday, speaking at events in Portland and Brewer about how government should do more to improve the lives of workers. Democratic gubernatorial nominee Hannah Pingree and U.S. Senate candidate Troy Jackson began the day at the Southern Maine Labor Council’s annual breakfast in Portland,…
After years of devastating losses to the opioid epidemic, Maine is seeing overdose deaths move in the right direction; but advocates and state officials say the work to keep people alive is far from over. Monday, Aug. 31, marked International Overdose Awareness Day, an annual day to remember people who have died from overdose and…
Republican gubernatorial nominee Bobby Charles recently told WGAN that giving money as a lobbyist means “you’re essentially believing that you’re going to buy a favor.” But Charles, who has made government fraud and waste allegations a centerpiece of his own campaign for governor, lobbied for years for companies that defrauded or overbilled the federal government,…