Penelope Overton

Press Herald

Penelope Overton writes about the lobster and marijuana industries in Maine, a mix of the iconic and the emerging, the economic powerhouse and the mysterious darkhorse. Just the right mix of old and new for a Maine transplant. Penny joined the Press Herald in 2016. She has covered politics and government, the environment and Indian Country in Florida, Connecticut, Arizona and Washington, D.C. Her favorite stories are when she gets to dive into a world where readers seldom venture. When she’s not newspapering, Penny and her young daughter like to hike, body surf, travel and explore new books, places, poems and people. She is plovertonpph on both Instagram and Snapchat.

Latest

Published
May 5, 2023

Anti-abortion bills draw advocates back to Maine’s State House

While the crowd was much smaller than the one that packed the Capitol for Monday’s abortion debate, lawmakers heard several hours of testimony Friday on bills proposed by abortion opponents.
Published
May 3, 2023

Legislature moves to eliminate sales tax on diapers

Advocates say the tax hurts low-income families who struggle to afford diapers, which can sell for $45 a package at grocery stores.
Published
May 1, 2023

Abortion hearing continues through the night, ends Tuesday morning

Legislative committees held hearings on five abortion bills, including Gov. Janet Mills’ proposal to expand access later in pregnancy with a doctor’s approval.
Published
April 26, 2023

Businesses ask lawmakers to relax state PFAS ban

They say the new law is well-intentioned but too broad, too aggressive and too costly for them to follow. Environmental groups are calling on state legislators to defend the PFAS law as it stands.
Published
April 24, 2023

Bill would have state environmental officials give priority to marginalized communities when deciding policy

But environmental advocates say the measure needs to go further, and business groups fear it could slow down project permitting.
Published
April 22, 2023

Lawmakers eye limits on growers to keep marijuana boom from going bust

An abundant cannabis supply and dropping prices have some concerned about an industry consolidation like what’s happened in other states.
Published
April 12, 2023

Abortion bill debate quickly heats up at the State House

Republicans say Gov. Janet Mills’ legislation to allow post-viability abortions demands full-throated opposition because it permits ‘abortion on demand.’
Published
April 11, 2023

Gov. Mills introduces bill to expand abortion access as Democrats line up in support

The legislation would allow abortions to be performed after viability of the fetus as long as a physician determines it is necessary.
Published
April 10, 2023

Mills considers stockpiling abortion pills in wake of court rulings

Mifepristone, which is used in medication abortion, could be removed from the market as soon as Friday.
Published
April 9, 2023

Both sides mobilize in push for abortion legislation in Maine

A number of competing bills, including Gov. Janet Mills’ effort to expand existing protections, keep the issue on the front burner in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs ruling.