Hannah LaClaire

Staff Writer

Hannah LaClaire is a business reporter at the Portland Press Herald, covering topics such as real estate and development, entrepreneurship and the cannabis industry among others. Before joining the Press Herald in January 2021, Hannah covered the town of Brunswick for The Times Record. She graduated from the University of Maine with a degree in Journalism, and reported for The Cape Cod Times in Hyannis, Massachusetts, and The Telegraph in Nashua, N.H., before moving back to Maine. In her free time, Hannah enjoys reading, running, cooking (eating) and traveling. She lives in Saco with her husband, her dog Olive and her cat Fred.

Latest

Published
January 23, 2020

‘5-star’ facelift planned for Brunswick’s Tontine Mall

The proposed vision for the Tontine includes a glass porch and extended three-season patio seating, a new interior layout, more natural light, at least two new businesses and, above the existing structure, two new floors with 16 market-rate apartment units.
Published
January 22, 2020

Town officials scrap plan to move farmers market to Park Row

Councilors instead opted to explore keeping the vendors centrally located and placing the market on the downtown mall’s bisecting sidewalks for one year
Published
January 21, 2020

Brunswick Housing Authority hopes switch to Section 8 housing will free up more funding, regain local control

More funding will not only help them better maintain the units they already have but also could open more opportunities to create more low-income housing in the future, according to Executive Director John Hodge.
Published
January 20, 2020

Bowdoin grad Hari Kondabolu hopes ‘The Simpsons’ creators will keep character Apu after actor says he won’t voice the role

A 2017 documentary by comedian and Bowdoin graduate Hari Kondabolu criticized the show’s stereotypical portrayal of the Indian-American character.
Published
January 20, 2020

Bill seeks to bar large retailers from using the ‘dark store loophole’ in property tax battles

The bill, expected to appear before the Legislature’s Taxation Committee on Tuesday, would require that retail sales facilities more than 20,000 square feet be valued based on current use, or, if vacant, according to their highest and best use. Walmart recently challenged Brunswick’s valuation of its Cook’s Corner property, a move that could cost the town more than $200,000 in tax revenue.
Published
January 17, 2020

‘We have work that remains unfinished:’ Rep. Mattie Daughtry announces state senate bid

Daughtry is running for the District 24 Senate seat held by Brownie Carson, who announced his retirement late last year.
Published
January 17, 2020

Opponents ask court to reverse approval of controversial oyster farm

The suit, filed Friday, alleges a conflict of interest for co-owner of Mere Point Oyster Co. and Brunswick Harbormaster Dan Devereaux, and accuses him of ‘placing a thumb on the scale of the aquaculture licensing.’
Published
January 17, 2020

Square dancing tradition alive in Topsham

Many dancers say that square dancing is more than the frilly-dressed dancing of days gone by, it’s also a great way to get boost both physical and mental health.
Published
January 14, 2020

Freeport to consider looser restrictions on marijuana cultivation

The council will host a workshop prior to the Jan. 21 council meeting where it will discuss the possibility of allowing recreational marijuana cultivation in town. Freeport currently only allows medical cannabis growth.
Published
January 13, 2020

Portland restauranteurs to open new steak and oyster spot downtown

From the light and airy feel of the restaurant’s interior to the classic, “tried and true” items on the menu, everything at Maine St. Steak and Oyster is designed to feel comfortable and familiar, but far from boring.