Patty Wight

News Producer
  • Maine Public

Patty is a graduate of the University of Vermont and a multiple award-winning reporter for Maine Public Radio. Her specialty is health coverage: from policy stories to patient stories, physical health to mental health and anything in between. Patty joined Maine Public Radio in 2012 after producing stories as a freelancer for NPR programs such as Morning Edition and All Things Considered. She got hooked on radio at the Salt Institute for Documentary Studies in Portland, Maine, and hasn’t looked back ever since.

Ways to Connect

State Senate President Unveils Bill To Increase Access To Child Care In Maine

By • 14 hours ago
Patty Wight / Maine Public

Maine Senate President Troy Jackson announced a new bill Friday that he says will increase access to quality child care for Maine's most vulnerable families. It has the backing of several educators, child advocates and businesses, who say that improving child care is critical for both Maine families and for the state’s economy.

Merger Between Mayo Regional Hospital And Northern Light Health Clears Major Hurdle

By • Jan 16, 2020

A merger between Mayo Regional Hospital and Northern Light Health has cleared a major step in the process after being granted approval by the state of Maine.

Record Number Of Lyme Disease Cases Reported In Maine Last Year

By • Jan 16, 2020
Flickr Creative Commons

Maine saw a record 2,079 Lyme disease cases in the state last year. The Maine Center for Disease Control (CDC) says that number could continue to climb as more reports come in.

Proposal Would Create State-Run Retirement Program For Maine Workers

By • Jan 14, 2020

Democratic Assistant Senate Majority Leader Eloise Vitelli is urging support for a bill she’s sponsoring that would establish a state-run retirement savings program for Maine workers who don’t have access to one through their employer.

Report Details Continued Struggles In Maine’s Child Welfare System

By • Jan 14, 2020

Maine’s child welfare system is still struggling despite improvements that have been implemented since the abuse deaths of Marissa Kennedy and Kendall Chick two years ago, according to the latest annual report from the state’s Child Welfare Services Ombudsman.

Long-Time Portland News Anchor Stepping Down To Focus On Healing From Brain Injury

By • Jan 14, 2020
From Kim Block's online statement.

A long-time news anchor at Portland's CBS affiliate is stepping down. Channel 13 WGME's Kim Block says she's leaving her job of 39 years so she can focus on healing from a traumatic brain injury.

House Passes PFAS Bill Sponsored By Maine Representatives

By • Jan 10, 2020

The U.S. House has passed a bill sponsored by Maine’s two House members that would regulate PFAS, a group of forever chemicals that have been linked to health issues such as cancer.

Pingree And Golden Co-Sponsor Bill That Would Regulate 'Forever Chemicals'

By • Jan 9, 2020
Maine Public File

Maine's two Democratic Representatives to Congress say they want federal agencies to better regulate a group of forever chemicals known as PFAS.

Mills Proposes Bill She Says Will Improve Health Insurance And Cut Costs

By • Jan 8, 2020
Steve Mistler / Maine Public

Maine Gov. Janet Mills and Democratic legislative leaders unveiled a new bill at the State House Wednesday that they say is aimed at improving health insurance in the individual and small group markets. They say the bill is designed to reduce out of pocket costs, stabilize premiums, and move closer to a state-run marketplace.

6 Flu-Related Deaths Reported As Virus Spreads Throughout Maine

By • Jan 8, 2020

Influenza is now classified as widespread across the state, according to the Maine Center for Disease Control.

Maine Gets $5 Million For Opioid Affected Babies, Mothers

By • Jan 7, 2020

Maine is one of 10 states that’s been awarded a federal grant to help mothers and babies affected by opioid use.

Police: Bath Man, 88, Attacked By Fox Suspected Of Having Rabies

By • Jan 6, 2020

An 88-year-old Bath man was attacked on Friday by a fox suspected of having rabies.

Maine Hospitals Are Tasked With Figuring Out How To Implement The State's Death With Dignity Law

By • Jan 5, 2020
Elaine Thompson / AP Images

Maine's new Death with Dignity law went into effect last fall, but some hospitals have delayed participation in the system it created. Now some Maine hospital systems have policies in place that allow physicians and other medical staff to take part.

MDI Lab Receives Grant To Monitor Arsenic Levels In Well Water

By • Jan 1, 2020
Flickr Creative Commons

The MDI Biological Laboratory has received a $160,000 grant to monitor arsenic in well water.

We've Been Underestimating Puffins, And They've Been Using Tools

By • Dec 31, 2019
BRIAN BECHARD / Maine Public

New research published this week documents evidence of puffins using tools. Study authors say it's the first known use of tools in seabirds, suggesting their cognitive abilities may have been previously underestimated.

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