Steve Mistler

Chief Political Correspondent and State House Bureau Chief
  • Maine Public

Steve has been a journalist for nearly two decades, specializing in the coverage of politics and state government. His work has been recognized by the Maine Press Association and the New England Newspaper and Press Association for investigative projects and accountability journalism. He was named the MPA’s Journalist of the Year in 2011 for his coverage of municipal government for The Forecaster in Falmouth and, later, for his coverage of state government for the Sun Journal in Lewiston.

Steve became the state house bureau chief for the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram in 2012. After four years with Maine’s largest daily newspaper, Steve made the leap to radio journalism, joining Maine Public in May 2016.

Steve is married with one child and has two crazy dogs. His family lives in Brunswick.

Ways to Connect

Maine Lawmakers Fight Over What's A Proper Face Covering

By • 15 hours ago
Robert F. Bukaty / Associated Press

 

Maine's legislative leaders have recently been mired in a debate over face mask requirements at the State House even as lawmakers are expected to consider more than 1,000 bills this session, as well as two spending plans worth more than $8 billion.

Pulse Newsletter: The Pandemic Is Biden's Top Priority

By • Jan 22, 2021

“Somehow we weathered and witnessed a nation that isn’t broken but simply unfinished.”
— Amanda Gorman, 22, inaugural poet.

There’s no cheering in the press box, but an exception can be made when contemplating Gorman’s optimistic view of the republic.

2nd-In-Command Takes Charge Of Maine Capitol Police As Chief's Social Media Posts Cause Uproar

By • Jan 21, 2021
Robert F. Bukaty / Associated Press

The Maine Capitol Police is being run by its second in command, prompting speculation that its embattled chief has been put on administrative leave after he promoted far-right falsehoods about masks and President Joe Biden’s election victory.

Former Portland Developer Receives Pardon From Donald Trump

By • Jan 20, 2021

Former Portland developer Michael Liberty is among more than 140 people pardoned by former President Donald Trump.

What You Need To Know As Mainers Get COVID-19 Vaccines

By & • Jan 19, 2021
Patty Wight / Maine Public

Maine’s campaign to vaccinate residents against the coronavirus is starting to make progress, but it will still be months before many lower-risk Mainers will be able to get the shots in the arm that are seen as critical to ending the still-worsening pandemic.

Capitol Police Chief Apologizes For Facebook Posts That Questioned Biden Election Win

By • Jan 15, 2021
Capitol Police Maine / Facebook

The chief of the Maine Capitol Police is apologizing for a series of social media posts that promote the same conspiracy theories that inspired Trump extremists to storm the U.S. Capitol last week.

Pulse Newsletter: Impeaching Trump Would Take 17 Senate Republican Votes. Is Collins One Of Them?

By • Jan 15, 2021

This week’s historic second impeachment of President Donald Trump by the U.S. House of Representatives is supported by three of Maine’s four members of Congress — and possibly the fourth.

Angus King Backs Impeachment, Saying Trump Could Still Harm National Security Before Inauguration

By • Jan 12, 2021
Senate Television via AP

Independent Sen. Angus King of Maine on Tuesday added his support for impeaching President Donald Trump, saying in a statement that the president is a “danger to the Republic” and blaming him for inciting the mob that went on to storm the Capitol.

State House Beefs Up Security In Preparation For Inauguration Day Protests

By • Jan 12, 2021
Rebecca Conley / Maine Public file

The Maine State Police say they are taking seriously the potential for armed demonstrations at the state capitol on Inauguration Day, or before.

Maine CDC Said Walgreens Administered Vaccines Too Slowly, So The Doses Were Taken To Hospitals

By • Jan 11, 2021
Kristyna Wentz-Graff / Oregon Public Broadcasting via AP/Pool

The Maine Center for Disease Control requisitioned nearly 2,000 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine from Walgreens on Monday over concerns that the pharmacy chain was not using them quickly enough to protect older Mainers in long-term care facilities.

Janet Mills Unveils $8.4 Billion Two-Year Budget With Few Spending Increases, No Tax Hike

By , & • Jan 8, 2021
Robert F. Bukaty / Associated Press

Gov. Janet Mills is proposing a two-year budget of $8.4 billion, a spending plan bolstered by federal pandemic relief funding and better-than-expected revenue forecasts.

Pulse Newsletter: Is This America?

By • Jan 8, 2021

The images of extremist supporters of President Donald Trump storming the U.S. Capitol Building resembled a political cataclysm on foreign soil.

Yet the sights and sounds were distinctly American.

“1776! 1776!” the crowd chanted at one point as it made its way down Pennsylvania Avenue toward the Capitol.

One man was asked by NPR reporter Hannah Allam what he wanted to see when he got there.

Susan Collins: Trump 'Does Bear Responsibility' For Insurrection

By • Jan 6, 2021
Jacquelyn Martin / Associated Press

As extremist supporters of President Donald Trump on Wednesday stormed the U.S. Capitol Building and clashed with police in an attempt to overturn the election, members of Maine’s congressional delegation are reporting that they are sheltering in secure locations and safe.

Maine Health Officials Warn Of New Coronavirus Strain

By • Jan 4, 2021
Robert F. Bukaty / Associated Press

Maine CDC director Dr. Nirav Shah says it’s only a matter of time before a new strain of the coronavirus will appear in the state.

Maine CDC: Independent Health Providers Will Start Getting Vaccinated Next Week

By • Dec 31, 2020

Maine public health officials said on Thursday that some health care workers not directly employed by hospitals will begin getting coronavirus vaccinations next week.

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