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.

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'A Work In Progress' — How Will Maine's Phased Reopening Work?

By & • Apr 30, 2020
Willis Ryder Arnold / Maine Public

Maine Gov. Janet Mills Tuesday released her plan to restart the state economy. But there are still a lot of questions about how it might work and how it affects businesses. We've brought in Maine Public's chief political correspondent Steve Mistler to help explain what we know so far and, hopefully, clear up some confusion.

Mills Announces Phased Plan For Reopening Maine

By • Apr 28, 2020
Robert F. Bukaty / Associated Press

Limitations on travel and large gatherings will continue until at least May 31, but Mainers could soon be able to play golf, buy a car and visit select state parks and historic sites.

Or get a haircut.

Mills: Announcement On Stay-At-Home Extension Likely On Tuesday, As Another Mainer Dies Of COVID-19

By & • Apr 28, 2020
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Nick Woodward / Maine Public

Maine Gov. Janet Mills says she's likely to announce Tuesday whether she'll extend her stay-at-home order, which expires Thursday. 

Maine CDC Director On The Future Of Coronavirus Testing In The State

By • Apr 26, 2020
Nick Woodward / Maine Public

As Maine Gov. Janet Mills considers reopening the state economy, a key consideration is the state's ability to test for COVID-19. But it's a difficult task. Maine Public's chief political correspondent Steve Mistler discussed the way forward with Maine CDC Director Dr. Nirav Shah, who acknowledged that the state has so far been forced to ration testing for the virus:

Mills Outlines Plans For Gradual Reopening Of Maine Businesses

By • Apr 23, 2020
Maine Public

Maine Gov. Janet Mills outlined the guideposts her administration will use in attempting to reopen the state economy. But her announcement came amid five new reported deaths from the novel coronavirus, the largest single-day total for Maine so far.

Latest Federal Relief Bill Could Ramp Up Testing Capacity In Maine

By • Apr 22, 2020

Maine Center for Disease Control Director Dr. Nirav Shah says a new federal relief bill that has cleared the U.S. Senate could allow Maine to ramp up testing capacity for the novel coronavirus.

'Negative Result Is A Bit More In Question' — Maine CDC Responds To Coronavirus Test Accuracy

By • Apr 21, 2020

Maine CDC director Dr. Nirav Shah says his agency is closely monitoring research showing that a new rapid test for COVID-19 is producing a high percentage of false negatives.

How A Lack Of Tests Has Hamstrung Maine's Efforts To Curb COVID-19 And Reopen The Economy

By • Apr 18, 2020
Robert F. Bukaty / Associated Press

Maine Center for Disease Control Director Dr. Nirav Shah on Wednesday used what he described as an epidemiological axiom to explain a surge of COVID-19 cases in several long-term care facilities. “When you look for things, you find them,” Shah said.

Maine DHHS To Send Additional 10M To Private Nonmedical Institutions

By • Apr 17, 2020

The Maine Department of Health and Human Services is sending an additional $10 million in state and federal funds to private nonmedical institutions.

Maine Long-Term Care Facilities Continue To Experience COVID-19 Outbreaks

By • Apr 17, 2020
Nick Woodward / Maine Public

Maine long-term care facilities continue to experience outbreaks of COVID-19. The Maine Center for Disease Control reported Thursday that Falmouth By the Sea is the fifth such facility to be hit with multiple cases.

Mills, 2 New England Governors Working Together To Figure Out When To Reopen Their States' Economies

By • Apr 14, 2020
Robert F. Bukaty / Associated Press

Gov. Janet Mills said Tuesday she’s working closely with the governors of New Hampshire and Vermont to monitor outbreaks of COVID-19 and determine the best time to reopen their respective economies.

Mills Extends Civil Emergency Order As Another Mainer Dies And COVID-19 Cases Grow

By & • Apr 14, 2020
Nick Woodward / Maine Public

Updated April 4, 2020 at 2:44 p.m. ET

Maine Gov. Janet Mills Tuesday announced a 30-day extension of her civil emergency declaration issued March 15. The move comes after another death in the state attributed to COVID-19, and an increase of 36 cases of the disease overnight, bringing the total of known cases to 738.

CMP, Hydro-Quebec Spent $7 Million Last Quarter In Attempt To Squash Anti-Corridor Referendum

By • Apr 14, 2020
Robert F. Bukaty / AP Photo

Central Maine Power and Canada’s Hydro-Quebec spent more than $7 million in the first quarter of the year opposing a prospective referendum that could scuttle a controversial transmission project through western Maine.

Maine CDC Says Traveling Salesperson Has Been Linked To Cluster Of Maine COVID-19 Cases

By • Apr 9, 2020
Nick Woodward / Maine Public

Maine Center for Disease Control Director Dr. Nirav Shah revealed Thursday that a traveling salesperson has been linked to a cluster of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state and possibly other states, as well. Shah's comments shed the most light so far on how the novel coronavirus has spread in Maine, which now has 560 confirmed cases and 16 fatalities.

'Back To The Drawing Board' – Maine Receives A Fraction Of Its Order For COVID-19 Tests

By • Apr 8, 2020
Alex Brandon / AP Photo

The Maine Center for Disease Control says it has received only a small fraction of its order for a new rapid test for COVID-19. The shortfall presents a new challenge for public health officials who had hoped to expand testing capacity for at-risk people and conserve personal protective equipment for health care workers.

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