Susan Sharon

Deputy News Director

Deputy News Director Susan Sharon is an experienced newsroom leader, editor, producer and reporter who has worked in both television and radio. Her work has been nationally recognized by the Society of Professional Journalists, Public Radio News Directors, Inc. and by the Society of Environmental Journalists for outstanding coverage of breaking news, enterprise and beat reporting.

A former State House reporter, Susan has extensively covered politics and a wide range of other subjects including environmental policy, the opioid crisis, criminal justice and corrections and human interest stories. Her reporting has taken her to places as diverse as the Maine State Prison to the depths of an old-growth forest to remote islands off the Maine coast and to courtrooms, classrooms and beyond.

Susan is a graduate of the University of Montana School of Journalism. She's received additional training in management, newsroom leadership and editing from Central Maine Community College, Poynter and NPR.

Got a story idea? E-mail Susan: ssharon@mainepublic.org. You can also follow her on twitter @susansharon1

Ways to Connect

With Heavy Downpours Becoming More Frequent, Wider Culverts Will Be Key

By • 2 hours ago
Susan Sharon / Maine Public

In case you haven't noticed, heavy downpours are increasing in the northeast. In fact, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, they've increased by 70 percent since 1958. A heavy downpour is defined as a storm that produces two or more inches of water in 24 hours. And as temperatures warm, scientists are predicting that they'll become more frequent and intense.

Officials Still Determining Cause Of Farmington Explosion

By & • Sep 17, 2019
Brian Bechard / Maine Public

Officials from the state fire marshal’s office say it may be the end of the week before they know exactly what caused a propane explosion that leveled a building in Farmington Tuesday, killing fire Capt. Michael Bell and critically injuring several others.

A nearby mobile home park was also severely damaged, leaving 30 people homeless.

Commission Approves J.D. Irving Plan For Rezoning 51,000 Acres In Aroostook County

By • Sep 11, 2019
Susan Sharon / Maine Public

With little discussion and no debate, the Land Use Planning Commission voted unanimously Wednesday to approve Canada-based J.D. Irving's plan to rezone 51,000 acres in northern Aroostook County for commercial and residential development as well as conservation.

Maine's Largest Landowner Proposes 30-Year Plan That Could Transform Aroostook County Lakes Area

By • Sep 10, 2019
Susan Sharon / Maine Public

Maine's largest landowner, Canada-based JD Irving, is hoping to get the green light this week to rezone 51,000 acres around four scenic Aroostook County lakes for residential and commercial development.

A New Outward Bound Program Is Showing Women They Can Seek Adventure At Any Age

By • Sep 6, 2019
Susan Sharon / Maine Public

For more than 50 years, Outward Bound expeditions have helped thousands of students undertake challenges and master skills in the outdoors that they never thought they could. Along the way, participating teens and adults have discovered the joys of adventure and teamwork, but programs generally have not been designed for seniors. But the Hurricane Island Outward Bound School in Camden has begun rethinking that practice by offering a short course for women 65 and over.

Maine Joins Lawsuit Over Trump Rule To Roll Back Clean Air Protections

By • Aug 14, 2019
J. David Ake / Associated Press/file

Maine’s attorney general has joined more than two dozen states and local governments in a lawsuit against the Trump administration over its plan to roll back clean air protections.

Living With Puffins? Better Duck And Cover

By • Aug 5, 2019

Every summer, a handful of interns and research assistants are selected from hundreds of applicants to camp in primitive conditions on a tiny, treeless island several miles off Maine's coast. Their job description calls for "a sense of humor and love ... of adventure, the outdoors and birds."

The coveted jobs are with the National Audubon Society's Project Puffin, an unusual seabird restoration project that got its start on Eastern Egg Rock in the 1970s.

VIDEO: Interns Call Summer Gig Monitoring Puffins On Maine Island 'A Dream Come True'

By & Brian Bechard • Jul 30, 2019
Brian Bechard / Maine Public

Every summer, a handful of interns and research assistants are selected from hundreds of applicants to camp in primitive conditions on a tiny, treeless island several miles off midcoast Maine. Their job description calls for “a sense of humor” and love of “adventure, the outdoors and birds.”


Rule To Limit Abortion Referrals Off Table In Maine For Now

By • Jul 6, 2019

A new rule that limits referrals by abortion providers will not take effect in Maine or any other state, due to a Federal Appeals Court action.

20 Years Later, Conservationists Celebrate Edwards Dam Removal

By • Jul 2, 2019
Susan Sharon / Maine Public

It took a historic decision by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and an unusual collaboration between environmental groups, the city of Augusta and the state of Maine to remove the Edwards Dam. But 20 years later, the hard-fought effort is being replicated and celebrated around the country as native, sea-run fish, bald eagles and other wildlife continue to return to the Kennebec River.

'A New Day' - Maine Passes Legislation Intended To Address Racism

By • Jun 28, 2019
Office of Gov. Janet Mills

Over the past week, Gov. Janet Mills has signed into law dozens of bills passed by the Maine lawmakers this session. For the two African American members of the Legislature, a pair of bills in particular stand out.

The Strengths And Limits Of Head Start In Maine

By • Jun 27, 2019

This story is part of Maine Public’s Deep Dive on child care. To see the rest of the series, visit mainepublic.org/childcare.

Maine Public’s Deep Dive: Childcare in Maine is made possible, in part, by the John T. Gorman Foundation and United Way's Women United.

Maine State Prison Inmate Files Suit, Says Hundreds Of Inmates Were Denied Hepatitis C Treatment

By • Jun 26, 2019
Maine Public File

A Maine State Prison inmate has filed a class-action lawsuit against the Department of Corrections and Wellpath LLC, a private contractor that provides medical care to prisoners.

With Contract Expiring Soon, Maine State Workers Rally For Pay Raises

By • Jun 22, 2019
Susan Sharon / Maine Public

With a week left until their two-year contract expires, state workers rallied outside the State House Saturday to demand pay raises as a way to address what they say are pervasive recruitment and retention problems throughout state government.

New Measure Establishes Water Quality Standards For Sustenance Fishing In Maine's Tribal Waters

By • Jun 21, 2019
Robert F. Bukaty / AP Photo

Tribal leaders, lawmakers and environmental groups are praising passage of a bill, signed into law by Gov. Janet Mills Friday, that establishes water quality standards for sustenance fishing in tribal waters.

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