Randy Billings

Press Herald

Randy Billings is a government watchdog and political reporter who has been covering Portland City Hall for the Press Herald since 2012. His beat touches on a wide range of topics, including immigration, homelessness, education, tourism, real estate development and the economy in Maine’s largest city. He has been a Portland-based journalist since 2005. A life-long Mainer who loves the outdoors, Randy is also a bassist who brews his own beer at his North Yarmouth home, where he lives with his wife and two children.

Latest

Published
February 5, 2018

Portland council votes to re-establish Martin Luther King Jr. task force

The seven members are charged with identifying a public space in the city that will be renamed to honor the civil rights icon.
Published
February 5, 2018

Portland council takes stand against oil, gas drilling off coast

Its resolution calling for nearby waters to be exempt from President Trump’s exploration order will be sent to federal agencies.
Published
February 5, 2018

Despite noise, summer concerts approved again for Portland pier

City Council votes unanimously to allow the shows again this year at the Maine State Pier.
Published
February 5, 2018

Portland mayor says he’ll keep promise to shave his head

Ethan Strimling, known for his thick, wavy hair lost a Super Bowl bet with the mayor of Portland, Pennsylvania.
Published
February 2, 2018

Portland launches study of city’s rental market

A tight supply of rental housing, especially for lower-income tenants, continues to fuel calls for tenant protections and affordable housing development.
Published
January 31, 2018

Mayor calls for more protections for tenants during State of the City address

Ethan Strimling avoids talking about the political tensions that have roiled City Hall, stressing the previous year’s successes and proposing a range of policy and spending initiatives.
Published
January 30, 2018

Portland’s jobs-for-panhandlers venture has earned its keep

The pilot program has ended, but city officials say if funding can be found they’ll start an expanded version based on success stories like Katie and Trish Farr’s.
Published
January 22, 2018

Munjoy Hill performance hall before city for final approval

If the Portland Planning Board approves the project Tuesday, the Friends of the St. Lawrence Church will be able to turn its attention to fundraising.
Published
January 15, 2018

Portland still struggling to honor M.L. King Jr. after years of failed efforts

Multiple attempts since 2008 have fizzled – partly because of the difficulty of adequately honoring the civil rights leader’s achievements – but the city hopes to take up recommendations this year.
Published
January 12, 2018

Sanford officials investigate videotaped clash between student, teacher

The superintendent says he would ‘never condone’ the remarks made by the substitute teacher at Sanford Regional Technical Center.

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