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
January 7, 2016

LePage in spotlight for saying drug dealers impregnate ‘white girls’

Hillary Clinton issues a sharp rebuke and national news media react after the governor tells an audience that drug dealers come to Maine from New York and Connecticut and ‘half the time they impregnate a young, white girl before they leave.’
Published
January 7, 2016

Portland’s denial of snack sales leaves Maine brewery holding the pretzel bags

Allagash Brewing says food would offset the alcohol consumed by tasting room visitors, but a Portland official says that’s not allowed under zoning rules.
Published
January 6, 2016

Casco Bay islanders concerned about five-month loss of elevator at ferry terminal

The repair job at the Portland ferry terminal’s parking garage will create a difficult climb for some.
Published
January 5, 2016

Portland’s departing state senators set off a chain reaction

Sen. Justin Alfond says he’s considering running for governor, as would-be replacements line up for his seat.
Published
January 4, 2016

Portland council passes measure to prevent loss of housing

An ordinance originally adopted in 2002 is changed to help ensure that developers replace any housing units they remove or pay into a city housing fund.
Published
January 2, 2016

Portland club’s expansion could spell end of graffiti wall

Asylum’s owners aren’t saying how their addition might affect a street-art hot spot.
Published
January 1, 2016

New stormwater fee takes effect in Portland on Friday

The fee is designed to generate revenue to help the city pay for $170 million in upgrades to its stormwater system over the next 15 years.
Published
January 1, 2016

New year in Portland brings new fees, higher minimum wage

The Maine Department of Labor raises concerns about enforcing the $10.10 minimum wage.
Published
December 29, 2015

Strimling and LePage do lunch, talk policy over steak and potatoes

Portland’s new mayor and the governor meet at the Blaine House to discuss the relationship between Maine’s biggest city and the state government.
Published
December 28, 2015

Portland’s shelters note decreases in admissions of homeless

The number trends downward as service providers and immigrant families increase efforts to keep people from entering shelters to begin with and longtime homeless are placed in permanent housing.

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