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
March 5, 2015

Portland Greens to push for $15 ‘livable wage’ in the city

The group announces it will launch a petition and referendum effort to set the minimum wage at twice the current state minimum wage.
Published
March 1, 2015

A hot button 30 years in the making: Aid to Portland’s homeless

Since the 1980s, state support for the city’s social safety net has been challenged repeatedly. Now, in the heated political clash over welfare reform, it’s become a flash point all over again.
Published
February 24, 2015

City knew some shelter users had thousands in the bank, state says

But advocates say mental illness is often the reason the money isn’t tapped by the homeless, and Portland officials say they don’t check financial eligibility under a practice approved long ago by the state.
Published
February 23, 2015

Portland council agrees to sell land in Bayside to state Sen. Alfond

Alfond, who owns Bayside Bowl, plans an expansion on adjoining land on Hanover Street that the city now uses to store road sand and salt.
Published
February 23, 2015

Some long-term users of Portland shelters had at least $20,000 in bank, audit finds

The state sampling of homeless facilities questions city practices in determining financial eligibility, as the two sides continue to battle over General Assistance levels.
Published
February 23, 2015

Portland council backs resolution urging Congress to strengthen clean-air rules

Six other Maine communities had already approved the ‘Healthy Air Resolution.’
Published
February 23, 2015

Sides ironing out issues on plan for developing Portland Co. site

Neighbors pursue building height and other tweaks as city planners prepare for a rezoning recommendation.
Published
February 19, 2015

Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum will stay in Portland until 2017

The excursion railway plans to move its operations to Gray to make way for redevelopment of the city’s eastern waterfront.
Published
February 11, 2015

District attorney: No decision on charges in fatal Portland fire

Stephanie Anderson says an official who said charges are likely was not authorized to comment on the investigation of the Noyes Street blaze.
Published
February 10, 2015

Fire officials say charges likely for owner of Portland building where fire killed 6

A deputy fire chief tells city councilors that he expects the District Attorney’s Office ‘will be proceeding with some prosecution’ against Gregory Nisbet.

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