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, 2015

Portland panel lists pros, cons of ending one-way traffic on State, High streets

The panel supports pushing ahead with a two-way plan that is expected to improve safety but also cause longer travel times.
Published
January 6, 2015

Portland heads to appeals court, hoping to salvage its ban on standing in medians

The city will argue Friday that the ordinance does not infringe on free speech by panhandlers or others, but civil rights advocates disagree.
Published
January 5, 2015

Portland panel wants current fire codes enforced

Both landlords and tenants say the city can improve its current enforcement as Portland seeks to improve housing safety.
Published
January 5, 2015

Portland council grants protection for historic House Island

The designation will limit the type of development allowed on the Casco Bay island, which Greater Portland Landmarks put on its ‘Places in Peril’ list in 2012.
Published
January 3, 2015

Movie-themed bar planned for Portland’s Old Port

The theater bar would offer cocktails, classic movies, live music and dancing at the former site of The Movies on Exchange.
Published
January 3, 2015

Vena’s Fizz House may punch up drinks

The co-owners of the Old Port soda bar want to begin adding alcohol to the menu in response to public demand.
Published
January 1, 2015

Maine highway fatalities at 70-year low in 2014

The 128 deaths are the fewest since 1944, according to state police statistics.
Published
January 1, 2015

Westbrook police release video of robbery suspect

Man flashed knife before robbing a convenience store on Spring Street on New Year’s Eve.
Published
December 29, 2014

Tight market slams door on rent-voucher holders in Portland

The scarcity puts obstacles in the path to stability for the city’s homeless and could cause a drop in federal funding for housing.
Published
December 29, 2014

Group forming to stand up for tenants in Portland

With the first meeting set for Friday, organizers say they want to advise the city’s inspections task force and empower renters to fight for their rights.

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