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.
-
PublishedOctober 11, 2023
DHHS again facing scrutiny as another child dies despite contact with the agency
The Office of Child and Family Services investigated a report of suspected abuse two months before 3-year-old Makinzlee Hanrahan was allegedly beaten to death.
-
PublishedOctober 10, 2023
Gov. Mills’ post of encampment photos puzzles allies and critics alike
The governor removed a Facebook post that included photos of a Portland homeless encampment juxtaposed with more idyllic scenes of mountains, lakes, the coast and a county fair and words that asked “where in Maine are these spots?”
-
PublishedOctober 9, 2023
Wabanaki leaders, advocates rally outside the Maine State House for Question 6
Participants in the Indigenous Peoples Day rally call for expanded sovereignty rights for tribal communities and passage of a ballot question next month to restore treaty language to printed copies of the Maine Constitution.
-
PublishedOctober 6, 2023
Spending piles up in Pine Tree Power, right-to-repair referendum campaigns
The owners of Maine’s largest power companies have spent nearly $30 million to oppose Question 3, while backers of Question 4, the right-to-repair proposal, have raised $4 million.
-
PublishedOctober 4, 2023
Maine safety net spending has tripled since start of pandemic
With costs ballooning, state lawmakers are looking at ways to restructure the state’s General Assistance program to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
-
PublishedOctober 3, 2023
Portland mayoral hopefuls debate homelessness, climate change
Much of the debate between Pious Ali, Justin Costa, Mark Dion, Dylan Pugh and Andrew Zarro focused on the homeless encampments that the city has struggled to manage.
-
PublishedOctober 3, 2023
Question 2: What you need to know about the foreign campaign spending ban
The referendum on the Nov. 7 ballot would prohibit foreign governments and entities they control from spending money on state and local races and referendums. But media outlets warn that the proposal would infringe on constitutional protections for the press.
-
PublishedSeptember 29, 2023
ACLU, Maine officials resume negotiations to improve legal services for poor clients
During a 15-minute hearing in Kennebec County Superior Court, Justice Micheala Murphy granted a request for negotiating assistance and asked the parties to update the court 30 days after their initial meeting.
-
PublishedSeptember 28, 2023
Federal shutdown threatens food aid for mothers and young children
Maine has enough funding to keep aid flowing for most of October, but a DHHS spokesperson says the state would likely halt new enrollments in the federally funded WIC program.
-
PublishedSeptember 25, 2023
Shutdown would be disastrous for Maine, top lawmakers warn
The federal government will run out of operating funds this weekend if Congress doesn’t agree to a deal.
- ← Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- …
- 243
- Next Page →