“The scary thing about this is it’s warm now, but it’s not going to be much longer.’
Randy Billings
Staff Writer
Randy Billings is a government watchdog and political reporter who has been the State House bureau chief since 2021. He was named the Maine Press Association’s Journalist of the Year in 2020. He joined the Press Herald in 2012 as the Portland City Hall reporter, where his beat touched on a wide range of topics, including municipal government, immigration, homelessness, housing and social services. Prior to that, he worked at various weeklies as well as business and arts publications. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maine, Orono. He lives in North Yarmouth with his wife and two children and enjoys the outdoors and playing his upright bass.
Posted inMaine, News
Portland mayor listens to protesters’ stories of homelessness
The testimony of several individuals who struggle with homelessness had an impact on Mayor Kate Snyder, who sat with the city’s fire chief and several city councilors to listen to the protesters.
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Posted inMaine
Portland mayor will meet with City Hall campers who have a host of demands
Portland Mayor Kate Snyder wants to listen, but protesters want action, and they say they plan to stay in the plaza until their demands are met.
Posted inMaine, News
City Hall campers vow to stay until demands are met
Portland closed the building Monday, and discussed the encampment during a workshop Monday night.
Posted inBusiness, Maine, News
Wave of evictions expected as courts reopen, assistance and protections expire
Thousands of evictions could be filed when hearings resume Aug. 3, and the Maine Affordable Housing Coalition is building a database to help inform policymakers.
Posted inLocal Elections, Maine, News, Politics
Portland voters overwhelmingly approve creating charter commission
The vote could pave the way for big changes to local government, including to police oversight, the budgeting process and the city manager and elected mayor positions.
Posted inLocal Elections, Maine, News, Politics
Partial vote count favors review of Portland’s city charter
Portland would form a commission to consider structural changes to city government, including to the mayor and city manager positions, for the second time in 12 years.
Posted inMaine, Uncategorized
Portland council votes to form committee to address systemic racism
Mayor Kate Snyder’s proposal for a Racial Equity Steering Committee was criticized by members of the public, and councilors narrowed the scope of its work to focus on police policies.
Posted inBusiness, Maine, News
For thousands of unemployed Mainers, the system isn’t working
A historic wave of unemployment claims and a flood of fraudulent filings conspired with technology problems and staffing woes to create delays and headaches for people seeking benefits.
Posted inBusiness, Maine, News
Unemployment snafus leave three lives in limbo
Three personal tales reveal serious flaws in Maine’s system for filing and paying claims.