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.
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PublishedDecember 8, 2016
High court upholds Portland’s approval of senior housing on Stevens Avenue
The Maine Supreme Judicial Court rejects an argument that zoning to allow more than 200 units of housing at a former convent violates the city’s master plan.
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PublishedDecember 8, 2016
Internal records reveal extent of ongoing power struggle in Portland city government
As the mayor pushed for more authority, the city manager fought back in a heated battle that has dragged on for a year. Even a $21,000 outside opinion didn’t end the conflict over interpretations of roles defined in the city charter.
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PublishedDecember 5, 2016
Contract grants 2 percent pay raises to Portland city workers
The deal with the city’s largest union boosts pay over the next three years.
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PublishedDecember 5, 2016
Portland mayor extends olive branch – literally – to City Council
Mayor Ethan Strimling, who was harshly criticized by councilors at the previous meeting, called for a fresh start as two new councilors were sworn in Monday.
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PublishedDecember 5, 2016
New councilor Pious Ali is focused on helping others
Ali helped start the Maine Interfaith Youth Alliance and traveled throughout the state putting on workshops about diversity for school-based civil rights groups.
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PublishedDecember 5, 2016
Street-level campaigning boosted Batson’s bid
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PublishedDecember 5, 2016
After upsets, newcomers to Portland City Council ready to make their mark
Pious Ali and Brian Batson defeated longtime incumbents Jon Hinck and Edward Suslovic
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PublishedDecember 1, 2016
Landlord in deadly Portland fire gets 90 days for code violation
It’s believed to be the first jail sentence in Maine for a landlord’s ‘knowing’ inattention to a safety issue, putting others on notice after a blaze in Gregory Nisbet’s building on Noyes Street.
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PublishedNovember 29, 2016
Sentencing postponed for landlord in Noyes Street apartment fire case
Landlord Gregory Nisbet was acquitted last month on six manslaughter charges stemming from a fatal fire two years ago, but faces sentencing for a misdemeanor code violation.
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PublishedNovember 28, 2016
Restoration aims to put the Parisian gleam back in neglected Portland fountain
The project is the first step in efforts to restore Lincoln Park – the city’s first public park – which was created as a firebreak after the Great Fire of 1866.
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