Jill Duson is working on a plan to fund improvements at two schools in hopes the state will help pay for the work at two others.
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
New security system at Portland City Hall has eyes – and ears
The cameras can record both video and audio, which is unusual in municipal buildings and raises concerns about privacy.
advertisement
Posted inMaine, News, Schools and Education
Portland school budget proposal risks clash with City Council over property taxes
Councilors set a goal of capping the overall increase at 2.5 percent, but the proposed education portion calls for a 6.5 percent jump amid uncertainty over state aid.
Posted inMaine, News
Big fight over tiny houses placed on Portland lot is headed to court
A spokeswoman says the city welcomes micro homes if they’re properly zoned and permitted, but Brent Adler says ‘temporary living quarters’ on wheels don’t have to meet municipal building codes.
Posted inMaine
Interpretive dancer pretends to vomit, among other things, at Portland council meeting
A man being appointed to the Zoning Board of Appeals became an unwitting prop in Sara Juli’s performance of an excerpt from ‘Shadow Artist.’
Posted inMaine, News
Portland councilors approve West Commercial Street Trail
The 10-foot-wide bike and pedestrian trail will leave the city just one link short of its goal of having a continuous trail around the peninsula
Posted inMaine, News
Portland council set to vote on key step in advancing peninsula trail
If a deal with the Maine DOT is approved, construction of a western waterfront section would start in 2018, leaving one last segment to finish the full path.
Posted inMaine, News
To Portland panhandlers, program may offer welcome change: Jobs
Using Albuquerque as a model, Portland would pay $10.68 per hour to those willing and able to work.
Posted inCops & Courts, Maine, News
Attorneys clash as landlord in deadly Portland fire seeks new trial
Testimony conflicts over whether the defense was given an item of evidence before the conviction of Gregory Nisbet, who has been sentenced to three months in jail for a code violation.
Posted inMaine, News
Stunning view from Munjoy Hill park gets new protection
A developer says he will continue with plans for a condo project, but will reduce its height to adhere to new zoning restrictions.