Supporters of President Trump say they felt lucky to be there for his inauguration.
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, Schools and Education
Portland grapples with $61 million elementary school bond
Supporters say it’s a small price to pay for new schools, but critics worry about more pressing needs and closing the door to state funding
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Posted inMaine, News
Idea to allow noncitizen immigrants to vote in Portland faces hurdles
It needs support from city residents and possibly state legislators, and a similar initiative failed locally in 2010, but Mayor Strimling hopes times have changed.
Posted inMaine, News
New building height rules proposed to preserve Munjoy Hill vista
The Portland Planning Board on Tuesday will review a proposed ‘overlay zone’ that would protect the view from Fort Sumner Park.
Posted inMaine, News
Portland mayor lays out ambitious set of proposed goals for City Council
Ethan Strimling describes his ‘progressive vision’ in a State of the City Address that includes ideas on affordable housing, worker benefits, social issues, immigrant voting and more.
Posted inMaine, News
Plan calls for new building with 45 condominiums in Portland
The four-story structure would be located where the Eastern Prom meets Washington Avenue, near an area that is experiencing a bit of a renaissance.
Posted inMaine, News, Schools and Education
Portland School Department’s role in political push for borrowing questioned
The superintendent helped an outside group send pro-renovations fliers home in student backpacks, but two city councilors say that’s improperly supporting the campaign.
Posted inMaine, News
Portland manager discusses his ‘strained relationship’ with mayor, concerns about school bond
City Manager Jon Jennings addresses a range of controversial topics at the Chamber of Commerce’s breakfast event Friday.
Posted inBusiness, Maine, News
Merchants in downtown Portland look for panhandling solution
A business group will explore ways to curb the practice, which it says makes people feel unsafe, but past restrictions have hit roadblocks.
Posted inMaine, News
Power restored to all CMP customers after big snowstorm
Emera Maine, which serves northern and eastern Maine, had only nine customers still without power as of Sunday evening.