The long-running dispute over General Assistance aid for certain shelter costs ends with reimbursement and changes in city billing practices.
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 gets minor flooding at supermoon-influenced high tide
The water level was about 2 feet higher than normal, but there didn’t appear to be much damage.
advertisement
Posted inMaine, News
City of Portland prepares to put prime Bayside land on the market
The 4-acre property now used by the Public Works Department has high development potential, and a sale could alter the neighborhood’s future.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics
Strimling says Portland voters sent a message in ousting two city councilors
Mayor Ethan Strimling says residents want ‘bold action’ on schools, protections for tenants and rules on tax breaks for businesses.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics, Uncategorized
Challengers oust 2 Portland city councilors
Councilors Jon Hinck and Ed Suslovic lose their re-election bids.
Posted inMaine, News
Portland becomes first city in Maine to require reporting on large buildings’ energy use
The council votes 6-3 to pass the ‘benchmarking’ measure, designed to collect baseline data that would be used to gauge trends and the effectiveness of efficiency upgrades.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics
Portland council delays decision on retail marijuana moratorium
Councilors cite concerns about taking the step on short notice, just one day before Mainers vote on legalizing pot.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics
Mayor’s campaign slogan was ‘Portland Together,’ but City Hall is mired in discord
Ethan Strimling says some at City Hall haven’t ‘made that shift’ to his stronger role; meanwhile, councilors object to ‘a lone wolf.’
Posted inMaine, News, Politics
Portland council challenger holds big fundraising edge
Pious Ali has raised more than $24,000 in an effort to unseat Councilor Jon Hinck.
Posted inMaine, News
Emotions still raw as second anniversary of deadly Portland fire nears
Friends and family members plan the second Stars of Light memorial service Sunday to mourn the deaths and celebrate the lives of the six people killed by the blaze.