Maine’s guidelines for overseeing restaurant safety were quietly scaled back last year, even as the number of health-related complaints about Maine restaurants has been on the rise. An investigation by the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram has found that restaurant kitchens in Maine are subject to fewer inspections and less transparency than restaurants in much […]
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 inNews
Update on Portland fire staffing has ‘no magic pill’
But the city’s fire chief says he expects to have a plan in August to implement changes.
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Posted inNews
Local voters to rule on 3 school budgets
Portland, Scarborough and Cape request small increases, and the city seeks to cut jobs.
Posted inNews
Portland mayor, school superintendent urge passage of $96.4M budget
The proposed budget would increase property taxes by 3 percent from the schools alone, from $9.57 to $9.86 per $1,000 of assessed valuation, while cutting dozens of positions.
Posted inBusiness, News
East Bayside businesses pursue links to neighbors
They seek city approval to sell goods and hold more events in the fast-developing area.
Posted inNews
Vacancies plague Portland waterfront
Pier owners can’t fill space for marine uses, and an updated inventory of tenants could have an impact on the way space is allotted.
Posted inNews
Forum to roll out facts, figures on Portland’s bike-share program
The program is designed to provide affordable access to bicycles for short-distance trips in urban areas as an alternative to automobiles.
Posted inNews
School budget headed to Portland voters cuts 49 positions
It also calls for a 3 percent property tax increase to support Portland schools in difficult budget times.
Posted inNews
Portland seeks deal to save school jobs
City and school officials want the union to reopen its contract; budget would cut 50 jobs and raise taxes.
Posted inNews
Route 1 bridge aims to please cyclists, fishermen
The new span between Portland and Falmouth is designed for more than automobiles.