Many of the honored traditions of handshakes, door-knocking and group events carry a risk of transmitting coronavirus.
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 inLocal & State
Protesters gather to condemn racism, police violence: ‘I need to be able to tell my children I did something’
The threat of violence by detractors leads Black Lives Matter Maine to postpone its demonstration in downtown Portland, but more than 100 people turn out Saturday, issuing a fiery call for change.
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Posted inLocal & State
Portland ballot will only summarize 6 citizen referendums
However, the city will also send the full ordinance proposals to residents who request absentee ballots; others can see them at the polls.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Protesters raise awareness about potential flood of evictions
About 20 people gathered in downtown Portland to urge action to avoid a wave of evictions that could put thousands of Mainers on the streets as winter approaches.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Portland council sets wording of 6 citizen initiatives on November ballot
Councilors also vote to provide voters with the full ordinance language of each proposal, but the state will decide whether that language will appear on the ballot.
Posted inLocal & State
Portland City Council losing a thoughtful, balanced voice
Jill Duson is not seeking re-election this fall, ending a 20-year run in elected office.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State
Lawsuit challenges access to prized piece of Portland’s working waterfront
Attorney Glenn Israel, who represents Soley Wharf, says the aim is to allow the owners to enforce parking and gear storage rules.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Open council seats draw familiar and not-so-familiar candidates in Portland
At-large City Councilor Jill Duson is retiring after more than 2 decades as an elected official and former councilor John Coyne and former sheriff and state Sen. Mark Dion are among 4 looking to replace Kimberly Cook, who is not seeking re-election in District 5.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State
Developer seeks $32 million tax subsidy to build housing in downtown Portland
Presidium Real Estate is asking the city for a tax break over the next 30 years to help finance a 265-unit apartment building at 45 Brown St.
Posted inLocal & State
New proposal could be Portland’s tallest building and add 260 apartments downtown
Rents for most units are projected to range from $1,200 to $2,000, while 27 would be deed-restricted as workforce housing with rents affordable to median income tenants.