Two Democrats push for transparency after the Maine Sunday Telegram reports that Maine State Police will neither confirm nor deny the use facial recognition scans and other tools.
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, News
Identity of Valentine’s Day Phantom is Portland’s most beloved mystery
Those who know won’t say, and those who don’t know want to keep it that way.
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Posted inLocal & State, News
Maine State Police may be spying on you
Privacy advocates worry that law enforcement monitors innocent residents, and Maine is one of only two states that won’t reveal whether it’s using this advanced technology.
Posted inLocal & State, Local Elections, News, Politics
Portland asks court to dismiss lawsuit challenging rejection of clean election initiative
The dispute is over whether a clean elections program can be decided by referendum, or whether the question must go to a charter commission.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Portland moves to design new homeless shelter even as critics threaten referendum
A group of residents and others are working on citizens’ initiative to limit the size and control operations of such a facility.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Times Record
Portland pays out $141,000 to groups that helped asylum seekers
City officials announce that they are distributing the donations to 11 groups who helped the city accommodate nearly 450 asylum seekers last summer.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Plan for new Portland shelter clears hurdle with council’s approval of guidelines
The City Council passed a resolution Monday to help the city’s staff design and operate a shelter that could house an average of 200 people a night.
Posted inLocal & State
Portland council may delay key vote on new homeless shelter
One policy amendment would require assurances that steps will be taken to pursue a statewide network.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
Portland landlord pays record fine, retains apartment building
Sulan Chau was ordered to pay over $500,000 to the city for years of unaddressed housing and code violations at 112 Woodford St.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
Portland panel to vote on first phase of ambitious waterfront redevelopment
The first phase of the Portland Foreside development includes a mix of new buildings, including the renovation of the remaining historic buildings, one of which is slated to become a public market.