Mayor Ethan Strimling denies that he has given migrant families a mixed message about refusing housing outside Portland, as the deadline to close the shelter at the Portland Expo approaches.
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, Uncategorized
How to use donations for asylum seekers? It’s an $800,000 question
City of Portland staff recommends using some of the money to help pay for costs of running the temporary emergency shelter at the Expo, but immigrant advocates say that would be contrary to the intent of donors.
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Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Justin Costa drops out of Portland mayoral race
The city councilor urges voters to support the two other challengers taking on incumbent Mayor Ethan Strimling.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Neighbors gear up to fight plan for 40 homes, preserve green space in Maine’s largest city
Residents in the area near Morrill’s Corner in Portland are mobilizing against the project, which needs a zoning change similar to one rejected by the City Council in 2006.
Posted inElections, Local & State, Local Elections, News, Politics
Portland Mayor Strimling announces $102,000 fundraising haul for re-election bid
Other candidates have raised significant funds, too, with City Councilor Spencer Thibodeau saying he’s nearly matched the $60,000 the mayor has raised since January.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
New law is aimed at easing burden of homelessness on Portland
But the president of the Maine Welfare Directors Association doesn’t believe Sen. Ben Chipman’s bill will have much of an impact on service center communities such as Portland and Bangor.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Portland-area residents line up to host migrant families from Africa
Creating a homestay program is one avenue being pursued as officials try to move families of asylum seekers out of the Expo shelter.
Posted inLocal & State, News
In feud with union, Portland city manager orders his name removed from firefighters memorial
Jon Jennings says he’s responding to a ‘political campaign’ against decommissioning a Munjoy Hill fire engine.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
Portland developer proposes housing for homeless women
The Developers Collaborative is partnering with the nonprofit Amistad on a supportive housing project for homeless women with substance use disorder.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Migrant influx to Portland prompts emergency declaration, flood of generosity
City officials and others are now focusing on the difficult next phase of the relief effort: moving the families out of the temporary shelter at the Expo into more stable housing.