The bag was left on a sidewalk near the U.S. Custom House, prompting police to evacuate nearby businesses and close streets.
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 inBusiness, Local & State, News
Chamber, Portland mayor take simmering feud public
Tension over Mayor Ethan Strimling’s plan to make businesses offer earned paid sick time erupts into a war of words with a former key ally.
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Posted inLocal & State
Portland hires former New York City administrator as assistant city manager
Mona Bector will be one of two assistant city managers at City Hall, replacing a longtime deputy city manager retiring this summer.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Portland’s $360 million budget expected to increase taxes 3.8%
The council passes the spending plan on a unanimous vote, preserving money for Fourth of July fireworks and increasing business licensing fees.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Portland councilor, business owner vying for state Senate seat
Jill Duson and state Rep. Heather Sanborn will square off in the Democratic primary.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Schools and Education
Portland school board approves budget cuts recommended by superintendent
The $1.2 million in reductions brings the school budget to $110.6 million for the year that starts July 1.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Schools and Education
Portland superintendent offers new list of cuts to reduce school budget by $1.1 million
Xavier Botana avoids some of the controversial items he originally proposed, choosing to eliminate a handful of positions among other cuts to get the school spending plan down to $110.6 million.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Schools and Education
Portland council votes 7-2 to reduce school budget by $1.1 million
The school board now will have to look for areas where it can reduce its $112 million spending plan before it is sent to voters on June 12.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
Live-at-work proposal revived for Riverside Street in Portland
The developer has a new site for the project aimed at entrepreneurs ready to grow beyond ‘the incubator level.’
Posted inLocal & State, News
Portland’s July Fourth celebration in jeopardy as funding becomes a struggle
The nonprofit behind the event is having trouble raising money, and the mayor suggests not paying for fireworks as an alternative to cutting the school budget or a jobs program.