Chanting slogans like ‘the people united will never be divided,’ the crowd protests the administration’s decision to end protection for people who were brought into the country illegally as children.
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
Portland council puts rezoning process, rent increase initiatives on November ballot
Councilors also decide to include the full text of the proposed ordinances on the ballot, which some say would suppress voter support for them, as well as summaries.
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Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
Portland adopts incentives to help affordable housing projects compete for state funding
The changes are aimed at encouraging more affordable developments on the peninsula and along certain traffic corridors such as Forest Avenue.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
With mayor’s backing, labor advocates push for mandatory paid sick leave in Portland
If adopted, the proposal to be unveiled Monday would make Portland the first community in Maine to require all businesses to provide earned paid sick leave.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Portland installs sound monitors around city in response to noise complaints
The study of sound levels is intended to determine a ‘baseline’ for noise in the city and eventually help resolve complaints about concerts and loud bar patrons.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Portland activists hope to shake up City Council in November elections
Two progressives are seeking the seat of a 16-year councilor, plus there are two other contested council seats, citizen initiatives and a referendum to decide the long-debated bond to repair elementary schools.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Solar project forces Portland to tackle longstanding issues at closed landfill
City officials admit the site has been allowed to deteriorate, and now remediation may disrupt installation of the 2,800 power panels.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Staff vacancies brings Portland nursing home overtime to same level as firefighters, police
A program to train immigrants as CNAs tries to address the shortage.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Hearings set for Portland ballot measures nearly derailed by city clerk’s mistake
The proposals for a rent stabilization ordinance and changes in the rezoning process will get public hearings on Sept. 6.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
Portland council approves sale of site for Wex office building near waterfront
A developer will pay $3.3 million for 1.1 acres near the eastern waterfront, with plans for a 4-story, 100,000-square-foot building.