John Richardson, Author at Lewiston Sun Journal

Randy Billings Press Herald

Randy Billings is a government watchdog and political reporter who has been covering Portland City Hall for the Press Herald since 2012. His beat touches on a wide range of topics, including immigration, homelessness, education, tourism, real estate development and the economy in Maine’s largest city. He has been a Portland-based journalist since 2005. A life-long Mainer who loves the outdoors, Randy is also a bassist who brews his own beer at his North Yarmouth home, where he lives with his wife and two children.

Latest

Published
December 28, 2020

Portland bets on co-ops to meet need for affordable housing

Over the last year, the City Council has partnered with two fledgling organizations to develop three city properties into housing cooperatives, which are owned and managed by residents, not a landlord.
Published
December 18, 2020

Maine says uncertainty around shipments is hampering vaccine rollout

The state delays its plans to vaccinate residents of assisted-living facilities after learning it won’t receive as many doses next week as it expected.
Published
November 22, 2020

State to demolish part of historic train trestle in Portland

The span, which is visible from Interstate 295, has been eyed by both trail and rail advocates but has fallen into ‘critical’ condition after being damaged by fire in 1984, according to the state.
Published
October 20, 2020

Sixty small-business owners oppose Portland minimum wage initiative

The group includes some who support a gradual increase to $15 an hour but oppose a hazard pay provision that could give Portland the highest minimum wage in the country.
Published
October 12, 2020

Portland voters asked to strengthen facial surveillance ban

Question B on the city ballot would add enforcement provisions – including a private right of action for people to sue the city – to an existing prohibition on city employees using facial recognition technology.
Published
September 28, 2020

What’s that structure going up next to Back Cove?

It’s not a hotel or condominium. It’s a temporary part of a project that will reduce the amount of raw sewage and polluted stormwater runoff being discharged into the cove.
Published
September 7, 2020

How to win an election during a pandemic: Candidates for local offices get creative

Many of the honored traditions of handshakes, door-knocking and group events carry a risk of transmitting coronavirus.
Published
September 5, 2020

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.
Published
August 28, 2020

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.
Published
August 21, 2020

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.