A new state report says more than 85 percent of Maine’s firearm deaths in 2020 were suicides, a percentage well above the national average.
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 inMaine, Politics
Gov. Mills continues to outraise LePage in governor’s race
Gov. Janet Mills has more than double the amount of money raised by former Gov. Paul LePage and more than triple her Republican challenger’s totals for the last month.
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Posted inMaine, Uncategorized
Agency safeguards catch roughly $6.4 million in fraudulent emergency rental relief claims
Only a fraction of an estimated $6.4 million in fraudulent claims received funding, according to an audit.
Posted inMaine, Uncategorized
State to begin issuing $850 checks this week, but envelopes in short supply
Maine Revenue Services expects to issue 200,000 refunds a week, meaning most of the 858,000 checks should be issued by the end of June – if the state has enough envelopes.
Posted inMaine, Politics
Independent qualifies for Maine governor’s race
Sam Hunkler, 65-year-old doctor from Beals, said he’s mounting an independent bid for governor to provide voters with a choice outside of the traditional two-party system.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics
Primaries, special election launch 2022 election season in Maine
Contested primaries for the 2nd Congressional District seat and more than a dozen seats in the Legislature, plus a special state Senate election in Hancock County, will take place on June 14.
Posted inMaine
State plans temporary emergency shelter in Portland, housing for asylum seekers
Gov. Janet Mills’ senior housing adviser detailed the administration’s efforts a day after a Portland city councilor and a state representative criticized the state’s response.
Posted inMaine, Politics
Criticism of Gov. Mills mounts in Portland over asylum seekers
A Portland city councilor says the governor has ‘largely ignored’ the crisis, while a state representative and party leader called the administration’s response ‘absolutely abysmal.’
Posted inMaine, Uncategorized
Child safety advocates look to keep heat on state agency throughout the summer
Advocates said Wednesday that they will keep pressuring state officials to reform practices and the culture within the state’s beleaguered child protection services.
Posted inMaine, Politics
Gov. Mills says ‘Maine won’t go back’ to LePage years
At the Democratic State Convention in Bangor, she contrasts her record with that of her Republican challenger.