Many of the honored traditions of handshakes, door-knocking and group events carry a risk of transmitting coronavirus.
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
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.
advertisement
Posted inBusiness, Maine
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.
Posted inMaine
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.
Posted inMaine, News
City Hall encampment ends, but some homeless still have nowhere to go
Portland is still searching for ways to provide basic needs to unsheltered homeless people after a 2-week protest at City Hall disbanded.
Posted inMaine
Debate heats up over public health versus police spending in Portland
Over the past decade, spending on police has increased by nearly 40%, while the public health budget has dropped by more than 50%. But city officials say those numbers don’t reflect additional investments in social services.
Posted inMaine
Portland officials try to help City Hall campers get shelter as storm bears down
The remnants of a hurricane highlight the need to address the encampment at City Hall, which has grown since a few people first pitched tents last month.
Posted inMaine, News
Portland mayor listens to protesters’ stories of homelessness
The testimony of several individuals who struggle with homelessness had an impact on Mayor Kate Snyder, who sat with the city’s fire chief and several city councilors to listen to the protesters.
Posted inMaine, News
City Hall campers vow to stay until demands are met
Portland closed the building Monday, and discussed the encampment during a workshop Monday night.
Posted inBusiness, Maine, News
Wave of evictions expected as courts reopen, assistance and protections expire
Thousands of evictions could be filed when hearings resume Aug. 3, and the Maine Affordable Housing Coalition is building a database to help inform policymakers.