A historic wave of unemployment claims and a flood of fraudulent filings conspired with technology problems and staffing woes to create delays and headaches for people seeking benefits.
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, Maine, News
Unemployment snafus leave three lives in limbo
Three personal tales reveal serious flaws in Maine’s system for filing and paying claims.
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Posted inMaine
Pandemic leads Preble Street to plan new approach to helping the poor and homeless
The social service agency in Portland wants to eliminate some programs and convert its Resource Center into a 40-bed shelter. The Bayside neighborhood may not go for it.
Posted inMaine
Police say they intercepted armed counterprotesters in Portland last week
The disclosure comes after a resident questions why officers were stationed on rooftops during last week’s protests and a police official says they were there to protect demonstrators.
Posted inMaine, Nation / World, News, Politics
Trump praises Guilford workers, jabs at Mills in visit that draws supporters, protesters
The governor fired back in a statement, accusing Trump of stoking divisions and questioning the value of his efforts to help Maine’s fishing industry by lifting restrictions in a conservation area far from the Maine coast.
Posted inMaine
Pandemic drives planning to revamp shelter system for Maine’s homeless
The health threat posed by crowded shelters has shown that ‘we simply can’t go back to the way things were,’ says MaineHousing Executive Director Dan Brennan.
Posted inMaine, News
Guard’s mask-fitting mission helps in battle against coronavirus
The Maine National Guard is helping long-term care facilities prepare for possible outbreaks by fitting workers with medical-grade masks normally used in hospital settings.
Posted inBusiness, Maine
Maine fails to deliver online inspections as restaurants reopen in pandemic
Officials planned to update the state’s inspections database five years ago, but it still hasn’t happened.
Posted inMaine, Maine Crime
Bangor police investigate shooting involving people in 2 cars
They’re looking for the occupants of two four-door sedans in connection with the incident Friday night at York and Essex streets.
Posted inMaine
Racial disparity in Maine’s COVID-19 cases deepens
But in one of the whitest states in the country, there is also growing concern about stigmatizing immigrant and minority communities.