City officials initially told the state Republican Party it couldn’t collect signatures for a people’s veto on the use of ranked-choice voting in presidential primaries.
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
Team of developers buys Portland’s old Mercy Hospital for future housing
Northern Light Mercy Hospital will continue to operate at 144 State St. over the next 2 years, while the developers work on a detailed plan.
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Posted inMaine, News, Politics
Maine lawmakers seek to change law that lets police conceal use of high-tech surveillance
Two Democrats push for transparency after the Maine Sunday Telegram reports that Maine State Police will neither confirm nor deny the use facial recognition scans and other tools.
Posted inMaine, News
Identity of Valentine’s Day Phantom is Portland’s most beloved mystery
Those who know won’t say, and those who don’t know want to keep it that way.
Posted inMaine, News
Maine State Police may be spying on you
Privacy advocates worry that law enforcement monitors innocent residents, and Maine is one of only two states that won’t reveal whether it’s using this advanced technology.
Posted inMaine, News
Portland pays out $141,000 to groups that helped asylum seekers
City officials announce that they are distributing the donations to 11 groups who helped the city accommodate nearly 450 asylum seekers last summer.
Posted inBusiness, Maine, News
Portland landlord pays record fine, retains apartment building
Sulan Chau was ordered to pay over $500,000 to the city for years of unaddressed housing and code violations at 112 Woodford St.
Posted inMaine, News
Saturday’s warmth sets high-temperature record in Portland
Mainers were making the most of the warm weather, and the Eastern Promenade Trail was buzzing with activity.
Posted inMaine, News
Portland officials highlight potential uses of face-scanning technology
Four city department heads downplay flaws and potential misuse ahead of a scheduled City Council vote on a proposed ban.
Posted inMaine, News
Portland has plans to smooth Old Port streets’ rough edges
Wharf and Dana streets in the Old Port could be facing a makeover to improve safety and accessibility for pedestrians and local businesses.