Key positions that were not filled during the LePage administration remain vacant even as the need for them increases.
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 inLocal & State, News
No confirmed coronavirus cases among 20 tested in Maine so far
Gov. Janet Mills says she believes the state is as prepared as it can be for the spreading virus, but urges Mainers to take ‘common-sense precautions.’
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Posted inLocal & State, News
More Mainers tested as coronavirus lab opens but state CDC leaves questions unanswered
Maine has no confirmed cases of the virus, but state officials aren’t releasing detailed information about the numbers of tests conducted, negative test results or how many Mainers are being monitored.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Maine lags the nation for in-state testing for coronavirus
Maine is 1 of 5 states that have been sending samples to Atlanta for testing, but the state CDC says it has received new equipment and will be authorized to do its own testing by Monday.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Maine Republicans win court order to petition at Portland polling locations
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.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, 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.
Posted inLocal & State, 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 inLocal & State, 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 inLocal & State, 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 inLocal & State, 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.