Randy Billings

Portland Press Herald

Randy Billings is a government watchdog and political reporter who has been covering Portland City Hall for the Press Herald since 2012. His beat touches on a wide range of topics, including immigration, homelessness, education, tourism, real estate development and the economy in Maine’s largest city. He has been a Portland-based journalist since 2005. A life-long Mainer who loves the outdoors, Randy is also a bassist who brews his own beer at his North Yarmouth home, where he lives with his wife and two children.

Latest

Published
February 9, 2020

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.
Published
February 6, 2020

Portland asks court to dismiss lawsuit challenging rejection of clean election initiative

The dispute is over whether a clean elections program can be decided by referendum, or whether the question must go to a charter commission.
Published
February 4, 2020

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.
Published
January 27, 2020

Portland panel to vote on first phase of ambitious waterfront redevelopment

The first phase of the Portland Foreside development includes a mix of new buildings, including the renovation of the remaining historic buildings, one of which is slated to become a public market.
Published
January 14, 2020

Portland gets $750,000 federal grant for new waterfront park

Sens. Angus King and Susan Collins announce that the city will receive money to go toward Portland Landing, a $16 million project planned for the eastern waterfront.
Published
January 11, 2020

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.
Published
January 6, 2020

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.
Published
January 6, 2020

Bathhouse and sauna project aims for ‘thermal delight’ in Portland

Washington Baths, currently under construction, plans to provide a ‘communal bathing experience’ and massage services to the general public sometime next fall.
Published
January 2, 2020

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.
Published
December 31, 2019

Decade of dramatic change leaves Portland facing challenges

Maine’s largest city established a national reputation as a destination while becoming a political trend-setter and a hotbed of economic development. But with it came growing pains.