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
November 17, 2019

Portland considers ban on face-scanning technology

Civil rights advocates fear the proliferating facial recognition technology will be used to conduct mass surveillance of innocent civilians without probable cause.
Published
November 12, 2019

Portland councilors must decide how many homeless people new shelter can hold

The City Council has to set the capacity so the shelter can be designed, but advocates for the homeless fear the city could abandon its 30-year commitment to taking in anyone in need of shelter.
Published
November 9, 2019

High-priced housing market is squeezing low-income renters

Residents of The Woodwinds are the latest tenants in the Portland area to feel the pressure exerted by rent increases, a development boom and a lack of affordable housing.
Published
November 6, 2019

On the day after, Portland’s mayor-elect reflects on a win that surprised even herself

Kate Snyder says in a Q&A with the Portland Press Herald that she’s already making plans to meet with city councilors and the city manager to begin the transition to her new full-time job.
Published
November 5, 2019

Kate Snyder wins heated race for Portland mayor, unseating incumbent Ethan Strimling

After taking a commanding lead, the former school board chair wins a late-night ranked-choice runoff.
Published
October 29, 2019

Ethics commission to take up complaints in Portland mayoral race after election

But its executive director said that a PAC formed to oppose Mayor Ethan Strimling’s re-election was late to file reports and could face over $7,000 in fines, while a complaint against Strimling’s campaign was unsubstantiated.
Published
October 28, 2019

Portland mayoral candidates hitting fundraising records

Three of the 4 contenders have raised almost $360,000 combined, and 2 have significant cash on hand to get their messages out during the final week of the campaign.
Published
October 25, 2019

Portland mayoral candidates tout their endorsements as Election Day nears

The 4 candidates highlight the support of various backers in city politics, business, arts and education circles.
Published
October 22, 2019

Portland council designates 5 historical landmarks on Forest Avenue

Councilors focused preservation efforts on buildings near Woodfords Corner rather than approving a staff proposal to preserve others between the corner and Interstate 295.
Published
October 22, 2019

Portland voters will decide whether to open up city government to major changes

Several councilors say they don’t want a charter commission but felt legally obligated to put it to voters in response to a petition by supporters of a taxpayer-funded clean elections program.