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
May 14, 2018

Portland council votes 7-2 to reduce school budget by $1.1 million

The school board now will have to look for areas where it can reduce its $112 million spending plan before it is sent to voters on June 12.
Published
May 14, 2018

Live-at-work proposal revived for Riverside Street in Portland

The developer has a new site for the project aimed at entrepreneurs ready to grow beyond ‘the incubator level.’
Published
May 8, 2018

Portland’s July Fourth celebration in jeopardy as funding becomes a struggle

The nonprofit behind the event is having trouble raising money, and the mayor suggests not paying for fireworks as an alternative to cutting the school budget or a jobs program.
Published
May 7, 2018

Portland mayor calls for spending cuts, new revenues to protect school budget

Ethan Strimling presents his recommendations as the City Council also hears from residents defending the school budget.
Published
May 7, 2018

First hotels, then short-term rentals, now city’s getting its first hostel

Heather Loeber hopes her less pricey, more communal accommodations will help open Portland to cash-strapped younger people who want to experience the area with fellow travelers.
Published
May 6, 2018

Bayside at rock bottom: Portland neighborhood is under siege

The fragile accord that once existed between Bayside residents and the vulnerable people seeking help from Preble Street and the city’s Oxford Street Shelter has shattered, as drunken brawls, overt sex, burglaries and drug deals encroach on neighbors’ doorsteps.
Published
May 6, 2018

Portland agency that helps the homeless bears the imprint of its longtime executive director

Mark Swann has been leading Preble Street since 1991, upholding family values of service to others and commitment to social responsibility.
Published
May 2, 2018

Shipyard’s ambitious redevelopment plan means loss of jobs at downtown brewery

But the company says the roughly 30 employees affected will be offered positions at the brewery’s 7 other locations and with 9 partner companies looking for workers.
Published
May 1, 2018

Shipyard Brewing’s ambitious plan for India Street area includes housing, TV station, ‘brewtel’

The $65 million proposal also calls for a new office building and parking garage on the 2-acre site and renovating the brewery.
Published
April 30, 2018

Cigarette butt receptacles spread to other states, but in Portland, a bit of a stink

Although Sidewalk Buttlers have helped clean up the streets, the city may rein in the program because of complaints and a dispute over who empties and services them.