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
October 6, 2016

Complaint didn’t prompt third-floor inspection before fatal fire, official testifies

Prosecutors in Gregory Nisbet’s manslaughter trial have called the third-floor rooms at 20 Noyes St. ‘death traps,’ but a 2012 complaint about an illegal apartment did not trigger a physical inspection.
Published
October 5, 2016

Sides in landlord’s trial clash over safety requirements for building where fire killed six

The defense tries to refute a state official’s testimony that 20 Noyes St. was run as a rooming house and lacked adequate detection systems and escape routes.
Published
October 4, 2016

Survivor describes efforts to escape fire as trapped occupants screamed

Day two of landlord Gregory Nisbet’s manslaughter trial includes graphic testimony of the fire that killed six people.
Published
October 4, 2016

Survivors describes efforts to escape fire as trapped occupants screamed

Day two of landlord Gregory Nisbet’s manslaughter trial includes graphic testimony of the fire that killed six people.
Published
October 3, 2016

Prosecutor: Landlord rented out ‘death traps’ in house where fire killed 6

Gregory Nisbet’s defense disputes the state’s allegation that the building was being used as a rooming house, which requires additional alarms and fire security.
Published
October 3, 2016

Trial will ask whether Portland landlord is at fault in fire deaths

It would be a first in Maine if Gregory Nisbet is convicted of manslaughter over building conditions, and many will be monitoring the case closely.
Published
September 30, 2016

Portland landlord’s statements after fatal fire allowed as evidence in trial

Gregory Nisbet is due to go on trial next week on manslaughter charges related to the 2014 apartment building fire that killed six young adults.
Published
September 28, 2016

Susan Collins cites 5-year-old who lived in Portland woods in Senate speech on anti-poverty bill

In introducing the Two-Generation Economic Empowerment Act, she recounts the Maine Sunday Telegram’s ‘heart-wrenching’ story about Arianna and her family’s ordeal.
Published
September 26, 2016

Story of 5-year-old living in Portland woods prompts flood of offers to help

Dozens of readers of the Maine Sunday Telegram article offer the girl’s family clothes, toys, furniture and other support.
Published
September 26, 2016

Portland re-examines ways to serve homeless

City officials tour two shelters in Massachusetts as big changes to emergency food and shelter services are considered.