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
January 14, 2016

LePage says Portland’s new minimum wage violates federal law

The dispute over the law’s legality centers on the base wage for tip earners, which also caused confusion when the City Council adopted the new minimum.
Published
January 14, 2016

Questions raised after city of Portland creates a new job: assistant to the mayor

Opponents of the elected-mayor position say they saw it coming, but others say the $55,000- to $75,000-a-year job is needed.
Published
January 12, 2016

Demolition plan highlights history of Portland buildings

A group of buildings on Forest Avenue could soon be demolished to make way for a CVS Pharmacy.
Published
January 8, 2016

Governor’s explanation elicits approval, ridicule, and silence

Though some of Maine’s Republican leaders say it was appropriate, others say it didn’t go far enough. Meanwhile, three of the state’s four members of Congress haven’t commented on the governor’s racially charged remark.
Published
January 7, 2016

Portland brewery’s appeal to sell snacks in tasting room is tabled

The Zoning Board of Appeals’ action buys time for the city to draft guidelines for accommodating the burgeoning craft beer scene in Portland.
Published
January 7, 2016

LePage in spotlight for saying drug dealers impregnate ‘white girls’

Hillary Clinton issues a sharp rebuke and national news media react after the governor tells an audience that drug dealers come to Maine from New York and Connecticut and ‘half the time they impregnate a young, white girl before they leave.’
Published
January 7, 2016

Portland’s denial of snack sales leaves Maine brewery holding the pretzel bags

Allagash Brewing says food would offset the alcohol consumed by tasting room visitors, but a Portland official says that’s not allowed under zoning rules.
Published
January 6, 2016

Casco Bay islanders concerned about five-month loss of elevator at ferry terminal

The repair job at the Portland ferry terminal’s parking garage will create a difficult climb for some.
Published
December 29, 2015

Strimling and LePage do lunch, talk policy over steak and potatoes

Portland’s new mayor and the governor meet at the Blaine House to discuss the relationship between Maine’s biggest city and the state government.
Published
December 28, 2015

Portland’s shelters note decreases in admissions of homeless

The number trends downward as service providers and immigrant families increase efforts to keep people from entering shelters to begin with and longtime homeless are placed in permanent housing.