The City Council on Monday is expected to set a date to ask whether they want to expand the voting method to all council and school board elections.
Randy Billings
Staff Writer
Randy Billings is a government watchdog and political reporter who has been the State House bureau chief since 2021. He was named the Maine Press Association’s Journalist of the Year in 2020. He joined the Press Herald in 2012 as the Portland City Hall reporter, where his beat touched on a wide range of topics, including municipal government, immigration, homelessness, housing and social services. Prior to that, he worked at various weeklies as well as business and arts publications. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maine, Orono. He lives in North Yarmouth with his wife and two children and enjoys the outdoors and playing his upright bass.
Posted inMaine, News
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.
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Posted inMaine, News
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.
Posted inBusiness, Maine, News
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.
Posted inLocal Elections, Maine, News, Politics
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.
Posted inElections, Local Elections, Maine, News, Politics
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.
Posted inElections, Local Elections, Maine, News, Politics
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.
Posted inLocal Elections, Maine, News, Politics
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.
Posted inLocal Elections, Maine, News, Politics
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.
Posted inMaine, News
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.