Some Maine families have opened their homes to recently arrived asylum seekers, who have spent months in temporary shelters and, in some cases, government detention centers.
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, Uncategorized
Portland councilor seeks delay in new beer-making fee
A manufacturing license for breweries, wineries and distilleries that costs as much as $2,000 a year was quietly slipped into the city budget that took effect on July 1.
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Posted inBusiness, Maine, News
City wants developers to reconsider plan for historic Portland Co. building
Portland’s historic preservation manager says proposed alterations for a restaurant, offices and a residential unit could compromise the historical character of the Pattern Storehouse.
Posted inMaine, News, Uncategorized
Narrow Gauge Railroad staying in Portland
The nonprofit considered moving to Gray after the Portland Co. was sold for redevelopment, but it now plans to remain on the Portland waterfront, where it has operated since 1993.
Posted inBusiness, Maine, News
Portland unveils proposed rules for marijuana businesses
City staff is recommending a 20-store cap on pot retail outlets, a $10,000 annual fee and a prohibition on mobile sales and delivery services, among other things.
Posted inMaine, News, Uncategorized
Construction flagger hit by truck in Kennebunk; driver charged
Kennebunk police charge Shannon Carey, 40, of Kennebunk, with reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon.
Posted inBusiness, Maine, News
Company selling bottled water in Maine to close after N.H. health warning
Spring Hill Water is sold at Cumberland Farms, Market Basket, Whole Foods and other stores.
Posted inMaine, News
Portland begins final push as it transitions migrants out of Expo
City and immigrant leaders will move asylum seekers to the Family Shelter and a Salvation Army overflow shelter by Aug. 15.
Posted inMaine, News
Migrant in Portland ‘shocked’ by fake Twitter account used to smear fellow asylum seekers
Someone posed as Prince Pombo Mafumba in an attempt to stoke xenophobia and anger among Mainers.
Posted inMaine, Nation & World, News, Politics
Sen. Collins co-sponsors bill requiring presidential campaigns to report foreign contacts
She is the first Republican senator to support the measure, but Republican Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has so far blocked the bill from coming to a vote.