Worried about the raft of trouble they see downtown, residents of Nason’s Corner are angry over plans for a new 200-bed homeless facility there.
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 inElections, Local & State, News, Politics
Mayor and councilor pushing to give non-citizens the right to vote in Portland
The proposal calls for letting legal residents participate in municipal elections, but it faces legal and other hurdles.
advertisement
Posted inLocal & State, News
Man injured when explosion sets boat afire in Casco Bay
The incident occurred Saturday night off Chebeague Island, the Coast Guard says.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Hostile crowd criticizes Portland proposal to build emergency shelter at Barron Center
Critics at a meeting Thursday say they fear an influx of drug use and other problems that now plague the Bayside neighborhood near existing city services.
Posted inLocal & State, Maine Crime, News
In City Hall realignment, Portland police chief to become assistant city manager
After two decades with the department, Michael Sauschuck will retire from the force July 20 and take on a city role focused on external relations, especially at the State House.
Posted inLocal & State, Maine Crime, News
Flurry of shootings and stabbings adds to fears for Bayside residents
Neighborhood residents say the amount of violence in a short period is unusual but still intensifies their safety concerns. Portland police say they are moving to address the problems.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
Portland proposes $5,000-a-room fee for new hotels to address affordable housing shortage
Officials say the fee is needed because hotels are very profitable, yet rely on low-wage workers, who often can’t afford to live near work.
Posted inBusiness, Life & Culture, Local & State, News, Real Estate
Portland Planning Board gets ball rolling on Commercial Street hotel, condo project
The panel backs the first stage of Hobson’s Landing, featuring 89 housing units, plus a 157-room hotel.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Sen. King says U.S. should stop separating families and instead help efforts like Portland’s
The senator tours shelters in the Bayside neighborhood, and says federal support for such efforts is humane and less costly in the long run than the Trump administration policy.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Homeless families fuel record use of Portland’s emergency shelters
An average of 520 people stayed overnight in March and April, with much of the increase attributed to immigrants seeking political asylum.