The governor also criticizes legislators for not doing more to help Mainers who are working toward a better life.
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.
$38 million Portland project ‘starting to gel’
Planning Board members give favorable reviews to the ambitious Bayside plan for apartments and retail space.
Dunkin’ Donuts tries new paper cup
The new cups are being tested in communities such as Freeport that have banned polystyrene.
Agreement outlines plan to buy Congress Square Plaza
Reactions to the proposal are mixed. Opponents say the $524,000 price for part of the Portland park insults those ‘who know the value of this space.’
Housing authorities in Maine to receive $5.2M
The annual federal allocation is intended to make large-scale improvements to public housing units.
WEX in South Portland puts expansion on hold
The company gives no reason for suspending a project that was making progress just weeks ago.
Portland Co. complex – prime waterfront – is sold
The sale of the property at 58 Fore St. suggests the eastern waterfront is poised for development.
Portland approves $40 million expansion of hospital
Despite financial problems, Maine Medical Center will undertake a $40 million project on its main campus.
Even professional fireworks can be risky
The most tragic example is a death in 1993, when a pyrotechnician was killed during a Bar Harbor show.
Mainer ‘lucky’ to be alive after explosion
John Littlefield spent 10 days in the hospital after Portland’s 2012 “Stars and Stripes Spectacular” fireworks display went wrong.