A spokesman for the Maine Department of Fisheries and Wildlife said a class about cleaning and maintaining an AR firearm was abruptly canceled after complaints that it was inappropriate in the wake of the mass shooting in Lewiston.
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 inHealth, Local & State, Politics
Struggling emergency medical responders still awaiting $31 million in funds approved last year
Bureaucratic hurdles have delayed urgently needed funding for Maine’s struggling ambulance services.
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Posted inLocal & State
Department veteran chosen to lead reforms of Maine’s child protection agency
Bobbi Johnson, a 30-year veteran in the state’s child welfare office, will take over leadership of the agency after the former director resigned amid a legislative review of child deaths.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Maine lawmakers split on party lines over bill to allow lawsuits against gunmakers, sellers
The bill is the first piece of gun safety legislation to receive a committee vote since the Oct. 25 shootings in Lewiston that killed 18 people and wounded 13.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Gov. Mills asks Legislature to create new state office for immigrants
The Office of New Americans would help asylum seekers and other immigrants integrate into the workforce and community.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Rep. Jared Golden’s office vandalized with message urging cease-fire in Gaza
In a statement, the Democratic congressman reaffirmed his support for Israel. The incident was reported to Bangor police.
Posted inLocal & State
3 to 6 inches of snow expected across Maine on Tuesday
The National Weather Service says snow will begin around sunrise and continue all day.
Posted inLocal & State
Momentum builds for standalone child welfare department
Service providers argue that having a cabinet official advocating for child welfare could lead to more resources for mental health, substance use and behavioral health.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Tribal leaders urge passage of gambling bills, new state office
They say that a slate of bills that include proposals to allow them to expand their operations to include casinos and create an office of tribal relations in state government will help foster economic development in rural areas.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Maine Democrats will seek constitutional protection for abortion rights
Abortion advocates are going to push for the constitutional amendment months after narrowly winning a bruising legislative battle to expand access to the procedure later in pregnancy.