Legislative leaders decided Thursday to allow lawmakers to move forward with bills to shore up the state’s emergency shelters amid rising numbers of homeless people.
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 inLocal & State
Watchdog finds ‘errors on top of errors’ in death of 6-week-old Jaden Harding
A state watchdog agency submitted the critical report to a legislative committee Wednesday.
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Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Support for federal workers affected by government shutdowns makes list of new bills going before lawmakers
Nearly 60 new bills have so far been teed up for the upcoming legislative session, and more are expected to come forward in the wake of the Oct. 25 mass shootings in Lewiston.
Posted inLocal & State, Schools and Education
State workers vote no confidence in director of child development services
The union representing agency workers called on the Maine Department of Education to replace Director Roberta Lucas, citing a ‘toxic work environment’ and her ‘apparent support’ for dissolving the agency.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Maine’s child protection staff: ‘We work within a broken system’
Lawmakers reviewing the state’s child protective agency hear testimony from front-line workers for the first time Wednesday, and their message is sobering.
Posted inElection 2023, Local & State, Politics
Voters pass ban on foreign spending on referendum campaigns
Question 2 bans foreign governments and affiliated organizations from spending on Maine referendum campaigns.
Posted inLocal & State, Maine Crime, News, Politics
Will Lewiston massacre lead to new gun control laws in Maine?
Gun safety is certain to dominate debate in the State House when lawmakers return in January, but options may be limited – members of both parties voted to block gun safety bills this year.
Posted inLocal & State
Should Maine’s yellow flag law have been used to prevent Lewiston shootings? Its sponsor thinks so
Sen. Lisa Keim, R-Dixfield, says that it appears the state’s so-called yellow flag law could have been used to take away Robert Card’s guns, but others say the law includes too many obstacles.
Posted inLocal & State, News
President Biden, first lady will come to Lewiston on Friday, White House confirms
President and Jill Biden will visit with families grieving loved ones killed in the Oct. 25 mass shootings in Lewiston.
Posted inLocal & State
Independent commission will investigate shootings, missed warning signs
Gov. Janet Mills announced the creation of a commission of independent experts, saying Maine people need to know the truth in order to heal.