Ten schools in Maine were swatted on Nov. 15, leading to scores of students barricading themselves in their classrooms, armed police officers roaming school hallways looking for nonexistent shooters, and parents wondering if they would see their children again.
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, Politics, Schools and Education
Republicans hope 20-year-old spending cap helps cut Mills’ budget
If left unamended, a safety valve tied to Maine’s commitment to fund 55% of public education could chop almost half of Gov. Janet Mills’ $900 million proposal.
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Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Higher fines for violating hands-free driving law attract fans, key detractors
Though a state police lieutenant says more needs to be known about the existing law’s effectiveness, supporters of increasing the fine to $500 say the current $50 penalty for handling a cellphone while driving fails as a deterrent.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Talbot Ross among Black leaders honored at White House ceremony
Maine House Speaker Rachel Talbot Ross, D-Portland, was one of five Black house speakers honored at the event.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Increased pay has bolstered ranks of attorneys representing indigent clients
But the Maine Commission on Indigent Legal Services says that the pay increase needs to be extended beyond this summer and that more needs to be done to stabilize the program and meet the state’s constitutional obligations.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Right to housing among a flood of proposed state constitutional amendments
Rep. Benjamin Collings, D-Portland, hopes it would lead to new policies requiring more housing assistance and resources.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Top job, low pay: No governor makes less than Maine’s
There’s a new bipartisan push to raise the $70,000 salary for the state’s chief executive. But plenty of previous attempts have failed.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Bill seeks to crack down on vehicles covered in snow, ice
The bill would give drivers 48 hours to clear snow and ice from their vehicles, but it faces opposition from commercial truckers.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Sen. Angus King caught up in ‘Twitter Files’ controversy
Records released by Twitter CEO Elon Musk show that in 2018 Sen. Angus King flagged over 350 ‘suspicious’ social media accounts, including those that mentioned his Republican opponent, Eric Brakey.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Brewer lawmaker revives effort to ban child marriages in Maine
The legislation by Rep. Kevin O’Connell is part of a broader push to eliminate child marriage in the United States, and elsewhere, to prevent the exploitation of minors, especially girls.