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.
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PublishedJuly 6, 2019
Portland-area residents line up to host migrant families from Africa
Creating a homestay program is one avenue being pursued as officials try to move families of asylum seekers out of the Expo shelter.
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PublishedJuly 3, 2019
In feud with union, Portland city manager orders his name removed from firefighters memorial
Jon Jennings says he’s responding to a ‘political campaign’ against decommissioning a Munjoy Hill fire engine.
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PublishedJune 30, 2019
Migrant influx to Portland prompts emergency declaration, flood of generosity
City officials and others are now focusing on the difficult next phase of the relief effort: moving the families out of the temporary shelter at the Expo into more stable housing.
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PublishedJune 22, 2019
Portland awaits state’s decision on providing aid for asylum seekers
After the Legislature fails to act, city officials look to the Mills administration to expand public assistance for more asylum seekers.
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PublishedJune 20, 2019
Lawyers, Portland police chief address African migrants’ concerns about deportation, safety
Immigration experts say Portland’s new arrivals are legally present in the U.S. and can’t be deported before they have completed the asylum application court process.
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PublishedJune 19, 2019
Portland’s neighbors pledge to help find homes and other assistance for asylum seekers
Leaders from 6 Greater Portland communities say they will seek housing for close to 90 families who are now staying in city shelters.
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PublishedJune 18, 2019
Portland council’s choice of site for new homeless shelter draws criticism
Some people staying at the current shelter say the new site is too far from services downtown. Riverton residents question the wisdom of putting the shelter in an industrial area next to a river.
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PublishedJune 17, 2019
Portland council chooses Riverton as new shelter site
The City Council’s Health & Human Services and Public Safety Committee will now turn its attention to the policies and procedures for operating a shelter.
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PublishedJune 17, 2019
Portland looks to house African migrants as councilors discuss aid
With the flow of asylum seekers apparently slowing, City Manager Jon Jennings says the city is beginning to look for housing for over 200 people who came to Portland from the southern border.
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PublishedJune 17, 2019
Portlanders welcome asylum seekers, but some worry about costs
Many residents are proud of the city’s welcoming stance, although the impact on taxes is a concern for some.
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