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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PublishedMarch 4, 2019
Near-demise of Portland bar leads council to tighten zoning in Forest Avenue area
City councilors unanimously approve a ban on drive-throughs and other suburban development features in the area bounded by Forest Avenue, Baxter Boulevard and Preble Street Extension.
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PublishedMarch 1, 2019
Legislative panel backs bill to reduce maximum contribution to municipal candidates
The proposal by Rep. Ben Chipman of Portland would lower the upper limit from $850 to $500.
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PublishedFebruary 27, 2019
Portland councilors shorten their list of possible shelter sites to 3
The City Council committee planning for a new homeless shelter rejects 8 possible sites and asks for more information about 3 others.
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PublishedFebruary 27, 2019
Councilor Kim Cook emerges as fiscal conservative in progressive Portland
She faces an uphill battle, but that hasn’t stopped her from pushing for restraint to salvage the city’s affordability for the middle class.
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PublishedFebruary 21, 2019
Old Port bar ordered to keep volume low this summer
The Thirsty Pig is allowed to have live outdoor music, but the City Council says amplifiers are not allowed.
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PublishedFebruary 20, 2019
Portland enacts zoning rules for retail marijuana stores, but leaves key issue unsettled
The City Council decides to allow marijuana sales in several business zones, but puts off a decision on whether to allow those retailers to also sell non-marijuana products such as coffee or baked goods.
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PublishedFebruary 19, 2019
Moratorium forces restaurant to scale back expansion
The Dry Dock Restaurant & Tavern will modify its plans after the city passed waterfront development restrictions.
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PublishedFebruary 18, 2019
State land near jail stands out among sites for new homeless shelter in Portland
The location’s size and proximity to city services separate it from 10 others being considered.
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PublishedFebruary 18, 2019
Portland moves to offer city-owned land for housing
The effort aims to address the demand for affordable rental units in the city.
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PublishedFebruary 16, 2019
Court document details how Alaska State Troopers tracked down murder suspect in Maine
More than a quarter-century after a Native Alaskan woman was brutally slain in Fairbanks, authorities say they used the latest in DNA technology to identify her killer in Auburn.
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