William Harwood is an attorney with broad experience working on utility issues and currently serves as the senior adviser for regulatory affairs in the governor’s energy office.
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 inMaine, News
Forever chemicals found in chicken eggs as Maine expands testing to 34 communities
Backyard hens kept by a Fairfield family with contaminated water had high levels of PFAS in their eggs, fueling concerns in a region already dealing with contaminated cow milk and venison.
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Posted inMaine, Nation & World, New England, News, Politics
Pilot launched to assess racial impact of state legislative bills
The purpose of the statements is to address what many see as systemic racism in state government by considering whether a proposed new law would help, hurt or have no impact on historically disadvantaged racial populations.
Posted inMaine, News, Schools and Education
Pandemic fuels rising reports of anxiety and depression among Maine students
As the pandemic continues to disrupt normal routines, students are finding it more difficult to learn and interact with their peers, according to school-based mental health workers statewide.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics
Critical investigative report reignites calls to close Long Creek youth prison
Advocates came closer than ever to closing the state’s only youth prison during the last legislative session, winning support in the House and Senate, only to face a veto from Gov. Mills.
Posted inBusiness, Maine, News, Politics
Long-term state revenue projections ‘volatile,’ Maine lawmakers told
The words of caution come as the Legislature prepares to debate what it should do with $822 million in additional revenue being projected for the current two-year budget.
Posted inMaine
Eliminating single-family zoning among ways to increase housing opportunity, state commission says
Recommendations from the Commission to Increase Housing Opportunities in Maine by Studying Zoning and Land Use Restrictions include allowing in-law apartments as a matter of right and removing municipal growth caps.
Posted inMaine, Politics
Sara Gideon donates $3.5 million in leftover campaign cash to help low-income families
The money, from her unsuccessful bid for U.S. Senate, will go to the nonprofit Maine Equal Justice, which provides financial assistance to low-income parents earning degrees and professional certifications.
Posted inHealth, Maine
State will use federal funds to give bonuses to direct care workers
The federal government has approved Maine’s request to use $126 million in American Recovery Act funding to give bonuses to new and existing workers providing home- and community-based health services.
Posted inBusiness, Maine, News
Economic growth, federal funds drive increase in state revenues
Gov. Mills says she will propose using some of the added revenue to help Mainers struggling with increased costs of electricity, home heating fuels, gas at the pump, and other necessities.