Randy Billings is a government watchdog and political reporter who has been covering Portland City Hall for the Press Herald since 2012. His beat touches on a wide range of topics, including immigration, homelessness, education, tourism, real estate development and the economy in Maine’s largest city. He has been a Portland-based journalist since 2005. A life-long Mainer who loves the outdoors, Randy is also a bassist who brews his own beer at his North Yarmouth home, where he lives with his wife and two children.
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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 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 also worry about financial strain on taxpayers
Some residents are proud of the city’s open-arms approach, while others question what the long-term obligations will be.
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PublishedJune 13, 2019
Portland’s new asylum seekers settle in as community offers help
More than 170 asylum seekers from Africa spend their first day in a makeshift shelter as more arrive and the city receives over $63,000 from over 700 donors.
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PublishedJune 12, 2019
Portland responding to ‘a very critical emergency’ as scores of asylum seekers arrive
The city will set up 350 cots at the Portland Expo to provide temporary shelter, and USM’s president says he’s willing to open up a 200-bed dorm in Gorham through Aug. 7.
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PublishedJune 11, 2019
Portland Expo to serve as emergency shelter as influx of asylum seekers creates ‘a very critical situation’
Portland receives 86 asylum seekers from the southern border in 3 days, and the city manager says the city manager of San Antonio, Texas, told him to expect as many as 150 more to arrive soon.
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PublishedMay 30, 2019
Portland wants gamers gone from Evergreen Cemetery
City officials are asking the gamemaker to remove the coveted Pokemon Go icons sought by players.
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