Communications Director Jessica Grondin says the city and USM worked quickly to remedy the situation after former HIV patients at a city-run clinic complained.
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.
HIV patients accuse city of violating privacy by giving out personal data without notice
Officials will apologize for mishandling the sharing of information for over 200 people with researchers at USM, but say confidentiality rules weren’t violated.
Loophole in Portland ordinance invites demolitions on Munjoy Hill
Tearing down apartment buildings and replacing them with condos lets developers skirt a rule meant to protect affordable housing. Residents and city officials call for a fix.
City Councilor Thibodeau finally home after 5 weeks in hospital
Spencer Thibodeau, who was hospitalized on Oct. 25 with a burst appendix, praises the care he got at Maine Medical Center.
Portland clears way for 123-unit housing project at Camelot Farm despite lawsuit
Neighbors opposed to the development are challenging the city’s decision to rezone the land.
Portland aims to add tenants’ rights in evictions from disorderly houses
The proposed changes come after innocent residents lost their place to live because a landlord failed to comply with a court order to fix problems at his apartment building.
Fifth arrest made in Poland armed robbery
A transient, Isaiah Strong-Gassama, 20, was arrested Friday night, the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office says.
Shoppers support small retailers, worthy causes in downtown Portland
Shop for a Cause, a fundraiser that this year will benefit Amistad, a nonprofit that helps people struggling with substance abuse, coincides with Small Business Saturday.
As developers raze buildings to make room for bigger ones, some on Munjoy Hill seek a pause
Residents say the city needs time to assess the impact as larger condos replace apartments and historic structures in Portland’s booming East End.
Landfill problems pile up, dimming Portland’s plan for solar array
The city is ordered to do more to secure the leaking landfill, and to stop or reverse some of the initial repairs.