Konbit Sante Executive Director Rupal Shah says she has been in contact with partners in the Caribbean nation, offering assistance in the aftermath of the 7.2-magnitude quake that hit there Saturday.
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 inLocal & State, News
Portland may soon charge electric-vehicle drivers to plug in, and zap those who stay too long
More communities in Maine and around the country are considering fees for charging stations that initially were free to use, in part to shift the costs from taxpayers to users.
advertisement
Posted inLocal & State, News
Drug overdose deaths continue to rise at record pace in Maine
The latest figures indicate that Mainers with substance use disorder continue to struggle with the effects of the pandemic, putting 2021 on pace to surpass the record deaths in 2020.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State
Iconic Portland building that housed Brian Boru pub may face the wrecking ball
The mutual insurance company MEMIC bought the property in 2019 and is now seeking city permits to demolish it.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
Luxury hotel, rooftop bar planned for Portland’s iconic Time & Temperature building
T.T. Maine Ventures proposes 186 hotel rooms, a rooftop bar, meeting and banquet spaces, retail shops and a restaurant at 477 Congress St.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Schools and Education
MECA students challenge college’s concerns about Portland social service plan
They say statements by Maine College of Art officials about Portland’s plan to consolidate social services and public health programs near a proposed dorm reflect classism and disrespect people experiencing homelessness.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Schools and Education
Maine College of Art plans dormitory for 180 students in downtown Portland
But the developer and the college are concerned about the city’s plan to move its social services and public health programming to an office building next door.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Portland councilors to discuss shelter moratorium in Bayside
The item is being discussed at the request of the association that represents the city neighborhood with the highest concentration of shelter beds and social services.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State
Bill would impose new fees on vacation homes, short-term rentals
The proposal is generating opposition from real estate agents and tourism officials, who acknowledge Maine’s affordable housing crisis but say a new fee is not the answer.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Portland mayor rescinds controversial proclamation
The move comes 3 weeks after former Boston Mayor Marty Walsh rescinded a similar proclamation that stirred tensions rooted in a historical conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan.