Treasurer Deborah Goldberg has created a new Alcohol Task Force to suggest revisions to the state laws and regulations governing alcohol.

The need to regulate Massachusetts' newly legal marijuana industry is leading to attempts to revamp state alcohol regulations.

State Treasurer Deborah Goldberg said in an interview with The Republican/MassLive.com this week that she was prompted to form a new Alcohol Task Force while looking at how other states regulate marijuana.

"While looking at cannabis, we saw what a lot of other states were doing around alcohol usage and control," Goldberg said. "One of the models happens to have taken their alcoholic beverage commission and expanded its role."

Goldberg's office is in charge of the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission, the commission that enforces laws and regulations relating to the sale, purchase, possession and manufacturing of alcohol in the state. That is the reason that the state's marijuana law, which voters passed in November, placed regulation of marijuana under the treasurer's office as well. Goldberg is now tasked with creating and overseeing a new Cannabis Control Commission to oversee the legal marijuana industry.

The task of the new alcohol commission, which Goldberg announced last week, is to review the legal and regulatory framework governing alcoholic beverages in Massachusetts and offer suggestions on what changes should be made.

Currently, Goldberg said, the state's alcohol laws are "antiquated" and do not interrelate. "There's no predictability, there's no smoothness, a fix can create another problem and has," Goldberg said. "The law hasn't changed much since 1933, but we're looking at a 21^st century world, so much has evolved." Federal prohibition laws ended in 1933.

Goldberg said she views the alcoholic beverage industry as an economic driver for Massachusetts. "We want to regulate it in a way that keeps it safe while at the same time ensuring that we are supporting something that creates economic growth," Goldberg said.

One frequently talked about problem with the liquor licensing system is a law that caps the number of liquor licenses in each city or town and requires all additional liquor licenses be approved by the state legislature, rather than by local officials. Municipal officials have long opposed this law, arguing that it hinders economic development and leads to unnecessary delays in the granting of new licenses. Both Gov. Charlie Baker and former Gov. Deval Patrick have tried to roll back the law, but lawmakers have declined to go along with it. Opponents of a change voice concerns about there being too many liquor licenses and about new licenses diluting the value of older ones.

Another controversial issue that the task force may examine involves the beer brewers industry, which has been seeking more freedom to switch distributors, which is difficult under current law.

One problem Goldberg identified is currently, the licensing process is slowed down by the number of investigators working for the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission. So for example, if numerous restaurants apply for outdoor seating in mid-May, it might take until July for an inspector to schedule an inspection.

The task force will examine laws, regulations and the structure of the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission itself. "Everything's on the table," Goldberg said.

Goldberg said she wants any legislative wish list to be "rational and reasonable" so the fixes have the potential to be passed into law. That could mean taking incremental steps toward larger changes.

The commission will hold five regional public hearings, including one in Springfield. It is expected to provide a preliminary report within six months.

The commission will be chaired by E. Macey Russell, a partner at the law firm Choate, Hall & Stewart. It includes appointees by Goldberg, Gov. Charlie Baker, House Speaker Robert DeLeo, D-Winthrop, and Senate President Stan Rosenberg, D-Amherst.

Russell was out of state this week and could not be reached.

Members of the commission include: attorney Kate Cook, former Fitchburg Mayor Lisa Wong, former chief legal counsel to the Massachusetts Port Authority Rachael Rollins, adjunct professor at Quincy College Robert Cerasoli, former state Rep. John Fernandes, and Rosenberg's press secretary Pete Wilson. None of the appointees has direct ties to the alcohol industry.

Frank Anzalotti, executive director of the Massachusetts Package Stores Association, did not return calls for comment on the new commission.

Hampden Care's grow room and dispensary is under construction at 122 Pleasant Street.

EASTHAMPTON -- A lawyer for Hampden Care Facility appeared Wednesday before the City Council's Ordinance Subcommittee to provide an update on the company's planned medical marijuana facility.

Springfield attorney Stephen M. Reilly, Jr. said the dispensary and cultivation facility is now under construction on two floors of the Keystone Mill at 122 Pleasant Street, an area comprising 36,000 square feet.

He said the street-level area will house grow rooms, while a "high-end" retail dispensary will be accessible from the new parking lot behind the three renovated mills on Pleasant Street.

Reilly, head of compliance for the marijuana group, said to expect an experience "similar to an Apple store," and that Hampden Care will compete directly with New England Treatment Access, with its established dispensary in Northampton.

Reilly said the total investment "is a moving target" but should come in between $4-5 million. He said the grow room should be done by March or April, and that Hampden Care hopes to obtain its state license anywhere from June to September.

Reilly explained that under the law, medical marijuana in Massachusetts is vertically-integrated, meaning that dispensaries must have associated growing facilities. "You can't sell what you don't grow," he said.

The owners of any approved grow facility may be licensed for three medical dispensaries. Hampden Care plans dispensaries in Springfield and the Boston area.

Reilly said Hampden Care is open to negotiating a host community agreement with Easthampton. Under such an agreement, the city could receive cash benefit in addition to a potential 2.5 percent local option sales tax allowed for recreational marijuana under state law.

"The more sales, the more money to the municipality," Reilly said. He added that the company plans to create 30-50 jobs.

Reilly said medical dispensaries will have first dibs at running recreational dispensaries in Massachusetts, and that Hampden Care is interested in doing that.

He warned against the prospect of stand-alone recreational dispensaries, which by law need not invest in grow facilities. He said because of that possibility, Hampden Care may seek some sort of exclusivity agreement as part of any host community agreement with the city.

"If another group came in and just opened a dispensary, it would be only around $150,000," he said. "Cultivation requires more investment. By growing and selling, we are providing the best benefit to Easthampton."

Reilly said that while the Planning Board approved hours of operation between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. for the facility, Hampden Care might like to receive deliveries in the early morning, and perhaps extend its retail hours to 9 or 10 p.m.

"That would make us more competitive with Northampton," he said. "It would drive business to Easthampton."

Reilly noted that the state Legislature is currently considering a set of proposals that would amend the recreational marijuana ballot initiative passed by voters in November.

In 2015, Easthampton approved a medical marijuana zoning ordinance. Hampden Care Facility received its special permit from the Planning Board in March.

The building at 122 Pleasant is owned by James Whittmer II under Keystone Enterprises, LLC. "Jim Whittmer is our landlord," said Reilly.

According to documents filed with the state, Hampden Care's CEO is Mark Zatyrka of West Suffield, Connecticut. David Benlolo, founder of TRU Cannabis in Colorado, is chief of operations. John "Rob" Jany of Colorado has been tapped as chief cultivation officer. Peter Gallagher of New York is listed as an investor.

Former Massachusetts human services secretary Philip Johnston will serve as chief health strategist, while Dr. Bruce Nassau, a member of the Marijuana Industry Group of Colorado, is identified as chief medical director.

Easthampton's Ordinance Subcommittee is chaired by District 4 Councilor Salem Derby. Also discussed Wednesday were possible food truck regulations and potential issues around the proposed formation of a Human Rights Commission.

Mary Serreze can be reached at mserreze@gmail.com

Boston police are asking for the public's help to identify two people investigators want to question in connection with an October 2016 shooting that killed a 36-year-old woman.

Boston police are asking for the public's help to identify two people investigators want to question in connection with an October 2016 shooting that killed a 36-year-old woman.

Police released photos of the two men on Wednesday, saying that they are not wanted at this time.

Police responded to the area 152 Washington St. in Dorchester on Oct. 29, where they found two people suffering from gunshot wounds.

Benine Timothee, of Dorchester, was taken to a hospital where she was pronounced dead.

A teenage boy also wounded in the shooting was treated for injuries that were not life-threatening, police said.

Anyone with information about the identities of the persons of interest or the homicide is asked to contact detectives assigned to the Homicide Unit at 617-343-4470.

Community members wishing to assist this investigation anonymously can do so by calling the CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 1 (800) 494-TIPS or by texting the word 'TIP' to CRIME (27463). The Boston Police Department will stringently guard and protect the identities of all those who wish to help this investigation in an anonymous manner.

Nickolas Lacrosse is accused of fatally stabbing 17-year-old Kathryn Mauke, his ex-girlfriend, on Feb. 11, 2015, in Springfield.

SPRINGFIELD -- The defense lawyer for murder defendant Nickolas Lacrosse told a judge Wednesday he wants to know if a prospective prosecution witness has received any consideration for providing information about his client.

Lacrosse, 21, is accused of fatally stabbing 17-year-old Kathryn Mauke, his ex-girlfriend, on Feb. 11, 2015, in Springfield.

Several trial dates for Lacrosse in Hampden Superior Court have been postponed. As it stands now, the trial is set for March 7.

Defense lawyer Alexander Nappan has said at previous hearings on the case he is planning a mental health defense for Lacrosse.

Nappan said Assistant District Attorney Mary A. Sandstrom informed him an inmate at the Hampden County Correctional Center came forward saying he had information on Lacrosse. Nappan said the inmate claimed Lacrosse talked to him when they were both incarcerated in the same pod, or living area.

The defense lawyer requested all notes taken by anyone who was at a Nov. 10 meeting with the inmate at which his cooperation was discussed. That included Sandstrom and three police officers.

Judge Constance M. Sweeney denied Nappan's request for the notes. Sandstrom said she had provided a copy of a report she had written about that meeting.

Nappan also wanted to know if the inmate has cooperated with police in the past. Sandstrom said he has not had a cooperation agreement with the Hampden district attorney's office in the past. She said she would ask Springfield police if the inmate has cooperated with them on cases.

The inmate was on probation two years ago when he was arrested for gun and assault offenses for which he is now awaiting trial, according to Nappan. He said the Probation Department has never taken action on the violation of probation.

Sweeney said having a defendant not prosecuted for violation of probation for two years is "extraordinary" and makes her "more than curious."

She told Sandstrom to find out if there was an agreement, connected to the murder case against Lacrosse, to delay prosecuting the violation of probation against the inmate.

The diminished capacity defense Nappan has said he will use typically involves defendants arguing that, although they broke the law, they should not be held fully criminally liable because their mental functions were diminished or impaired.

Mauke, a senior at Sabis International Charter School, was home sick the day of her death. According to court documents, a video shows Lacrosse arriving at her 136 Prentice St. home after 11 a.m. and leaving 30 minutes later.

At 3 p.m., Mauke's older sister came home and found her on the kitchen floor, bleeding from stab wounds to her chest and neck. Police and paramedics tried administered first aid, but she had no vital signs, records show.

Mauke planned to attend American International College on a scholarship she won in a Model Congress competition. Lacrosse is a Sabis graduate, police said.

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh offered up City Hall as shelter of last resort for residents threatened by President Donald Trump's immigration policies, according to the Associated Press. Watch video

Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh offered up City Hall as shelter of last resort for residents threatened by President Donald Trump's immigration policies.

Saying "you are safe in Boston," Walsh doubled down on the city's pro-immigration stance during a Wednesday press conference in City Hall.

"If people want to live here, they'll live here," Walsh said. The remarks are the mayor's strongest comments to date in opposition to the newly elected president.

He added, "They can use my office. They can use any office in this building."

Walsh's remarks came as Trump signed executive orders ushering in a crackdown on illegal immigration. He called the president's moves "un-American" and "a direct attack on Boston's people, Boston's strength and Boston's values."

Sen. Edward Markey echoed Walsh's assessment of the new Trump policies in a similar statement Wednesday, while Attorney General Maura Healey called the executive order an "irresponsible attempt to coerce our communities into conducting his mass deportations."

Despite raising concerns about retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson leading the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren joined others this week in confirming him to join President Donald Trump's cabinet -- a move she defended on social media.

Despite raising concerns about retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson leading the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren joined others this week in confirming him to join President Donald Trump's cabinet -- a move she defended on social media.

The Massachusetts Democrat, who grilled Carson throughout his confirmation hearing before the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs earlier this month, said although she still has "serious, deep, profound concerns" about Carson's lack of experience, she's hopeful he'll make good on a series of commitments.

Elizabeth Warren grills Ben Carson over possibility of HUD loans benefitting Donald Trump

Stressing that Senate Democrats need to "turn up the heat" on a lot of Trump's other cabinet picks -- particularly Education Secretary nominee Betsy DeVos -- Warren added that she will won't hesitate to speak out against Carson if he fails to keep his promises.

"Dr. Carson's answers weren't perfect. But at his hearing, he committed to track and report on conflicts of interest at the agency. In his written responses to me, he made good, detailed promises on everything from protecting anti-homelessness programs to enforcing fair housing laws. Promises that - if they're honored - would help a lot of working families," she wrote in a Wednesday Facebook post.

"Can we count on Dr. Carson to keep those promises? I don't know," the senator continued. "People are right to be skeptical; I am. But a man who makes written promises gives us a toehold on accountability ... If Dr. Carson doesn't follow through on his commitments, I will be the very first person he hears from - loudly and clearly and frequently."

Acknowledging pushback she has received over her decision to support for Carson's confirmation, Warren argued that failure to do so may have resulted in a HUD nominee unwilling to even make such promises.

Warren, who said she intends to focus her energies on a number of Trump cabinet nominees who have yet to be confirmed, encouraged supporters to remain vocal.

"We've got a lot of nominees to consider, and a lot of places where we need to turn up the heat under the Senate Republicans. (Yes, Betsy DeVos, I'm looking at you. And Pruitt, Mnuchin, Puzder, Price, Tillerson - it's a long list.) Either way, we need all of us in this fight," she wrote. "Your voices are powerfully important, and I hope you'll keep speaking up for what you believe in."

The Senate Banking Committee approved Carson's nomination without major opposition via simple voice vote on Tuesday.

Like Warren, the panel's Ranking Member U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, argued that although Carson is not whom he would've chosen to lead HUD, he will give the retired neurosurgeon "the benefit of the doubt based on commitments he has made."

Chairman U.S. Senator Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, however, praised Carson's background and commitment to "carrying forth the mandate of HUD and learning more from people directly affected by HUD policies."

Carson must be confirmed by the full Senate. 

Gary Nardi Jr. is charged with stealing more than $10,000 from the Agawam Police Patrolman's Association.

SPRINGFIELD - Agawam police officer Gary Nardi Jr. on Thursday denied stealing more than $10,000 from the Agawam Police Patrolman's Association.

Hampden Superior Court Judge Constance M. Sweeney ordered Nardi released on his own recognizance. He must give his passport to his lawyer Charles Dolan and have no contact with three specific people from the union. 

Dolan said the case is very records-intensive and may require the services of a forensic accountant.

In the case brought by Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey Nardi, 45, of Ludlow, was indicted by a Hampden Superior Court grand jury on three counts of larceny over $250.

"We allege that this police officer abused his position as union treasurer by stealing funds in order to pay his personal bills," Healey said. "We will prosecute those who abuse their position of trust for personal profit."

Healey's office began an investigation in May. Since then, Nardi has been on paid administrative leave by the police department.

From 2011 through May 2016, Nardi was treasurer of the Agawam Police Patrolman's Association, where he was responsible for managing financials, according to the attorney general's office. The union is funded by monthly dues from members.

Authorities allege that Nardi stole the money through three different schemes. In the first, he allegedly took cash from the union by withdrawing funds from an ATM without authorization. In second, he allegedly paid his own bills using money from the union without authorization. In a third scheme, authorities allege Nardi wrote checks to himself from the union's bank account without authorization.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Elizabeth Vasiliades of Healey's Criminal Bureau. The investigation was handled by Sallyann Nelligan, director of Healey's Financial Investigations Division, and state police assigned to the AG's office.

A 78-year-old Longmeadow resident was hospitalized after crashing into a tree near the Longmeadow Country Club.

LONGMEADOW — A 78-year-old Longmeadow man was hospitalized Wednesday afternoon, after he crashed into a tree.

At about 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Longmeadow police responded to a one-car crash involving a Ford 500 on Shaker Road near the Longmeadow Country Club, Longmeadow Police Department Lieutenant Robert Stocks said.

"They discovered it had struck a large tree on the side of the road," Stocks said.

The 78-year-old driver was the only person in the car at the time of the crash, according to Stocks.

Police briefly closed part of Shaker Road while emergency medical personnel evaluated him, and took him to a hospital with non-life threatening injuries, according to police.

Police investigating the crash said it does not appear that speed, weather or substance use were factors in the accident, Stocks said.

The room was unlocked and unoccupied at the time, police said.

AMHERST -- The University of Massachusetts Police Department is asking for help in identifying three people wanted in connection with a theft reported at Cance Hall Wednesday.

According to a campus crime alert, UMass police said stolen items included a black HP game computer with a red keyboard, a blue and orange bomber jacket, a black suitcase and a significant amount of cash.

Police believe the theft occurred between 12:15 and 1:30 pm.

According to the report, the room was unlocked and unoccupied at the time.

Police asked for the public's help in identifying three men seen on surveillance footage. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact UMPD Officer Lisa Billiel at (413) 545-2121; anonymous information can be left at (413) 577-TIPS (8477.) 

The police department advised students and staff to lock doors and not to leave valuables unattended where they are easily seen and quickly taken.

"This applies not only to residence halls but also to classrooms, the library, your car, etc.," according to the alert.

People are also encouraged to register valuables with UMPD's Project Protect. 

A Maine woman took to social media to fault police for failing to help her during a snowstorm. Problem is she had the wrong police department.

HAMPDEN -- A woman who scolded Hampden police on Facebook for allegedly leaving her high and dry during a snowstorm was complaining to the wrong Hampden police, it turns out.

Renee LaHaye Partridge vented her frustration on the Hampden Police Department's Facebook page -- Hampden, Massachusetts, that is -- about nobody helping her after she broke down by an intersection "next to the Hannaford store."

Hannaford? You mean the supermarket chain that's all over Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York's Hudson Valley? That Hannaford?

Yes, that Hannaford, which was likely the first tipoff that the Massachusetts police department had become the unwitting victim of a geographical and technological meltdown of manageable proportions.

Partridge's Facebook post faults either police or highway personnel for failing to come to her rescue during Tuesday's snowstorm, which hit Maine and much of the rest of the Northeast.

"Hazardous driving conditions" prompted authorities in Hampden, Maine, to close town offices Tuesday. "Please drive carefully if you must go out," town officials cautioned on Facebook.

But Partridge wasn't driving, period.

"I would like to know why today in the storm I was broke down in the school driveway by the intersection next to the hannaford store an they drove in an drove back out an right by me and never stopped," she wrote on the Facebook page of the Hampden Police Department in Hampden, Massachusetts.

"I could have reached out an touched the truck, that's how close u were and didn't stop to see if we was OK," she said, claiming to have been stranded in the "freezing cold" for two hours.

Hampden police broke it to her gently: "Rene LaHaya Partridge, you may want to ask the Hampden, Maine, PD. You are on the Hampden MA page."

Partridge: "Oh, sorry, an thank u."

Built in 1926, Union Station closed in the 1970s. But it will soon reopen following a massive overhaul.

SPRINGFIELD -- Dunkin' Donuts, Subway sandwiches and a Commuter Variety newsstand shop are the first three retail tenants committed to opening in Springfield's Union Station.

City officials from the Springfield Redevelopment Authority, Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and Union Station booster U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal made the announcement Thursday after taking a group of veterans from the Holyoke Soldiers' Home on a tour of the recently rehabilitated station.

Generations of area service members traveled through Union Station on their way to serve in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. For many, the depot was also the scene of their reunion with family members.

The Springfield Redevelopment Authority expects more retail and office tenants to make it official in the next few months.

Built in 1926 to replace an earlier, outmoded station, Union Station was the shopping mall of its day with a soda fountain, restaurant, newsstand, package service and barber shop. At one point it even had a store that sold televisions and radios.

At its height, more than 130 passenger trains passing through daily.

Today, as the $94 million rehabilitation of Union Station nears completion, officials expect it to be open later this year.

Springfield has a total of six north-south Amtrak trains a day. That includes the Vermonter and a number of shuttles to New Haven.

But Connecticut plans to commence its New Haven-Hartford-Springfield rail program about a year from now. ConnDOT's plan is to increase passenger service so that Springfield passengers could be able to board trains every 45 minutes during the morning and evening peak hours and approximately every 90 minutes during off-peak periods.

The Connecticut trains are expected to operate as fast as 110 miles an hour, cutting travel time between Springfield and New Haven to as little as 79 minutes. 

Union Station will also be a center of intercity and intracity -- that means Pioneer Valley Transit Authority -- bus service. Planners expect to draw 5 million rail and bus passengers in its first year of operation, a number that could swell to 8 million or more with more service.

This is a developing story which will be updated.

Another teen, 16-year-old Tayshia Hoisington, missing from from her foster home for several weeks, has been found "safe and sound," according to a post on the Westfield Detective Bureau Facebook page

WESTFIELD -- Detectives are trying to locate 16-year-old Aaron Ferrer, who has not been seen by his family for over a week.

Aaron is 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighs about 350 pounds, according to a post on the Westfield Detective Bureau Facebook page. Those with information are asked to call 413-562-5411.

Another teen, 16-year-old Tayshia Hoisington, missing from from her foster home for several weeks, has been found "safe and sound," according to a post on the Facebook page.

Responding to Enrique Pena Nieto's claim that his country will not pay for a border wall along the United States' southern border, President Donald Trump called on the Mexican president Thursday to cancel their upcoming meeting in Washington D.C.

Responding to Enrique Pena Nieto's claim that his country will not pay for a border wall along the United States' southern border, President Donald Trump called on the Mexican president Thursday to cancel their upcoming meeting in Washington D.C.

Trump, who took executive action Wednesday to begin construction on the barrier, pointed to the United State's trade deficit with its southern neighbor and offered that his Mexican counterpart should cancel their Jan. 31 meeting if his country will not pay for the structure.

"The U.S. has a 60 billion dollar trade deficit with Mexico. It has been a one-sided deal from the beginning of NAFTA with massive numbers ... of jobs and companies lost," he wrote in a series of morning tweets. "If Mexico is unwilling to pay for the badly needed wall, then it would be better to cancel the upcoming meeting."

The U.S. has a 60 billion dollar trade deficit with Mexico. It has been a one-sided deal from the beginning of NAFTA with massive numbers...

-- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 26, 2017

of jobs and companies lost. If Mexico is unwilling to pay for the badly needed wall, then it would be better to cancel the upcoming meeting.

-- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 26, 2017

The new president's tweets came just hours after Pena Nieto stood firm against Trump's proposed border wall and contention that Mexico will ultimately finance its construction.

"I regret and reproach the decision of the United States to build a wall that for many years, far from uniting us, has divided us. Mexico does not believe in walls. I've said it many times before -- Mexico will not pay for a wall," he said in a video statement released on social media, according to Politico's translation.

Un mensaje para todos los mexicanos: pic.twitter.com/EFcNh7fQtm

-- Enrique Pena Nieto (@EPN) January 26, 2017

Pena Nieto reportedly added that the Mexican government will offer protection to its country's immigrants when they are in the United States.

"As president of the Republic, I take on the full responsibility of defending and watching over the interests of Mexico and its people," he said. "Mexico offers and demands respect, like the completely sovereign nation that we are."

Trump, who made the border wall and other immigration-related policies the primary focus of his White House run, signed the executive order directing existing federal funds toward the barrier's construction during a visit to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Donald Trump orders construction of US-Mexico border wall

The action came in addition to another executive order, which aims to crack down on the number of people living in the country illegally by stripping federal grant funding from so-called sanctuary cities that don't arrest or detain undocumented immigrants.

Contending that the actions will benefit both Mexico and the U.S., Trump argued that they're needed to address what he called the "crisis on our southern border."

"A nation without borders is not a nation," he said. "Beginning today, the United States gets back control of its borders."

Trump told ABC's David Muir that Mexico will ultimately pay for the border wall, but did not specify how that will occur.

"All it is, is we'll be reimbursed at a later date from whatever transaction we make from Mexico ... I'm telling you there will be a payment, it will be in a form -- perhaps a complicated form," he said, adding that the proposed wall will benefit both countries.

The new president added that construction will begin "as soon as we can" -- likely within months.

Facing pressure from his own people and President Donald Trump, Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto announced Thursday that he will not attend a meeting scheduled for Jan. 31 at the White House.

Facing pressure from his own people and President Donald Trump, Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto announced Thursday that he will not attend a meeting scheduled for Jan. 31 at the White House.

Hours after Trump urged his Mexican counterpart to cancel their meeting if he is unwilling to pay for a border wall along the United States' southern border, Pena Nieto stated his decision on social media.

"This morning we told the White House we won't attend next Tuesday's meeting with @POTUS," he tweeted.

Esta manana hemos informado a la Casa Blanca que no asistire a la reunion de trabajo programada para el proximo martes con el @POTUS.

-- Enrique Pena Nieto (@EPN) January 26, 2017

Pena Nieto, however, said his country remains willing to work with the United States "to achieve agreements in favor of both nations."

Mexico reitera su voluntad de trabajar con los Estados Unidos para lograr acuerdos en favor de ambas naciones.

-- Enrique Pena Nieto (@EPN) January 26, 2017

Pena Nieto's announcement came after Mexican lawmakers also reportedly urged their president to skip the Washington D.C. trip.

Trump, who took executive action Wednesday to begin construction on the barrier, called on the Mexican president Thursday morning to cancel their upcoming meeting in Washington D.C. if he was unwilling to finance the wall.

Donald Trump to Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto: Cancel White House meeting if unwilling to pay for border wall

"The U.S. has a 60 billion dollar trade deficit with Mexico. It has been a one-sided deal from the beginning of NAFTA with massive numbers ... of jobs and companies lost," he wrote in a series of morning tweets. "If Mexico is unwilling to pay for the badly needed wall, then it would be better to cancel the upcoming meeting."

Ahead of canceling their meeting, Pena Nieto stood firm against Trump's proposed border wall and contention that Mexico will ultimately finance its construction.

"I regret and reproach the decision of the United States to build a wall that for many years, far from uniting us, has divided us. Mexico does not believe in walls. I've said it many times before -- Mexico will not pay for a wall," he said in a video statement released on social media, according to Politico's translation.

Trump's executive order directs existing federal funds toward construction of the wall. The president, however, stressed that Mexico will "in some form" pay for the structure.

Donald Trump orders construction of US-Mexico border wall

"All it is, is we'll be reimbursed at a later date from whatever transaction we make from Mexico ... I'm telling you there will be a payment, it will be in a form -- perhaps a complicated form," he told ABC's David Muir Wednesday, adding that the proposed wall will benefit both countries.

Related:

 

Authorities have identified the man they believed killed five women and girls in New Hampshire in the 1980's as Bob Evans

Authorities have identified the man they believed killed five women and girls in New Hampshire as Bob Evans, a drifter who died in a California prison while serving time for the murder of his wife.

At a press conference Thursday, New Hampshire Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey Strelzin said that evidence tied Evans to the 1981 killing of Denise Beaudin and four bodies discover in Allenstown, N.H

"We believe we have our killer of the Allenstown victims and Denise Beaudin,'' Strelzin said, according to the Boston Globe.

Baudin disappeared from her family's home in 1981. Her one-year-old daughter was then raised by Evans for five years before being abandoned and then adopted by a California family, the NBC News reported, and authorities relied on a DNA profile of the daughter in their investigation.

Authorities also believe Evans killed a woman and nine or ten year old girl found dead in a barrel near a state park in 1985, as well as two other young girls found in a contained in 2000. One of the young girls was his daughter, according to NBC News.

Evans was convicted of murdering his wife in California in 2002 and died in prison in 2010.

Authorities are seeking to identify the still-unknown victims and are asking anyone with information on Evans' movements to contact them.

A day after the Massachusetts House kicked them the bill, state senators voted 31-9 to raise the pay of top lawmakers, judges and other government officials.

BOSTON - A day after the Massachusetts House kicked them the bill, state senators voted 31-9 to raise the pay of top lawmakers, judges and other government officials.

The vote tally in the Senate and in the House means lawmakers rushing to jam through the raises have a veto-proof bill. Gov. Charlie Baker has hinted at vetoing the bill, which is several procedural votes away from his desk.

The package of pay increases is expected to cost the state between $12 million and $18 million a year. Supporters say current pay levels are outdated and inadequate, while opponents of the package note the state is still facing budget troubles.

Nine senators, most of them Republicans, voted against the bill: Vinny deMacedo, R-Plymouth; Ryan Fattman, R-Webster; Anne Gobi, D-Spencer; Donald Humason, R-Westfield, Michael Moore, D-Millbury; Patrick O'Connor, R-Weymouth; Richard Ross, R-Wrentham; Bruce Tarr, R-Gloucester; and Walter Timilty, D-Milton.

The roll call is available below.

Massachusetts Senate Roll Call on Pay Raises by Gintautas Dumcius on Scribd

Did your state representative vote to raise pay for top lawmakers? Here's the roll call

Columbia Gas of Massachusetts has pledged an accelerated repair program for gas leaks in the region, adding lower level gas leaks to its priority list.

SPRINGFIELD -- Cheered by community activists, Columbia Gas of Massachusetts officials on Thursday announced plans to expand the company's repair program for hundreds of gas leaks in Springfield and the region.

Steve Bryant, president of Columbia Gas, announced the effort during a press conference at Columbia's headquarters on Roosevelt Avenue. Bryant said the company, while continuing to address the most serious leaks first, will expand to go after the non-hazardous leaks found to have the highest emissions.

"Columbia will over the coming months identify those leaks that are likely to be the largest methane emitters and develop a program to eliminate them," Bryant said.

Community activists and organizations from Springfield and Northampton -- including the Springfield Climate Justice Coalition, Climate Action Now, and the Home Energy Efficiency Team -- praised Columbia Gas and Bryant.

Jesse Lederman, director of public health and environmental initiatives for Arise for Social Justice, which coordinates the Springfield coalition, said Columbia Gas took the gas leak concerns very seriously in discussions with the groups.

Steve Bryant, president of Columbia Gas, at podium, announces plans to accelerate repairs of gas leaks in the region. Looking on, left to right, are Springfield Public Works Director Christopher Cignoli, Jesse Lederman of Arise for Social Justice and Mayor Domenic J. Sarno.Peter Goonan / The Republican

The commitment from Columbia is "one of the finest examples of corporate responsibility and stewardship," Lederman said.

Under the existing policy, leaks that pose the greatest risk to life and property, known as Grade 1 leaks, will be addressed immediately. Grade 2 leaks that could pose a risk in the future will be addressed within a year's time, Bryant said.

The accelerated repair program will expand on that by identifying and pursuing repairs to Grade 3 leaks, which do not pose risk to life and property, but will be pursued for repairs by going after the largest methane emitters first, Bryant said.

The first step will be to identify the highest emitters, Bryant said. The plan is likely to address 100 to 200 leaks in the first year and continue in future years, he said.

There are more than 2,400 Grade 3 gas leaks among the 60 cities and towns served by Columbia Gas including 566 leaks in Springfield, Bryant said.

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno joined in praising Columbia for being proactive and cooperative in the shared goal of having "safe and clean energy and respectful to the environment.:"

Dr. Marty Nathan of the Springfield coalition said she believes Columbia's program should serve as a model for the state.

Audrey Schulman, of the Home Energy Efficiency Team, praised Columbia for being "far-sighted, smart and practical" in a program that will reduce gas emissions, improve the environment and ultimately save ratepayers for the reduced gas loss.

Quincy City Councilor Kirsten Hughes will retain her role as chair of the Massachusetts Republican Party, beating out challenger Steven Aylward in a bid for re-election.

By ANTONIO CABAN and MICHAEL NORTON

Quincy City Councilor Kirsten Hughes will retain her role as chair of the Massachusetts Republican Party, beating out challenger Steven Aylward in a bid for re-election.

At a gathering of Republican State Committee members at a Newton hotel Wednesday night, Hughes was re-elected to her post by a 46 to 30 margin over Aylward, who had the backing of the Massachusetts Republican Assembly.

Hughes' victory was expected but the vote demonstrated continuing divisions among Bay State Republicans.

"I am grateful that this process and debate helped to surface new and worthy ideas that will help unify and grow our Party. During the next two years, we will build on our recent successes: growing the grassroots, investing in our data-driven field operation, and electing Republicans up and down the ticket. As we enter a new era of unified GOP leadership, I'm excited about the MassGOP's ability to advance our shared priorities," Hughes said in a statement following the vote.

Hughes, who served as deputy finance director for Scott Brown's 2012 U.S. Senate campaign, was first elected as chairman of the party in 2013.

Republicans picked up one seat in the 160-member House last November and held their six seats in the state Senate.

Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, who edged Martha Coakley and Steve Kerrigan in 2014, are the lone statewide Republican officeholders.

Democrats hold the state's four other constitutional offices, as well as both of the state's U.S. Senate seats and its nine seats in the U.S. House.

Is Baker's budget fiscally responsible? What new initiatives does it propose? Who are the budget losers?

Gov. Charlie Baker unveiled his proposal for a $40.5 billion state budget for fiscal 2018 on Wednesday -- an increase of $1.65 billion, or 4.3 percent, over projected spending in the current fiscal year.

The budget proposes several tax changes and also makes major adjustments to MassHealth to try to curb cost growth. It includes new investments in areas like substance abuse and mental health care.

Here are five important things to know about the budget.

#1: It strives for fiscal stability.

Although it is not a sexy topic, the Baker administration has focused efforts on ensuring fiscal stability -- in particular, making sure recurring revenues and spending line up. This means minimizing the use of one-time revenue, which is money such as proceeds from legal settlements or leftover trust fund dollars that only last for one year before a new revenue source must be found.

In fiscal 2015, the state used $1.2 billion in one-time revenue. In fiscal 2018, Baker is proposing to use $95 million.

That money will come from changing the timing of when credit card companies have to transmit tax payments to the Department of Revenue, by no longer allowing them to hold the money for 50 days.

Baker is also proposing changing the way the state deposits money in the rainy day fund -- a reserve fund in case of emergency, like a mid-year economic downturn. Until now, the state was supposed to deposit any capital gains tax above a certain threshold -- around $1.5 billion -- into the rainy day fund. But the Baker administration and lawmakers often divert that money to other needs. Baker officials say it also takes a long time to certify capital gains tax numbers, so the administration must close the books on the fiscal year before knowing the size of the transfer.

Baker's proposal would estimate capital gains tax revenue at the beginning of the year and transfer half the estimated excess revenue then. This means the rainy day fund would be slated to get half as much money -- but the money would be guaranteed and paid the beginning of the year. Additionally, if total tax revenue exceeds expectations at the end of the year, half that excess money would also go into the rainy day fund.

#2: Not everyone will be happy.

Every budget has winners and losers, with some priorities getting more funding and others losing it.

One loser in Baker's fiscal 2018 budget is the AIDS Action Committee, which issued a statement criticizing the governor for cutting $4.8 million from the state's investment in HIV/AIDS prevention, education and outreach.

"This recommendation ... signals a dangerous retreat by the state on efforts to fully eradicate HIV transmission in Massachusetts," said executive director Carl Sciortino.

State funding for HIV/AIDS prevention would still be $28.3 million after the cut.

Individuals covered by MassHealth's CarePlus program, which offers insurance to low-income individuals not eligible for standard Medicaid, could lose coverage for glasses and contacts and for non-emergency transportation.

Some small businesses may lose out if they are forced to pay a new fine of $2,000 per employee if they do not offer health insurance, or if their insurance plans are not generous enough or not used by enough employees. MassHealth expects to generate $300 million from this new fee.

#3: A strong economy is not enough.

Unemployment in Massachusetts was a low 2.8 percent in December, and the economy is relatively strong. Tax revenues are expected to grow by 3.9 percent next year, giving the state an additional $1 billion to work with.

So why is Baker making tax changes to gain more money and reinstating the health insurance employer assessment?

One major factor is health care spending. With MassHealth spending set to rise by 6.6 percent, or $1 billion, even after cost-cutting measures, that takes up much of the anticipated revenue growth.

Baker said Wednesday the state has also had a big structural gap the last several years, with budgets relying on the use of one-time revenue. "The past few years, a big part of what we've been doing is to whittle down the gap between recurring revenue and spending," Baker said.

Baker noted that revenue from the state sales tax has also decreased recently, likely because of the proliferation of online shopping. Baker hopes to collect an additional $30 million in sales tax revenue next year by requiring major online retailers who do business in Massachusetts to collect sales taxes, even if they do not have a physical address here.

#4: Here are some of the budget's new initiatives:

Baker is proposing a new tax credit for small businesses that hire unemployed veterans. A business with fewer than 100 employees that hires a veteran who has been unemployed for at least four weeks to work full-time can claim a $2,000 tax credit the year the veteran is hired, and another $2,000 if the veteran is still employed a year later.

Baker is proposing a new $4 million "Learn to Earn" initiative, which will train unemployed and underemployed individuals to give them skills and credentials in high-demand fields.

The governor is proposing long-needed changes to Bridgewater State Hospital, Massachusetts' secure facility for people who are mentally ill -- both for criminals and those who are civilly committed. Advocates for people with mental illness have complained that conditions at the state hospital are more like a prison than a treatment center.

Baker plans to move corrections officers out of the hospital and use them only outside the facility to provide security. He will ask the Legislature for $22 million to significantly expand the size and scale of the hospital's clinical program.

#5: This is only the beginning.

The introduction of Baker's budget is just the first step in a multi-step process.

The budget will now go to the House and then the Senate, each of which will develop their own versions. The final budget will be negotiated between a team of House-Senate conferees. It must be signed into law by Baker before the start of the 2018 fiscal year on July 1, 2017.

For decades, the University of Massachusetts Cannabis Reform Coalition has fought for its legalization pushing for it at the annual Extravaganja festival. But now that it's legal, the annual festival is not going to stop.

NORTHAMPTON -- For decades, the University of Massachusetts Cannabis Reform Coalition has fought for the legalization of recreational marijuana use, pushing for it at the annual Extravaganja festival.

But even though the drug is now legal, the festival is not going to stop.

The coalition has set the 26th-annual Extravaganja for April 29, from noon to 6 p.m.

And it will again return to the Three County Fairgrounds in Northampton, where it was held last year for the first time. Previously it was held in Amherst but it became two large for the Town Common.

"Extravaganja is one of the largest cannabis legalization rallies in the northeast drawing thousands of supporters every year," according to a Facebook post for the event.

Speakers and the musical lineup have not yet been announced.

About 12,000 attended the festival last year, about double what the event drew in Amherst in 2015.

But that crowd created major gridlock on Route 9 Saturday afternoon that lasted into the evening.

Police last year suggested organizers hire officers to help better direct it.  

Massachusetts voters on Nov. 8, 2016 passed a ballot question legalizing recreational marijuana. 

The state, however, has delayed the opening of retail shops by six months.