Licenses

In his weekly appearance on WBSM, Mayor Jon Mitchell explains why, under the government's current plan, 'Codfather' Carlos Rafael could make millions from his jail cell while doing time for his admitted fishing scheme.

NEW BEDFORD — As part of his plea deal with federal authorities, it's expected the "Codfather," as he's known, will forfeit his fishing licenses and they will be auctioned off throughout the region.

BOSTON (AP) _ House and Senate negotiators have reached agreement on a bill that would end the state's longstanding policy of automatically suspending for up to five years the driver's licenses of people convicted of drug offenses. The deal announced Tuesday by a six-member conference committee would also eliminate a $500 driver's license reinstatement fee for convicted drug offenders...

One local legislator says more liquor licenses in New Bedford only means added success for the business community. State Senator Mark Montigny tells WBSM News he's been working with Mayor Jon Mitchell on the Home Rule Petition filed by Mitchell, requesting 25 more liquor licenses be made available to restaurateurs...

State public health officials say proposed medical marijuana dispensaries will be required to verify they have support from local officials before they are granted final licenses. The Department of Public Health on Jan. 31 awarded 20 provisional licenses to operate dispensaries, the first in Massachusetts under a voter-approved law that allows marijuana to be used by patients with certain medical