Article snippet: Kennedy’s change of heart comes in an opinion piece for STAT News on the same day that recreational marijuana sales began for the first time in Massachusetts. The hearing underway in California comes as thousands of Central Americans are waiting in Tijuana to apply for permission to enter lawfully. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island and Richard Blumenthal are two of the three plaintiffs. It’s a tradition: If a New England Democrat runs in the New Hampshire presidential primary, he or she wins it. But what if several run at the same time? The president also essentially shut the door to sitting down with the special counsel, saying his written answers mean ‘‘probably this is the end’’ of his involvement in the probe into Russian interference in the 2016 campaign. A backlash to the congressman is brewing both in D.C. and at home. Democrats will be the majority party in the House of Representatives, and Nancy Pelosi is again vying to be speaker. But some members of her party are adamant that they won’t vote for her. President Trump isn’t committing to a promise to keep chief of staff John Kelly for the remainder of his term, part of possible staffing changes in his administration. The president said he still hasn’t submitted his written response to investigators. JOAN VENNOCHI Moulton deserves credit, not damnation, for making Nancy Pelosi press her case to remain House speaker. Renée Graham He ignores their service, shortchanges ... Link to the full article to read more