Space station launch Monday despite dead computer

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — The International Space Station is about to get some fresh groceries and material for an urgent repair job.

An unmanned SpaceX rocket is on the launch pad at Cape Canaveral. It's scheduled to blast off at 4:58 p.m. Monday with more than 2 tons of supplies.

NASA spent much of the weekend debating whether to proceed with the launch. A critical backup computer failed outside the space station Friday. Mission managers decided Sunday to stick with the plan after making sure everything would be safe.

The Dragon supply ship holds a gasket-like material for next week's computer replacement. Spacewalking astronauts will perform the job April 22. This new material was rushed to the launch site following the computer outage.

SpaceX is one of two American shippers hired by NASA.

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Boston mayor seeks tax breaks for Fenway project

BOSTON — Boston Mayor Martin Walsh is proposing a $4.6 million tax break to spark construction of a $550 million retail-residential development near Fenway Park that would straddle the Massachusetts Turnpike.

A vote on the financing is scheduled for Thursday at a Boston Redevelopment Authority board meeting.

Fenway Center has languished for years due to legal and permitting challenges. The developer has struggled to generate enough funding to move forward.

Walsh says construction would generate jobs and continue a city building boom.

The Boston Globe (http://b.globe.com/1hAEaNs ) reports that Fenway Center would result in construction of a total of 1.3 million square feet of residential and commercial space in five buildings between Brookline Avenue and Beacon Street. It would include 420 apartments, space for stores, restaurants and offices, and nearly 1,000 parking spaces.

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Vast majority of Massachusetts taxpayers e-filing

BOSTON — The overwhelming majority of Massachusetts taxpayers are filing their state tax returns electronically.

The Department of Revenue reported that as of Friday it processed just under 2.5 million returns, of which nearly 2.2 million had been e-filed.

The agency reported issuing about 1.8 million refunds totaling $858 million. The average turnaround time for a refund was 3.3 days for returns filed electronically, and 5-1/2 days for paper returns.

The deadline for filing state and federal taxes is Tuesday.

The department said it was fielding about 34,000 calls a week with tax questions and the average wait time for callers was 46 seconds.

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Federal judge to rule on Massachusetts drug ban

BOSTON — A federal judge will hear arguments in a lawsuit claiming the state's first-in-the-nation ban of Zohydro, a powerful new painkiller, is unconstitutional.

U.S. District Court Judge Rya Zobel is expected to decide Monday whether to order an immediate but temporary halt to the ban, which is believed to be the first attempt by a state to block a federally-approved drug. The court would decide later if the ban should be permanently vacated.

Drug maker Zogenix argues that the ban is unconstitutional because the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has already approved Zohydro's use for treatment of severe and chronic pain. The state argues that Zohydro will "exacerbate a severe public health crisis" in Massachusetts, where Gov. Deval Patrick has declared prescription drug abuse a public health emergency.

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US retail sales up strong 1.1 percent in March

WASHINGTON — U.S. retail sales in March rose by the largest amount in 18 months, led by strong gains in sales of autos, furniture and a number of other products.

The 1.1 percent jump reported by the Commerce Department on Monday was the best showing since September 2012. The government also revised February to a 0.7 percent gain, more than double its previous estimate.

Sales had fallen in January and December.

Sales of autos climbed 3.1 percent while sales at general merchandise stores, a category that covers retailers such as Wal-Mart and Target and department stores, increased 1.9 percent, the strongest one-month gain since March 2007, before the country fell into recession.

The strong March gain provides more evidence that the economy is emerging from a harsh winter with some momentum.

Economists believe that warmer weather will encourage people to make purchases that they had not during a wave of winter storms. Consumers account for 70 percent of U.S. economic activity, so spending on that front is critical in fueling a stronger recovery.

Overall economic activity, as measured by the gross domestic product, likely slowed significantly in the January-March quarter, to somewhere between 1.5 percent and 2 percent. But analysts are looking for a strong rebound in the current April-June quarter with some forecasting growth of around 3 percent and similar strong readings for the rest of the year.

For March, sales in a core category of products that feed into the government's calculations of overall growth rose by 0.9 percent, more than double the 0.5 percent gain in February.

In addition to the strong showing for auto dealers and general merchandise stores, sales increased by solid amounts at furniture stores, hardware stores and clothing stores.

Stronger growth is expected to translate into more hiring and an improving labor market.

In March, the economy reached a milestone that was a long time coming. All of the private-sector jobs lost during the recession were recovered. Private businesses shed 8.8 million jobs during the 2007-2009 economic downturn. With the March gains, they have now hired 8.9 million workers. Government jobs are still below prerecession levels.

In March, employers added 192,000 jobs, just below February's gain of 1972,000 jobs. Going forward, some economists believe the stronger economy will lift average monthly job gains to around 225,000. That will mean more income earners and more consumer spending.

A more optimistic outlook for this year in which the economy gains momentum is the reason that the Federal Reserve has been trimming its monthly bond purchases and is expected to keep doing so throughout 2014. The bond purchases were designed to keep long-term interest rates low to give the economy a boost. But with the economy gaining strength, Fed officials have come to believe that the level of government support should be removed gradually.

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Seatbelt warning chimes in even though belt’s buckled

I really appreciated your response to the non-seatbelt wearer! I wear my seatbelt all the time, but a number of months ago the driver's side seatbelt light/warning chime in my 2006 Pontiac G6 started going off while the seat belt is buckled. The shop said it would be $400 to repair because they would have to take the seat out to get to the area to repair. The chime comes on immediately after starting the car, then again about five minutes later and always chimes five times. The light illuminates several times while I am driving and the chime does, too.

From the symptoms you describe, the problem could be as simple as the seatbelt switch located in the seatbelt buckle at your right hip or its harness connector under the seat. Or it could be a more serious issue with the SDM (sensing and diagnostic module) or IPC (instrument panel cluster).

I would suggest having the shop unplug and test the seatbelt switch to determine if it's the culprit. I think this can be done without removing the seat. If the switch is bad, have it replaced. If the switch is good and a scan tool confirms the SDM is telling the IPC the seatbelt is fastened — yet the light/chime are still indicating the seatbelt is unfastened — the problem is in the IPC. You'll have to decide if it's worth this level of repair.

Because of the somewhat intermittent nature of the light/chime coming on, my best guess is the seatbelt switch.

I have a 2014 Mitsubishi Lancer and was informed by the dealer service department that I need to use synthetic oil. I thought this was usually required for luxury or high-performance cars and an option for the rest of us. Do I really need to use synthetic oil in this car?

Without knowing which engine option is in your vehicle, my answer will have to be a bit generic. The maintenance recommendations from Mitsubishi call for API "SN" 0W-20 for their non-turbo engines and API "SN" 5W-30 for their turbocharged engines. Both petroleum-based and synthetic motor oils can meet these specifications, but why not use the best — a premium synthetic motor oil.

L L L

I am curious what your opinion is about using only DexCool antifreeze in our two Buick vehicles as recommended by GM. An auto mechanic and auto body repairman with 30 years experience advised me not to use this product as he found it clogged up the heaters/heating systems in vehicles.

DexCool coolant/antifreeze utilizes an organic acid anti-corrosion technology and claims a much longer service life than conventional antifreeze that utilizes phosphate/borate/silicate anti-corrosion technology. Both coolants are ethylene glycol-based for their antifreeze capabilities.

Is one type better than the other? That question has been and continues to be heavily debated. The biggest issue is oxidation of the coolant over time and mileage. As long as the coolant level is properly maintained and the coolant is flushed/replaced within recommended intervals, both work well.

I have a 2000 Buick Park Avenue. The driver's door refuses to open as easily as the others. It feels like there is a vacuum between the weatherstripping and the door frame. Please advise.

First, clean and lubricate the door seal/weatherstripping and seal area on the body with an aerosol silicone lubricant. If this does not help, perhaps the door has "sagged" on its hinges over the years and miles. A body shop may be able to realign the door for easier opening.

In the "old days" I used to do this by placing a piece of 2x4 below the hinges between the door and door frame and "push" the door toward close to slightly "readjust" the hinges.

If the hinge pins/bushings are worn, they can be replaced.

Paul Brand, author of "How to Repair Your Car," is an automotive troubleshooter, driving instructor and former race-car driver. Readers may write to him at: Star Tribune, 425 Portland Ave. S., Minneapolis, Minn., 55488 or via email at paulbrand@startribune.com. Please include a daytime phone number.

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'Obamacare' under attack as conservatives eye 2016

MANCHESTER, N.H. — Republicans eyeing the 2016 White House race battered President Barack Obama's health care law and nicked each other Saturday, auditioning before a high-profile gathering of conservatives that some political veterans said marked the campaign's unofficial start.

A speaking program packed with potential presidential candidates weighed in on the House Republicans' controversial budget, the party's struggle with Hispanics, the GOP's future and the upcoming midterm elections while taking turns on a conference room stage facing hundreds of conservative activists gathered in New Hampshire's largest city.

But the Republican Party's near-universal opposition to the president's health care law dominated the conversation just days after Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius resigned after leading the rocky rollout of the program derided as "Obamacare."

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz declared that one resignation is not enough. "We are going to repeal every single word of Obamacare," said the first-term senator and tea party favorite.

Another tea party favorite, Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, insisted that the GOP must broaden its appeal in order to grow. The Republican Party, he said, cannot be a party of "fat cats, rich people and Wall Street."

Neither Paul nor Cruz defended the sweeping budget plan authored by another potential presidential contender, Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis. The budget, approved by the Republican-led House in recent days, transforms entitlement programs such as Medicare and Medicaid to help reduce federal spending.

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee said the Ryan plan was simply "a starting point," but that, "there would be some things I'd probably change," declining to be more specific.

Another high-profile Republican, real estate mogul Donald Trump, was more critical.

"His whole stance is to knock the hell out of Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security," Trump said of Ryan. "I would leave it alone. I don't want to hurt people."

The summit comes as prospective presidential candidates begin to step up appearances in key states ahead of the 2016 presidential contest, even though New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation presidential primary isn't planned for another two years.

"It's the unofficial kickoff of the 2016 process," said Republican operative Mike Biundo, who managed Rick Santorum's last presidential campaign.

As potential presidential candidates jockey for position, the stakes are high for the November's midterm elections, where Republicans are fighting to claim the Senate majority. The president's health care law could figure prominently in November House and Senate contests across the country.

The industrialist Koch brothers-affiliated Americans for Prosperity, which co-hosted Saturday's summit, has already spent millions of dollars on health care-related attack ads aimed at vulnerable Democratic senators in New Hampshire, North Carolina, Alaska, Colorado, Iowa and elsewhere.

Sebelius resigned on Friday, days after the Obama administration announced that enrollment in the Affordable Care Act had grown to 7.5 million, a figure that exceeded expectations and gave Democrats a surprise success after a disastrous rollout. It was welcome news for Democrats who've been forced to defend their support for the unpopular law.

In a conference call, Rep. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., insisted that "Democrats are not running away from the Affordable Care Act."

Democratic National Committee spokesman Mike Czin noted that Republican opposition to the health care law was the foundation of the GOP's unsuccessful political strategy in 2012. He said that the debate has changed now that the law has been implemented and millions of people are enjoying its benefits.

"That's a debate that we're going to have, and we're eager to have," Czin said.

At the same time, Van Hollen, the senior Democrat on the House Budget Committee, called for Republicans to defend their support for a GOP budget plan introduced this week that would repeal the health care law, transform Medicare, reintroduce the "doughnut hole" for prescription drug costs and enact deep cuts in education.

Trump, who says he's also considering a Republican presidential bid, echoed many of the Democrats' concerns. "Leave my Medicare alone," he declared.

Campaigning in Iowa the night before, Ryan defended his recently passed budget plan as a sign of growing GOP unity.

"Some people wanted to go further, some people thought it went too far. The point is we unified around these common principles in a plan," the Wisconsin congressman said after headlining an Iowa GOP dinner. "That's very important to me — which is we can't just oppose, we have to propose."

Back in New Hampshire, conservatives also criticized another potential presidential contender who was not in attendance, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, who recently suggested that many immigrants enter the United States illegally because of love for their families.

Trump described Bush's suggestion as "out there."

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NSC backs disclosing software vulnerabilities

WASHINGTON — Disclosing vulnerabilities in commercial and open source software is in the national interest and shouldn't be withheld from the public unless there is a clear national security or law enforcement need, President Barack Obama's National Security Council said Saturday.

The statement of White House policy came after a computer bug called "Heartbleed" caused major security concerns across the Internet and affected a widely used encryption technology, the variant of SSL/TLS known as OpenSSL, that was designed to protect online accounts. Major Internet services worked this week to insulate themselves against the bug.

The NSC, which Obama chairs, advises the president on national security and foreign policy matters. Its spokeswoman, Caitlin Hayden, said in a statement Saturday that the federal government was not aware of the Heartbleed vulnerability in OpenSSL until it was made public in a private sector cybersecurity report. The federal government relies on OpenSSL to protect the privacy of users of government websites and other online services, she said.

"This administration takes seriously its responsibility to help maintain an open, interoperable, secure and reliable Internet," she said. "If the federal government, including the intelligence community, had discovered this vulnerability prior to last week, it would have been disclosed to the community responsible for OpenSSL."

The president's Review Group on Intelligence and Communications Technologies, which Obama appointed last year to review National Security Agency surveillance programs and other intelligence and counterterrorism operations, recommended in December that U.S. policy should generally move to ensure that previously unknown vulnerabilities "are quickly blocked, so that the underlying vulnerabilities are patched on U.S. government and other networks."

"The White House has reviewed its policies in this area and reinvigorated an interagency process for deciding when to share vulnerabilities. This process is called the Vulnerabilities Equities Process," Hayden said. "Unless there is a clear national security or law enforcement need, this process is biased toward responsibly disclosing such vulnerabilities."

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Signs to point way for downtown guests

Locals and visitors are getting additional assistance as they navigate downtown Boston on foot.

The Downtown Boston Business Improvement District is rolling out new directional signs that will help people identify where they are, points of interest inside and outside of the district — including tourist attractions, hotels, public parking and transit, and free Wi-Fi zones — and how many minutes it should take to walk to those destinations.

The organization, which is funded by property owners, already has two of the signs in place in front of Macy's on Washington and Summer streets, with more to come in June on existing street furniture and new structures under design.

The BID will spend approximately $750,000 on the way-finding project, which will take two to three years to complete to accommodate construction projects in the district.

"There's no question that everyone needs this assistance based on the feedback we have from our ambassadors," BID president Rosemarie Sansone said, referring to the paid BID employees who patrol the district's streets and handle cleaning and hospitality duties.

Those workers assist visitors with directions about 60,000 times per year, according to the BID, which has coordinated its efforts with WalkBoston and local hotels among others with tourist and map expertise.

"We want this system to help them get from one point to another as easy as possible," Sansone said.

The most frequently asked questions at the Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau's Tremont Street visitor information center also involve directions, according to CEO Pat Moscaritolo.

"Now you're going to have current, up-to-date, user-friendly maps that will help both people who are new to our city, who are visitors to the city or haven't been down in the area for a while," he said.

Even with GPS technology in mobile phones, it's reassuring to see directional signs that tell where you are and whether you're on track, he said.

"It's all part of having a service-oriented focus in taking care of visitors. We need to replicate that across our city, not just for the area that the BID operates in."

The BID's way-finding program coincides with an initiative by the city's Geographic Information Systems Division to create new informational maps that are displayed in outdoor advertising stands and include information such as tourist destinations, hotels, hospitals, MBTA stations and public toilets.

But existing city maps are "very stagnant" and don't really help people navigate from one place to another, according to Sansone.

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Tracking Gambling’s impact

Members of the state Gaming Commission will meet with a UMass Amherst-led research team this week for a progress report on the first year of a groundbreaking study that will help shape how the commission and the Legislature respond to the social and economic impacts of casino gambling.

Chairman Stephen Crosby and Commissioner Enrique Zuniga will meet Tuesday with researchers the commission hired last spring to conduct the study, which will cost 
$3.5 million for the first three years, with one-year extensions possible at a cost yet to be determined.

"This is a unique study in the history of gaming," Crosby said, noting it is the first one to trace the impact of casinos in real time, from before they are built to years afterward. "If the research identifies problems emerging, that data will inform us as we try to identify strategies to mitigate any negative consequences."

By mid-May, the researchers expect to complete a baseline survey of 10,000 randomly selected adults to determine whether they gamble, drink or engage in other behaviors that have been linked to gambling, said Rachel Volberg, a UMass Amherst sociologist and the study's principal investigator.

"This is an attempt to take a snapshot of what gambling behavior looks like in Massachusetts before casinos," said Volberg, whose 15-member team includes researchers from MIT, the University of Nevada and the University of Lethbridge in Alberta, Canada.

The team also is working with the Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling and the state Department of Public Health to evaluate services for problem gamblers over the past 10 years, she said. Future prevention and treatment services, as well as the study, will be paid for with casino revenues through a public health trust fund DPH will oversee.

"Every jurisdiction is unique, but in general, what we've seen elsewhere is an increase in the prevalence of problem gambling in the wake of the introduction or expansion of gaming," said Volberg, who has studied gambling in more than two dozen states and 15 countries. "But that's typically been followed by a reduction as individuals and communities adapt and as services are introduced."

Richard McGowan, a Boston College professor and expert on gaming, called the study worthwhile and said it should have been done sooner, even though it comes with some caveats.

"One of the problems is people are going to want to know what's the actual social cost of gambling, and it's virtually impossible to do," McGowan said. "How do you figure the cost of divorce (as a result of problem gambling)? I don't know."

Equally difficult, Volberg said, is how to start a conversation about problem gambling with an addict.

"We've learned a lot," she said, "but we're still learning."

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