MILTON, Mass.

DA who caused 4-car crash says he blacked out at wheel

Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey says a four-car crash he triggered in Milton after crossing the center line came after he blacked out because of a medical problem caused by fatigue, dehydration and the extreme heat.

In a written statement Thursday, Morrissey said he was driving home Tuesday evening when he began sweating and felt lightheaded.

He said the next thing he knew, he was outside his car, which was stopped across the road.

Four were hurt, including Morrissey, who suffered injuries to his hand and torso. The 58-year-old Morrissey was in the hospital the longest. He was released Wednesday.

Morrissey said his medical records showed there was no alcohol in his system and that witnesses said speed didn’t factor into the crash.

Morrissey was cited by Milton police, but they haven’t specified the infraction.

NEWFIELDS, N.H.

Son of ex-Gov. Sununu: I’m not running for higher office

Republican Christopher Sununu has made it clear: He’s decided against running for governor or for Congress in 2014.

The son of former New Hampshire Gov. John Sununu said in a written statement Thursday that a campaign for higher office at this time is not best for him or his family.

The 38-year-old Sununu, CEO of the Waterville Valley Ski Resort, is serving his second term on the Executive Council. His name had been mentioned as a possible candidate for governor or for Congress.

His brother, former U.S. Sen. John E. Sununu, decided in April not to seek another term in the Senate

BOSTON

Orthodontist agrees to pay $800,000 in overbilling deal

A Lowell orthodontist has agreed to pay $800,000 to settle allegations that he improperly billed the state’s Medicaid program, resulting in thousands of dollars in overpayments.

The state Attorney General’s Office announced Wednesday that John Burke has also agreed to resign as a MassHealth provider and not treat any new patients.

Burke was among the highest-billing MassHealth orthodontists, receiving close to $5.5 million from September 2006 through August 2011. He was initially referred to the attorney general by MassHealth following a review of his billing.

MONTPELIER, Vt.

Auction starts taking bids for moose hunting permits

Vermont’s 2013 moose auction is open for bids.

The auction for five moose hunting permits is open until Aug. 21 with a minimum bid amount of $1,500.

Winners will choose to hunt in one of several wildlife management units open to moose hunting. They’ll be able to choose to hunt during the Oct. 1-7 archery season, or in the Oct. 19-24 regular season.

Bids do not include the cost of a hunting license or moose hunting permit fee. Information about the auction can be found at www.vtfishandwildlife.com.

Proceeds from the moose hunting permit auction help fund Vermont Fish and Wildlife educational programs. Winning bids are typically at least $4,000.

PROVIDENCE, R.I.

Governor vetoes ban on sale of ‘vapor’ cigarettes to kids

Gov. Lincoln Chafee has vetoed legislation to ban the sale of electronic cigarettes to children, saying the way it was written would have exempted e-cigarettes from laws governing tobacco products.

In his veto message Wednesday, Chafee said children should not be allowed to buy electronic cigarettes. But he said the legislation would have defined them as “vapor products,” so they would not be subject to the regulation, enforcement, licensing and taxation laws that govern tobacco.

The legislation was pushed by Democrat Dominick Ruggerio, who said getting kids hooked on nicotine through a so-called e-cigarette is no better than getting them started on regular cigarettes.