Mayor in Mass. city reverses casino stand, again

HOLYOKE, Mass. (AP) -- Holyoke's mayor has reversed course again and is now halting all casino development plans in the western Massachusetts city.

Alex Morse said in a statement on Thursday that he regrets his earlier decision to consider negotiations with developers interested in bringing a casino to Holyoke.

The 23-year-old mayor also said he would return $25,000 "grants" paid to the city by two potential developers who sought to have their proposals reviewed.

Morse defeated an incumbent mayor in 2011 after running on a strong anti-casino platform. But he stunned backers last month when he announced a new "strategy" to entertain casino proposals. He cited the possible impact on Holyoke of a casino in nearby Springfield.

Morse said in his statement that while a casino might be coming to the region, "it will not be coming here."