Logic 9.1.5 suddenly not responding to CC#1

This morning for some reason, my mod wheel is not being detected by Logic IF I am transmitting on Channel 1 and have the mod wheel assigned to CC 1 on my controller.

If I assign my controller to a different midi channel output, CC1 is seen by Logic, but of course any instr. tracks using Ch 1 don't respond at all - so that's not a good workaround.

If I assign my mod wheel to a CC OTHER than CC1, Logic sees it fine.

(By "sees" I mean that it neither respond or even shows active in the midi monitor on the transport)

Tried trashing prefs - no change.

Tried creating a new Empty Project - no change.

However, if I create a new "Instruments" project, it sees CC1 UNTIL I respond to the immediate request whether or not to save. Either "save" or "cancel" causes CC1 response to stop.

My controller IS transmitting fine. GarageBand sees CC1 just fine.

I can't find anyplace in the "clicks and ports" that appear to be filtering anything out.

This is all totally new behavior to a 10 year plus Logic user.

Using 9.1.5 as I have since it came out. Mac Pro.

Hope someone can help! Thanks much!!