Today’s semi-random thoughts:

BU’s post-strike PhD move: A coincidence?

Boston University isn’t officially confirming that the two issues are connected, i.e. the recent strike by BU graduate students that led to a new contract and the sudden move by the university to stop admitting PhD students in the humanities and social sciences. But Inside Higher Education is confirming that the two are connected. … Universal Hub has more.

Higher-ed in the crosshairs, Part 2

Speaking of higher-education, the Globe has a somewhat tardy piece on how the incoming Trump administration may well declare jihad on higher-ed. … I had a post last week on this issue.

Launching a new higher-ed pub

Here’s a truly random thought, sparked by the two items above: Why doesn’t the Globe, the hometown paper for so many local colleges and universities, buy Inside Higher Ed? Or start its own higher-ed digital publication, similar to how it played off of Boston’s strength as a life-science mecca to start STAT? Just thinking aloud.

Blame Bill Clinton (and NAFTA)

Writing at Contrarian Boston, Mark Pickering thinks you need to go way back in time to find an explanation for the Dems’ devastating election defeat earlier this month – way back to the ‘90s when President Bill Clinton first embraced NAFTA. … Until Mark reminded me, I had completely forgotten Ross Perot’s famous “giant sucking sound” quote about factory jobs shifting to Mexico if NAFTA passed. … It’s a good post by Mark.

Lawrence’s Latino voters go Trump

Donald Trump didn’t win a majority of Latino votes in Lawrence. But he sure made big electoral inroads with Latino voters in Lawrence. The main reason: the economy, of course.

Further empowering Ticketmaster?

Tucked in the just-passed $4 billion state economic development bill is a provision that consumer groups say will give an already monopolistic Ticketmaster even more monopolistic powers over ticket sales – and they’re urging Gov. Healey to put the kibosh to the measure. … I hope the critics are wrong. But I suspect their concerns are legit, based on recent notable controversies involving Ticketmaster.

Farmer markets get OK to sell craft beer and spirits

Here’s another provision tucked into the huge state economic development bill – a measure allowing farmer markets to sell craft beers and craft spirits. … Does Somerville’s Cossack Vodka fall into the craft spirits category? Maybe in the craft rotgut category?

Nuclear threats, today and 40 years ago 

With all the news about long-range missiles in Ukraine and Putin once again playing the nuclear card and with Nordic countries issuing advice on how to prepare for war, I’m reminded of the early ‘80s, when NATO moved to deploy new U.S. missiles in Europe, sparking threats from the Soviet Union, massive protests in Europe, the launch of the nuclear-freeze movement and the famous “The Day After” anti-nukes movie. … The fears 40 years ago turned out to be misplaced. Hopefully, they’re misplaced today as well. … Hopefully. …