Note: I’m experimenting with various formats and subject lines for Hub Blog. The latest experiment: A week-in-review post, rather than trying to keep up with news every day or every other day, etc. Let me know what you think (jayfitzmedia@gmail). All content/format ideas are more than welcome. Thanks! — J.F.

OF PET-PEEVE INTEREST

‘Thousands of dollars for the 250th anniversary of battles of Lexington and Concord fail to pass Legislature, frustrating organizers’ – Globe

After spending hundreds of millions on migrant housing, lawmakers balk at a $325K earmark for festivities tied to the anniversary of arguably the most significant event in the commonwealth’s history. … The larger $20 million funding package for the statewide 250^th celebration also failed to pass. … Lawmakers are still passing bills as the year-end session deadline looms. 

POLITICS AND POLICY

‘Holliston town administrator agrees to top job at Cannabis Control Commission’  — GBH

No one can say he wasn’t warned. … 

‘New data shows Mass.’s reliance on immigrants’ — BBJ

The real news here is in the story’s lede, not its headline: “Massachusetts has added more immigrants per capita than any other state other than Florida over the last four years.” …

Best political read of the week: ‘The Democratic Brand Is in the Toilet’ — NYT

This is one of the better Dem doom-and-gloom analysis pieces out there. 

‘Mayor Wu, Boston Unity Soccer Partners sign lease for White Stadium’  — Boston 25

She’s tripling down. … The stadium’s cost is now estimated at $182 million-plus? Ridiculous. … Shirley Leung has more. 

‘Maura Healey says Massachusetts is ‘not a sanctuary state’’ – Herald  

More proof she’s a pragmatic progressive, not a doctrinaire progressive. … And yet more proof of her pragmaticism, via the Globe: “In 2025, Healey plans to work with Trump administration. It wasn’t always that way” … 

BUSINESS 

‘A.I, the Electricians and the Boom Towns of Central Washington’ — NYT

Reminds me of the recent fracking land rush in the Dakotas. … Here’s another AI story along the same economic-impact lines: “How AI could reshape the economic geography of America”

‘Steward’s In-house insurer asking judge to force failed hospital chain to pay up’ – Globe

This is bizarre all right. But in the funny-money world of health care, it’s not unusual for an entity to serve as both medical insurer and medical provider at the same time. Examples here and here. …

‘Apple Jacks creator, MIT genetics researcher dies on Christmas eve’ – Herald

I never knew there was a single inventor. William Thilly, RIP. … 

‘Developers say they will soon file plans for 750 apartments at the old Channel 56 site in Dorchester’ – Universal Hub

And B&T has more on the planned mega-development on Morrisssey Boulevard.

‘From natural gas plant to clean energy hub: Eversource buys part of Mystic site’ — Globe

Was this also partly a pre-emptive move? The site sits next to where the Kraft Group wants to build a new soccer stadium for the New England Revolution. 

‘In a rare kind of deal, a local credit union plans to acquire a bank’ – BBJ

It’s a man-bites-dog story in the local banking world … 

Another restaurateur jumps into big-time development … – BBJ

Eric Papachristos, owner of the popular Saloniki Greek eateries and other restaurants in the area, has plans for a major mix-used development in his hometown of Weymouth. … He may yet be the next Sal Lupoli. 

‘Wall St. Is Minting Easy Money From Risky Loans. What Could Go Wrong?’ — NYT

A lot of people are starting to get nervous about this new “private credit ” investment and lending scheme designed to get around regulatory restrictions and government oversight of banks. …