Some random thoughts on recent news:

The Blob: Higher ed’s ever expanding ‘administrative bloat’ 

The Globe’s Diti Kohli has an excellent story on the relentless growth of administrative staff at local colleges and universities. … If they were government workers, we’d call them bureaucrats, but we’ll have to settle for ‘administrative staff’ for now. … Harvey Silverglate has long blasted higher-ed’s administrative bloat, saying it’s helped colleges become increasingly unaffordable. … You know you can’t resist: The Blob (starring a young Steve McQueen.)

Boston office market is arguably getting worse, not better

Despite back-to-office orders and high-profile office-space renewals by firms, the office vacancy rate in Boston continues to rise to record levels, as the BBJ reports. … And now Class A office space is starting to feel the pinch, B&T reports. … This ain’t good for Boston’s downtown, that’s for sure.

Despite what you’re hearing, Mass.’s population is actually rising at a rate not seen since the Baby Boom years

Amid all the recent articles on the state’s outmigration woes, did you know that the state’s population actually hit a record high last year – and that last year’s state population growth was the largest annual increase since the Baby Boom ended in 1964? It’s true. Thanks to immigration, as SHNS reports at B&T. … Btw: The state’s outmigration has recently slowed, as the Globe’s Jon Chesto reports

Meanwhile, the NYT calls for common sense immigration reforms

Speaking of immigration, the NYT nails it on the need for immigration reforms. Read it. The editorial bashes both left and right. And, no, they’re not engaging in bothsidesism. Both parties are to blame for the chaotic immigration mess we have today. …

Healey acknowledges that no background checks were conducted on migrant shelter residents

Speaking of chaotic immigration messes, the shelter-incidents story keeps getting worse. … The right-to-shelter law may be noble in intent, but it has to be one of the most poorly managed programs in state government. …  I feel like I always need to add the following caveat: I support immigration. It’s a net economic plus for the nation, especially for Massachusetts. (See related  population-growth and NYT posts above.) I’m also against mass deportations of law-abiding migrants. But the chaos at the border, the out-of-control spending on migrant housing, the refusal to cooperate with the arrests of known migrant criminals? It’s as if the most ardent supporters of immigration are secretly conspiring to sabotage public support for immigration.

‘Iconic Karl’s Sausage Kitchen to close after ’67 unforgettable years’

It’s not as well known as Woodman’s, Regina Pizzeria or Kelly’s Roast Beef, but Karl’s Sausage Kitchen in Peabody is indeed an iconic establishment, as WCVB reports.

Bruins to play outdoor hockey game in … Florida?

Huh? … Yes, next year’s Winter Classic involving the Bruins will be played outdoors in Florida. It’s a first for the NHL. … And you know our local boy, Jeffrey Vinik, had something to do with it.