Some slightly off-the-beaten-path stories you may have missed this past week:

— How bad is it getting for higher-ed? This bad: “Hundreds of Colleges Are Sending Acceptance Letters to Kids Who Didn’t Even Apply” (WSJ)

— Steven Pinker says reforms haven’t gone far enough – and he’s right: “What Harvard (and the rest of higher ed) still needs to do to fix itself” (Globe)

— People say they want more housing, but don’t always vote that way: “Mixed Results for Housing-Endorsed Candidates in Mass. Primaries” (B&T)

— A good explainer piece about what’s driving nervous investors: “There Are Four Forces Pressuring Bonds: War Is No. 1” (WSJ)

— We thought the trend was winding down. Apparently not: “Developer buys third Boston residential conversion site” (BBJ)

— It may not have been an illegal deal, but it still stunk to high heaven: “Sheriff Tompkins needs to go” (Globe)

— There shouldn’t be any question. He’s an antisemitic Marxist who needs to go. Period: “The Hasan Piker Question” (Atlantic)

— Maybe Boston could learn a thing or two from these cities? Or maybe Boston doesn’t want to? “Seattle and D.C. Are Bucking the Trend by Attracting Families With Kids” (WSJ)

— ‘Harm reduction’ lunacy up north. Kevin Cullen explains: “Along the banks of Lake Champlain, who’s harming whom?” (Globe)

— They’re undefeated! “Stunning win gives UMass football something it hasn’t had in a long time – hope” (MassLive)