After reading Daniel Mandell’s history of King Philip’s War (a definite thumbs-up recommendation), I was alerted to this great video about the rather bloody battle fought during the war in Sudbury, my hometown. In fact, I once lived on the very hill where the fight took place nearly 350 years ago. … The video was produced by local filmmaker and fellow history buff Andrew Rakich, a native of Wayland (which used to be part of Sudbury). Check out his website. He’s produced a lot of excellent work.
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HB Weekend Review: Private dorms … ‘Unfair hit job’ … Moderna strikes again. … Jerod Mayo Firing Watch
OF PARTICULAR INTEREST:
New model for building and operating college dorms: contracting it out to private firms — B&T
Banker & Tradesman’s Steve Adams has an interesting piece on the fits-and-starts growth of so-called “private student housing,” in which higher-ed institutes team up with private developers to build and operate student dorms. … One concern of neighbors: “They are afraid it’s going to be ‘Animal House’ and they won’t be adequately managed and supervised.” … UMass-Boston and Northeastern have pioneered the trend in Boston. Among others, Tufts University is now proposing a similar dorm project in Medford. See story below.
‘Medford Mayor Objects to Tufts Dorm’ – B&T
It’s not the ‘private student housing’ model that bugs the mayor. It’s the height and size of the proposed Tufts dorm project. … Ten stories ? She has a point. They also look ugly.
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POLITICS AND POLICY:
Healey calls Globe’s Steward Spotlight story an ‘unfair hit job’ and ‘pretty outrageous’ – MassterList
I missed this pre-Christmas piece by Jon Keller. … As Jon notes, you don’t often see Healey openly angry, or ‘wicked pissed,’ as he also puts it.
‘Boston on track this year for historic low murder count’ – WBUR
You won’t be hearing about this on Fox News, which has a vested business-model interest in portraying blue coastal cities as crime-ridden hell holes. …
‘Finding a home in a new land: How one Haitian migrants family defied the odds of secured a home of their own in Boston’ – Globe
This is a wonderful, inspiring story about one Haitian immigrant family’s journey to make it to America. … I must admit: I was bothered a bit by the public dollars involved, via the temporary housing and permanent subsidized housing, and how the word is out among immigrants at the border that Boston is a “place that would provide food and shelter and eventually a home.” But that’s a complaint that should be aimed at our lawmakers who set spending policies, not immigrants. … Gov. Healey is aware of the problem, fyi. ….
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BUSINESS:
‘The year’s hottest Massachusetts stock? GE is in the name, and AI is the game’ – Globe
I never would have guessed, especially after the firm’s wind-blade fiasco earlier this year. … The Globe’s Jon Chesto has more on GE Vernova’s post-spinoff success
Coming in 2025: A cancer vaccine co-developed by Moderna? – Economist
In an Economist piece headlined ‘Cancer vaccines will have a pivotal moment in 2025,’ Natasha Loder writes of potentially historic FDA action next year regarding a ‘personalized vaccine,’ using mRNA technology, to treat melanoma, co-developed by Merck and Cambridge’s very own Moderna. … Yes, the same Moderna that famously developed the COVID vaccine. … Economist piece via John Ellis’s excellent News Item.
‘Who Will Take Over Samuel Adams After the King of Craft Beer? His Wife’ – WSJ
I kind of assumed this would be the case. But I guess Jim Koch wanted to make it official since Boston Beer is publicly traded. … The BBJ and the Globe have more on the Kochs’ succession plan.
‘Elon Musk hates Wikipedia, because of course he does’ – Media Nation
Dan Kennedy reports on Elon Musk’s latest obsession: Wikipedia. … I regularly make small contributions to Wikipedia. I made another one after reading Dan’s post. If you’re interested in doing the same, Dan has a donation link. … Btw: Dan also has a link to a USA Today piece on retired journalism professor Michelle Johnson’s journey to learn more about her Southern roots. I haven’t read it yet, but it looks good.
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GENERAL NEWS:
‘Musk Doubles Down on Support for German Far-Right Party’ — NYT
Speaking of Musk, a friend emailed me the above story with the note: “Does Musk understand Germany history? Is the world’s richest person a neo-Nazi?” … Unfortunately, I think he does understand German history — and that’s why he supports them.
‘The year in Storrowing: 2024’ — Universal Hub
UH’s Adam Gaffin has own year-in-review piece. … Some of the headlines are typically hilarious.
‘North Korean troops experience mass casualties on Ukraine front’ – Yahoo News
The battle-hardened Ukrainian troops are apparently mauling North Korean troops in the Kursk region. … Still, all is not good for Ukraine in Kursk, AP reports.
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SPORTS:
The Jerod Mayo Firing Watch
Local sports writers are showing no mercy after the Pats’ horrible drubbing yesterday. … Globe’s Chad Fin: “After leaving Drake Maye in the game, maybe Patriots coach Jerod Mayo doesn’t deserve a second year.” … Herald’s Andrew Callahan: “If Mike Vrabel wants the Patriots’ job, Robert Kraft should give it to him.” … MassLive’s Karen Guregian: “Hard to see Jerod Mayo recovering from the latest fiasco.” … My personal preference: Brian Flores. The Bears could have their eyes on him.
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HB Week in Review: Lexington & Concord funding. … AI’s boom towns … New CCC director. … Apple Jacks creator, RIP
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 250th 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. …
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News of note: Dems ‘In the toilet’ … Local Starbucks strike … ‘Tale of depravity’
Note: I planned to post these items yesterday, but last-minute Christmas Eve errands and adult Egg Nog took precedence. Merry Christmas!
Best 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.
‘Teamsters president reveals how ‘arrogant’ VP Harris lost the party, and the vote’ – Herald
Dems lost rank-and-file union members long before Harris came around, but I get the arrogance part in general.
‘Boston Starbucks workers join nationwide union strike’ – WBUR
Here’s more on the nationwide action that was scheduled to end on Christmas Eve. … I wonder how much of this is tied to the education-levels of the average Starbucks worker, many of whom appear to be college-students or college-educated workers.
‘From natural gas plant to clean energy hub: Eversource buys part of Mystic site’ – Globe
Was this also 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 …
‘Back Bay Office Tower Construction Approved’ – B&T
A new office tower? In this market? … They’ve pulled the building permits, so I guess it’s true.
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.
‘Massachusetts State Police trooper suspended without pay for allegedly stealing golf balls’ – Herald
Another day, another State Police trooper controversy. … He actually accused of stealing more than just golf balls, but I loved the Herald headline. … The Worcester Telegram & Gazette had the story first.
‘A shocking tale of depravity, expertly told’ – Media Nation
Dan Kennedy heaps praise on the Globe’s two-part story (here and here) on the sad case of Sandra Birchmore … Dan calls the Globe pieces “a triumph of narrative journalism.”
‘Woman arrested after driving across police station lawn’ – WCVB
You have one guess as to why.
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News of Note: Sledding war. … ‘Not a sanctuary state’ … Pension bonus … He’s back
‘Sledding war erupts in Wellesley’ – Universal Hub
This just in, via UH: “The Swellesley Report is filing dispatches from the front lines of a war that’s erupted in normally bucolic Wellesley between people who just want to do some sledding and a gardening group that is trying to keep them off a prime hill to protect the tulips and other plantings at the bottom of the hill.” …
Electric fencing to protect tulips? … State Rep. David Linksy is getting involved. …
‘Tsarnaev remains on death row after Biden commutes dozens of other sentences’ – NBC Boston
There would have been bi-partisan, nationwide uproar if his sentence had been commuted. …
‘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” …
‘Tariffs on Canada would be ‘devastating’ for Massachusetts economy, Healey says’ – Herald
She’s right. Canada has historically been the Bay State’s top foreign trade partner. …
‘Congress Approves Full Social Security Benefits for Public Sector Retirees’ – NYT
This could impact tens of thousands of public-sector retirees in Massachusetts. …
‘The New Climate Gold Rush: Scrubbing Carbon from the Sky’ – NYT
Let’s hope the investments work out. … Al Gore comes across as such a killjoy, btw. But I suppose he’s right carbon-capture is not the total solution.
‘Archrival Buys Alexandria Labs in Kendall Square for $250M’ – B&T
Hmm. One is bailing. One is buying. …
‘Crackdown on Private Equity in Health Care Flops in State Houses’ – Bloomberg
Massachusetts and California are among the floppers. … Outright bans are not the way to go, as Gov. Healey says. But much tougher restrictions are needed.
‘How Liberal America Came to its Senses’ – The Atlantic
I wish this was true, but I’m not sure it is true. I.e., Jonathan Chait’s pronouncement that the “period of left-wing illiberalism that began about a decade ago seems to have drawn to a close.” … I think more traditional liberals/moderate-liberals have definitely begun pushing back against the modern progressive left’s doctrinaire views of the world, but that doesn’t mean their doctrinaire views and tactics are going away.
Nick Collins: ‘Why I opposed Mayor Wu’s tax proposal’ – Globe
Is he rubbing it in or being defensive? You decide. … I think it’s a little of both, tilting toward the latter.
Bruce Mohl is back – at the Globe – and Monica Tibbits-Nutt can’t be too happy
Bruce Mohl, the recently retired long-time editor of Commonwealth Beacon, is back with an op-ed at … the Globe? Well, it is his old stomping grounds. … Anyway, he’s calling Massachusetts Transportation Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt the “Mac Jones of the Healey administration.” … Ouch. …
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‘Bezos needs to grow a pair of …’
Some friends and I recently traded a few emails about how Donald Trump is cracking down on the media via the owners’ other larger business interests and government contracts. Here’s what one of the emailers had to say, harking back to the Nixon era:
“The reaction of Attorney General John Mitchell, President Richard Nixon’s attorney general, when Washington Post reporter Carl Bernstein spoke with him about a (Watergate) article the paper was about to publish: ‘Katie Graham’s gonna get her tit caught in a big fat wringer if that’s published.’
But it didn’t work out that way. Read the link. It recounts how Nixon immediately focused on the Post’s television licenses as a way to retaliate.
“You gotta love the visuals. Wow! Even more, that the Washington Post published it. Without Graham’s express permission. And she supported both decisions.
“Bezos needs to grow a pair of tits.”
Sorry for the language, but if Katherine Graham could take it, Hub Blog and Hub Blog readers can take it.
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‘Nixon began making threats of economic retaliation against the paper’
Re the link and subject matter above, here’s an example of how presidents went after the media, via legendary Washington Post publisher Katherine Graham:
“The Post was ahead on the (Watergate) story from the beginning. And from the beginning, Nixon began making threats of economic retaliation against the paper. ‘The Post is going to have damnable, damnable problems out of this one. They have a television station . . . and they’re going to have to get it renewed. . . . [T]he game has to be played awfully rough.’ Of our lawyer, Nixon said, ‘I wouldn’t want to be in Edward Bennett Williams’s position after this election. We are going to fix the son of a bitch, believe me.’”
Now picture Jeff Bezos, today’s owner of the Post, sucking up to Donald Trump in Mar-a-Lago. Quite a difference.
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News of note: Musk Downfall Watch. … State blows it … Radical commuter-rail changes … Stock-trader addicts
Musk Downfall Watch: The co-president dared to outshine Trump
Lawmakers face a Friday night deadline to avert a federal government shutdown – and they can thank Elon Musk for their predicament. And that’s prompted the Globe’s James Pindell and the Washington Post to wonder if Musk’s days are numbered as a result. … Fyi: Hub Blog launched the Musk Downfall Watch last month.
Mitt’s long farewell — Washington Post
The Washington Post’s editorial board is the latest to praise and bid farewell to the Utah senator and former Massachusetts governor – and other bi-partisan lawmakers who are leaving Congress. … As to why so many lawmakers are departing these days, the mind wanders to the unrelated but aptly titled ‘Barbarians at the Gate.’
Did the state blow a chance to host the world’s first fusion power plant?
Contrarian Boston’s Scott Van Voorhis wonders why Commonwealth Fusion Systems, a Devens-based MIT spinoff, opted to build the world’s first nuclear fusion power plant in Virginia rather than Massachusetts. … Here’s a real ouch line from a CFS spokeswoman: “This is a state (Virginia) and county that knows how to move at the speed of business.” … As Scott notes: “You can say a lot of things about state and local government in Massachusetts, but moving at the speed of business is not one of them.”
‘How did unclaimed bodies end up in the hands of a major biotech company?’ – NBC Boston
File this one under: WTF? … The 25 unclaimed bodies include that of a “murdered 21-year-old woman whose family was fighting to bring her home,” as NBC Boston reports.
‘Biogen in talks to move to MIT’s Volpe development, sources say’ — BBJ
MIT may already have a major tenant before it even breaks ground on the project. … The life-science sector may be pulling back most everywhere else, but obviously not in Kendall Square.
‘America’s Bird-Flu Luck Has Officially Run Out’ — The Atlantic
One has to wonder if California overreacted by recently declaring a state emergency over the bird flu. …. The Atlantic’s Yasim Tayag writes that many experts still believe the public health risk to humans is low. But that could change.
The T’s commuter-rail system: Is a radical revamp coming?
The Globe’s Jon Chesto reports that the transit agency is looking at potentially radical changes to its operations contract and services. … The “regional rail” concept sounds awfully enticing, but it’s also awfully expensive.
Celebrating the T’s performance improvements …
GBH has the latest piece on happy T riders celebrating faster and more reliable subway service. … The Herald puts the improvements into perspective: “MBTA returns 2.4 million minutes to riders daily after 14 months of slow-zone work.”
‘With right-wing backing, New England offshore wind opponents gain strength’ – WBUR
When I saw the headline, I rolled my eyes and thought, ‘Here we go. Right-wing, bad. Left-wing, good.’ But the story goes out of its way to be fair to the Maine fishermen who helped found a non-profit group to fight federal fishery regulations and offshore wind development. The group has recently received big bucks from Leonard Leo, a Maine resident and a “conservative powerhouse and co-chairman of the Federalist Society.” … Leo has a track record of winning political fights, so supporters of offshore wind are nervous.
The latest addicts seeking help: Stock traders — WSJ
The WSJ reports that Gamblers Anonymous meetings are filling up with stock traders seeking help for their trading addictions. … From the WSJ: “Apps make (trading) as easy as ordering takeout.” … Or as easy as making sports bets.
‘My father, David Gergen, has dementia. Here are his reflections on the path forward for our country’ — Globe
A moving piece by the daughter of David Gergen, the political commentator and adviser to four presidents now suffering from dementia. … He’s a man from a different and more decent political era …
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News of note: Office re-conversions? … Florida, here we come … Legislative side gigs … Trump finds key media vulnerability
Offices to labs back to offices? – BisNow
It could happen. … I’ve also heard that a few companies now regret cutting their office space needs so much.
‘MIT to start demolishing Volpe buildings in early 2025’ — BBJ
Of interest to all sidewalk-superintendent readers …
‘Massachusetts lawmakers are paid to be full-time legislators. Half have second jobs or side hustles, too.’ – Globe
Is this news? I kind of assumed many had side jobs, especially the lawyers among them. … Then again, they do cite their official full-time status for their $91,000-plus pay.
‘Frontier launches two new direct flights from Boston to Florida with $29 fares’ – Globe
It’s a promotional offer that definitely caught my attention.
Trump and Musk sink bi-partisan budget bill – AP
What a surprise: chaos. …. More on Musk’s role at the WSJ and NYT.
‘Trump Has Found the Media’s Biggest Vulnerability’ – The Atlantic
He’s using media owners’ larger business interests – and their government contracts — as leverage. … It’s not just Jeff Bezos. … Trump’s also relying on old-fashioned media intimidation and harassment tactics, writes Joe Klein.
So is MGB financially struggling or kicking ass?
It’s a tale of two stories. From the BBJ: “MGB’s full-year financial loss widens in 2024. … From the Globe: “Mass General Brigham is $2 billion richer, financials show.” …
‘Former state treasurer Tim Cahill to lead South Shore chamber ‘ — BBJ
This is a blast from the past. …
‘New England scallopers face a tough 2025’ – New Bedford Light
It’s a tough business made tougher by federal regulations …
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Headlines of note: Fusion power … Wealthy admissions. … Black enrollment down at Harvard Law … Francis Bellotti, RIP
‘Commonwealth Fusion to build world’s first commercial fusion plant’ — BBJ
This is a big deal – if it happens. The MIT spinoff is based in Devens, but the power plant will be in Virginia. … The NYT is reporting Commonwealth Fusion plans to first build a pilot machine in Massachusetts in 2027.
‘MIT, Georgetown accused in court filing of favoring wealthy in admissions’ — The Hill
I’m shocked to my core. … I liked the headline on this WSJ piece: “Lawsuit Reveals How Colleges Really Talk About Rich Applicants.”
‘Black Student Enrollment at Harvard Law Drops by More Than Half’ – NYT
Speaking of college admissions, Blacks make up 13.6 percent of the U.S population but now only 3.4 percent of first-year students at Harvard Law School are Black. … Even before the recent SCOTUS ruling that made this possible, Blacks were way underrepresented at HLS and other Harvard schools. But somehow the court bought into conservative ideologues’ argument that rampant discrimination was occurring in favor of Blacks. … See: “Lies, damned lies, and statistics.”
‘How to Move On From the Worst of Identity Politics’ – The Atlantic
On a related matter (sort of), Conor Friedersdorf rightly thinks Dems need to start emphasizing “equal treatment,” not outright “equity,” as they move forward. … Sounds like a variation of the old “equal opportunity” stance once championed by Dems… Fyi: I’d argue Harvard’s former affirmative-action policies, as practiced before the SCOTUS ruling, fell into the “equal treatment” category, based on stats that prove they weren’t even close to achieving true “equity.”
“Maybe Democrats Didn’t Do So Badly After All” – The Atlantic
Dems didn’t do as badly as thought in November, based on final vote counts. But for those who argue this means Dems don’t need to make major changes, let’s put it this way: any party that struggles to defeat an unstable buffoon like Donald Trump – and loses huge portions of its identify-politics base in the process – is a party in need of some serious soul searching.
‘Francis X. Bellotti, former Mass. lieutenant governor and attorney general, dies at 101’ – WGBH
An amazing life and man. …
‘A tale of two libel suits’ – Media Nation
Dan Kennedy has a good summary of the ABC and Everett libel settlements. … Both are defeats for the media. But I’d argue the Everett case is more disturbing precisely because A.) the publisher of the Everett Leader Herald admitted he made up facts and quotes B.) The settlement included an unprecedented (I think) agreed-upon closure of the paper. …
‘Parking Minimums Topple in Somerville’ – Commonwealth Beacon
At least in one small way, the folks in Somerville are making it easier to build new housing. …
‘The crumbling foundation of America’s military’ – The Atlantic
The military-industrial complex isn’t what it used to be if it can no longer produce enough armaments to fight the next war. Mark Bowden of ‘Black Hawk Down Fame’ sounds the alarm.
‘White Stadium plan even more questionable now’ – CommonWealth
Why Wu is digging in on this boondoggle, I don’t know. … For once, Ed Flynn’s stunt of the week has legitimacy.
Hub Blog 