Is Harvard University building the next Kendall Square in Allston? That’s the question on the cover of CommonWealth’s summer issue, which is in the mail to subscribers and available online now. The Allston real estate venture is a big bet by Harvard that could have enormous potential for the city of Boston and the state, but does the World’s Greatest University have what it takes?

There’s more:

Jack Sullivan reports on the game of musical chairs played by school superintendents in Massachusetts, and the harm caused to school systems by rotating top educators every few years.

What’s with all the press leaks on federal investigations? US Attorney Carmen Ortiz says her office isn’t the source, but many are skeptical and the Justice Department unit in charge of policing prosecutorial misconduct seems to be a toothless tiger.

We crunch the numbers and conclude it’s not difficult to get a gun permit in Massachusetts.

Gateway Cities: Ted Siefer examines why Gateway Cities are so preoccupied with panhandlers. Noah Berger and Luc Schuster of the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center explore the income-growth challenge in the state’s mid-sized urban centers.

Beacon Hill: John McDonough dissects the agreement to avert a health care ballot showdown, and worries that hospital pricing disparity is unlikely to go away. The Massachusetts Legislature has at least 15 caucuses but, unlike Pennsylvania, no Karaoke Caucus.

The Earl of Sandwich, Boston’s bid to launch dining on Boston Common, isn’t faring well.

US Rep. Niki Tsongas is having success addressing sexual assaults in the military with a slow and steady approach to lawmaking.

Look who’s talking:

Michael Jonas interviews Alan Wolfe, the recently retired Boston College sociologist who two decades ago told us we were One Nation, After All, but now isn’t so sure.

Jonas also talks to Emily Cherniack, whose organization New Politics wants to get more people with military or civilian service backgrounds (think US Rep. Seth Moulton) into public office.

James McHugh, the former commissioner at the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, gives a first-hand account of what it’s like to set up an agency from scratch.

Edward M. Murphy interviews MIT’s Dennis Whyte on the promise of fusion. Murphy also offers up a way to address student hunger at Bunker Hill Community College.

Bruce Mohl, Editor