TODAY'S TOP NEWS STORIES: OCTOBER 12, 2025
- Government Shutdown Enters 10th Day Amid Layoffs and Closures: The ongoing federal shutdown has led to mass layoffs of thousands of government workers, including at the CDC and Education Department, with President Trump blaming Democrats for the impasse. Smithsonian facilities, including the National Zoo, are closing today due to lack of funding.
- Immigration Raids Escalate Tensions: ICE reports a sharp rise in assaults on officers during raids, including a fatal shooting of a father during a sweep in Denver. Protests continue over Trump's deployment of National Guard in cities like Portland.
- Actress Diane Keaton Dies at 79: The Oscar-winner, known for Annie Hall and The Godfather, passed away yesterday, prompting tributes from Hollywood.
- Northeast Braces for Major Storm: A powerful storm is set to hit the East Coast starting today, disrupting travel through next week.
- Trump Threatens Tariffs and Export Limits on China: In a move tied to the shutdown, the administration warns of 100% tariffs on Chinese imports starting November 1, escalating trade tensions and prompting lawsuits from 12 states alleging political motives.
- Shutdown Stalemate Deepens Partisan Divide: Republicans accuse Democrats of politicizing the crisis, while Senate votes fail to advance funding bills. Polls show 39% blame Trump and GOP most.
- Indictment Against NY AG Letitia James Advances: Pressure from Trump leads to charges against James for her successful fraud suit against him, drawing criticism over judicial independence.
- MS-13 Leader Arrested in Virginia: Henrry Josue Villatoro Santos, a top gang figure, was captured, highlighting ongoing counter-narcotics efforts in Latin America.
- Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Takes Effect in Gaza: A pause in fighting begins today after hostage releases, with displaced Palestinians returning amid heavy damage in Gaza City. Netanyahu's government approved the deal, though details remain unclear.
- MarÃa Corina Machado Wins Nobel Peace Prize: The Venezuelan opposition leader is honored for promoting democracy, amid controversy over her activism against Maduro.
- Cameroon's President Biya Seeks Eighth Term at 92: The aging leader's bid underscores Africa's challenges with long-tenured rulers amid unrest and corruption.
- UN Approves Force Against Haitian Gangs: A new international mission targets escalating violence, backed by the U.S. and regional allies.
- Italy's Campi Flegrei Volcano Shows Increased Activity: The site, linked to ancient myths, stirs after centuries, raising monitoring concerns.
- U.S. Education Department Announces Layoffs: Amid the shutdown, the agency is cutting staff, exacerbating concerns over academic freedom as Trump pushes universities to align with conservative priorities.
- Linda McMahon Names New National Assessment Governing Board Chair: The U.S. Secretary of Education appoints members to oversee student testing standards.
- Mississippi Partners with Nvidia for Statewide AI Curriculum: The initiative targets middle and high schoolers to boost tech literacy and future job readiness.
- Global Rankings Highlight Indian Institutions: Lovely Professional University leads with 49 scientists in the World's Top 2% list; BITS Pilani ranks #9 in CS.
- Global Growth Steady at 3.3% for 2025: IMF forecasts unchanged, with U.S. upward revisions offsetting declines elsewhere; focus on healthy aging and infrastructure to counter slowdowns.
- Shutdown Disrupts Key Economic Data Releases: BLS reports on jobs and inflation may be delayed or inaccurate, leaving markets in the dark and impacting Fed decisions.
- Business Investment to Rise 3.6% in 2025: Deloitte predicts modest growth amid tariffs and rates, driven by AI data centers and bonus depreciation resumption.
- Gold Hits Record $4,000/Ounce; Silver Surges: Precious metals boom creates new investment strategies; U.S. borrowing via Treasurys remains high amid deficits.
- AI Trends Dominate 2025 Outlook: McKinsey ranks 13 key developments, emphasizing strategic alignment for AI-powered futures; global watchdogs ramp up monitoring.
- Poland Blames Russia for Rising Cyberattacks on Infrastructure: Incidents surge, highlighting geopolitical tech vulnerabilities.
- Trump's EV Crackdown Impacts Battery Belt: Policies slow U.S. electric vehicle production in key states.
- Perplexity Removes Paywall for AI Browser Comet: The tool is now free, boosting accessibility amid teen usage spikes and parental guidelines from OpenAI.
- Prediabetes Reversal Cuts Diabetes Risk by 71%: Tübingen study shows healthy habits normalize blood sugar without weight loss; green tea aids fat burning and metabolism in obese models.
- Medicare Open Enrollment Starts October 15: Seniors urged to review plans amid moderate 2025-26 flu season forecast; GLP-1 drugs eyed for menopause weight management.
- Plastic Waste Health Risks Investigated: Beach encounter sparks research into microplastics' human impacts.
- Nobel in Physics Tied to Cellphone Tech: Winner credits work for enabling modern devices; WHO warns of Gaza health system rebuild needs post-ceasefire.
- Chicago Marathon Kicks Off Today: Over 45,000 runners tackle the iconic 26.2-mile course through the city's landmarks.
- NFL Week 6 Underway: Fantasy impacts from injuries; Yankees exit playoffs early after ALDS loss to Guardians.
- WNBA Eyes Expansion and CBA Talks: League addresses coaching vacancies and growth post-season.
- Cristiano Ronaldo Hits Billionaire Status: The soccer icon becomes the first player to reach $1B net worth, per Bloomberg.
- Rolex Shanghai Masters Tennis Final: ATP event concludes with top players vying for the title; NCAA nears rule allowing college athletes to bet on pro sports.
Big Education Ape: NO KINGS 2.0: NO KINGS, NO TYRANTS, NO TEA IN THE HARBOR: THE BOSTON TEA PARTY AND THE SPIRIT OF AMERICAN DEFIANCE, THEN AND NOW #NoKings https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/10/no-kings-20-no-kings-no-tyrants-no-tea.html
### Key Points
- The Boston Tea Party of 1773 was a protest against British taxation without representation, symbolizing the colonists' rejection of authoritarian rule.
- The event united the colonies and spurred the American Revolution, ultimately leading to the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
- The No Kings 2.0 movement in 2025 channels the spirit of the Boston Tea Party, rejecting modern authoritarianism and promoting democracy.
- The movement emphasizes peaceful protests, community organization, and the importance of civic engagement to uphold democratic principles.
- Resources and training, such as protest safety and rights education, are being provided to support participants in the No Kings 2.0 movement.
- The movement highlights the importance of collective action and reminds Americans of their responsibility to protect democracy.
Big Education Ape: LOOKING BACK: THE WEEK IN REVIEW https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/10/looking-back-week-in-review.html
### Key Points
- Analysis of the Boston Tea Party and its relevance to modern American defiance.
- Discussion on screen time's impact on academic achievement in young children.
- Criticism of Donald Trump's Justice Department for alleged political misuse of "mortgage fraud."
- Rebuttal of David Brooks' views on education by Jersey Jazzman.
- Weekly review of top news stories and blog posts, including AI advancements and political commentary.
- Reflection on technological challenges and updates in blogging platforms.
- Coverage of societal issues such as school shootings, public education advocacy, and Black Lives Matter.
- Promotion of educational initiatives, including Diane Ravitch's work and the Badass Teacher Association.
Big Education Ape: THE TOP NEWS STORIES THIS WEEK 10-4-25 TO 10-11-25 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/10/the-top-state-news-stories-this-week-10.html
### Key Points
- The U.S. government shutdown, beginning October 1, 2025, has led to federal employee furloughs, economic disruptions, and political divisions over funding and healthcare subsidies.
- Israel and Hamas tentatively agreed to a U.S.-led peace proposal for a Gaza ceasefire, with discussions about troop withdrawals and lasting peace.
- The U.S. Department of Education is investing in charter schools, HBCUs, and civics education, while addressing civil rights complaints and Title IX compliance.
- AI developments include new video apps, California’s AI safety law, and breakthroughs in brain-computer interfaces and quantum tech.
- Advancements in health research include studies on Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s disease, and diabetes, along with public health concerns like rising measles cases and the risks of sugary and diet drinks.
- The MLB playoffs, NFL, WNBA Finals, NHL, and NBA games are ongoing, with significant highlights such as the Toronto Blue Jays reaching the ALCS and the Las Vegas Aces winning the WNBA Finals.
Big Education Ape: TODAY'S TOP NEWS - YESTERDAY'S BEST BLOG POST October 11, 2025 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/10/todays-top-news-yesterdays-best-blog_10.html
### Key Points
- The U.S. government shutdown, now in its 11th day, disrupts federal services, furloughs workers, and sparks debates over health care subsidies and spending cuts.
- President Trump pushes Project 2025 budget cuts targeting federal jobs, agencies, and infrastructure projects.
- Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of a U.S.-brokered Gaza ceasefire plan, potentially ending the war.
- MarÃa Corina Machado won the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her dedication to democracy and peaceful transition in Venezuela.
- Oklahoma requires teachers from blue states to pass an ideological test designed by Prager University to teach in the state, sparking criticism.
- AI adoption in workplaces has doubled in two years, with significant growth in healthcare applications.
- Controversies arise over AI regulation, including Senator Cruz's proposed AI "sandbox" bill to deregulate the industry.
- A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck Mindanao in the Philippines, causing damage but no immediate fatalities.
- Updated COVID vaccines reduce severe illness by 50%, while a study shows lifestyle changes can significantly reduce diabetes risk.
- The Trump administration's education policies prioritize privatization, school vouchers, and religious education, threatening public schools and inclusivity.
- LAUSD students achieved record-high proficiency in English Language Arts, math, and science, surpassing pre-pandemic performance due to targeted investments.
- MIT rejected the Trump administration’s “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education,” citing concerns over academic freedom.
- Gary Tyler, a man wrongfully imprisoned for 41 years, shared his story of resilience through art and quilting in a new book.
- The Christina School Board is set to vote on removing Dr. Naveed Baqir due to prolonged absence and failure to meet residency requirements.
- Stephen Miller's introduction of the term "plenary authority" in public discourse raises concerns about its implications for democracy.
- Historical antifascist movements are celebrated, with Chicago's legacy of defiance against oppression highlighted amidst Trump’s calls for arrests of local leaders.
- The Denver school board elections are influenced by wealthy donors, including pro-charter billionaires, sparking concerns over public education's future.
- The Trump administration is accused of targeting progressive organizations and suppressing dissent, with protests planned for October 18, 2025.
- Early childhood education should focus on fostering connection and belonging rather than traditional instruction to prepare children for a divided world.
- The rise in measles outbreaks and a new COVID variant highlight ongoing public health challenges in the U.S.
Big Education Ape: A MESSAGE FROM A KINDERGARTEN TEACHER https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/10/a-message-from-kindergarten-teacher.html
A heartfelt message from a retiring kindergarten teacher reflects on the evolving struggles of educators, emphasizing the loss of respect, joy, and collaboration in teaching. The article also highlights the importance of valuing teachers and the emotional toll of their work.
### Key Points
- A kindergarten teacher reflects on her 40-year career, detailing the shift from joy and collaboration to burnout and disillusionment in teaching.
- The teacher's farewell message underscores the emotional toll of teaching and the need for more respect and understanding for educators.
- Broader discussions on public education reform and advocacy, including resources and blogs, are presented.
Article Provides Excellent Critique Of Student Evaluations In College, But Misses Obvious Solution - Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day... | The latest news and resources in education since 2007 https://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/
### Key Points
- The blog shares resources and critiques related to education, including student evaluations in college and teacher evaluations.
- Offers multiple free subscription options for accessing the blog's content.
- Weekly round-ups of useful posts and articles on educational policy issues are provided.
- Highlights resources for teaching historical empathy and celebrates significant days like World Food Day and International Day of the Girl Child.
- Weekly updates on free and useful artificial intelligence tools for classrooms are shared.
- Includes details about new books and resources authored by the writer, focusing on instructional strategies and teacher support.
- Provides insights into engaging parents in education, classroom management, and student motivation.
- Shares contributions to other platforms, such as Education Week Teacher and the New York Times Learning Network.
The Original “No Kings” Protest: Why Throwing a Tea Party Still Matters https://ru4people.substack.com/p/the-original-no-kings-protest-why
### Key Points
- The Boston Tea Party is highlighted as a historical protest against monarchy and taxation without representation, embodying the spirit of "No Kings."
- The "No Kings 2.0" movement revives this spirit, opposing modern forms of centralized and arbitrary power, such as voter suppression and economic inequality.
- A nationwide, community-driven protest is planned for October 18 to promote democracy and peaceful resistance.
- Protesters are encouraged to prepare through training sessions, such as those offered by the ACLU, focusing on safety, rights, and de-escalation strategies.
- The movement emphasizes the importance of nonviolent, lawful action to uphold democratic values.
Jersey Jazzman: Debunking David Brooks on Education https://jerseyjazzman.blogspot.com/2025/10/debunking-david-brooks-on-education.html
### Key Points
- Criticism of David Brooks' claim that No Child Left Behind significantly improved test scores, noting that test score changes depend on multiple factors beyond school policies.
- Discussion of how NCLB led to changes in teaching practices, some of which may not be desirable, and the limitations of using test scores as sole indicators of policy success.
- Analysis of state testing standards, showing that proficiency standards have generally become more rigorous over the last two decades, contrary to Brooks' claim that standards have been lowered.
- Examination of Brooks' assertion that Republican-led states outperform Democratic-led states in education, arguing that his examples are cherry-picked and fail to account for broader data and context.
- Critique of the use of adjusted scores, such as those from the Urban Institute, which do not account for varying costs of living and poverty definitions across states.
glen brown: When Justice Becomes Revenge https://teacherpoetmusicianglenbrown.blogspot.com/2025/10/when-justice-becomes-revenge.html
### Key Points
- The article accuses Trump’s Justice Department of using legal mechanisms as political weapons against opponents.
- It highlights alleged hypocrisy in targeting Trump’s critics for mortgage fraud while ignoring similar actions by his allies.
- The piece draws parallels to authoritarian practices, referencing Lavrentiy Beria’s infamous quote, “Show me the man, I’ll show you the crime.”
- The author warns that such actions undermine democracy and calls for equal application of the law to protect justice.
Screen Time and Standardized Academic Achievement Tests in Elementary School - Education Research Report https://educationresearchreport.blogspot.com/
### Key Points
- Excessive screen time in early childhood is linked to lower academic achievement in reading and math, based on a longitudinal study of children in Ontario.
- SEL programs significantly improve students' academic performance and social-emotional development, with the strongest effects seen in elementary school students.
- Increased conformity to school policies is demotivating teachers, reducing their autonomy and creativity, and contributing to teacher attrition.
- Firearms have become the leading cause of death for high school students, with urban areas seeing a rise in homicides and rural areas experiencing increased firearm-related suicides.
- The National Association of School Nurses emphasizes the importance of mandatory school immunization requirements to protect public health and reduce vaccine hesitancy.
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Highly Capable Discussion at October 8,2025 Board Meeting. https://saveseattleschools.blogspot.com/2025/10/highly-capable-discussion-at-october.html?spref=tw
### Key Points
- The HC program now includes universal screening for first and fourth graders, with additional referrals allowed at any grade level.
- Public engagement is ongoing through parent meetings, with a finalized plan for the 2026-2027 school year expected by February 2026.
- A new "demonstrated performance tool" has been introduced to identify students who may not perform well in traditional math and literacy tests, but details were not provided.
- Professional development is a focus, with over 90 elementary educators trained during the summer, and further training sessions planned.
- SPS is creating a "New to Seattle" process to allow private/charter school students to test directly into the HC program without waiting a year.
- A compacted summer math course for rising 5th graders was introduced, but details about the pilot math project were not disclosed.
- Concerns about nepotism in Seattle Schools were highlighted in a separate discussion, pointing to issues with personnel promotions based on personal connections.
FX Alien Earth is ***** of *****: When Fiction is Too Real – Cloaking Inequity https://cloakinginequity.com/2025/10/11/alien-earth-show-of-when-fiction-is-too-real/
### Key Points
- Alien: Earth reflects concerns about corporate greed and how it endangers societies, paralleling the current dominance of AI by a few corporations.
- The series explores themes of survival as a product, showing how corporations exploit technology for profit, drawing parallels to real-world reliance on AI systems.
- Alien: Earth highlights the efficiency gap created by corporate technology, showing how access to advanced tools deepens inequality.
- Corporate control in the series mirrors real-world governance challenges, where private entities prioritize profit over public welfare, undermining democracy.
- The show serves as a warning about the risks of commodifying life and allowing corporations to dominate essential technologies.
Choosing Democracy: Endorse No Kings https://choosingdemocracy.blogspot.com/2025/10/endorse-no-kings.html
Choosing Democracy discusses the importance of addressing major issues in democracy, particularly through public schooling. The article emphasizes the role of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) in supporting the "No Kings" rallies and protests against fascism. It highlights the success of the first "No Kings" protests, the need for DSA's National Political Committee to endorse the second mobilization, and the opportunity to promote socialism as a solution to fascism.
### Key Points
- The article focuses on the "No Kings" rallies and marches as a response against fascism, emphasizing the need for DSA's active participation.
- The first "No Kings" protests on June 14, 2025, were historically significant, with over five million participants. The second protests present an opportunity for DSA chapters to recruit members and promote socialism.
- A call to action is made for DSA’s National Political Committee to endorse the "No Kings" movement, aiding chapters in coordination and messaging.
- An organizing strategies call is scheduled for October 14th to discuss effective ways to maximize DSA's impact during the protests.
- The blog post is part of a broader effort by Duane Campbell and the Sacramento Progressive Alliance to address issues like anti-fascism, anti-racism, and democracy.
