NOVEMBER 27, 2025
- Two National Guard Members Shot Near White House: A suspect is in custody after gunfire left two soldiers injured just blocks from the executive mansion, prompting a swift security response from the Metropolitan Police Department.
- Major Storms Sweep Across the Country: Two storm systems are bringing heavy snow to the Midwest, severe weather to the South, and widespread rain, with over 100 homes damaged by a tornado near Houston and no reported injuries.
- Justice Department Settles with RealPage on Rent Pricing: Landlords can no longer use rent-pricing software to collude on hikes via shared data, following a landmark antitrust agreement to curb housing costs.
- Federal Judge Dismisses Cases Against Comey and James: A ruling deems the prosecutor unlawfully appointed, halting probes into former FBI Director James Comey and NY AG Letitia James tied to political targeting.
- Government Shutdown Becomes Longest in U.S. History: The ongoing impasse, now surpassing previous records, stems from budget disputes and has disrupted federal operations amid post-2025 election fallout.
- Democrats Secure Wins in Key 2025 Off-Year Races: Gains in gubernatorial contests in two states bolster the party's position, with Sen. Mark Kelly issuing warnings to service members against illegal orders.
- Court Blocks Lindsey Halligan's Appointment: A federal judge rules the acting U.S. attorney's role unlawful, derailing efforts to pursue cases against perceived political foes.
- Progress in U.S.-Backed Ukraine Peace Talks: High-level Geneva negotiations yield a revised proposal received by Russia, signaling potential amendments to end the invasion.
- Hong Kong High-Rise Fire Death Toll Rises to 44: A massive blaze in a densely packed apartment complex leaves hundreds unaccounted for, with three suspects arrested in the city's worst fire in decades.
- Typhoon Kalmaegi Devastates Philippines and Vietnam: At least 142 dead and 127 missing after the storm's landfalls, with severe flooding and landslides continuing to threaten Southeast Asia.
- U.S. Airstrike Kills Three in Caribbean Drug Raid: Part of escalated military actions against traffickers, the strike targets a boat amid the ongoing war on drugs.
- EU Proposes Deeper Defense Ties with Ukraine: Amid flux in U.S. peace plans and Russian hybrid threats, the bloc eyes integrating Kyiv into its arms industry for enhanced security.
- Revised SC/ST Scholarship Guidelines Issued: India's Ministry of Social Justice updates the Top Class Scheme to boost access to higher education for marginalized students.
- U.S. Dept. of Education Unveils FIPSE Priorities: Seven new focus areas for FY 2025 aim to improve postsecondary outcomes through targeted funding competitions.
- UC Berkeley Faces Federal Review Over Protest: The Department initiates scrutiny following a violent clash at a Turning Point USA event on November 10.
- IIT Bombay Renaming Proposal Sparks Debate: Discussions on altering the institute's name gain traction, alongside student protests at VIT over a jaundice outbreak.
- U.S. Adds 119,000 Jobs in September, Unemployment at 4.4%: Delayed BLS data shows steady hiring amid shutdown impacts, though full October figures remain unavailable.
- China's Fixed-Asset Investment Drops 1.7% in 10 Months: Amid weaker retail and industrial growth, Beijing pushes domestic stimulus to counter export reliance.
- Global GDP Forecasts Raised Slightly for 2025-27: S&P Global lifts projections to 5.0% for 2025, driven by China's uptick, despite revisions down for Brazil.
- S&P 500 Up 14% YTD Amid Volatility: Market gains persist despite risks from debt, tariffs, and policy shifts, with experts warning of low volatility complacency.
- Anthropic Upgrades Claude AI with Opus 4.5: Enhancements boost coding and agentic capabilities, positioning it as a leader in advanced AI models.
- Amazon Unveils Leo Ultra Satellite Terminal: Under Project Kuiper, the device promises 1 Gbps speeds for enterprise and government use starting 2026.
- Alphabet Nears $4 Trillion Valuation: AI-driven gains accelerate stock surge, while Keysight exceeds forecasts on data center demand.
- Apple Launches iPhone 17 Series: The new lineup debuts with immersive AR features, sparking immediate pre-orders and buzz in mixed reality tech.
- Ultra-Processed Foods Linked to Global Health Decline: New research warns of rising chronic issues as these staples proliferate worldwide.
- Mediterranean Diets Prevent Chronic Constipation in Seniors: Long-term study highlights benefits beyond fiber, contrasting risks from Western diets.
- AI Adoption in Healthcare Hits 22%: Spending reaches $1.4B in 2025, led by documentation and coding tools, per HLTH conference insights.
- E. Coli from Meat Tied to 20% of UTIs: Study urges better food safety to curb infections, amid ACA open enrollment for expanded coverage.
- Saskatchewan Roughriders Win Grey Cup 25-17: The CFL champions defeat Montreal for their fifth title in thrilling fashion.
- Jannik Sinner Defends ATP Finals Title: The Italian edges Carlos Alcaraz 7-6, 7-5 in a high-stakes showdown.
- Lions Edge Giants 34-27 in OT Thriller: Jahmyr Gibbs' long TD run seals the victory, boosting Detroit's playoff hopes.
- College Football Playoff Rankings Released: No. 1 Alabama holds strong ahead of the fourth CFP reveal, with Cotton Bowl implications.
RFK Jr. Quietly Hires Anti-Vax Extremist as #2 at CDC https://dianeravitch.net/2025/11/26/rfk-jr-quietly-hires-anti-vax-dr-as-2-at-cdc/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr., as Secretary of Health and Human Services, appointed Dr. Ralph Lee Abraham, an anti-vaccine advocate, as the second-in-command at the CDC.
- Dr. Abraham, a doctor and veterinarian, previously served in Congress and as Louisiana’s Surgeon General in 2024.
- During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Abraham promoted controversial and scientifically discredited treatments like hydroxychloroquine and Ivermectin and opposed mass vaccinations.
- The appointment has been criticized as a setback for public health, intelligence, and science, undermining trust in the CDC.
Andy Borowitz: The Story that Mainstream Media Won't Touch--About "Katie Johnson" https://dianeravitch.net/2025/11/26/andy-borowitz-the-story-that-mainstream-media-wont-touch-about-katie-johnson/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- Diane Ravitch highlights Andy Borowitz's podcast, which revisits the allegations by "Katie Johnson" against Trump and Epstein.
- Kate Manne, a scholar, researched the case and created a transcript of Johnson's testimony, which adds credibility to the claims.
- Borowitz removed the paywall for the podcast episode to ensure wider access to Johnson's story.
We Will Never Learn What Is in the Epstein Files https://dianeravitch.net/2025/11/26/we-will-never-learn-what-is-in-the-epstein-files/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- Many powerful figures across political and corporate spectrums have a vested interest in keeping the Epstein files concealed.
- The files that are released will likely be heavily redacted, with key names and details omitted.
- The U.S. government uses procedural delays and exemptions rather than outright destruction to obscure evidence, creating what is termed the "Redaction Engine."
- FOIA, originally intended as a transparency tool, has been weaponized through exemptions like Exemption 1 (national security), Exemption 3 (non-existent files), and Exemption 5 (deliberative process), among others.
- The Mosaic Theory allows the government to withhold information under the guise that even harmless details might reveal larger secrets.
- Exemption 7(A) permits indefinite withholding of records under the justification of "active investigations," even if no active work is being done, creating "Zombie Investigations."
Big Education Ape: A THANKSGIVING FOR THE TRUTH: UNLEARNING THE MYTH, HONORING THE RESISTANCE https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/11/a-thanksgiving-for-truth-unlearning.html
### Key Points
- Many powerful individuals have a vested interest in keeping the Epstein files hidden from the public.
- The Trump administration announced steps to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, redistributing its responsibilities to other federal agencies, which could potentially harm public education and equity.
- Critics argue that the privatization of education and the promotion of charter schools and vouchers exacerbate inequality and undermine the original vision of public education as a democratic equalizer.
- Florida’s expansive school voucher program has been plagued by financial mismanagement, leading to a $47 million deficit and funding issues for both public and private schools.
- The Trump administration's "peace plan" for Ukraine has been criticized for favoring Russia, requiring Ukraine to cede territory and reduce its military while excluding NATO involvement.
- The H-1B visa program has been criticized for prioritizing foreign labor over investing in the U.S. workforce, contributing to systemic inequality and undermining the American Dream.
- The CDC’s revised vaccine guidance has reignited the vaccine-autism controversy, causing concerns among health experts.
- AI adoption in education is compared to the historical introduction of calculators, with concerns about its impact on critical thinking and learning processes.
- Hispanic Americans, particularly veterans, face systemic discrimination despite their significant contributions to the U.S. economy and military.
- Success Academy charter schools have been criticized for using students and staff for political lobbying, reflecting broader issues with the charter school model.
- Grassroots efforts, including teacher strikes and parental activism, are pushing back against privatization and oligarchic control of education.
- The Trump administration’s reclassification of professional degrees excludes healthcare professions like nursing from higher student loan limits, worsening workforce shortages and financial burdens.
- The U.S.-Ukraine peace talks made progress, with contentious issues left for future decisions by the presidents of both nations.
- Severe winter storms disrupted Thanksgiving travel across the U.S., causing delays and accidents.
- Public education reforms emphasize evidence-based reading programs and play-based learning, which are seen as crucial for child development.
- The Trump Mobile project, promoted as “Made in the USA,” faced credibility issues due to unfulfilled promises and misleading claims.
Big Education Ape: MORNING NEWS UPDATE: NOVEMBER 25, 2025 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/11/morning-news-update-november-25-2025_26.html
### Key Points
- President Trump announced a refined Russia-Ukraine peace plan.
- FBI investigations into Democratic lawmakers raise concerns about selective targeting.
- Trump administration escalates efforts to dismantle the Department of Education, including funding cuts and staffing reductions.
- National Parks fees for foreign visitors increased under an "America-first" policy.
- U.S. federal budget deficit rose by 10% in October 2025.
- Singapore ranks first in the Global Talent Competitiveness Index, while the U.S. drops to ninth.
- Medicare will reduce prices for 15 key drugs, including Ozempic.
- AI developments continue, with Nvidia claiming a lead over Google and new U.S. initiatives like the "Genesis Mission."
- Consumer confidence declines due to economic concerns.
- Thanksgiving travel disrupted by weather issues, including tornadoes and snow.
- Sports updates include NBA tensions, NFL parity, and college football rankings.
Big Education Ape: PUBLIC EDUCATION: THE WISDOM OF THE FOUNDING FATHERS VERSUS THE GREED OF THE BILLIONAIRE OLIGARCHY https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/11/public-education-wisdom-of-founding.html
The article discusses the systematic dismantling of public education in the United States, focusing on the Trump administration's efforts to decentralize the Department of Education and the broader privatization agenda driven by billionaire oligarchs. It contrasts the Founding Fathers' vision of education as a public good essential for democracy with the modern push to commodify education for profit, highlighting the negative consequences of privatization, including inequality, diminished civic values, and weakened democratic institutions.
### Key Points
- The Trump administration has taken steps to dismantle the Department of Education, redistributing its functions to other federal agencies, leading to inefficiencies and undermining educational equity.
- Public education was originally envisioned by the Founding Fathers as a cornerstone of democracy, ensuring an educated citizenry capable of self-governance and critical thinking.
- The Founders' vision included universal access to education, emphasizing history, civic virtue, and critical thinking, rather than compliance or job training.
- The modern privatization movement, driven by billionaires, seeks to defund public schools, promote charter schools and vouchers, and prioritize profits over educational equity.
- Privatization strategies include defunding schools, implementing high-stakes standardized testing, promoting school choice, attacking teachers' unions, and leveraging culture wars to push their agenda.
- Privatized education exacerbates inequality, increases segregation, and undermines protections for students with disabilities and low-income families.
- Billionaires like the Walton family, Bill Gates, Betsy DeVos, and Charles Koch have played significant roles in funding and pushing privatization despite their policies often failing or worsening educational outcomes.
- Evidence shows that charter schools and voucher programs often perform no better than public schools and can lead to worse outcomes, segregation, and financial fraud.
- The Department of Education plays a crucial role in ensuring educational equity, particularly for low-income students and those with disabilities, but its dismantling threatens these protections.
- Public schools serve as community anchors and promote social cohesion, equal opportunity, and democratic citizenship. Privatization undermines these roles.
- Resistance to privatization has emerged from teachers, parents, researchers, civil rights groups, and voters, highlighting the ongoing fight for public education.
- The article concludes with a call to choose between two visions of education: one as a public good essential for democracy, and the other as a privatized system that perpetuates inequality.
Big Education Ape: TODAY'S TOP NEWS - YESTERDAY'S BEST BLOG POST NOVEMBER 25, 2025 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/11/todays-top-news-yesterdays-best-blog_01722886019.html
The article compiles a wide range of news topics, covering U.S. politics, global conflicts, education, health, technology, and societal issues. It highlights significant developments, policy changes, and controversies, drawing attention to their broader implications. Key themes include education reforms, political resignations, global crises, and technological advancements.
AI Code Red: Smartness— Old, Wrong, or Automated – Cloaking Inequity https://cloakinginequity.com/2025/11/26/ai-code-red-smartness-old-wrong-or-automated/
### Key Points
- The concept of "smartness" is often mistaken for correctness, with society valuing confidence and technology over critical reflection.
- Artificial intelligence amplifies the issue by confidently delivering outdated or biased information, leading to a lack of human curiosity and critical thinking.
- "Smart" systems and policies often recycle errors and reflect societal biases, as demonstrated in flawed studies and algorithms.
- Data and information are not neutral; they are shaped by cultural assumptions and the values of their creators, which can lead to misinformation and polarization.
- Political and social divisions are exacerbated by algorithm-driven echo chambers that reinforce existing biases and worldviews.
- AI systems perpetuate past errors, as they rely on historical data without discernment, leading to automation of misinformation.
- True intelligence requires adaptability, curiosity, and the willingness to update beliefs and knowledge over time.
- Critical thinking habits, such as triangulating sources, updating information, and innovating questions, are essential for navigating the information age.
- Redefining "smartness" should emphasize adaptability, discernment, and moral intelligence over mere accumulation of facts.
Reformster Nostalgia And New Old Mistakes PETER GREENE https://curmudgucation.substack.com/p/reformster-nostalgia-and-new-old
### Key Points
- There is a resurgence of nostalgia among education reformers for past bipartisan reform efforts, but these efforts often relied on flawed ideas like heavy testing and free-market approaches.
- The education reform movement has fractured over time, with ideological divides deepening due to culture wars and shifts in priorities, leading to a decline in meaningful policy debates.
- The focus on high-stakes testing and market competition in education reform has been criticized for failing to improve education quality and instead causing harm, such as narrowing curricula and fostering compliance cultures.
- Reform efforts often dismiss the voices of teachers and fail to consider how policies play out in real classrooms, despite teachers being key to implementing change.
- The movement has been marked by an anti-public school stance, prioritizing free-market solutions over genuine improvements in education, which has led to issues like segregation and inefficient use of public funds.
- A better approach to education reform would involve including teachers in policy discussions and focusing on practical, day-to-day realities in schools.
What Are You Thankful For? (Not ONLY the guau guau, I hope) ARTHUR GOLDSTEIN https://arthurgoldstein.substack.com/p/what-are-you-thankful-for
### Key Points
- The author, originally a musician, transitioned into teaching ESL by chance and found it to be a rewarding career.
- He shares his journey of learning Spanish to connect with his students, which also led to personal milestones like meeting his wife.
- The author reflects on the impact he made on his students, sharing a heartfelt email from a former student who credited him for their success.
- He expresses gratitude for his career, retirement benefits, and the advocacy efforts of groups protecting retirees' healthcare.
- The article encourages readers to stay active post-retirement and to work toward improving conditions for future generations.
When students belong, they’re more likely to earn a degree Education Research Report https://educationresearchreport.blogspot.com/
### Key Points
- A stronger sense of belonging in college is linked to higher graduation rates. Institutions should focus on fostering academic and social integration to support student success.
- Excessive screen time in children is associated with increased ADHD symptoms and altered brain development, including reduced cortical volume and hindered brain maturation.
- Many parents have unrealistic expectations about their children becoming professional or collegiate athletes, influenced by factors like socioeconomic status, race, and the child’s athletic identity.
- Finger counting in young children supports the development of advanced math skills, and transitioning from finger counting to mental strategies by age 7 is linked to higher arithmetic performance.
- Holding underperforming schools accountable improves long-term outcomes for students, including lower arrest rates and better school climates, without significant increases in spending.
- Summer youth employment programs (SYEPs) reduce youth crime, improve educational outcomes, and foster community engagement. Expanding these programs during the school year could address economic barriers and reduce violence.
- Child firearm injuries spike after school hours, especially in disinvested neighborhoods. Community-level interventions like Safe Passage programs and youth employment can help reduce violence and provide safe spaces for children.
Teacher Tom: What Does "Classroom Management" Mean in a Play-Based Setting? https://teachertomsblog.blogspot.com/2025/11/what-does-classroom-management-mean-in.html
### Key Points
- A two-year-old boy's determination to do tasks independently illustrates the value of fostering willfulness in children.
- Willfulness in children reflects their desire to take responsibility for their lives, which is often misunderstood or suppressed by adults.
- Traditional behaviorist methods of rewards and punishments undermine intrinsic motivation and fail to foster genuine learning or self-motivation.
- Schools often prioritize extrinsic motivation over intrinsic motivation, despite research showing this approach is counterproductive.
- Educators should create varied, engaging environments that allow children to explore and learn at their own pace, focusing on intrinsic motivation.
- Replacing traditional grading and testing with "Learning Stories" emphasizes children's strengths and supports their learning journey.
- True education empowers children to take responsibility for their lives, as seen in their willful actions.
glen brown: As US hunger rises, Trump administration’s ‘efficiency’ goals cause massive food waste https://teacherpoetmusicianglenbrown.blogspot.com/2025/11/as-us-hunger-rises-trump.html
### Key Points
- The article delves into growing divisions within the MAGA movement, such as conflicts between Marjorie Taylor Greene, Laura Loomer, and Donald Trump.
- It discusses the ideological battles within the GOP, including tensions between America First populists and neoconservative factions.
- The narrative highlights the media's diminishing willingness to support Trump unconditionally, reflecting his weakening influence.
- Broader themes include opportunism in politics, the spread of misinformation, and the challenges of maintaining unity in polarized political factions.
The Elimination of the Professional Status of America’s Helpers! BY NANCY BAILEY https://nancyebailey.com/2025/11/26/the-elimination-of-the-professional-status-of-americas-helpers/
### Key Points
- The article highlights the threat to the professional status of careers in education, nursing, counseling, and other helping professions due to proposed policies under the Trump administration.
- The "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" (OBBBA) introduces student loan caps, ending programs like Grad PLUS, which could make higher education less accessible for aspiring professionals.
- De-professionalizing critical professions like teaching, nursing, and therapy will exacerbate shortages, diminish service quality, and harm society.
- The article calls for improved accessibility to education and support for these careers instead of diminishing their value.
Curmudgucation: An Excellent AI Explanation | National Education Policy Center https://nepc.colorado.edu/blog/excellent-ai-explanation
- The article discusses the tendency of humans to anthropomorphize artificial intelligence (AI), attributing intent and purpose to its outputs, which can lead to misunderstandings.
- It emphasizes that generative AI does not possess human-like intent; instead, its purpose is to generate responses that sound plausible, regardless of their correctness.
- The author, Peter Greene, uses an analogy to describe generative AI as a "bullshit artist" that aims to mimic the form of an answer rather than provide factual or accurate responses.
- The blog post is shared with permission from the author and includes a link to the original post for further engagement.
- Peter Greene is a high school English teacher and a blogger at Curmudgucation, where he shares insights on various topics, including AI in education.
Relationships First: A Skeptic’s Look at AI in Schools – Accountabaloney https://accountabaloney.com/relationships-first-a-skeptics-look-at-ai-in-schools/
### Key Points
- The author reflects on the importance of relationships in education, inspired by a visionary educator.
- Concerns about AI adoption in schools include weak evidence, potential inequities, and risks of replacing human interactions with automation.
- AI tools, such as Khan Academy's chatbot, admit inaccuracies, raising questions about their reliability as educational aids.
- The pressure to adopt AI may lead to hasty decisions without considering pedagogy, infrastructure, or evidence.
- Tech billionaires and privatization advocates are pushing AI in education, potentially undermining public schools.
- Questions are raised about AI’s environmental impact, costs, equity, and the potential increase in screen time for students.
- Governor DeSantis proposes regulations for AI in education, while skeptics suggest focusing on human connection and proven teaching methods.
- The author encourages school boards to critically evaluate AI adoption, prioritize relationships, and ask tough questions about its actual benefits.
A THANKSGIVING FOR THE TRUTH (or, How I Learned to Stop Stuffing Myself with Myth and Start Chewing on Reality) https://ru4people.substack.com/p/a-thanksgiving-for-the-truth
### Key Points
- The traditional Thanksgiving narrative often overlooks the painful history of colonization and the experiences of Indigenous peoples.
- Native communities view Thanksgiving as a National Day of Mourning, reflecting on the suffering caused by colonization, including broken treaties and cultural erasure.
- The Wampanoag people's generosity in aiding the Pilgrims is historically misrepresented, with their acts of kindness later exploited.
- Indigenous traditions of giving thanks predate Thanksgiving and emphasize gratitude for nature and community.
- Despite historical oppression, Native communities have shown resilience through activism, cultural revival, and political progress, such as Leonard Peltier’s recent clemency.
- The essay advocates for combining gratitude with truth-telling about history, making room for both grief and celebration in Thanksgiving traditions.
