DECEMBER 18, 2025
- President Trump has escalated tensions with Venezuela by ordering a blockade on oil tankers and seizing sanctioned vessels, prompting Venezuela to appeal to the UN Security Council.
- The Senate passed the National Defense Authorization Act, raising troop pay and addressing defense priorities amid international pressures.
- Public dissatisfaction with President Trump's handling of the economy remains high, with polls showing low approval ratings on affordability issues.
- Enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies are set to expire, potentially raising insurance premiums for millions as Congress debates extensions.
- Ongoing U.S.-Venezuela confrontation dominates headlines, with Trump threatening further actions on oil and assets.
- House Republicans push health care reforms amid revolt over Obamacare subsidies, while centrist GOP members force votes on extensions.
- Former special counsel testimony highlights evidence in past election investigations, fueling political debates.
- Trump administration personnel changes, including FBI deputy director transitions, continue to make news.
- Myanmar military airstrike kills 18 civilians in Sagaing region, highlighting ongoing conflict.
- Russian missile strike in Ukraine kills four and injures dozens in Dnipro.
- Arctic records its warmest year on record, per NOAA, underscoring climate impacts.
- Failed coup attempt in Benin leads to arrests of soldiers on treason charges.
- Israel denies entry to Canadian MPs visiting the West Bank.
- U.S. Department of Education prevents $1 billion in federal student aid fraud and awards grants for literacy improvement.
- Declining international student enrollment at some U.S. universities due to immigration policies.
- Ongoing debates on AI use in schools and tools to detect cheating.
- Higher education faces budget cuts, layoffs, and enrollment challenges amid federal changes.
- Global growth resilient but fragile, with projections easing slightly into 2026 per OECD.
- U.S. job additions and interest rate discussions as Fed signals potential cuts.
- Concerns over AI investment bubble affect markets, with shifts in tech stocks.
- Netflix's major acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery reshapes entertainment industry.
- Amazon forms new unit for advanced AI, silicon, and quantum tech leadership.
- Advancements in fast-charging for devices like iPads and EVs highlight consumer tech wins.
- AI integration accelerates, with companies eyeing acquisitions and autonomous systems.
- U.S. aims to hire 1,000 tech experts for federal AI and modernization projects.
- First confirmed fatal case of alpha-gal syndrome (red meat allergy from ticks) reported.
- Global declaration adopted on noncommunicable diseases and mental health integration.
- Rising pertussis (whooping cough) cases in U.S. states amid vaccination concerns.
- Research links diet (polyphenols) to long-term heart health and explores GLP-1 drugs' effects.
- Ousmane Dembélé named 2025 FIFA Men's Player of the Year.
- Ongoing cricket: New Zealand vs. West Indies Test series; India vs. South Africa T20Is.
- NFL injuries impact playoffs, including key players like Patrick Mahomes.
- College football bowl season and Heisman Trophy highlights (Fernando Mendoza winner).
Trump's Illegal Demolition of the U.S. Department of Education https://dianeravitch.net/2025/12/17/trumps-illegal-demolition-of-the-u-s-department-of-education/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- Glenn Kessler, former Washington Post fact-checker, compiled a list of Trump's top lies in 2025, noting the difficulty due to the sheer volume of falsehoods.
- Trump falsely claimed his executive order on prescription drugs would slash prices by 200%-800%, a mathematical impossibility.
- His exaggerated claim of $20 trillion in new investments is double the official White House figure and economically unrealistic.
- Trump falsely stated that "Portland is burning to the ground," exaggerating minor incidents into a fabricated narrative.
- He accused the Bureau of Labor Statistics commissioner of manipulating job numbers without evidence, later firing her.
- Trump's economic claims about tariffs, including reducing the federal deficit by 25%, were proven false by economic experts.
- A fabricated claim about $50 million being sent to Gaza for condoms was used to justify dismantling USAID, despite the figure being false.
- Trump made misleading statements about the Department of Government Efficiency's (DOGE) savings, inflating figures to $500 billion.
- He echoed Russian propaganda regarding the Ukraine conflict, undermining U.S. support for Ukraine.
- Trump falsely accused Zelensky of misusing U.S. aid and claimed Europe contributed less to Ukraine than the U.S.
- Claims of ending "eight wars" were inflated, with many conflicts unresolved or falsely attributed to his efforts.
- Trump justified military strikes on Venezuelan boats with fabricated numbers of saved lives, unsupported by evidence.
- He falsely accused Obama, Biden, and Comey of fabricating Epstein investigation files, despite evidence to the contrary.
- Trump demolished the White House East Wing for a new ballroom, contradicting his earlier claim that no existing structure would be touched.
- The article criticizes Trump's governance style as reckless and indifferent to facts, with a pattern of deflection and misinformation.
How Jeffrey Epstein Became Wealthy: The New York Times Investigates https://dianeravitch.net/2025/12/17/how-jeffrey-epstein-became-wealthy-the-new-york-times-investigates/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- Jeffrey Epstein's financial success was unraveled through months of investigation by The New York Times reporters, revealing his transition from a high school math teacher to a multimillionaire.
- Epstein's strategy involved leveraging relationships with wealthy and powerful individuals, using tactics such as name-dropping, lying, and boasting to climb elite social circles.
- The blog post highlights the ethical and moral concerns surrounding Epstein's actions and his influence in various sectors, including philanthropy and education.
- The blog includes references to other posts discussing Epstein's connections to high-profile individuals and institutions, such as Bill Gates and MIT Media Lab.
Big Education Ape: TODAY'S TOP NEWS - YESTERDAY'S BEST BLOG POST DECEMBER 17, 2025 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/12/todays-top-news-yesterdays-best-blog_01558254620.html
### Key Points
- Former Oklahoma Rep. Dan Kirby's conviction was vacated due to unusual jury instruction critiques.
- ACA premium subsidies are set to expire, risking higher insurance costs.
- The U.S. economy added only 64,000 jobs in November, with unemployment rising to 4.6%.
- President Trump classified fentanyl as a "weapon of mass destruction" and conducted strikes on drug-trafficking boats.
- AI detection tools for cheating in schools are proliferating despite reliability concerns.
- Hunger crises in Afghanistan and deadly incidents in Morocco, Colombia, and Syria were highlighted.
- Enhanced subsidies for Obamacare are expected to lapse, creating risks for premium spikes.
- The Trump administration dismantled U.S. AID under the Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk, causing catastrophic humanitarian consequences.
- Students applying for college are advised to avoid discussing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in their essays due to Trump policies.
- The winter solstice is explored for its astronomical and cultural significance, alongside its modern-day celebrations.
- The U.S. has failed to guarantee sound education for children in immigrant detention centers, partnering with controversial for-profit companies.
- Unstructured play is essential for children’s development, fostering creativity and language skills.
- Higher education must resist authoritarianism and neoliberal influences, advocating for critical pedagogy and democracy.
- Yale historian Greg Grandin warns that Trump’s foreign policy could lead to global conflict.
- The decline in whole-book reading in schools is critiqued, with a call for a "slow school" movement.
- NYC parents oppose AI tools in schools, citing concerns over privacy, accuracy, and environmental impacts.
- Updates to school nutrition standards clarify sugar limits and grant opportunities for elementary schools.
- DEI initiatives improve organizational performance by fostering diversity and reducing mediocrity in hiring practices.
- Union leader Michael Mulgrew is criticized for lack of transparency and efforts to reduce retirees' healthcare benefits.
- Structural reforms are needed in the U.S. to prioritize children's welfare, including a National Commission on Children and child poverty reduction targets.
- A heartwarming holiday story emphasizes love, kindness, and cultural diversity during the holiday season.
Big Education Ape: MORNING NEWS UPDATE: DECEMBER 17, 2025 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/12/morning-news-update-december-17-2025.html
### Key Points
- Former Oklahoma Rep. Dan Kirby’s conviction was vacated due to jury instruction critiques.
- ACA premium subsidies are set to expire, potentially increasing health insurance costs.
- Trump's administration expanded travel bans and escalated military actions against cartels and Venezuela.
- Rising unemployment and inflation signal economic challenges in the U.S.
- Global issues include climate change, food insecurity in Afghanistan, and geopolitical tensions in Iran and Israel.
- Advances in AI, education, and medical technology drive industry shifts.
Big Education Ape: WINTER SOLSTICE 2025: THE FIRST DAY OF WINTER CELEBRATE WITH FACTS, FOLKLORE, AND HISTORY https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/12/winter-solstice-2025-first-day-of.html
Pick A School, Every School (On the NYC High School Admissions Process) https://thejosevilson.com/pick-a-school-every-school-on-the-nyc-high-school-admissions-process/ via @TheJoseVilson
### Key Points
- The NYC high school admissions process is complex and often overwhelming for families.
- The author critiques the "school choice" system, highlighting its inequities and the pressure it places on students and families.
- A shift in perspective during the author’s doctoral studies emphasized the need for every school to be a good choice, rather than focusing on providing good options for only some students.
- The author contrasts NYC's unique system with suburban areas, where school choice is less of a concern due to the availability of satisfactory schools.
- Advocacy is centered on creating equitable, high-quality schools for all students, rather than relying on short-term solutions like school choice.
- The current system disadvantages families with fewer resources, further emphasizing the need for systemic change.
Leaving the Spa for a Burning Hot Dog Stand – Cloaking Inequity https://cloakinginequity.com/2025/12/17/leaving-the-spa-for-a-burning-hot-dog-stand/
### Key Points
- Chris Lund’s metaphor of leaving a spa for a burning hot dog stand underscores the declining appeal of the U.S. for immigrants from countries with strong social systems.
- The American Dream narrative is challenged by the lack of labor protections, limited vacation time, and inadequate parental leave in the U.S. compared to Europe.
- The U.S. healthcare system is criticized for being a financial burden, contrasting with Europe’s universal healthcare model.
- Gun violence and the lack of effective safety policies in the U.S. highlight systemic failures, making the country less appealing.
- Wealth in the U.S. can insulate individuals from systemic issues, but most people face daily struggles due to a fragile social contract.
- Americans are increasingly looking abroad for better quality of life, healthcare, and stability, signaling a shift in immigration dynamics.
- The article critiques the contradiction in admiring Northern European outcomes while rejecting the policies that make them possible.
- Scapegoating immigrants for systemic issues in the U.S. is a deflection from addressing policy failures.
Teacher Tom: "Comparison is an Act of Violence" http://teachertomsblog.blogspot.com/2025/12/comparison-is-act-of-violence.html
### Key Points
- Education often transitions from accommodating children’s needs to forcing them to adapt to rigid systems.
- Traditional schooling emphasizes comparison, grading, and arbitrary standards, which can harm children’s individuality and growth.
- The real world is far more adaptable than schools, offering alternative paths and timelines, unlike the constrained educational model.
- A child-centered approach to education focused on listening and understanding can better prepare children for life.
Kids Today": Perpetually Dumb and Lazy as a Box of Rocks https://radicalscholarship.com/2025/12/17/kids-today-perpetually-dumb-and-lazy-as-a-box-of-rocks/ via @plthomasEdD
### Key Points
- The stereotype of "kids today" being dumb and lazy has persisted across generations and centuries, often reflecting adult cynicism rather than reality.
- The author’s teaching experience over decades shows that students have become increasingly capable, with more rigorous education, despite societal challenges.
- Standardized testing and self-reported data, such as NAEP scores, are criticized as flawed measures of student learning and more indicative of students' socioeconomic conditions.
- Socioeconomic inequities, such as food insecurity, housing instability, and lack of healthcare, significantly affect students' ability to engage in education.
- Adults' criticisms of youth often stem from their own nostalgia and loss of youth, rather than an objective analysis of younger generations.
- The educational system's focus on canonical texts and excessive assignments discourages students from reading for pleasure.
Rob and Carl Reiner. The apple didn't fall far from the tree. FRED KLONSKY https://fredklonsky.substack.com/p/rob-and-carl-reiner-the-apple-didnt
### Key Points
- Rob Reiner’s progressive activism and public stance are a continuation of his father Carl Reiner’s values, rooted in decency and civic responsibility.
- Carl Reiner’s upbringing in a poor Jewish neighborhood of the Bronx exposed him to political debates and activism, shaping his worldview.
- Carl Reiner defied risks during the McCarthy era by refusing to name communists to FBI agents, demonstrating courage and integrity.
- The Reiners’ public activism contrasts with the silence often chosen by the wealthy, making them targets of figures like Donald Trump.
glen brown: Why Trump Is a Continuous Threat to Our Democracy https://teacherpoetmusicianglenbrown.blogspot.com/2025/12/why-trump-is-continuous-threat-to-our.html
### Key Points
- The article reflects on the role of a writer as a critic of societal flaws, emphasizing resistance to oppression and isolation as noble pursuits.
- A detailed critique of Donald Trump’s presidency, highlighting his authoritarian tendencies, sociopathic behaviors, and threats to democracy.
- Coverage of global issues like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, ecological disasters, and global inequality.
- Discussion of societal topics such as education reform, higher education challenges, social justice, and healthcare.
- References to various themes and figures like Albert Camus, Ambrose Bierce, and cultural influences like poetry and music.
State Superintendent Tony Thurmond Announces Second Annual Convening of School Leaders and Educators to Address Rising Antisemitism and Hate https://www.cde.ca.gov/nr/ne/yr25/yr25rel53.asp
### Key Points
- State Superintendent Tony Thurmond announced the second annual "School Leadership to End Hate Winter Institute" to address rising antisemitism and hate in schools.
- The initiative is part of the broader "Education to End Hate" program, launched in 2020 to combat bias, bigotry, and racism in California schools.
- The program includes mini-grants for educator training, resources for teaching about the Holocaust and genocide, and survivor testimonies.
- The California Teachers Collaborative for Holocaust and Genocide Education, established by Senate Bill 1277, plays a key role in training educators and providing educational resources.
- Local educational agencies are encouraged to send teams of educators to participate in the institute, with registration filling up quickly.
Schools Eligible for Support and Improvement in 2025–26 2025–26 ESSA Public Release Letter - Title I, Part A (CA Dept of Education) https://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/sw/t1/essacsiltr25.asp
### Key Points
- The CDE released the 2025–26 ESSA Assistance Status Data File, detailing schools eligible for CSI, ATSI, and TSI.
- Funding applications for CSI programs will be available in early 2026, with webinars scheduled to assist schools and agencies.
- Schools eligible for CSI, ATSI, or TSI must develop improvement plans using SPSA or LCAP templates.
- Contact details for assistance with eligibility, criteria, and funding applications are provided.
- Additional resources, including the ESSA Assistance Criteria Guide and webinar registration links, are accessible on CDE web pages.
Will Cyber Charter Company Stride Run School For Texas Immigration Prison From Forbes.com PETER GREENE https://curmudgucation.substack.com/p/will-cyber-charter-company-stride
- Stride, a for-profit cyber school company, is planning to open a school in an ICE detention center in Dilley, Texas, and has posted job openings for teaching and administrative positions.
- The school aims to provide equitable, high-quality education to students at the detention facility and requires bilingual staff fluent in Spanish.
- Stride is seeking a principal with a master’s degree, educational experience, and familiarity with online education, emphasizing its virtual education business model.
Parental Roll of the Dice PETER GREENE https://curmudgucation.substack.com/p/parental-roll-of-the-dice
### Key Points
- Parenting outcomes are not always a reflection of parental effort; some children face challenges due to unpredictable factors like biology, environment, or circumstances.
- Society often blames parents for a child's struggles, seeking simple explanations to avoid confronting the randomness of life.
- Over-controlling parenting approaches, driven by fear and guilt, are often ineffective and can lead to failure.
- Psychologist Russell Barkley emphasizes that children are born with inherent traits that parents cannot entirely shape, advocating for a shepherding approach rather than an engineering mindset.
- Parents should focus on providing a supportive and nourishing environment while understanding that some outcomes are beyond their control.
- Guilt and blame should be approached with grace, and parents should maintain hope, even during challenging times.
- Total control over children’s lives is neither feasible nor desirable, as it creates an illusion of safety and undermines individuality.
Preparing K-12 leaders for the next public health crisis Education Research Report https://educationresearchreport.blogspot.com/
### Summary
The article covers various topics related to education, public health, mental health, and societal issues, including the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic in K-12 schools, adolescent drug use trends, mental health interventions for young adults, the impact of early parental involvement on children's academic development, shifts in New York's K-12 enrollment, and efforts to improve swimming skills among Black youth. It also discusses the prevalence of internet gaming disorder among boys.
### Key Points
- A new book highlights the importance of collaboration between schools, public health authorities, and community leaders during public health crises, focusing on trust, equity, and communication in K-12 schools.
- The book emphasizes building trust by addressing the needs of marginalized communities, improving communication, and combating misinformation during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Adolescent drug use in the U.S. remains at historic lows, with stable rates of abstinence from substances like marijuana, alcohol, and nicotine.
- Heroin and cocaine use among teens has slightly increased but remains significantly lower than in previous decades.
- A brief online course called the Uncertainty-Mindset Training significantly reduced anxiety and depression in young adults by improving their tolerance of uncertainty, with effects lasting up to three months.
- The Smart Beginnings program, combining PlayReadVIP and Family Check-Up, has shown long-term positive effects on children’s academic skills and cognitive development, especially in low-income families.
- New York state has seen a decline in K-12 enrollment over the past decade due to an aging population, with increases in charter school and homeschool enrollment.
- A community swimming program for Black youth in Illinois successfully improved swimming skills and created a sense of belonging, addressing racial inequities in swimming education.
- Research on internet gaming disorder (IGD) shows that one in ten boys experience gaming addiction between the ages of 10 to 18, with boys being more vulnerable due to higher engagement in competitive gaming.
The 7th Day of Boobsmas *Warning* This one has a lot of sexy fat people... some more naked than others KELLY REYNOLDS https://authorkellyrey.substack.com/p/the-7th-day-of-boobsmas
### Key Points
- Kelly Reynolds shares exclusive behind-the-scenes content for her readers, including character art, a new NSFW art scene, and a fictional character's letter to Santa.
- The newsletter highlights commissioned artwork of characters from Kelly's novels, celebrating body positivity and diversity.
- Two holiday romance book recommendations are provided, featuring unique themes such as plus-size characters, forbidden romance, and small-town settings.
- Kelly promotes her collection of spicy holiday novellas set in Los Angeles and offers access to an exclusive sapphic short story for subscribers.
- Readers are invited to join Kelly’s Facebook group, “Kelly’s Book Baddies,” for discussions, giveaways, and more.
