DECEMBER 31, 2025
- Expiration of ACA Subsidies: Enhanced premium tax credits under the Affordable Care Act are set to expire on December 31, 2025, potentially doubling health insurance premiums for millions of Americans enrolled in marketplace plans, amid failed congressional efforts to extend them.
- Immigration Policy Changes: The Trump administration has suspended the Diversity Immigrant Visa program following a shooting incident and is auditing cases involving certain immigrants for potential denaturalization.
- Wildfires and Domestic Events: Major stories from 2025 include devastating Los Angeles wildfires and high-profile trials, marking a year of significant natural and social challenges.
- Federal Actions: U.S. airstrikes targeted alleged drug operations, alongside pledges for humanitarian aid models.
- Trump Administration Priorities: Focus on immigration enforcement, tariffs, and legislative hurdles in a divided Congress, with challenges ahead in 2026 including potential government shutdowns.
- Healthcare and Economic Legislation: Failed attempts to extend Obamacare subsidies or alternative health savings proposals highlight polarization.
- High-Profile Incidents: Assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk and related political realignments dominated discussions.
- Party Shifts: Rise of younger socialists in Democratic ranks and ongoing debates over AI regulation and filibuster rules.
- International Stance: Warnings to Hamas and support for Israel in ongoing Gaza developments.
- China-Taiwan Tensions: China's People's Liberation Army conducted large-scale "Justice Mission 2025" military drills encircling Taiwan, including live-fire exercises.
- U.S. Arms Sale to Taiwan: Approval of an $11.1 billion deal, the largest ever, including missiles and drones, amid escalating regional friction.
- Ukraine-Russia Conflict: Ongoing strikes, EU loans to Ukraine, and diplomatic efforts persist.
- Middle East Developments: U.S.-Jordan airstrikes on ISIS targets; accusations against aid organizations in Gaza; ceasefire strains.
- UN Appointments: Election of former Iraqi president Barham Salih as UNHCR chief.
- Budget Cuts and Layoffs: Schools and colleges faced significant financial challenges, including lawsuits and leadership turnover.
- Policy Overhauls: Trump administration policies sparked numerous lawsuits; shifts in higher education toward conservative curricula in some institutions.
- AI Integration: Mandates and tools for AI literacy in curricula, alongside debates over its role in teaching.
- School Choice Expansion: Growth in programs like Opportunity Scholarships and homeschooling support.
- Strong GDP Growth: U.S. economy showed resilience with accelerated third-quarter growth, driven partly by AI and consumer spending, despite inflation concerns.
- Fed Rate Decisions: Nuanced debates led to interest rate cuts, with projections for further moderation in 2026-2027.
- Job Market Slowdown: Hiring cooled, unemployment edged up, amid moderate overall expansion.
- Global Comparisons: U.S. maintained lead over China in nominal GDP, bolstered by services and tech.
- AI Boom and Acquisitions: Major deals like Meta acquiring startups and Nvidia investing in chips; new AI devices and tools emerged.
- Humanoid Robots: Advances, particularly in China, with production ramps and industry warnings of potential bubbles.
- Energy Constraints: Data center expansion highlighted electricity as a bottleneck for AI growth.
- Regulatory and Ethical Debates: Concerns over AI's societal impact, including job losses and new consumer tools.
- Flu Surge: Major upswing in cases across the U.S., hitting records in some states like New York.
- ACA Premium Crisis: Impending sharp rises due to expiring subsidies affecting millions.
- Global Milestones: Progress in disease elimination and vaccine access, contrasted by conflicts impacting health services.
- Contract Disputes: Potential disruptions in coverage networks, like Baptist Health-Cigna.
- College Football Playoffs: Ongoing bowl games and quarterfinals, including high-profile matchups on December 31.
- NFL Season Wrap-Up: Key games, coaching changes, and playoff implications as the regular season concludes.
- Individual Achievements: Awards like FIFA Player of the Year to Ousmane Dembélé; standout performances in basketball and other leagues.
- Year Reflections: Record viewership events and expansions in leagues like WNBA.
Two Florida Editorial Boards Question Setting Aside a Day to Honor Charlie Kirk https://dianeravitch.net/2025/12/30/two-florida-editorial-boards-question-setting-aside-a-day-to-honor-charlie-kirk/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- Donald Trump renamed the Kennedy Center to include his name, replacing board members with loyalists and naming himself chairman.
- The Kennedy Center was originally established as a cultural tribute to President Kennedy, with Congress naming it in his honor. Only Congress can officially change its name.
- Several performers, including Chuck Redd and Kristy Lee, canceled their appearances in protest of the name change, citing integrity and artistic freedom.
- Ticket sales at the Kennedy Center have significantly dropped since Trump’s takeover, with many productions and artists withdrawing.
- Kristy Lee received widespread public support for her decision, including monetary donations, and emphasized the importance of institutional integrity and artistic freedom.
Thom Hartmann: Trump Called His Critics "Scum." I Am Not Scum. Are You? https://dianeravitch.net/2025/12/30/thom-hartmann-trump-called-us-scum-i-am-not-scum-are-you/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- The article criticizes Donald Trump for using dehumanizing language, such as calling his critics "scum," and argues this behavior degrades public discourse.
- Leaders have a moral responsibility to set positive examples for society, as their behavior influences societal norms and children’s understanding of leadership.
- Historical examples of past U.S. presidents (e.g., FDR, Kennedy, Reagan) are contrasted with Trump’s leadership style, which the author describes as cruel and divisive.
- The article warns that normalization of dehumanizing language can lead to greater societal harm, including justifying abuses and fostering division.
- Citizens have a duty to call out harmful behavior, teach empathy, and uphold democracy to counteract the negative influence of poor leadership.
Jess Piper: Not That Kind of White https://dianeravitch.net/2025/12/30/jess-piper-not-that-kind-of-white/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- Jess Piper, a former teacher and political candidate from rural Missouri, discusses her efforts to challenge the lack of political competition and to promote a two-party system in rural areas.
- Piper critiques the traditional white-centric narrative of American history and emphasizes the need to teach the contributions and experiences of marginalized groups.
- She shares her personal journey of self-education on the history of slavery and racism in the U.S. to provide her students with a more accurate and inclusive curriculum.
- Piper condemns the perpetuation of white supremacy and racism in politics, specifically criticizing statements and actions by Missouri lawmakers and senators.
- She reflects on her role as a white person in addressing racism, taking responsibility to educate her family and community about the realities of systemic racism and historical injustices.
- Piper stresses the importance of teaching the truth about slavery and racism to combat the spread of misinformation and white supremacist ideology.
AI Makes Strange Bedfellows PETER GREENE https://curmudgucation.substack.com/p/ai-makes-strange-bedfellows
### Key Points
- University of Oklahoma student Samantha Fulnecky submitted an assignment that failed to meet requirements, choosing instead to write a religious critique unrelated to the course material.
- The instructor, Mel Curth, gave Fulnecky a zero and commented on her lack of empathy, which Fulnecky used to claim religious discrimination.
- Fulnecky bypassed academic channels and involved right-wing organizations, including Turning Point USA, which publicly criticized the university and the instructor.
- OU responded by canceling Fulnecky’s grade, deeming the instructor’s grading “arbitrary,” and removing Curth from teaching duties, raising concerns about academic freedom.
- The incident highlights tensions between academic freedom and claims of religious victimization, with critics arguing that OU mishandled the situation.
Teacher Tom: "I Know! We Can Both Be Anna!" http://teachertomsblog.blogspot.com/2025/12/i-know-we-can-both-be-anna.html
### Key Points
- Teacher Tom observes children resolving a conflict over who plays "Anna" in a pretend game, emphasizing the creativity in their resolution.
- He discusses how stories influence our understanding of the world, quoting Rebecca Solnit and Blaise Pascal to highlight how narratives shape human behavior and interactions.
- Modern storytelling, such as movies, is contrasted with oral traditions where stories evolved with each telling, promoting creativity and adaptability.
- The resolution of the children's conflict exemplifies the power of collaborative storytelling and the creation of new shared narratives.
- Teacher Tom emphasizes the value of play-based learning and offers additional resources for educators and parents.
glen brown: Trump's Administrative Scheme, Social Security Cuts, and Constitutional Violations https://teacherpoetmusicianglenbrown.blogspot.com/2025/12/trumps-administrative-scheme-social.html
### Key Points
- Donald Trump’s administration actively promoted climate denial, appointing figures like Chris Wright to key positions and overturning regulations on CO2 emissions.
- The Heritage Foundation influenced Trump’s policies, pushing anti-democratic and anti-climate agendas through initiatives like Project 2025.
- Elon Musk’s involvement in Trump’s administration contributed to the dismantling of climate programs and the promotion of libertarian ideologies.
- Trump-aligned groups sought to undermine European climate policies and influence elections, such as supporting far-right candidates in Poland and Albania.
- Big Tech companies, including Google, OpenAI, and Nvidia, have shifted from supporting climate action to backing fossil fuel expansion under Trump’s administration.
- Data centers, backed by major corporations, are driving demand for new fossil fuel infrastructure, delaying the retirement of coal plants and expanding natural gas usage.
- Nigel Farage and Reform UK collaborated with MAGA-aligned organizations to oppose climate policies in Europe and promote far-right agendas.
- Trump’s administration influenced Canadian politics, with ties to conservative groups and politicians supporting pro-oil and gas policies.
- Independent journalism, such as DeSmog and Truthdig, continues to expose the manipulation of political and environmental narratives by powerful interests.
The Cookers are Cooking. But not in Trump's kitchen. Few protests, Democrats stay hush on war criminal Netanyahu's visit. MICHAEL KLONSKY https://klonsky.substack.com/p/the-cookers-are-cooking-but-not-in
- The jazz supergroup The Cookers canceled their New Year's Eve concert at the Trump-controlled Kennedy Center, emphasizing their commitment to jazz's roots in struggle, freedom, and resistance.
- Other artists, such as Ben Folds and Issa Rae, also protested by canceling shows or resigning from Kennedy Center advisory positions.
- Amid Netanyahu's visit to meet Trump in Florida, protests against Netanyahu were widespread in Israel but minimal in the U.S., highlighting his political rejection at home versus his safer ground abroad.
- Democrats remained silent on Netanyahu's meeting with Trump, with no statements from top-tier party members despite many having ties to Israeli lobbying groups.
Lander Confirms Unity and MLC Frittered Away Stabilization Fund Now as then, they demand we TRUST them ARTHUR GOLDSTEIN https://arthurgoldstein.substack.com/p/lander-confirms-unity-and-mlc-frittered
- The Unity leadership in the UFT has been criticized for mismanaging the Stabilization Fund, originally intended to reduce health costs for members, by using it for city raises and other expenses, leading to its depletion.
- An audit by NYC Comptroller Brad Lander revealed that $4.3 billion was withdrawn from the Stabilization Fund between 2001 and 2024, including $1 billion to fund raises and other benefits, despite warnings of insolvency since 2018.
- To address the fund's financial issues, the Unity leadership and MLC proposed switching retirees to Medicare Advantage, claiming it was better than traditional Medicare, but this plan faced backlash as it included co-pays and was seen as a move to cover financial mismanagement.
- Retirees are now facing increased healthcare costs, including higher premiums and co-pays, while union leaders fail to utilize the $1 billion in the Welfare Fund to alleviate these burdens.
- Union leaders have been accused of dismissing retirees' complaints about rising costs, failing to improve benefits, and prioritizing their own interests over members' welfare.
- Calls for accountability and better leadership have been raised, with some suggesting legal actions against the current leadership for their alleged incompetence.
- The article highlights that union members are frustrated with Unity's lack of transparency and inability to negotiate effectively, and there are calls for change in leadership.