OCTOBER 22, 2025
- Decline in Violent Crime and Improved Homicide Clearance Rates: Philadelphia has seen a sharp drop in violent crime, mirroring trends in other cities, with police solving homicides at the highest rate in over a decade, making it harder for perpetrators to evade capture. This progress highlights broader national efforts in urban policing and community safety.
- Delayed Social Security COLA Announcement: The Social Security Administration has postponed its 2026 cost-of-living adjustment reveal until October 24 due to the ongoing government shutdown, with early estimates pointing to a 2.7% increase for beneficiaries.
- Miami's Underwater Art Reef Project: The Reefline initiative launches its first phase off Miami Beach, featuring 22 concrete car sculptures designed to foster coral growth, blending art, environmental restoration, and tourism.
- Government Shutdown Enters Day 21: The U.S. federal shutdown continues to disrupt operations, with unease among Republicans over the Trump administration's tactics to weaponize furloughs for political leverage, including threats of layoffs to push priorities. Senate GOP proceeds with fundraisers amid furloughs.
- No Immediate Trump-Putin Summit: White House officials confirm no near-term meeting between Presidents Trump and Putin, following a recent phone call between Secretaries Rubio and Lavrov described as "productive."
- NYC Mayoral Debate Heats Up: Leading candidates clashed over leadership experience and strategies for handling federal policies under Trump, as the race intensifies post-Mayor Adams' campaign suspension.
- Gaza Aid Crisis Worsens: The UN World Food Programme warns that famine in northern Gaza persists, with aid unable to reach all in need unless all border crossings fully reopen, amid ongoing conflict and humanitarian blockades.
- India's Heavy Rains and Flood Alerts: Tamil Nadu and other states face orange and yellow weather alerts until October 24 due to moisture from the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea, causing widespread waterlogging and disruptions.
- Bihar's Dynasty Politics in Elections: Despite rhetoric against it, major parties in poll-bound Bihar continue allocating tickets to family members of influential leaders, raising concerns over democratic erosion.
- AI Integration Accelerates in U.S. Classrooms: By October 2025, AI tools like personalized learning platforms and virtual tutors are mainstream, with Microsoft's Copilot driving a 275% boost in student-led learning in some districts; however, only 22 states have AI guidelines, leaving many schools to improvise.
- Post-Diwali School Reopenings Vary by State: Most Indian schools resume on October 22 after Diwali holidays, but states like Telangana and Andhra Pradesh extend closures due to heavy rains, while others like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka reopen fully.
- IIM Lucknow's Strong Placement Season: The institute secured over 580 summer internship offers for its PGP and Agribusiness batches, with top recruiters including Adobe, BCG, and Reliance, signaling robust demand for business talent.
- Global Growth Steady but Slowing: IMF projects 3.3% global GDP expansion for 2025 and 2026, unchanged from prior forecasts, with U.S. upward revisions offsetting declines elsewhere; emerging markets to grow above 4%.
- U.S. Tariffs Delay Trade Impact: WTO forecasts a sharper goods trade slowdown later due to 2025 stockpiling ahead of new tariffs, with full effects hitting post-front-loading phase.
- EU Inflation Ticks Up: Eurozone consumer prices rose 2.2% year-over-year in September, the highest since April, driven by services; core inflation holds at 2.3%.
- Meta's Massive Data Center Financing: Meta secures $27 billion from Blue Owl Capital for its largest global AI-powered data center, intensifying the tech race for infrastructure to support generative AI demands.
- OpenAI Launches AI Browser Atlas: OpenAI challenges Google with its new AI-driven browser, aiming to redefine web navigation through intelligent search and personalization features.
- Anthropic-Google Cloud Deal Talks: Negotiations underway for a multi-billion-dollar cloud partnership to bolster AI model training and deployment, highlighting Big Tech's deepening alliances.
- CKM Syndrome Awareness Gap: A new AHA survey reveals nearly 90% of U.S. adults are at risk for cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome—linking heart, kidney, diabetes, and obesity issues—but most are unaware, heightening dangers of heart attack and stroke.
- Breakthrough Cancer Therapy Emerges: Researchers develop a targeted treatment that halts tumor growth without harming healthy cells, offering hope for less invasive oncology options.
- Low-Dose Radiation for Osteoarthritis: Korean studies show mild radiation therapy significantly reduces knee pain and improves mobility in early-stage patients, using doses far below cancer treatments.
- College Football Week 8 Highlights: No. 13 Notre Dame defeats No. 20 USC 34-24 behind strong quarterback play; No. 18 Virginia edges Washington State 22-20 on a tiebreaking safety; NFL sees Browns dominate Dolphins 31-6.
- U.S. Gymnast Tops Worlds All-Around: Dulcy Caylor leads American women with the highest score at the gymnastics world championships, positioning the U.S. strongly for Olympic contention.
- El Clásico Looms in UCL: Real Madrid faces Barcelona in a high-stakes La Liga clash on October 22, part of a packed October with Champions League matches and World Cup qualifiers intensifying global football schedules.
Trump Demands That Justice Department Pay Him $230 Million for Investigating Him https://dianeravitch.net/2025/10/21/trump-demands-that-justice-department-pay-him-230-million-for-investigating-him/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- Diane Ravitch's memoir, "An Education," is officially published, detailing her personal and professional evolution.
- Ravitch shares her journey from a conservative proponent of education reforms to a staunch advocate for public schools, equity, and democracy.
- The memoir critiques privatization in education, exposing the influence of billionaires on charter and voucher movements.
- The book is available for purchase, and Ravitch has planned events to discuss its contents.
Trump Demolishes East Wing of the White House. This Makes Me Sick! https://dianeravitch.net/2025/10/21/trump-demolishes-east-wing-of-the-white-house-this-makes-me-sick/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- Diane Ravitch criticizes Donald Trump for demolishing the East Wing of the White House to build a large ballroom, calling it disrespectful and undemocratic.
- Trump bypassed the established legal and procedural requirements for modifications to the White House, ignoring oversight and acting unilaterally.
- Readers express their frustration, comparing the act to an assault on history, and propose restoring the White House after Trump's term.
Trump's "Compact" for Higher Education Flops; 7 of 9 Universities Reject It, So Far https://dianeravitch.net/2025/10/21/186334/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- The Trump administration proposed a "Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education," requiring universities to adopt standardized admissions and limit foreign student intake while promoting ideological diversity.
- The Compact was criticized for undermining academic freedom, violating institutional independence, and imposing intrusive government regulations.
- Seven of the nine invited universities, including MIT, Brown, and USC, rejected the Compact, with only two institutions still in dialogue.
- Scholars across the political spectrum voiced strong opposition, emphasizing the Compact's incompatibility with academic freedom and self-determination.
Book Review :: An Education: How I Changed My Mind About Schools and Almost Everything Else by Diane Ravitch - NewPages.com https://www.newpages.com/blog/books/book-reviews/an-education-by-diane-ravitch/
An Education: How I Changed My Mind About Schools and Almost Everything Else: Ravitch, Diane: 9780231220293: Amazon.com: Books https://www.amazon.com/Education-Changed-Schools-Almost-Everything/dp/0231220294?
Big Education Ape: OH, WHAT A TANGLED WEB WE WEAVE: THE LEGAL TANGLES OF AI IN A BRAVE NEW WORLD https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/10/oh-what-tangled-web-we-weave-legal.html
### Key Points
- AI copyright debates focus on authorship and ownership of AI-generated works, with U.S. law reserving copyright for human-created content.
- Global differences in AI copyright recognition, with China and the EU taking distinct approaches.
- Legal disputes arise over AI training data usage, with creators and media outlets suing AI companies over unauthorized use.
- Deepfakes raise issues of defamation, impersonation, and liability, prompting legislative proposals like the No AI FRAUD Act.
- Businesses face challenges in branding with AI-generated logos and slogans due to copyright and trademark concerns.
- Liability for AI-related errors remains unclear, with traditional tort laws struggling to adapt to AI's complexity.
- Efforts to regulate AI include proposals like the Generative AI Copyright Disclosure Act and the EU's AI Act.
Big Education Ape: MORNING NEWS UPDATE: OCTOBER 21, 2025 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/10/morning-news-update-october-21-2025.html
### Key Points
- Former President Trump demands $230 million from the Department of Justice for investigations against him.
- The U.S. government shutdown continues into its third week, delaying paychecks, halting legislative progress, and affecting social services like Social Security and Affordable Care Act subsidies.
- California sues the Trump administration over tariffs, claiming political motivations violate trade laws.
- President Trump and Australian PM Albanese sign a rare earths pact to counter China's dominance in mining and processing critical minerals.
- Gaza faces worsening famine as aid is restricted; ceasefire talks remain fragile.
- Japan elects its first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, marking a historic moment in leadership.
- AI tools transform U.S. classrooms, boosting learning outcomes but facing enrollment declines post-pandemic.
- Apple's stock hits a record high due to strong iPhone 17 sales, and the new M5 chip enhances AI and graphics performance.
- WHO reports accelerating antimicrobial resistance, raising global health concerns.
- U.S. Department of Education furloughs staff amid the shutdown, delaying operations and grants.
- Sports highlights include Indiana's rise in college football rankings and LSU's baseball championship celebration.
Big Education Ape: TODAY'S TOP NEWS - YESTERDAY'S BEST BLOG POST OCTOBER 21, 2025 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/10/todays-top-news-yesterdays-best-blog_0167558186.html
### Key Points
- Donald Trump demanded $230 million from the Department of Justice for investigating him.
- The federal government shutdown, now in its third week, has delayed Social Security adjustments and critical programs like WIC.
- Nationwide "No Kings" protests against authoritarianism and Trump’s policies saw participation in over 2,600 cities.
- A federal court approved National Guard deployment to Portland amid unrest.
- Trump began demolishing the White House East Wing for a $250 million ballroom project without full approval.
- Senate Republicans failed to pass a funding bill, highlighting partisan divides during the shutdown.
- China's Communist Party Plenum focused on economic and trade goals amidst U.S. tariff threats.
- The UN warned of famine in northern Gaza due to restricted aid access.
- Stride Inc., a for-profit cyber charter school operator, faced allegations of prioritizing profits over education standards, leading to contract termination in New Mexico.
- Leaked chats revealed racist, anti-Semitic, and sexist rhetoric from Young Republican leaders, with GOP figures trivializing the behavior.
- New Hampshire's education funding system remains inequitable, heavily reliant on local property taxes, and resistant to reform.
- The IMF projected global GDP growth at 3.2% for 2025, with trade tensions and inflation tempering progress.
- Samsung unveiled a new mixed-reality headset, and Huawei advanced its 5G-A technology despite U.S. restrictions.
- Researchers developed a cancer therapy targeting tumor growth without harming healthy cells.
- "No Kings" protests emphasized peaceful resistance to authoritarianism, with millions participating.
- Margaret Spellings continues advocating for criticized No Child Left Behind policies, emphasizing standardized testing.
- Cellphone bans in schools improved test scores and reduced absences but initially increased suspensions.
- The decline in pleasure reading is attributed to disrupted learning and an overemphasis on testing, rather than a literacy crisis.
- The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to MarÃa Corina Machado for her advocacy for democracy in Venezuela.
- Susan Stamberg, NPR’s “Founding Mother,” was celebrated for her contributions to public broadcasting.
Big Education Ape: TODAY'S TOP NEWS - YESTERDAY'S BEST BLOG POST OCTOBER 20, 2025 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/10/todays-top-news-yesterdays-best-blog_01598032072.html
The article provides an extensive overview of recent political, social, and educational developments, focusing on protests against authoritarianism, critiques of Donald Trump's policies, challenges in public education, and advancements in technology and health. It highlights the intersection of activism, education reform, and societal issues in the U.S. and globally.
Trump Continues to Impose His Ideology on Universities by Withholding Federal Research Dollars https://janresseger.wordpress.com/2025/10/21/trump-continues-to-impose-his-ideology-on-universities-by-withholding-federal-research-dollars/ via @janresseger
### Key Points
- The Trump administration offered a compact to nine universities, tying federal research funding to compliance with conservative policies, including restrictions on diversity initiatives and gender definitions.
- Most universities, including MIT, Brown, and the University of Virginia, rejected the compact, citing concerns over academic freedom and research integrity.
- The administration has used investigatory powers and funding freezes to pressure universities, framing them as ideologically hostile while critics argue this violates the First Amendment and undermines academic independence.
- The compact and associated measures have disrupted research funding, with some projects being paused or terminated, affecting fields like renewable energy and agriculture.
- Critics view the administration's actions as an overreach of power, equating them with attempts at thought control and ideological enforcement in higher education.
Thank You — No, Really. THANK YOU. – Cloaking Inequity https://cloakinginequity.com/2025/10/21/thank-you-no-really-thank-you/
### Key Points
- The author reflects on the unexpected recognition and connections he has made through his writing, emphasizing the impact of words in building bridges.
- Writing about leadership, equity, and justice involves navigating uncertainty and turning confusion into opportunities for understanding and collaboration.
- Encounters with readers affirm the value of shared ideas and their adaptation in diverse contexts, highlighting the communal nature of progress.
- Leadership is portrayed as a journey through uncertainty, where admitting confusion fosters creativity, collaboration, and growth.
- Writing serves as a medium for participation, not performance, aiming to inspire honest conversations and shared learning in challenging times.
- The pursuit of justice is ongoing, requiring collective action, integrity, and hope to create meaningful social change.
- The author expresses gratitude for the dialogue and support from readers, which motivates him to continue exploring themes of equity and leadership.
Seattle Schools Community Forum: The Seattle School Board Needs To Do Right by the ... https://saveseattleschools.blogspot.com/2025/10/the-seattle-school-board-needs-to-do.html?spref=tw
### Key Points
- A former SPS student sued the district for a 2018 incident where a teacher punched him in class.
- The teacher, James Miller Johnson, had a documented history of abuse, yet SPS hired and retained him despite complaints.
- Johnson was only suspended for five days after the incident, while the student faced a 15-day suspension.
- SPS admitted negligence in court but denied full liability, arguing the teacher’s actions were outside the scope of employment.
- Leadership decisions, including transferring Johnson to other schools, contributed to the issue, with nepotism and mismanagement highlighted.
“Constant Anxiety’: What a Chicago Teacher Witnesses as ICE Swarms” Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day... | The latest news and resources in education since 2007 https://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/
### Key Points
- Highlights of recent posts on topics like anxiety in education, poverty studies, and weekly classroom instruction resources.
- Addition of new visual and video resources, such as infographics on poverty, nuclear warhead stockpiles, and biodiversity.
- Insights into qualities of successful innovators and the implications of outsourcing entry-level work to AI in education.
- Weekly round-ups of educational policy articles and AI tools for classroom use.
- Overview of books offering research-based instructional strategies across various subjects and levels, including ELL, Social Studies, Math, and Science.
- Additional resources such as Q&A-style classroom management tips, parental involvement strategies, and lesson plans for student motivation.
- Links to the author’s other works, including blogs, radio shows, and contributions to major educational platforms like Education Week and the New York Times.
Mystery AI Hype Theater 3000: Friends Don't Let Friends Prompt | National Education Policy Center https://nepc.colorado.edu/blog/friends-dont
### Key Points
- The author discusses the use of ChatGPT for writing professional emails and highlights concerns like missed opportunities for skill development, loss of personal voice, and environmental costs.
- Arguments are presented against using AI tools like Midjourney for image synthesis, focusing on issues such as theft of artistic work, labor exploitation, and environmental impact. The broader impact of supporting AI systems is also explored.
- The article emphasizes the importance of acts of refusal against corporate AI integration, comparing it to the challenges of avoiding plastic in modern systems.
Teacher Tom: "There is No Reality Except Action" https://teachertomsblog.blogspot.com/2025/10/there-is-no-reality-except-action.html
### Key Points
- Young children demonstrate an admirable ability to commit fully to their choices without regret or hesitation.
- Adults often struggle with letting go of the past or overthinking future decisions, leading to indecision and dissatisfaction.
- Reality is shaped by action and commitment, not by dwelling on lost opportunities or hypothetical alternatives.
- The author draws inspiration from the decisiveness of a two-year-old, emphasizing the importance of embracing action in life.
glen brown: Hamas terrorists, illegal aliens, and violent criminals... and antifa too! by Jennifer Rubin https://teacherpoetmusicianglenbrown.blogspot.com/2025/10/hamas-terrorists-illegal-aliens-and.html
- The article critiques the rhetoric of MAGA Republicans, including Trump and his allies, who label Democrats and various groups as "terrorists" or "anti-American," arguing this is a strategy to demonize opposition and consolidate power.
- It highlights the peaceful protests of millions of Americans during "No Kings Day," emphasizing their commitment to democracy and anti-fascism, contrasting it with the violent actions of January 6th.
- The piece accuses Trump and his allies of hypocrisy, using divisive language while fostering authoritarian policies, and targeting groups like immigrants, veterans, and educators.
- Anti-fascism is framed as a unifying and patriotic stance, likened to historical struggles against oppression such as WWII and the civil rights movement.
- The author calls for rejecting slurs and divisive rhetoric, urging continued resistance to authoritarianism and support for democratic principles.
CURMUDGUCATION: Can They Fix Chatbot Bias? https://curmudgucation.blogspot.com/2025/10/can-they-fix-ai-bias.html
### Key Points
- OpenAI conducted an experiment to measure political bias in ChatGPT by asking questions with varying levels of bias and analyzing the bot's responses.
- The study identified five types of biased responses: counter-bias, escalation, personal political expression, asymmetric coverage, and political refusals.
- A significant finding was that liberal-biased questions often elicited the most biased responses. OpenAI aims to address this issue, though the methodology and success criteria remain unclear.
- The article critiques the assumption that unbiased AI answers are achievable, given the subjective nature of many topics like culture, identity, and historical events.
- The notion that AI bias can be adjusted highlights its inherent presence and raises concerns about who controls the adjustments and their alignment with specific ideologies.
- The author argues that AI’s perceived objectivity is a myth, as biases from human-generated data and developers inevitably influence responses.
OH WHAT A TANGLED WEB WE WEAVE: THE GLORIOUSLY CONFUSING LEGAL TANGLES OF AI https://ru4people.substack.com/p/oh-what-a-tangled-web-we-weave-the
### Key Points
- The rise of generative AI has created confusion around copyright and authorship, with AI-generated works often considered public domain unless significant human input is involved.
- AI models are trained on copyrighted content scraped from the internet, leading to lawsuits from creators and companies like Disney over infringement concerns.
- Liability for AI-generated outputs, including deepfakes and defamatory content, remains unclear due to the opaque decision-making of AI systems, often leaving users responsible.
- Until clearer regulations emerge, users bear the primary legal risk for AI-generated content, though some platforms offer indemnification to mitigate this.
- The legal system is slowly addressing these issues through court rulings, legislation, and industry practices, but the process is expected to be lengthy and complex.
LMS Account Setup & Site Overview Webinars This new Learning Management System (LMS) will be the primary venue for delivering training content and to satisfy annual mandatory training hours. https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/nu/lmsacctsetupwebinar.asp
### Key Points
- The new LMS will serve as the main platform for training content and satisfying annual mandatory training hours.
- Webinars are available to guide users through account setup and provide an overview of the LMS site.
- Registration is required for the webinars, and attendees will receive a confirmation email with details.
- The LMS is designed for Child Nutrition Program Operators and Food Service Management Contract staff.
- Attendees are encouraged to download the LMS Account Setup Job Aid prior to the webinar.
- Accessibility features include live captioning and reasonable accommodations for participants with disabilities.
- The course offers one instructional hour in Professional Standards, focusing on training plans and tracking.
- Contact information for questions is provided, including an email and phone number.
- Related content includes resources for School Nutrition Program professionals and announcements about new legislation.
Seeing Children: Why the Family Frame Isn’t Enough https://brucelesley.substack.com/p/seeing-children-why-the-family-frame
### Key Points
- The "family frame" in advocacy unintentionally makes children invisible in policy discussions, reducing empathy and resources for them.
- The "parental rights" movement often isolates parents, politicizes schools, and silences children, consolidating adult authority under the guise of protecting families.
- Framing social policies around families instead of children shifts focus to adults' "deservingness," which weakens public empathy and support for programs benefiting children.
- Research shows that centering children in policy framing restores moral clarity and increases public support for initiatives like the Child Tax Credit and SNAP.
- Media and policymakers often focus on parents, erasing children from discussions and reinforcing adultism, which marginalizes children's voices and needs.
- Adultism, or the privileging of adults over children, is a structural issue that filters children's needs through adult perspectives, limiting their agency and rights.
- Federal budget allocations for children have significantly declined, while spending on adults, such as through Social Security, has increased.
- The failure to extend the expanded Child Tax Credit led to a sharp increase in child poverty, demonstrating the consequences of adult-centered policymaking.
- Children’s needs and rights often diverge from those of adults in areas like protection from harm, health, education, and civic participation.
- A "children-first" frame prioritizes children’s well-being, visibility, and rights, ensuring policies are designed with their unique needs in mind.
- Naming children explicitly in policies and budgets, empowering their voices, and prioritizing early investments are essential steps to create a more equitable society.
- Recognizing children as distinct rights-holders reaffirms democratic responsibility and ensures policies are fair and inclusive.
Schools Matter: What Was the East Wing of the People’s House http://www.schoolsmatter.info/2025/10/what-was-east-wing-of-peoples-house.html
### Key Points
- James Coleman emphasized that a child's learning is influenced more by classmates than teachers.
- The blog discusses various topics such as poverty's impact on education, the increasing focus on testing, and political issues affecting schools.
- The archive showcases extensive writings on education reforms, testing, and societal challenges from 2005 to 2025.
- Reviews and essays critique education policies like NCLB, testing culture, and the role of teacher education.
