NOVEMBER 29, 2025
- National Guard Shooting in Washington, D.C.: A 29-year-old Afghan national, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, allegedly shot two National Guard members near the White House, killing one (Emily Carter) and critically injuring the other (Andrew Wolfe). The suspect, who arrived via Biden's Operation Allies Welcome and was granted asylum under Trump, faces first-degree murder charges, sparking a nationwide investigation.
- Excessive Parking Spaces in U.S. Cities: Estimates reveal up to six parking spots per vehicle nationwide, with more urban square footage dedicated to cars than housing, highlighting infrastructure inefficiencies.
- Scam Ads on Facebook Impersonating Media: Publishers filed a complaint against Meta for hosting fraudulent ads mimicking journalists and brands, causing financial harm; Meta removed over 134 million such ads in 2025.
- Trump's Immigration Freeze Announcement: Following the D.C. shooting, President Trump vowed a "permanent pause" on migration from "Third World countries," intensifying anti-immigrant rhetoric and ensuring immigration dominates 2026 midterms.
- USCIS Reexamines Green Cards from 19 Countries: The immigration agency launched reviews of green card holders from "countries of concern" post-shooting, targeting potential security risks.
- Project 2025 Hacked Materials Reveal Extremist Influences: Leaked documents from the Heritage Foundation show applicants citing Nazi theorists and far-right thinkers, exposing radical elements in Trump's talent pipeline.
- Retired Judges Warn of Eroding Rule of Law: Former judges highlight faltering democracy guardrails under Trump, citing threats to judiciary and weakened legal norms.
- Deadly Fire in Hong Kong High-Rise: A blaze at Wang Fuk Court killed at least 279, with residents warning officials for over a year about flammable panels; government inaction criticized amid rising death toll.
- Sudan Conflict Escalates with Hospital Attacks: Nearly 500 killed in al-Fashir's last hospital during paramilitary takeover; over 28,000 dead since 2023, displacing millions.
- Measles Outbreaks Surge Globally: 59 countries reported large outbreaks in 2024, tripling from 2021; Americas lost elimination status in November 2025 despite 88% death drop since 2000.
- Pope Leo XIV Joins Orthodox Commemoration: The pontiff travels to mark a key Christian history moment, fostering ecumenical ties.
- U.S. Department of Education Unveils FY 2025 Priorities: Seven new focuses under the Fund for Improvement of Postsecondary Education aim to enhance access and equity.
- Student Loan Forgiveness Processing Resumes: The Department restarts discharges for income-driven repayment borrowers, with successes reported for those hitting 240-300 payment milestones.
- Texas Curriculum Adoption Faces Pushback: Publishers encounter resistance on SEL, CRT, and climate topics in the 2025 K-12 materials list for the second-largest U.S. market.
- Immigrant Student Anxiety Rises: A national survey shows increased absences and stress among students from immigrant families amid policy uncertainties.
- Americans Cut Holiday Spending Amid Trump-Era Fears: Rising prices, tariffs, and unemployment lead to boycotts like Black Friday skips, with readers citing economic instability.
- India's GDP Surges 8.2% Despite U.S. Tariffs: Fastest growth in 18 months driven by consumer spending and pre-festival production, exceeding forecasts of 7.3%.
- China's Fixed-Asset Investment Declines 1.7%: First 10 months of 2025 show weakening retail and industrial growth, challenging export-dependent economy.
- Thailand's SET Index Flat Amid Floods and Trade Pressures: Minimal gains as southern flooding and U.S. policies hit industry and tourism.
- Turkmenistan Legalizes Crypto Assets: New law regulates exchanges and mining, issuing licenses to integrate digital assets into the economy.
- Airbus A320 Software Update Risks Disruptions: Mandatory fix for global fleets could cause operational issues for airlines.
- Huawei and ZTE Secure Vietnam 5G Deals: Post-U.S. tariffs, warming China-Vietnam ties enable major telecom contracts.
- StrictlyVC 2025 Series Finale Event: Insights from VCs like Pat Gelsinger on AI investments and tech builders.
- Bird Flu's Heat Resistance Explained: PB1 gene allows avian viruses to replicate at fever temperatures, unlike human flu, per new research.
- CBD Use Common in Older Dogs: Survey of 47,000 pets shows it's primarily for chronic issues in seniors.
- Beta-Blockers Ineffective Post-Heart Attack: Meta-analysis finds no benefit for patients with preserved ejection fraction, presented at AHA Sessions.
- Toxic Metals in Children's Toys: Brazilian study detects high barium and lead levels in popular items.
- Lakers vs. Mavericks NBA Cup Clash: Luka Dončić returns to face former team; Anthony Davis nears comeback amid injury battles for both sides.
- Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo Status Uncertain vs. Knicks: Adductor strain clouds availability in crucial Cup game during six-game skid.
- Hornets' LaMelo Ball Cleared vs. Bulls: Fully available, boosting Charlotte against a Bulls team potentially missing seven players.
- Nuggets' Nikola Jokić Confirmed vs. Spurs: Three-time MVP (29.6 PPG) leads 13-4 Denver in key matchup.
The 1991 Film About Trump That Was Banned https://dianeravitch.net/2025/11/28/the-1991-film-about-trump-that-was-banned/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- The blog introduces a banned 1991 documentary about Donald Trump, shedding light on his controversial business practices.
- Comments reflect on Trump’s reputation as a promoter and his history of over-leveraging investments and financial struggles.
- The blog critiques the continued admiration for investors who fall for deceptive business practices.
Happy Thanksgiving! Thoughts for 2025, Now https://dianeravitch.net/2025/11/27/happy-thanksgiving-5/ via @dianeravitch
This article by Diane Ravitch reflects on the importance of gratitude, kindness, and generosity during Thanksgiving while addressing social issues like immigration, diversity, and democracy. It emphasizes the need for compassion, tolerance, and action to support marginalized groups and maintain societal unity.
### Key Points
- Diane Ravitch encourages gratitude for family, health, and democracy, while urging action to support those less fortunate.
- The article criticizes the normalization of armed patrols and violence against immigrants, calling for comprehensive immigration reform and rejecting bigotry.
- It highlights the strength of diversity in American society, emphasizing that banning the concept of diversity does not change its reality.
- Historical references underline how diversity contributed to the success of the American Revolution, contrasting it with current resistance to inclusion.
- Comments from readers praise Diane Ravitch’s advocacy for public education and the importance of equity and inclusion policies.
- The discussion touches on immigration limits and the role of Congress in creating a legal path for immigrants while debating border security.
Big Education Ape: PROJECT ICEBERG: IS YOUR JOB SAFE FROM AI? (SPOILER ALERT: IT'S COMPLICATED) https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/11/project-iceberg-is-your-job-safe-from.html
### Key Points
- AI has the potential to replace nearly 12% of the U.S. workforce, equating to $1.2 trillion in wages.
- The "Iceberg Index" measures skill overlap between AI and humans, identifying industries at risk.
- AI disruption is not limited to tech hubs; industries in finance, healthcare, and professional services are heavily exposed.
- Companies like HP, IBM, Amazon, Salesforce, Klarna, and Fiverr are already leveraging AI to cut jobs and increase efficiency.
- Jobs most at risk include routine, cognitive, and administrative roles such as HR, logistics, customer service, finance, and paralegal work.
- Jobs relatively safe from AI include healthcare professionals, skilled trades, teachers, creative professionals, emergency responders, and AI specialists.
- To future-proof careers, workers should focus on lifelong learning, developing human-centric skills like emotional intelligence and creativity, and considering career pivots.
- Governments worldwide are responding to AI disruption with varying policies, including the EU's AI Act, U.S. state-specific regulations, and China's dual approach of innovation and control.
- Widespread AI deployment raises cultural and environmental concerns, such as skill devaluation, social inequality, and high energy consumption.
- The article emphasizes the need for individuals, employers, and policymakers to adapt to AI's impact and ensure its benefits are equitably distributed.
Big Education Ape: TODAY'S TOP NEWS - YESTERDAY'S BEST BLOG POST NOVEMBER 28, 2025 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/11/todays-top-news-yesterdays-best-blog_01593071724.html
### Key Points
- Donald Trump exploited the National Guard shooting to push anti-immigration narratives, raising concerns about lawless policies.
- Two National Guard members were shot in D.C., with an Afghan national suspected, sparking security debates.
- Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade returned to pre-pandemic scale, drawing massive crowds in New York City.
- The 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season ended without any U.S. landfalls for the first time in a decade.
- FEMA faces restructuring under the Trump administration, raising concerns about disaster response priorities.
- The longest U.S. government shutdown ended, but economic data gaps linger, complicating assessments.
- Trump's Ukraine peace plan shows progress, with minor disagreements remaining.
- California emerges as a political battleground due to redistricting and tensions between Gov. Newsom and Trump.
- A deadly fire in Hong Kong led to arrests of construction executives amid investigations.
- Floods and landslides in Sri Lanka caused 56 deaths, while recovery efforts continue.
- Sudan's conflict escalated, with over 28,000 deaths since 2023 and millions displaced.
- Typhoon Kalmaegi caused devastation in the Philippines, with 142 dead and 127 missing.
- Texas faced pushback over curriculum adoption, with debates on SEL, CRT, and climate topics.
- A national survey revealed heightened anxiety among immigrant students due to policy uncertainties.
- Medicare drug price cuts targeted 15 medications, including treatments for asthma and cancer.
- Ultra-processed foods were linked to 12 major health risks, urging dietary changes.
- Thanksgiving reflections highlighted gratitude, resilience, and the need for social equity and justice.
- Thanksgiving myths were challenged, emphasizing the genocide and struggles of Native Americans.
- Leonard Peltier's clemency symbolized hope for Indigenous justice and activism.
- Public education faces threats from privatization, with calls for equity and resistance to oligarchic control.
- AI misuse in education raises concerns, emphasizing the need for human-centered approaches.
- The competitive nature of securing preschool spots highlights growing inequality in early education.
- A Tennessee congressional district shows signs of flipping to Democrats, reflecting national momentum.
- Thanksgiving reflections stressed personal resilience and gratitude amidst challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic.
- AI tools in education, like Grammarly and Turnitin, were criticized for undermining authentic learning.
Big Education Ape: MORNING NEWS UPDATE: NOVEMBER 28, 2025 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/11/morning-news-update-november-28-2025.html
### Key Points
- Donald Trump calls for stricter immigration policies after a National Guard shooting involving an Afghan national.
- FBI expands investigation into the DC shooting, labeling it as terrorism.
- Major winter storm disrupts travel across the Midwest with heavy snowfall.
- Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade marks a return to post-pandemic holiday traditions.
- Controversial Ukraine peace proposal sparks backlash among European leaders.
- Cyclone Ditwah causes devastation in Sri Lanka and threatens India.
- Mpox cases surge in Africa, prompting WHO vaccine efforts.
- U.S. Department of Education resumes student loan forgiveness processing.
- India's GDP growth accelerates, while China's investment declines signal economic challenges.
- Concerns rise over an AI investment bubble and job replacement risks.
- Turkmenistan legalizes cryptocurrency, marking a shift toward blockchain.
- Ultra-processed foods linked to numerous health issues in a major review.
- Texas education curriculum faces pushback over controversial topics like CRT and SEL.
- LSU fires football coach Brian Kelly, paying a massive buyout.
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
Why are we“Big Stupid”? – Cloaking Inequity https://cloakinginequity.com/2025/11/28/why-are-webig-stupid/
### Key Points
- Society is experiencing an age of "Big Stupid," marked by suspicion toward intellect and complexity, influencing politics, education, and public discourse.
- Media platforms profit by promoting outrage and simplicity, discouraging reflection and critical thinking.
- Schools face pressures that conflict with nurturing curiosity and inquiry, including book bans and curriculum restrictions.
- Anti-intellectualism in politics rewards oversimplified solutions, eroding intellectual humility and informed decision-making.
- The erosion of intellectual habits threatens democracy and collective progress, requiring a commitment to curiosity and dialogue.
Teacher Tom: Play is a Lily We are Too Ready to Gild https://teachertomsblog.blogspot.com/2025/11/play-is-lily-we-are-too-ready-to-gild.html
### Main Ideas
- Aldo Leopold’s concept of gilding the lily explains how humans often alter natural perfection, diminishing its essence.
- The article critiques how modern playgrounds, toys, and structured learning systems interfere with the natural perfection of children's play.
- Play is a natural mechanism for learning, driven by self-motivation, and should be left untouched to preserve its effectiveness.
- Teacher Tom promotes play-based classroom management as an alternative to traditional methods of control and rewards.
- The blog invites readers to join the Controlled Chaos course to transform classroom management skills and support children’s needs.
glen brown: "We Are Going to Have to Fight Three Wars" by David French https://teacherpoetmusicianglenbrown.blogspot.com/2025/11/we-are-going-to-have-to-fight-three.html
### Key Points
- Donald Trump proposed halting migration from Third World countries and expediting deportations after a shooting incident involving an Afghan national.
- Trump’s rhetoric blamed immigrants and refugees, using inflammatory language that drew comparisons to white nationalist ideologies.
- His administration initiated reviews of asylum cases and Green Card approvals, targeting individuals from specific countries, which was criticized as vindictive and harmful by advocacy groups.
- Broader societal issues such as social justice, pensions, healthcare, and international conflicts like the Ukrainian crisis are also explored in the blog.
The Acting Jobs in Public Education Pay Better Than the Teaching https://norinrad10.com/2025/11/28/the-acting-jobs-in-public-education-pay-better-than-the-teaching/ via @norinrad10
### Key Points
- Public education administrators, often former teachers, push bureaucratic practices they know are ineffective, leading to teacher burnout and a disconnect from classroom realities.
- The article questions the salary disparity between superintendents and teachers, suggesting that administrators are paid more to "act" rather than directly contribute to student success.
- A coach's reluctance to "beg" students to join his team contrasts with examples of educators who go above and beyond to engage students, emphasizing the importance of effort and connection in education.
- Tennessee's voucher program faces legal challenges for diverting public funds to private schools, allegedly violating the state constitution and undermining public education.
- Standardized testing and accountability measures in Tennessee are criticized for being unreliable, reflecting demographics more than instruction, and failing to address systemic issues in underfunded schools.
DC shooter worked for the CIA The shootings in Washington have become less about the victims and more about political theater. MICHAEL KLONSKY https://klonsky.substack.com/p/dc-shooter-worked-for-the-cia
### Key Points
- The shooting of two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., has been politicized, with former President Trump and his allies using it to criticize Democrats and immigrants.
- The shooter, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, was an Afghan refugee who entered the U.S. under Biden’s Operation Allies Welcome program but had his asylum approved during Trump’s administration.
- Lakanwal’s past ties to the CIA as part of an Afghan paramilitary unit add mystery to the case, though no direct link between his CIA involvement and the shooting has been confirmed.
- Trump used the incident to stoke anti-immigrant sentiment, targeting Somali communities despite no connection to the case.
- The article critiques the hypocrisy of political leaders who demand due process for the shooter while denying it to others detained by immigration authorities.
- The victims, Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom (deceased) and Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe (critically injured), had just begun their National Guard duties before the attack.
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 author reflects on childhood Thanksgiving traditions and the sanitized myths surrounding the holiday.
- The National Day of Mourning commemorates the suffering of Native Americans, contrasting with the mainstream Thanksgiving narrative.
- Wamsutta Frank James’ 1970 speech, which was censored for its truthful portrayal of history, sparked a lasting tradition of Indigenous remembrance.
- Native communities emphasize the importance of giving thanks and preserving their cultural traditions, such as the Thanksgiving Address.
- Native American resilience is highlighted through historical movements like Alcatraz and Standing Rock, as well as recent victories such as Leonard Peltier’s clemency.
- The essay urges Americans to embrace a truthful, dual narrative of Thanksgiving that acknowledges both gratitude and the historical injustices faced by Native peoples.
Public Education: Enlightenment’s Torch or Oligarchy’s Bonfire? https://ru4people.substack.com/p/public-education-enlightenments-torch
### Key Points
- Public education is being undermined by privatization efforts, with billionaires like Gates, DeVos, and the Waltons pushing vouchers, charters, and profit motives over public good.
- The Trump administration's redistribution of the Education Department's responsibilities to other agencies reflects a broader strategy to weaken public education.
- The Founders envisioned education as a safeguard for democracy, emphasizing accessibility, unity, and civic values, contrasting with today’s profit-driven reforms.
- Privatization strategies like vouchers and charters exacerbate inequality, benefiting affluent students while leaving marginalized groups behind.
- Grassroots resistance, including teacher strikes and policy advocacy, offers hope for reclaiming public education as a public good.
Throw the Bums Out? https://www.changethelausd.com/throw_the_bums_out
### Key Points
- The LAUSD Board extended Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho’s contract in a closed-door session without public input, raising concerns about transparency and potential violations of California’s Brown Act.
- Carvalho has faced criticism for dismissing parents’ concerns, including allegations of misusing Prop-28 arts-education funds, which the district is fighting in court.
- A lack of challengers in the upcoming elections for three LAUSD Board districts (2, 4, and 6) enables incumbents to act without accountability.
- Currently, only one challenger, J.P. Perron, is running against incumbent Kelly Gonez, while Nick Melvoin and Dr. Rocío Rivas remain unopposed.
- History shows that defeating well-funded incumbents is possible, but new candidates must act quickly to meet the filing requirements for the 2026 elections.
- The article emphasizes the importance of public participation in democracy, urging parents and community members to run for office to ensure leadership that listens.
Choosing Democracy: Support Students : Eat Well
https://choosingdemocracy.blogspot.com/2025/11/support-students-eat-well.html
