DECEMBER 29, 2025
- Severe Winter Storm ("Bomb Cyclone") Impacts Millions: A powerful winter storm brought heavy snow, blizzard conditions, and dangerous travel disruptions across the Midwest and Northeast, causing thousands of flight delays and cancellations during the busy post-holiday period.
- Trump-Zelenskyy Meeting on Ukraine Peace: President Trump hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Mar-a-Lago, reporting progress toward a peace deal with Russia, though key issues like territory remain unresolved.
- Ongoing Immigration Enforcement Effects: The Trump administration's policies led to reduced foreign-born populations in various sectors, with impacts felt in hospitals, construction, and local communities.
- Flight Disruptions Due to Weather: Hundreds of flights were preemptively canceled at New York airports amid snowfall forecasts, highlighting ongoing travel challenges.
- Trump-Zelenskyy Talks Advance Ukraine Peace Efforts: The leaders described negotiations as "closer than ever," focusing on security guarantees and territorial disputes, amid Russia's ongoing attacks.
- Netanyahu to Meet Trump Amid Middle East Tensions: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu planned discussions on potential strikes against Iran and Gaza ceasefire phases.
- Trump's Policies Favor Big Tech: The administration eased AI chip export limits and fast-tracked data centers, aligning with industry goals on AI and crypto.
- Immigration Policy Changes: Effects include suspension of certain visa programs and debates over enforcement impacting various communities.
- Midterm Preparations and Challenges: With divided Congress, issues like government spending and health care costs loom ahead of 2026 elections.
- Trump-Zelenskyy Summit on Ukraine-Russia War: Progress reported on ending the conflict, including potential security guarantees, despite unresolved territorial claims.
- Thai-Cambodian Border Clashes and Ceasefire Efforts: Diplomats met to solidify a ceasefire after deadly clashes; related airstrikes reported.
- Russia Launches Iranian Satellites: Amid tensions, Russia sent three Iranian satellites into orbit.
- Sudan and Regional Conflicts: Drone strikes and civil war developments, including captures in West Kordofan.
- Middle East Exhaustion from Prolonged Wars: Reflections on decades of conflict in Syria, Gaza, and beyond, with calls for new paths to peace.
- Conservative Overhaul at New College of Florida: Gov. DeSantis-led changes shifted the progressive institution toward classical education and conservative hires.
- AI Integration in Education: Discussions on digital literacy, media instruction, and AI's role in classrooms amid rapid tech advancements.
- Budget Cuts and Leadership Changes: Impacts on schools and universities, including layoffs and turnover in various districts.
- Head Start Program Debates: Scrutiny over effectiveness and safety in early childhood education.
- Enrollment Trends: Declines in some areas, alongside efforts to address mental health and safety in schools.
- Strong GDP Growth Amid Challenges: U.S. economy showed resilience with 4.3% annualized growth in Q3, driven by consumer spending despite tariffs and inflation.
- Stock Market Near Records ("Santa Claus Rally"): Major indexes hovered at highs, with optimism for 2026 amid AI-driven gains.
- AI Demand Drives Chip Shortages: Memory chip shortages raised device prices as AI infrastructure boomed.
- Inflation and Labor Market Mixed Signals: Persistent inflation, hiring slowdowns, but overall steady growth.
- Hong Kong Ups Growth Forecast: Raised to 3.2%, focusing on finance, tech, and trade.
- Trump Policies Boost Big Tech and AI: Eased export controls on AI chips, fast-tracked data centers, and supported crypto legislation.
- Nvidia's Major Deal with Groq: Acquired talent and licensed technology in a $20B move to maintain AI dominance.
- AI Memory Chip Shortage: Surging demand for AI led to shortages, potentially increasing device prices.
- AI's Pop Culture Impact: From generated music topping charts to studio deals (e.g., Disney-OpenAI) and ethical concerns.
- Concerns Over AI Agents and Safety: OpenAI's Sam Altman highlighted emerging issues with AI models.
- Climate Change Health Impacts: Record threats from heat, pollution, and diseases, claiming millions annually.
- Disease Outbreaks Globally: Surges in cholera, measles, mpox in Africa; ongoing humanitarian crises.
- Alternative Autism Therapies Reviewed: Major study found little evidence for many popular complementary treatments.
- Mental Health and Wellness Insights: New findings on nutrition, exercise, and brain health from 2025 research.
- Vaccine and Public Health Milestones: WHO achievements in disease elimination, alongside debates on schedules.
- NFL Playoff Races Heat Up: Key games like Ravens' win over Packers (Derrick Henry 4 TDs) and Eagles edging Bills shaped postseason pictures.
- College Football Bowl Season: Ongoing games, including matchups like BYU vs. Georgia Tech.
- WNBA Expansion and Growth: League announced additions to 18 teams by 2030 amid rising popularity.
- Individual Achievements: Awards like FIFA Player of the Year (Ousmane Dembélé) and record performances.
- Global Events: From soccer to other sports, year-end reviews highlighted growth and viewership records.
OH: An Unfunded Tutoring Mandate PETER GREENE https://curmudgucation.substack.com/p/oh-an-unfunded-tutoring-mandate
### Key Points
- The author decided against creating a "Top Ten" list due to time constraints, unreliable analytics, and the challenges of sorting through numerous posts.
- Stephen Fitzpatrick's conversations with students reveal the impact of AI in education.
- Andy Spears discusses disruptions in Indianapolis schools caused by anti-public education policies in Indiana.
- Steve Nuzum critiques the concept of "learning loss" and the proposed solutions to address it.
- Akil Bello examines the College Board's practices and their connection to marketing strategies.
- Sue Kingery Woltanski highlights Florida's controversial charter school co-location policies and their implications.
- Bruce Lesley critiques U.S. policymakers for decisions that negatively impact children.
- Ohio's legislature mandates free tutoring for low-performing students but fails to provide funding.
- Nancy Flanagan compiles a list of the most depressing education blogs of 2025.
- Florida Governor Ron DeSantis emerges as a vocal skeptic of AI, criticizing its potential societal impacts.
- A MAGA legislator proposes a property tax cut for people without children in schools, raising concerns about its implications for education funding.
- The post includes links to various education-related blogs and resources, encouraging readers to explore diverse perspectives on education issues.
Fundamental Dilemma Facing Every Teacher: Managing Academic and Emotional Roles in Classrooms https://larrycuban.wordpress.com/2025/12/28/fundamental-dilemma-facing-every-teacher-managing-academic-and-emotional-roles-in-classrooms/ via @CubanLarry
### Key Points
- Teachers face a core dilemma of managing both academic and emotional roles in classrooms.
- A dilemma involves choosing between two or more valued options, requiring compromises and trade-offs.
- Academic roles demand social distance and objective judgment of students’ performance, while emotional roles require personal connections with students.
- Teachers must balance these roles, as personal relationships can enhance student engagement and learning.
- Some teachers manage to artfully blend academic and emotional roles, creating a classroom persona that fosters both respect and affection from students.
glen brown: Ukraine: "Resilience That Inspires the World" https://teacherpoetmusicianglenbrown.blogspot.com/2025/12/ukraine-resilience-that-inspires-world.html
### Key Points
- Writers should remain independent of doctrines, theories, and politics, embracing isolation to resist oppression.
- The article discusses recent political and legal developments, including updates on the Epstein files, judicial rulings, and lawsuits related to Donald Trump.
- Crime rates in the U.S. have dropped significantly, with a 50% reduction in drug arrests since 2019, despite a decrease in overall arrests.
- Trump’s controversial Christmas Day post about Jeffrey Epstein raises questions about his knowledge of Epstein’s actions and potential future legal implications.
- The article criticizes the Department of Justice for its handling of the Epstein files, suggesting it acted more in Trump’s interest than in the public’s or victims’.
- Reflections on Trump’s presidency include his use of clemency powers, immigration policies, and alleged corruption.
- The blog connects current events to broader historical and political contexts, emphasizing the importance of informed discourse.
- Calls for accountability, social justice, and the preservation of democracy are central themes throughout the article.
Larry Ferlazzo'sMy Best Posts That Appeared In December Websites of the Day... | The latest news and resources in education since 2007 https://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/
### Key Points
- Larry Ferlazzo shares his favorite and most useful educational posts for December 2025, including end-of-year “best” lists.
- Suggestions for using New Year’s resolutions as a teaching tool are provided, along with related resources.
- Larry discusses Sal Khan’s surprising op-ed and moderates a panel on addressing reduced newcomer enrollment.
- Predictions for education trends in 2026 are outlined.
- Recommendations for zero-prep activities for ELL classrooms and creating music collaboratively are shared.
- A review of the Zootopia movie highlights lessons on grit and its limitations.
- Larry shares “The Best and Worst Education News of 2025” and other end-of-year reflections.
- Practical teaching resources for Social Studies, Math, Science, and ELL classrooms are highlighted, along with strategies for student motivation and parental involvement.
- Larry’s additional work, including his blog, radio show, and contributions to Education Week Teacher and The New York Times, is mentioned.
Garbage collection and street cleaning are requirements, not accomplishments. I'm looking forward to a New York with Mayor Mamdani. FRED KLONSKY https://fredklonsky.substack.com/p/garbage-collection-and-street-cleaning
- Zohran Mamdani is set to be inaugurated as the mayor of New York City, with a vision of transforming the city beyond basic services like garbage collection and street cleaning.
- Mamdani aims for an affordable, diverse, and inclusive city where housing, safety for immigrants, and cultural values are prioritized over mere functionality.
- The article emphasizes the need for imagination and ambition in city governance, advocating for policies like free pre-K, free buses, and rent freezes, which have been implemented in other cities globally.
- A commenter highlights the challenges of housing affordability in New York, expressing frustration with the lack of effective solutions and the disappearance of the middle class.
Schools Matter: Tell GOP Congress to Stop Protecting Pedophiles http://www.schoolsmatter.info/2025/12/tell-gop-congress-to-stop-protecting.html
### Key Points
- A bipartisan group of lawmakers criticizes the DOJ for excessive redactions in the Epstein files and accuses it of violating the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which mandates the release of all files by December 19, 2025.
- Representatives Ro Khanna and Tom Massie are considering legal and congressional actions, including impeachment hearings, inherent contempt of Congress, and criminal prosecution of DOJ officials for non-compliance.
- Lawmakers are in contact with survivors and their lawyers to bring them to Capitol Hill to demand the DOJ comply with the law.
- Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene emphasizes that the intent of the law was to expose corrupt elites and officials, not to protect them through redactions.
- The Democratic Coalition is sponsoring a campaign encouraging citizens to contact Congress and demand the release of the unredacted Epstein files.
- The campaign aims to reach a goal of 1,600 letters to Congress, with 829 already sent.
Judge, Jury, Executioner https://www.changethelausd.com/_judge_jury_executioner
### Key Points
- U.S. forces killed two shipwrecked men, violating the Geneva Convention, under Trump's administration.
- The killings were justified by unproven claims of drug smuggling, reflecting a broader disregard for law and accountability.
- Military and political figures criticized the actions, highlighting the illegality of following unlawful orders under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
- The article criticizes Trump’s administration for constitutional violations, attacks on opposition leaders, and suppression of the press.
