TODAY'S TOP NEWS STORIES
JANUARY 4, 2026
U.S. NewsThe dominant story is the U.S. military operation in Venezuela, resulting in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro, who arrived in New York to face drug-trafficking charges. President Trump announced the U.S. will temporarily govern Venezuela until a safe transition, including control over its oil reserves. Reactions are mixed, with Republicans largely supportive and Democrats criticizing it as unjustified intervention.Other notable stories:Politics- The Venezuela operation overshadows domestic politics, with President Trump praising it as a major success and promising benefits from Venezuelan oil.
- Trump blocked a Chinese-controlled firm's acquisition of U.S. defense assets on national security grounds.
- Preparations for midterm elections, including shifts in government operations and potential policy changes under the Trump administration.
World Affairs- Venezuela crisis: International condemnation from Brazil and others; uncertainty over governance as Maduro's allies remain in power.
- Escalation in Yemen with separatist conflicts and Gulf power rivalries.
- North Korea ballistic missile launches amid regional tensions.
- Ongoing Ukraine war with shifting U.S. policy and peace prospects.
Education- Higher education faces continued challenges from 2025 policy changes, including funding cuts and program cancellations.
- Changes to federal student loan policies and financial aid take effect in 2026, curbing access and altering repayment.
- Resumed wage garnishments for delinquent student loans and taxable status for some forgiveness.
Economy- U.S. dollar rebounds to start 2026 after its sharpest annual decline in years.
- Wall Street anticipates strong gains amid AI boom and policy stimulus, though risks from tariffs and inflation persist.
- Trump's economic policies, including tariffs and tax cuts, begin impacting affordability and growth forecasts.
Technology- CES 2026 previews begin, with major announcements expected from Samsung, LG, Nvidia, and others focusing on AI integration, robotics, and new hardware.
- Shift toward practical AI applications, including edge computing and smaller models.
- Trump administration blocks China-related tech deal on security concerns.
HealthSports
California: Federal Appeals Court Overturns Ban on Open Carry of Guns https://dianeravitch.net/2026/01/03/california-federal-appeals-court-overturns-ban-on-open-carry-of-guns/ via @dianeravitch
Trump’s unauthorized military action in Venezuela, which bypassed Congress and disregarded international norms, served to divert attention from domestic controversies, undermine Congress’s authority, and boost his popularity through military posturing. The article discusses the implications of this action, including comparisons to historical gunboat diplomacy and speculations about potential geopolitical deals with Russia and China.### Key Points
- Trump’s military attack on Venezuela was unauthorized by Congress and violated international norms.
- The action diverted attention from domestic issues, such as the Epstein files, and attempted to boost Trump’s low approval ratings.
- Speculation arises about Trump’s motivations, including access to Venezuela’s significant oil reserves and potential geopolitical deals with Russia and China.
- The article highlights the irony of Trump’s pardon of a convicted drug trafficker while targeting Nicolás Maduro.
- The U.S. is seen as returning to a policy of gunboat diplomacy, reminiscent of past imperialist tactics.
Trump Achieved Three Goals By Kidnapping Maduro https://dianeravitch.net/2026/01/03/trump-achieved-three-goals-by-kidnapping-maduro/ via @dianeravitch
Trump Achieved Three Goals By Kidnapping Maduro Trump’s military attack on Venezuela was unauthorized by Congress. It was lawless. His actions deserve condemnation by the UN and world leaders. He mocks the very idea of a rules-based international order. He mocks the idea that Congress is a co-equal branch of the federal government. But he achieved three goals by his audacious actions. He completely changed the national discussion away from the Epstein files. He showed Congress that they are irrelevant. He played the one card that might lift his very low poll ratings: military action. The public usually rallies round the flag. Going to war–especially when no American life is risked–typically raises the President### Key Points
- Former President Trump launched an unauthorized military attack on Venezuela, bypassing Congress and undermining the rules-based international order.
- The attack served three purposes: redirecting attention from the Epstein files, diminishing Congress’s authority, and attempting to boost Trump’s low poll ratings through military action.
- Trump’s actions reflect a return to "gunboat diplomacy" and raise questions about potential deals with global leaders like Putin and Xi.
- The irony of Trump’s actions is highlighted by his earlier pardon of a convicted Honduran president accused of drug trafficking, contrasting with his treatment of Venezuelan President Maduro.
- Critics speculate on Trump’s motives, including control over Venezuela's vast oil reserves and the use of classified memos to justify his actions.
The article provides a comprehensive overview of major global and domestic events that occurred between December 28, 2025, and January 3, 2026. It covers political developments, natural disasters, educational reforms, economic updates, technological advancements, health innovations, and sports highlights. The article also discusses significant U.S. foreign policy actions, including the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, and other key international events.
### Key Points
- U.S. President Trump launched an airstrike on Venezuela, leading to the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and
First Lady Cilia Flores.
- A massive wildfire in
Los Angeles destroyed thousands of structures and forced 180,000 evacuations.
- Severe winter storms, including a "
bomb cyclone," disrupted travel across the Midwest and Northeast.
- A mass shooting at a warehouse in
Ohio left two dead and reignited workplace safety debates.
- China conducted military drills near
Taiwan, citing regional stability concerns.
- The U.S. imposed a 10% tariff on all Chinese products, leading to retaliatory measures by China.
- Inflation in the U.S. is projected to peak above 3% in 2026 due to tariff-induced costs.
- The
FDA approved the first
AI tool to evaluate liver disease severity during clinical trials.
- Over 1 million students were affected by rising homelessness, highlighting a housing crisis.
The article provides an extensive overview of various topics, including political, educational, economic, technological, societal, and global developments as of early 2026. It covers major events, policy changes, and societal trends shaping the current landscape, with a focus on challenges and opportunities in education, public health, politics, and technology.
### Key Points
- The U.S. President launched an illegal assault on Venezuela, killing citizens and kidnapping its leader.
- The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals overturned California's ban on open carry of guns.
- Enhanced
Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies expired, leading to steep health insurance premium hikes for over 20 million Americans.
- A deadly New Year's incident included a suspected terror attack in
New Orleans, killing at least 15 people, and a 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck Northern California.
- A record flu surge across the U.S. sickened millions and hospitalized thousands by late 2025.
- Major changes to college financial aid in 2026 include curbs on student loans and new grants for career training programs.
- U.S. dollar rebounded strongly at the start of 2026 after an eight-year decline.
Wall Street predicts another strong year for stocks.
- Concerns arose over AI providing misleading health advice in search results.
- The closure of Triad International Studies Academy (TISA), a charter school in
North Carolina, highlighted broader challenges in the charter school sector, including financial instability and low enrollment.
- Florida proposed
House Bill 663, offering financial incentives for private citizens to sue those facilitating access to abortion medication.
- The increasing influence of technology and privatization in public education has led to equity issues and the erosion of traditional teaching methods.
-
Agentic AI, a proactive form of AI, is expected to transform workflows and displace workers in 2026, while creating new job roles for those with advanced AI-related skills.
- The Trump administration's foreign policies, including withdrawal from the
Paris Climate Accords and strained alliances, were criticized for weakening the U.S.'s global standing.
- The
Leah Chase School in New Orleans faces potential closure due to financial challenges, despite strong community support and its cultural significance.
The article provides an extensive overview of recent global, political, economic, and technological developments, focusing heavily on U.S. military actions in Venezuela, international reactions, and other significant events shaping 2026.
### Key Points
- U.S. military conducted a large-scale operation in Venezuela, capturing President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, leading to mixed international reactions.
- Maduro and his wife face narcoterrorism charges in the U.S., with global leaders expressing concerns about the violation of Venezuela's sovereignty.
- President Trump warned Iran against violently suppressing protests, signaling potential U.S. intervention.
- The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals overturned California's ban on open carry of guns, reflecting a shift in judicial conservatism.
- Trump blocked a U.S.-China chip deal citing national security concerns, while chip stocks surged due to increasing AI demand.
- Enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies are set to expire, potentially causing significant premium hikes for millions.
- Predictions for 2026 highlight AI integration in education, economic growth despite inflation risks, and a surge in copper prices due to green energy initiatives.
- CES 2026 will focus on AI hardware and innovations, with Samsung launching its "Device eXperience" vision.
- Major sports events, including NFL playoffs, Winter Olympics, and Australian Open, are upcoming in 2026.
The article critically examines the increasing influence of technology and privatization on public education, focusing on how AI and market-driven reforms disrupt traditional teaching methods, equity, and the public school system. It highlights the consequences of these changes, including the erosion of equity in education, the unbundling of educational services, and the potential replacement of teachers with AI and gig workers. The article also explores the role of billionaires in driving these changes and emphasizes the need to prioritize equity and public control over education.
### Key Points
- The article criticizes the corporatization and privatization of public education, driven by billionaires seeking to monetize education.
- The concept of "disruptive innovation," popularized by Clayton Christensen, is used as a blueprint for privatizing public education by targeting underserved students, offering cheaper alternatives, and eventually replacing traditional systems. - The "unbundling" of public education involves breaking down traditional schooling into separate services (academics, socialization, childcare, nutrition, safety nets) and monetizing each component.
- AI has disrupted traditional teaching roles by automating lectures, grading, and administrative tasks, leading to fewer teachers and larger class sizes.
- AI integration in classrooms has shifted learning towards screen-based, personalized modules, often isolating students and reducing human interaction. - Wealthier schools use AI as a supplementary tool, while low-income schools rely on AI as the primary instructor, exacerbating educational inequities.
- The shift from equity to efficiency in education prioritizes cost-cutting over addressing the needs of marginalized students, leaving them with subpar resources.
- New grading policies, such as competency-based grading and un-grading, are being implemented in response to AI's ability to perform traditional assessments, but these approaches often burden teachers and students. - The end goal of privatization is to dismantle public education by defunding schools and transferring resources to private entities, leaving public schools to serve only the most vulnerable students.
- The article argues that technology itself is not the enemy, but rather the privatization of education. It advocates for public control of education funding and tools, with a focus on equity over profit.
The article provides a comprehensive overview of various topics, including political developments, educational challenges, technological advancements, societal issues, and global events as of early 2026. It highlights key news stories, such as the inauguration of Zohran Mamdani as New York City Mayor, the expiration of ACA subsidies, the impact of Agentic AI on the workforce, and the growing concerns over the rental economy. Additionally, the article discusses education reforms, the role of AI in schools, and the need for systemic changes to address social and economic challenges.
Larry Cuban's blog discusses Kim Marshall’s summary of a scholarly article in the "Marshall Memo," which examines teachers’ resistance to mandated curricula. The research highlights the concept of "principled resistance," where teachers adapt or oppose curriculum mandates to better serve their students’ needs. The article explores various strategies teachers use to resist, ranging from covert adjustments to outright rejection, and the implications for student outcomes and school leadership.### Key Points
- Kim Marshall summarizes research on teachers’ resistance to mandated curricula, emphasizing "principled resistance" as a way to address students' needs, social justice, and culturally responsive pedagogy.
- Examples include teachers rejecting rigid curricula in favor of approaches that align with students’ cultural, linguistic, and individual needs, even at personal or professional risk.
- Researchers identify different models of resistance, such as strategic compromise, supplementing materials, or collective action, and discuss how these approaches can impact student achievement.
- The study suggests school leaders should balance curriculum fidelity with teacher flexibility to address students’ needs effectively and improve learning outcomes.
- The researchers call for further studies to evaluate the impact of resistance on student performance and advocate for collaboration to foster meaningful curriculum changes.
Where are the Democrats? They could have invoked the War Powers Act weeks ago. MICHAEL KLONSKY https://klonsky.substack.com/p/where-are-the-democrats
- Congressional Democrats have largely focused on procedural objections rather than opposing President Trump's military actions in Venezuela.
- Despite having the option to invoke the War Powers Act to block Trump's actions, Senate Democrats did not act due to a lack of unity and some members' quiet support for regime change.
- The
War Powers Resolution could still be used to terminate U.S. involvement in Venezuela, but historically, Congress has never successfully forced a president to stop an ongoing war through this mechanism.
- The article criticizes Congress for its inaction and raises doubts about its willingness to intervene politically despite the legal possibility.
How can the US fight so many wars at once? It's because they're not really "wars", they're bombing runs? MICHAEL KLONSKY https://klonsky.substack.com/p/how-can-the-us-fight-so-many-wars
### Key Points- The U.S. conducted airstrikes and drone attacks on Venezuela, capturing President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, leading to a national emergency in Venezuela and condemnation from neighboring countries like Colombia and Mexico.
- The U.S. has been involved in multiple military operations globally, targeting countries like Nigeria, Iran, and Venezuela without formal declarations of war or congressional approval. These operations are characterized by low-risk, high-casualty bombing campaigns with minimal political consequences.
- Modern U.S. military strategy relies on proxy warfare, outsourcing most of the fighting and casualties to partner nations while providing weapons, intelligence, and political support. Examples include U.S. involvement in Ukraine and arming foreign powers like Israel.
- The attack on Venezuela exemplifies the U.S. strategy of remote power, using airstrikes and special operations rather than ground troops, with no formal declaration of war or occupation.
glen brown: Trump’s Contempt for the Constitution https://teacherpoetmusicianglenbrown.blogspot.com/2026/01/trumps-contempt-for-constitution.html
This article discusses various political, social, and global issues, focusing on the actions and policies of former U.S. President Donald Trump, particularly his alleged constitutional violations and foreign policy decisions. It also touches on broader topics such as social justice, healthcare, education, and international conflicts like the Israeli-Palestinian war and the Ukraine crisis. The author critiques Trump’s approach to governance and highlights the need for addressing domestic crises over foreign interventions. The article includes references to notable figures, past events, and cultural themes.
### Key Points
- Criticism of Donald Trump’s contempt for the U.S. Constitution and his actions regarding Venezuela, including unauthorized military operations and imperialistic policies.
- Discussion of Trump’s broader foreign policy, including connections to the
Monroe Doctrine and its implications for international law and safety.
- Emphasis on domestic issues under Trump’s administration, such as economic struggles, collapsing healthcare systems, housing affordability, and the impact of AI on jobs.
- Mention of Bernie Sanders' political stance and his role as a U.S. Senator advocating for domestic reforms.
- Overview of politically chaotic events in 2025, including Trump’s return to the White House and its impact on democracy and global stability.
- Highlight of President
Zelenskyy’s address emphasizing Ukraine’s resilience and desire for peace, alongside the ongoing war with Russia.
- Criticism of media outlets for their perceived failure to uphold journalistic integrity during political turmoil.
- Broader commentary on societal issues, including social justice, healthcare, education, and environmental concerns.
Glen brown: Trump Launches Illegal Assault on Venezuela https://teacherpoetmusicianglenbrown.blogspot.com/2026/01/trump-launches-illegal-assault-on.html
### Key Points
- The article discusses the controversial actions of Donald Trump, including an alleged illegal military assault on Venezuela, which resulted in civilian casualties and international condemnation.
- Prominent political figures and lawmakers, including Rep. Jim Himes and Sen. Andy Kim, criticized the assault as unconstitutional and unnecessary, emphasizing the lack of Congressional approval and strategic planning.
- Mexico and other nations have denounced the actions, while the Trump administration faced accusations of lying to Congress about its intentions.
- The assault is framed as a distraction from domestic issues, such as the Epstein files, economic struggles, and Trump's health concerns.
- Critics, including Sen. Ruben Gallego, condemned the move as a reckless and unjustified war, likening it to previous U.S. military blunders.
- The article highlights the potential long-term consequences of the attack, including international isolation, chaos in Venezuela, and further erosion of U.S. constitutional norms.
- The piece criticizes the Supreme Court's role in enabling Trump's actions and calls for Democrats to take action, including impeachment and public awareness efforts, to counter the administration's policies.
Is The ‘Illustrative Math’ Curriculum Working? | Gary Rubinstein's Blog https://garyrubinstein.wordpress.com/2026/01/03/is-the-illustrative-math-curriculum-working/
A math teacher critiques the implementation of the "Illustrative Math" curriculum in New York City schools, introduced as part of the "NYC Solves" initiative by former Mayor Adams and Chancellor Banks. While the curriculum aimed to enhance deep mathematical understanding, it faced criticism for being too difficult, fast-paced, and rigid. Teachers were initially required to follow a strict pacing calendar, although some flexibility was later introduced. Despite claims of increased rigor, the curriculum failed to produce improved student performance, particularly in a transfer school where most students struggled to pass the Algebra 1 Regents exam. The author suggests that a review of the program is necessary and offers their expertise to help guide improvements.### Key Points
- The "Illustrative Math" curriculum, part of NYC's "NYC Solves" initiative, aimed to deepen student understanding but was criticized for its difficulty, fast pace, and rigid pacing calendar.
- Teachers were eventually granted minimal flexibility in pacing, but the changes did not address the fundamental issues with the curriculum.
- Advocates of the curriculum argued it raised standards for students, but its effectiveness was questioned, especially in schools with at-risk students.
- An analysis of Algebra 1 Regents exam results at a transfer school showed poor performance, with 73% of students failing and only one achieving a high passing score.
- The author recommends reviewing the NYC Solves program and replacing the Illustrative Math curriculum to improve outcomes.
Choosing Democracy: The Invasion of Venezuela https://choosingdemocracy.blogspot.com/2026/01/the-invasion-of-venezuela.html
