JANUARY 2, 2026
- Zohran Mamdani sworn in as New York City Mayor — The progressive leader took office after midnight, vowing to focus on affordability, working-class issues, and representation for diverse communities, with luminaries like Bernie Sanders in attendance.
- Over 20 million Americans face loss of healthcare coverage — Enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies expired, leading to sharply higher premiums and potential uninsured spikes as Congress failed to extend them.
- New state laws take effect nationwide — Measures include social media limits for children (e.g., Virginia's daily cap), AI regulations (Texas bans harmful AI), plastic bag bans/upgrades (California), and immigration-related changes.
- Flu season surges with new strain — A variant is complicating vaccine effectiveness, with high activity in multiple states.
- Zohran Mamdani's inauguration as NYC Mayor — Marks a shift toward progressive policies in the nation's largest city, emphasizing rent freezes and support for marginalized groups.
- ACA subsidies expire amid political deadlock — Failure to renew leads to premium hikes for millions; tied to broader debates on healthcare costs heading into 2026 midterms.
- Trump administration updates and farmer support — Promises of better conditions for farmers via federal payments; ongoing reviews of past events like January 6.
- New state laws on AI, deepfakes, and paid leave — Multiple states implement regulations on technology in elections/healthcare and expand worker benefits.
- Deadly fire at Swiss Alps bar during New Year's celebrations — At least 46 killed and 100 injured in explosion suspected from pyrotechnics in Crans-Montana.
- Taiwan President vows to defend sovereignty — Amid China's military drills, Lai Ching-te condemns "expansionist ambitions."
- Global New Year's celebrations — Fireworks and events worldwide, with scaled-back festivities in some areas due to recent disasters.
- Ongoing conflicts — Russian drone strikes in Ukraine; tensions in Middle East with protests in Istanbul supporting Palestinians.
- California schools implement cellphone restrictions — Public K-12 must limit/prohibit student phone use by July 2026 to reduce distractions.
- New laws on student rights and social media — Schools required to post immigration enforcement info; Virginia caps social media time for minors.
- Entrance exam registrations open — Key tests like JEE Main, NEET UG, and others begin applications for 2026 sessions.
- Winter school holidays ongoing — Many regions (e.g., Delhi, Punjab) closed into mid-January.
- Sovereign wealth funds pour record investments into U.S. — Half of 2025's $132 billion went to America amid emerging market slowdowns.
- Wall Street optimistic for 2026 — Forecasts include resilient growth, AI-driven gains, and moderated inflation despite tariff impacts.
- Global outlook mixed — U.S. expected to lead growth; concerns over trade policies and AI bubble risks.
- Stock markets end 2025 strong — Double-digit gains, with focus shifting to Fed rate paths and corporate earnings.
- AI infrastructure boom continues — Massive investments in data centers; discussions of extreme ideas like space-based facilities amid power demands.
- New tech laws effective — California requires AI transparency; states regulate deepfakes and electronics repair rights.
- CES 2026 preview — Upcoming event expected to highlight AI robots, new chips (e.g., Intel Panther Lake), and humanoid advancements.
- Nvidia and AI hardware developments — Increased orders for chips; broader trends in agents, smart glasses, and local AI processing.
- ACA subsidies end, spiking costs — Millions face doubled/tripled premiums; potential loss of coverage for 20+ million.
- Flu surge with complicating strain — Rapid rise nationwide, reducing vaccine efficacy.
- New weight-loss drug options — GLP-1 pills approved/advancing; cheaper access via platforms like TrumpRx.gov.
- State health measures — Caps on insulin costs (California); concerns over measles status and rising outbreaks.
- College Football Playoff quarterfinals underway — Highlights include Indiana's dominant Rose Bowl win over Alabama and Miami's upset of Ohio State.
- New Year's Day bowl games — Tripleheader featuring iconic venues and playoff matchups.
- Premier League January transfer window opens — Clubs scouting replacements and planning moves.
- NBA action resumes — Key games like 76ers vs. Mavericks, with injury updates for stars like Joel Embiid and Anthony Davis.
Coney Island Polar Bear Plunge: Today! https://dianeravitch.net/2026/01/01/coney-island-polar-bear-plunge-today/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- Diane Ravitch attended the Coney Island Polar Bear Plunge on January 1, 2026, with friends.
- The event involved participants jumping into the freezing Atlantic Ocean in festive spirits, with some wearing costumes or bikinis.
- The plunge, organized by the Coney Island Polar Bear Club, is an annual charity event to support local causes.
- Participants shared their excitement and reasons for joining, highlighting the challenge and exhilaration of the experience.
- The event fostered a sense of community and joy, with people of different backgrounds coming together to celebrate the New Year.
- Diane and her friends enjoyed a warm meal after the event, encouraging others to join next year.
- The blog post includes comments from readers mentioning similar polar bear plunges on the West Coast.
New National Report Finds Weak Charter School Laws Enable Profiteering, Instability, and Nearly $1 Billion in Taxpayer Losses - Network For Public Education https://networkforpubliceducation.org/new-national-report-finds-weak-charter-school-laws-enable-profiteering-instability-and-nearly-1-billion-in-taxpayer-losses/
- The National Center for Charter School Accountability (NCCSA) has released the second installment of a three-part series titled "Charter School Reckoning: Disillusionment," which highlights the need for reform in charter school laws.
- The report reveals that weak charter school laws have led to profiteering, instability, and nearly $1 billion in taxpayer losses.
- The NCCSA is a project of the Network for Public Education, a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to improving and strengthening public schools.
- Readers are encouraged to support the Network for Public Education through tax-deductible donations.
The Sad Gift of 2025 PETER GREENE https://curmudgucation.substack.com/p/the-sad-gift-of-2025
### Key Points
- Humans struggle with existential fears of powerlessness, isolation, and mortality, which can lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms like the pursuit of power and wealth.
- The article critiques a specific individual as an example of how fear and emptiness can drive a person to seek validation through power, wealth, and domination, yet still remain unfulfilled.
- It highlights the destructive impact of such fear-driven individuals on society and the world, emphasizing their lack of humanity and connection.
- The author argues that education should focus on helping individuals become their best selves, fostering empathy, curiosity, and self-awareness to combat existential fears and find a fulfilling life.
- The article concludes with a reflection on the futility of seeking peace and joy through external validation and power, advocating for a better path for future generations.
Schools Matter: Make 2026 the Last Year of Funding ICE http://www.schoolsmatter.info/2026/01/make-2026-last-year-of-funding-ice.html
- The blog post argues for making 2026 the last year of funding for ICE, highlighting issues such as bigotry, fascism, and intentional cruelty.
- Emphasis is placed on the idea that poverty, rather than teacher quality, is a more significant factor in a child's education.
- The blog critiques standardized testing and its increasing prevalence in education.
- Various articles and reviews are listed, focusing on topics such as education reform, teacher challenges, and the impact of poverty on education.
- The blog promotes critical perspectives on corporate influence in education and calls for systemic change.
glen brown: Nothing Is Ours Anymore https://teacherpoetmusicianglenbrown.blogspot.com/2026/01/nothing-is-ours-anymore.html
### Key Points
- The article critiques the shift from ownership to a rental economy, where individuals increasingly rent goods and services instead of owning them, leading to financial exploitation and loss of autonomy.
- Companies have transitioned from selling products to subscription models, locking essential features and services behind recurring fees, while also harvesting personal data for profit.
- This economic shift impacts various aspects of life, from housing and education to technology and transportation, creating a cycle of dependency and financial strain.
- The article criticizes the role of tech companies and Wall Street in normalizing this model, using media and social platforms to manipulate public opinion and maintain control.
- A call to action is made for government regulation to curb the rental economy, protect consumer rights, and restore democratic control over markets and technology.
What Zohran said about Mayoral control — and my response | Class Size Matters — and my response | A clearinghouse for information on class size & the proven benefits of smaller classes https://classsizematters.org/what-zohran-said-about-mayoral-control-and-my-response/
### Key Points
- Zohran Mamdani, NYC's new mayor, appointed Kamar Samuels as Chancellor and reversed his stance on reforming mayoral control, advocating for its renewal with minor changes.
- Critics argue that mayoral control lacks local checks and balances, leading to inefficiencies, corruption, and poor policy decisions in NYC's educational system.
- Advocacy groups emphasize the need for genuine reforms, including smaller class sizes, improved accountability, and reduced reliance on untested educational fads like AI.
- Calls for a moratorium on AI in schools and petitions to enforce laws mandating smaller class sizes are ongoing.
NYC Public School Parents: How I was quoted about Zohran's reversal on Mayoral control -- and my full remarks https://nycpublicschoolparents.blogspot.com/2026/01/how-i-was-quoted-about-zohrans-reversal.html
### Key Points
- Zohran Mamdani reversed his stance on mayoral control of schools, appointing Kamar Samuels as Chancellor and proposing minor tweaks to increase parental input.
- Haimson criticizes the lack of local input in NYC's school governance, which she claims leads to poor policies and backroom deals.
- Haimson shared her concerns on Twitter, emphasizing that mayoral control reduces accountability and is inherently dysfunctional and anti-democratic.
- She promises continued advocacy for educational reforms, including smaller class sizes and an AI moratorium, and calls for public support in these efforts.
