JANUARY 19, 2026
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day observances and closures — Federal offices, banks, the stock market (NYSE/Nasdaq), USPS, and the IRS are closed nationwide in honor of MLK Day. Many states and localities offer free park entry or community service events, while debates continue over civil rights legacy amid political shifts.
- Trump administration actions and controversies — Ongoing discussions around President Trump's policies, including threats related to Greenland and tariffs, with commentary comparing his "common sense" rhetoric to historical figures.
- IRS and financial shutdown warnings — The IRS has issued alerts about the full 24-hour closure, impacting services like filings and inquiries until Tuesday.
- National Parks and state responses — California announces free state park entry to honor MLK's legacy, contrasting with federal changes under Trump.
- World Economic Forum (Davos) kicks off — The annual meeting begins in Switzerland with the theme "A Spirit of Dialogue," featuring a large U.S. delegation led by President Trump (speaking Wednesday), amid global leaders addressing his tariff threats and geopolitical moves.
- Trump's influence dominates Davos — Discussions focus on tariffs, technology, and realpolitik, with European concerns over potential retaliatory measures against U.S. demands (e.g., on Greenland).
- U.S. House Republican agenda this week — Legislation advancing on pregnant students' rights under Title IX, support for pregnancy centers, and reversing a prior mining ban in Minnesota for critical minerals.
- Trump's "common sense" rhetoric — Commentary highlights his repeated use of the phrase in policy announcements.
- Davos WEF Annual Meeting underway — Nearly 3,000 leaders from 130+ countries gather amid contradictory global forces, including U.S. tariff threats, geopolitical bullying, and reduced focus on climate issues.
- Trump's Greenland tariff threats — U.S. demands spark NATO tensions and EU considerations of $108 billion in retaliatory tariffs; discussions involve key figures like Marco Rubio.
- Syria ceasefire announcement — The Syrian government declares a ceasefire with Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces.
- IMF World Economic Outlook Update — Released with projections of slowing global growth (to 3.1% in 2026), declining inflation, but U.S.-specific upside risks.
- Title IX investigations launched — U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights initiates 18 probes into schools/colleges over alleged violations related to women's sports and discrimination.
- Pregnant Students' Rights Act advances — House Republicans push legislation requiring universities to inform pregnant students of rights, accommodations, and resources.
- MLK Day school closures and reflections — Many U.S. schools closed, with resources shared on Dr. King's legacy; nominations announced for U.S. service academies.
- CA Intermediate exam postponement — In India, the Auditing and Ethics paper is delayed for administrative reasons.
- IMF global growth slowdown projected — Update forecasts 3.1% growth in 2026, with advanced economies at ~1.5% and emerging markets above 4%; U.S. inflation risks noted.
- China Q4 GDP growth at 4.5% — Annual figure tops forecasts despite soft retail, supporting mixed market reactions.
- Market holiday and previews — U.S. markets closed for MLK Day; upcoming data includes PMIs, Canada inflation, and earnings season kickoff.
- Tariff threats impact markets — Asian stocks slide on U.S. tariff announcements against European nations; dollar weakens vs. safe-havens.
- CES 2026 trends recap — Highlights include advanced NPUs (e.g., Qualcomm's high-TOPS chips), exoskeletons, Ultra-Vivid TVs, and AI/robotics innovations set for 2026 rollout.
- Yokogawa investment in Semantum — Increased stake in the Finnish firm to boost data modeling and digital twin capabilities for industrial applications.
- BD at Pharmapack — Showcasing biologics and large-volume delivery solutions for GLP-1 therapies, vaccines, and self-administration.
- NASA funding restored — Legislation (H.R. 6938) protects science and exploration budgets.
- ACA subsidy expiration effects — Enhanced tax credits ended, leading to steep premium hikes (avg. 114%) for millions on Affordable Care Act plans in 2026.
- GLP-1 therapies and innovations — Ongoing focus on biologics delivery at events like Pharmapack; broader 2026 health trends include vaccines and policy shifts.
- MLK Day health office closures — Many state/local health departments (e.g., Florida DOH) closed, with reminders for safe holiday celebrations.
- Health care student loan applications open — Program starts accepting applications.
- NFL coaching carousel updates — Falcons hire Kevin Stefanski, Giants officially name John Harbaugh (5-year, $100M deal), Packers retain Matt LaFleur.
- NBA matchups — Atlanta Hawks vs. Milwaukee Bucks (1 pm ET tipoff); other games include Clippers vs. Wizards (Clippers favored by 7).
- College basketball — Saint Joseph's at VCU (A-10 favorite); Monmouth hosts Northeastern on CBS Sports Network.
- Ongoing league previews — Injury reports and predictions for key games on the holiday slate.
ICYMI: Catch Up Edition (1/18) PETER GREENE https://curmudgucation.substack.com/p/icymi-catch-up-edition-118?sort=new
### Key Points
- Florida Senate approves changes to school voucher funding, but the move raises concerns about equity in education.
- Anti-LGBTQ policies in Pennsylvania school districts are influenced by a legal group, as investigated by Kathryn Joyce.
- Texas plans to fund private schools that openly discriminate, with additional costs potentially incurred by parents under the voucher program.
- Oklahoma’s governor proposes removing the cap on private school tax credit spending.
- Arkansas parents in the school choice program can roll over unused taxpayer-funded voucher money.
- Concerns raised about the Trump administration’s impact on special education protections and funding.
- Questions arise about the feasibility of reforming charter schools.
- Challenges of right-wing revisions to social studies curricula, particularly in South Carolina.
- Three overlooked factors contributing to children’s reading struggles are highlighted by Nancy Bailey.
- The Leah Chase School in New Orleans remains open after a unanimous vote.
- Reflections on AI use in education and its limitations.
- Analysis of activism among teachers and its perceived liberal bias.
- Updates on the Sarasota School Board controversies involving Bridget Ziegler.
- Coverage of legal challenges to LGBTQ student rights and the Supreme Court case on trans student athletes.
- Issues with AI’s limitations and errors in legal and educational contexts.
CURMUDGUCATION: MS: The Honest Case for School Choice https://curmudgucation.blogspot.com/2026/01/ms-honest-case-for-school-choice.html
### Key Points
- Conservative proponents of school choice argue that parents, not the government, should have full control over their children's education.
- The core idea traces back to Milton Friedman's belief that education should depend solely on parental resources, not government support.
- Critics argue that private schools receiving public funds through vouchers can discriminate against students based on religion, sexual orientation, or other factors, unlike public schools.
- The voucher system is compared to healthcare proposals that reduce government subsidies, leaving individuals with insufficient resources to navigate complex systems.
- The article challenges the sincerity of school choice advocates, noting that private schools often retain control over admission decisions, limiting true choice for parents.
- The author questions whether Mississippi legislators will prioritize public interests or the privatization agenda in upcoming decisions.
NH: Let's Segregate Schools PETER GREENE https://curmudgucation.substack.com/p/nh-lets-segregate-schools
Peter Greene discusses a controversial leaked conversation among New Hampshire GOP lawmakers, revealing discussions around school segregation based on political ideologies. The article critiques the comments made by Kristin Noble, chair of the House education committee, and highlights the broader implications of such proposals.
### Key Points
- GOP lawmakers in New Hampshire were involved in a leaked Signal chat discussing school segregation and controversial educational policies.
- Kristin Noble, chair of the House education committee, proposed segregated schools based on political ideologies, which sparked public backlash.
- Noble has supported various contentious legislative measures, including banning critical race theory and LGBTQ+ ideologies in schools and removing testing requirements for homeschoolers.
- Noble's campaign has been significantly funded by libertarian groups, such as Liberty Prosperity for NHP and New Hampshire Liberty Alliance.
- Noble’s statements reflect a push for a two-tiered education system, dividing schools based on political beliefs, which parallels historical racial segregation.
- New Hampshire continues to fund a controversial voucher program while neglecting to address public school funding issues mandated by court orders.
Checking Email Constantly, Our "Plastic Brain," and Schooling https://larrycuban.wordpress.com/2026/01/18/checking-email-constantly-our-plastic-brain-and-schooling/ via @CubanLarry
### Key Points
- The internet and social media may rewire the brain or stimulate pleasure-inducing chemicals, leading to potential addiction.
- The distinction between the brain and the mind remains debated, with differing views on consciousness and neural activity.
- School reformers advocate for replacing traditional schools with online or blended learning models, leveraging technology.
- Blended learning combines face-to-face interaction, synchronous conversations, and asynchronous communication for effective education.
- Critics warn against blindly adopting brain-based research, emphasizing the slow and complex process of deriving practical applications for education.
### Key Points
- Reflections on writing emphasize the writer's role in resisting oppression and maintaining independence from societal constructs.
- Updates on the Ukraine war include Russia's attacks on energy and civilian infrastructure, Ukraine's counteroffensive strategies, and President Zelenskyy's push for a just and lasting peace.
- The blog critiques political issues such as Trump’s tax cuts, his policies on immigration, and his impact on U.S. foreign and domestic policies.
- Coverage of social justice issues like healthcare, education reform, systemic racism, and environmental concerns.
- A detailed blog archive includes discussions on various historical and current events, such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, U.S. politics, and significant global conflicts like WWII.
A Modest Proposal STU https://bloom2.substack.com/p/a-modest-proposal
- The article discusses a proposal to join a coalition of nations, including the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, and Denmark, to defend Greenland in case of an attack. The author suggests that the US should also join this group and possibly encourage other North Atlantic nations to participate. This coalition could act as a deterrent and provide mutual defense benefits.
- The author considers proposing this idea to US Senators and Representatives, suggesting they present it to the President as a potential initiative.
- The second chunk includes unrelated discussions, such as Isaac Asimov’s birthday, Religious Freedom Day, and redistricting issues in Indiana.
Choosing Democracy: MLK and the Authoritarian State https://choosingdemocracy.blogspot.com/2026/01/mlk-and-authoritarian-state.html
- The article discusses authoritarian tactics, exemplified by Trump’s actions in 2026, including politicizing institutions, spreading disinformation, aggrandizing executive power, quashing dissent, scapegoating vulnerable communities, corrupting elections, and stoking violence.
- Historical parallels are drawn to past struggles for democracy, emphasizing the need for collective action to resist authoritarianism.
- A quote from Thomas Paine’s "Common Sense" is invoked to inspire courage and resilience in defending democracy.
- The blog highlights resources and movements, such as the Sacramento Progressive Alliance, aimed at mobilizing against fascism and protecting democratic values.
- The blog's content is shared under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License, encouraging wider dissemination and use.
The threat of WW3 and the global politics of revenge. The U.S. under Trump’s leadership is imitating the role of a fallen revanchist imperial power that Hitler’s Germany played at the start of WWII, MICHAEL KLONSKY https://klonsky.substack.com/p/the-threat-of-ww3-and-the-global
### Key Points
- The article compares Trump’s leadership and foreign policy to Germany under Hitler, portraying the U.S. as a declining imperial power driven by revanchist ambitions.
- It suggests that revanchism, based on a nation's perceived loss of status and desire for restoration, is a precursor to major conflicts like WWII, and could also lead to WWIII.
- "Make America Great Again" is likened to the nationalist slogans of 20th-century Germany, emphasizing exclusion, hierarchy, and territorial claims.
- Trump’s rhetoric about acquiring territories such as Greenland and his disruption of global alliances, including NATO, reflect revanchist logic.
- Analysts argue that MAGA nationalism mirrors the emotional structure of 1930s authoritarianism, characterized by humiliation, betrayal, and redemption.
- Revanchist states often use aggressive actions to revise the global order, driven by a belief in reclaiming lost prestige or territory, which aligns with Trump’s policies.
Free America Walkout | FREE AMERICA WALKOUT
https://action.womensmarch.com/calendars/free-america-weekend
