TODAY'S TOP NEWS - YESTERDAY'S BEST BLOG POSTS
FEBRUARY 14, 2026
U.S. News
- Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding deadlock and partial shutdown — Congress recessed without resolving funding disputes, leading to operational impacts at DHS amid chaos reports, including a pilot dismissal tied to internal issues.
- Ongoing federal agency firings and restructurings — Widespread layoffs continue across agencies, with court interventions halting some (e.g., at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau), while others proceed.
- Nikhil Gupta pleads guilty in Sikh separatist murder-for-hire plot — An Indian national entered a guilty plea in U.S. court related to a plot against a Sikh activist, highlighting international legal ties.
- Coast Guard and DHS internal turmoil — Reports detail constant chaos under leadership, including bizarre incidents like a missing blanket contributing to personnel actions.
Politics
- Trump administration deploys second aircraft carrier to Middle East — Amid escalating Iran tensions, President Trump confirmed sending the USS Gerald R. Ford, advocating potential regime change in Iran.
- Trump threatens executive order for voter ID mandates — Discussions around forcing stricter voting rules ahead of midterms, sparking debates on election integrity.
- DHS funding impasse as Congress recesses — Lawmakers left Washington amid deadlock over immigration enforcement restrictions, leaving negotiations to others.
- RFK Jr. as HHS Secretary shakes up health leadership — Reports of top aides departing and policy shifts under his tenure, following confirmation.
World Affairs
- U.S. military actions and carrier deployment to West Asia — Second carrier group headed to the region amid Iran tensions; Trump calls regime change the "best thing" for Iran.
- Upcoming Geneva talks on Iran and Ukraine-Russia — Separate negotiations set for February 17 involving U.S. figures like Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff.
- Bangladesh power shift and South Asia political upheaval — Ongoing transitions and regional instability highlighted in global briefings.
- U.S.-Europe trade tensions and protectionism — Growing conflicts over tariffs and economic policies between the U.S. and allies.
Education
- DOJ sues Harvard over race-based admissions data — The Justice Department pursues non-compliance in a federal investigation tied to merit vs. diversity debates.
- Ongoing policy trends in K-12 — Uncertainty around federal support, increased religious influence in public education, and legal challenges expected throughout 2026.
- School holidays for Mahashivratri in several states — Announcements in places like Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Punjab, and Bihar for the festival.
- State-level decisions on school calendars — Rejections of requests to start the 2026-27 year earlier and changes to special education teacher requirements.
Economy
- Inflation slowdown vs. tariff burdens — Paradox of easing inflation offset by new reciprocal tariffs potentially sparking trade wars.
- Fed outlook on interest rates — Officials like Goolsbee indicate further cuts possible if inflation improves and labor market stays stable.
- Trump-era job revisions and economic rebound claims — White House touts recovery from prior "disaster," with focus on tariffs and prescription drug cost reductions.
- Global protectionism and U.S.-Europe conflicts — Rising trade frictions impacting markets.
Technology
- Launch of Trusted Tech Alliance (TTA) — Major companies (e.g., NTT, Microsoft, Google Cloud, Ericsson) form group at Munich Security Conference for trusted digital infrastructure across AI, cloud, and connectivity.
- Elon Musk's 'Moon AI factory' vision — Discussions around ambitious space-based AI plans.
- Tech sector layoffs exceed 30,000 in early 2026 — Widespread job cuts, mostly in the U.S., amid industry adjustments.
- High-growth tech stocks highlighted — Companies like Palantir, Reddit, and others noted for strong revenue/earnings potential.
Health
- RFK Jr. leadership changes at HHS — Confirmation impacts on agencies like CDC/FDA, with concerns over vaccine policies and aide departures.
- Microplastics and health research — Studies making particles glow to track effects in the body; links to ultra-processed foods and higher risks in cancer survivors.
- Brain health breakthroughs — Discoveries on proteins rejuvenating aging cells and brain training potentially protecting against dementia long-term.
- Infectious disease risks — Ongoing watch for flu variants, declining vaccination rates, and exemptions driving potential outbreaks.
Sports
- Winter Olympics 2026 updates — Team USA at 14 medals; Ilia Malinin misses podium in men's figure skating (gold to Kazakhstan's Mikhail Shaidorov, silver/bronze to Japan); Chloe Kim takes silver in women's halfpipe.
- Zimbabwe upsets Australia in T20 World Cup — Major blow to Australia's Super 8 hopes in the 2026 tournament.
- MLB: Zac Gallen re-signs with Diamondbacks — One-year deal after strong 2025 performance.
- College basketball: Wisconsin routs No. 10 Michigan State — 92-71 win marks third top-10 victory for the Badgers this season.
These stories reflect the most prominent and recurring themes circulating today.
Jamie Raskin Visits an ICE Facility https://dianeravitch.net/2026/02/13/jamie-raskin-visits-an-ice-facility/ via @dianeravitch
- Oklahoma's legislative session in 2026 is marked by controversial and unusual bills, such as banning Sharia Law, criminalizing stolen shopping carts, and conspiracy theories about airplane condensation trails.
- Governor Kevin Stitt's promises to make Oklahoma a "Top Ten" state have not materialized, with rankings in business, education, and quality of life remaining low.
- Stitt's policies include repealing Medicaid expansion laws, despite its success in reducing the uninsured rate and providing essential coverage for many Oklahomans.
- Privatization of Medicaid has led to lower reimbursement rates and increased service denials, impacting vulnerable populations like children, seniors, and persons with disabilities.
- Stitt advocates for tax cuts and spending caps but faces criticism over the potential impacts on public school funding and essential services.
- Proposals to freeze property taxes and expand tax credits for private schools could further strain public education funding.
- Stitt promotes conservative measures, such as limiting tribal sovereignty, opposing transgender rights, and eliminating the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association.
- He emphasizes his commitment to limited government and praises past conservative leaders like Reagan and Trump.
Arizona: Legislation Would Criminalize Librarians Who Recommend Banned Books https://dianeravitch.net/2026/02/13/arizona-legislation-would-criminalize-librarians-who-recommend-banned-books/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- Arizona GOP lawmakers aim to criminalize librarians and public school employees who recommend "sexually explicit" books to minors, with penalties of up to 2.5 years in prison.
- The definition of "sexually explicit" is broad, potentially including classic literature and other widely accepted texts, raising concerns about First Amendment violations.
- Critics, including legal experts and the current Democratic governor, argue the legislation is unconstitutional and an attack on public schools.
- The future of the legislation depends on the outcome of the 2026 gubernatorial election, as a Republican candidate has expressed support for such measures.
Mike Mulgrew, Role Model Another union boss follows in his footsteps, utterly ignoring membership. ARTHUR GOLDSTEIN https://arthurgoldstein.substack.com/p/mike-mulgrew-role-model
Mike Mulgrew, Role Model Another union boss follows in his footsteps, utterly ignoring membership. Arthur Goldstein criticizes union leadership, particularly Michael Mulgrew and Unity, for failing to represent members' interests, especially those of the OT/PT chapter and paraprofessionals. The article highlights issues of salary parity, lack of job security, and the absence of respect and due process for union members. It also draws parallels with other unions facing similar challenges.
### Key Points
- Michael Mulgrew and Unity leadership failed to address the concerns of the OT/PT chapter, isolating them and forcing them to accept unfavorable contracts.
- Paraprofessionals (paras) have been neglected by the union despite their critical role, and they lack tenure or proper respect.
- Nurses at NY Presbyterian went on strike after their union leadership pushed through an unfavorable deal that lacked job security and fair staffing ratios.
- The article criticizes union leaders for failing to respect their members' will and calls for a campaign to improve working conditions and respect for all chapters.
- The author reflects on personal experiences with union failures, including the tragic consequences for a paraprofessional who lacked due process.
glen brown: Vladyslav Heraskevych: There are things that are "more important than medals" https://teacherpoetmusicianglenbrown.blogspot.com/2026/02/vladyslav-heraskevych-there-are-things.html
### Key Points
- The Trump administration repealed the EPA's "endangerment finding," which allowed regulation of greenhouse gas emissions since 2009.
- The repeal removes the government’s ability to regulate climate-heating pollution from vehicles and may lead to further deregulation of emissions from other sources.
- Critics, including Barack Obama, John Kerry, and environmental groups, condemned the move as harmful to public health and a step back in fighting climate change.
- The EPA claims the repeal will save billions, but experts argue it will impose massive costs on public health and climate-related damages.
- Environmental groups and California have vowed to challenge the decision in court, citing its potential to exacerbate climate disasters and public health crises.
What It Means to Be Protected: Healing, Care, and Rejuvenation – Cloaking Inequity https://cloakinginequity.com/2026/02/13/what-it-means-to-be-protected-healing-care-rejuvenation/
### Key Points
- The author reflects on their transition from an executive academic administration role to a quieter, more reflective phase of life, drawing a parallel between their personal journey and the recovery of a nearly dead plant.
- The plant's recovery began when a colleague gifted the author a glass dome, which created a protective environment for the fragile plant, allowing it to gradually regain life without external pressure.
- The author emphasizes the importance of patience, protection, and a steady environment for recovery, both for the plant and themselves during their sabbatical.
- Recovery and rejuvenation are highlighted as processes that thrive in conditions free from pressure, observation, or performance, with support coming from love and care rather than urgency or productivity.
- The article concludes with a reflection on the importance of having people or communities that offer protection, steadiness, and care during times of depletion, urging readers to provide such spaces for others.
- Julian Vasquez Heilig, the author, is a civil rights advocate and scholar who uses his platform to inspire action toward equity and justice.
CS Beef Packers Recalls Ground Beef Due to E. Coli - Nutrition (CA Dept of Education) https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/nu/recallcsbeefpackers.asp
### Key Points
- CS Beef Packers recalled 22,912 pounds of raw ground beef due to E. coli O145 contamination.
- Affected products include specific coarse and fine ground beef chubs with identifiable case codes and timestamps.
- Products were shipped to distributors in California, Idaho, and Oregon for foodservice distribution.
- Consumers and food program operators are urged to avoid serving the recalled products and contact the company or CDE for more information.
- Additional resources related to food safety and recalls are available on the USDA Recalls and Public Health Alerts webpage.
Tennessee Vouchers, TCAP Costs, and MNPS Accountability Hearings Explained https://norinrad10.com/2026/02/13/tennessee-vouchers-tcap-costs-and-mnps-accountability-hearings-explained/ via @norinrad10
### Key Points
- Tennessee's private school voucher program, Education Freedom Scholarships, has grown to over 56,000 applications for the 2026–27 school year, but demand exceeds supply.
- Critics question the program's transparency, including whether voucher recipients were previously enrolled in public schools. A proposed bill for increased data reporting failed.
- Private schools accepting vouchers are not required to administer the TCAP assessment, raising concerns about accountability and additional testing costs.
- Winter storms have disrupted school schedules, leading to debates about fairness in TCAP testing timelines.
- Nashville's public schools face accountability hearings due to a significant number of low-performing schools, with lawmakers debating the equitable application of accountability standards.
Teacher Tom: Play Has No Plan or Purpose https://teachertomsblog.blogspot.com/2026/02/play-has-no-plan-or-purpose.html
### Key Points
- Play is a self-actualizing activity that requires safety and emotional readiness, starting with collaboration through "Let's play!" invitations.
- Play is unpredictable and motivates children through novelty, helping them prepare for unexpected life events.
- Connecticut has implemented legislation making play the primary learning mechanism for preschool and kindergarten, but challenges remain in fully adopting play-based learning.
- Requiring children to plan their play undermines its essence, as play should be free from adult direction.
- Research shows children perceive activities as "play" only when adults are absent, highlighting the importance of child-led experiences.
- Play is difficult to define, akin to concepts like love or art, and thrives in open-ended, culture-like practices.
- Adults should focus on creating environments that allow children to self-actualize through play, without interference.
- Teacher Tom offers a course to transform learning environments into spaces that prioritize play and self-motivation.
Dispatch from New Mexico Some thoughts on language and love NANCY FLANAGAN https://flanagann.substack.com/p/dispatch-from-new-mexico
- The author shares an experience at a Chili’s in Carlsbad, New Mexico, highlighting the warmth and camaraderie of the locals, including conversations with miners and a bartender who switches between English and Spanish.
- A man named Cruz pays for the author’s meal as a gesture of generosity, inspired by his pastor’s teachings about giving and love.
- The author reflects on the cultural significance of language, particularly Spanish, and the discomfort some Americans feel when exposed to a different language or culture.
- The article emphasizes the importance of understanding and appreciating other cultures and languages, and how education can foster this understanding.
Misunderstanding and Misapplying "No Zero" Policies (and Why They Are Good) "'It’s going to make grades matter again,' said Rep. Fawn Pedalino, a Turbeville Republican who sponsored the bill." Skylar Laird (11 February 2026) PAUL THOMAS https://paulthomas701128.substack.com/p/misunderstanding-and-misapplying
### Key Points
- Controversy surrounding "no zero" policies in grading stems from concerns about fairness and perceived encouragement of student laziness.
- Assigning zeroes in traditional grading systems is mathematically flawed and disproportionately impacts students, leading to inequities.
- Effective "no zero" policies require broader assessment practices focused on learning and feedback rather than punishment or reward.
- Students should complete all assignments fully, with opportunities for revision, to ensure meaningful engagement and learning.
- Research shows minimum grading policies improve student effort, test scores, and graduation rates while preventing demoralization.
- Strict adherence to deadlines is often unrealistic and can lead to burnout, while flexibility in deadlines aligns with workplace norms.
- Reforming grading systems, including adopting "no zero" policies, is essential for supporting student learning and equity.
Bankers and Teachers: Scandals and Accountability (Part 2) https://larrycuban.wordpress.com/2026/02/13/__trashed-8/ via @CubanLarry
### Key Points
- Wells Fargo and Atlanta public schools faced scandals involving fraudulent practices, with thousands of employees and educators implicated.
- The "bad apples" explanation is insufficient; the issue lies in an organizational culture that prioritizes results over ethics, creating a climate of fear and compliance.
- Not everyone succumbed to the pressures, showing individual choices can resist systemic corruption.
- Profit-seeking culture, deregulation, and economic policies have benefited the wealthy while placing accountability burdens on public institutions like schools and hospitals.
- CEOs of corporations involved in major scandals often escape conviction, unlike public employees who face harsher consequences for similar misdeeds.
Affordability Crisis Deniers Must Be Replaced by Workers’ Power A nation that can feed its billionaires but not its children has an economic system built to protect cruelty. JESSE HAGOPIAN https://jessehagopian.substack.com/p/affordability-crisis-deniers-must
### Key Points
- A growing affordability crisis forces school counselors to decide which children eat, highlighting systemic economic unfairness.
- Critics, including economist Allison Schrager, deny the existence of a widespread affordability crisis, despite evidence of rising costs and stagnant income growth.
- The U.S. economy disproportionately benefits the wealthy, with rising rents and housing insecurity exacerbating inequality.
- Economic inequality is systemic, with the richest 1% holding more wealth than the bottom 95% of humanity combined.
- Collective organizing, strikes, and worker empowerment are essential to addressing economic inequality and unfairness.
- Historical and recent labor movements demonstrate the power of collective action to achieve fairness and justice.
A Structural Problem, A Temporary Fix By Accountabaloney : Why Florida House’s 90:10 To 85:15 Shift Misses The Real FEFP Funding Issue https://accountabaloney.com/a-structural-problem-a-temporary-fix/
### Key Points
- The Florida House has yet to adopt the Senate’s recommendation to fund vouchers in a separate category, which could prevent funding instability.
- Mid-year enrollment declines, particularly among English Language Learners, have created additional challenges for funding stability.
- The FEFP has historically aimed to equalize funding across districts, but voucher participation has disrupted this balance, particularly in property-rich districts.
- The current structure ties scholarship funding to public school enrollment, creating volatility for both public and voucher-dependent families.
- The House’s temporary adjustment from a 90:10 to an 85:15 funding ratio does not resolve the structural flaws in the system.
TRUMP IN THE NEWS TODAY
Today, February 12, 2026, the Trump administration made several major announcements, ranging from historic environmental rollbacks to high-profile pardons and shifts in immigration policy.
Top News Stories: February 12, 2026
1. Major Environmental Rollback
In what the administration is calling the "single largest deregulatory action in U.S. history," the EPA has officially eliminated the 2009 Greenhouse Gas Endangerment Finding.
The Impact: This move removes the federal government's legal foundation for regulating climate-heating pollution from vehicles and power plants.
Cost Savings: The administration claims this will save taxpayers $1.3 trillion and reduce the cost of new vehicles by an average of $2,400.
Legal Pushback: California Governor Gavin Newsom and several environmental groups have already announced plans to sue, calling the move a "betrayal of the American people."
2. Pardons for Former NFL Players
President Trump issued pardons for five former professional football players.
Joe Klecko (NY Jets)
Nate Newton (Dallas Cowboys)
Jamal Lewis (Baltimore Ravens)
Travis Henry (Buffalo Bills)
Billy Cannon (Posthumous pardon)
3. Immigration & Border Updates
Minnesota Surge Ends: Border Czar Tom Homan announced that the administration is "drawing down" its immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota.
This follows weeks of protests and a controversial operation that resulted in the deaths of two U.S. citizens. San Diego Protest: Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem visited the U.S.-Mexico border near San Diego, where her press conference was disrupted by protesters criticizing current immigration tactics.
4. DHS Shutdown Looms
A partial government shutdown for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) appears imminent.
5. Public Health Funding Cuts
The administration has moved to cut roughly $600 million in public health grants.
Other Notable Headlines
Coal Industry Event: President Trump participated in a "Champion of Coal" event at the White House, celebrating what he described as an industry revival.
HHS Reshuffle: Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced new senior leadership at HHS to accelerate the "Make America Healthy Again" (MAHA) agenda.
NGA Snub: Maryland Governor Wes Moore (Vice Chair of the National Governors Association) was reportedly excluded from upcoming White House NGA events, with the President labeling him "not worthy."
