TODAY'S TOP NEWS - YESTERDAY'S BEST BLOG POSTS
FEBRUARY 24, 2026
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U.S. News
- President Trump's State of the Union address is set for tonight (February 24), his first in the second term, expected to focus on tax cuts, prescription drug prices, and his tariff agenda amid recent court setbacks and polling challenges.
- New tariffs take effect today under a temporary 15% global import surcharge (up from an initial 10%), following the Supreme Court's ruling striking down prior emergency-based tariffs; this shift aims to address trade imbalances but raises concerns about economic impacts.
- Historic winter storm continues affecting the Northeast U.S., causing treacherous travel conditions and widespread disruptions.
- U.S. halts collection of tariffs deemed illegal by the Supreme Court (under prior authority), effective today, potentially leading to refunds on billions in duties already paid.
Politics
- Trump's State of the Union preparations dominate, with expectations of off-script remarks on tariffs, tax policies, and foreign affairs; a recent CNN poll shows his approval among independents dropping sharply ahead of the speech.
- Trump lashes out at reports that Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Caine warned of risks in potential military action against Iran, insisting any conflict would be "easily won."
- Tariff policy shifts continue, with the administration moving to Section 122 authority for the new 15% global levy after the Supreme Court limited earlier powers, amid ongoing trade and midterm implications.
- President Trump honors "Angel Families" related to immigration issues, emphasizing border security in recent statements.
World Affairs
- Fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine (February 24, 2022) prompts UN Security Council meetings, NATO remarks, and reflections on the ongoing war, with Moscow targeting Ukrainian infrastructure.
- U.S.-Iran tensions escalate as Trump warns of "bad things" if no nuclear deal is reached in the coming 10-15 days; reports of military risks surface amid U.S. buildup in the region.
- U.S. details allegations of a past Chinese underground nuclear test and calls for renewed global pressure on China and Russia for disarmament.
- Hungary vetoes new EU sanctions on Russia and aid to Ukraine, highlighting divisions in European support.
Education
- Gallup survey shows strong perceived career value in college degrees among current students and graduates.
- Ongoing debates over undocumented students' access to education, including high school graduation rates and post-graduation paths.
- Heritage Foundation-linked efforts target policies on undocumented students' free public education access.
- State-level pushes in places like Iowa and Kansas to restrict race, gender, and sexuality content in certain college courses.
Economy
- New 15% global tariff implementation today under temporary authority, following Supreme Court rejection of prior tariffs, sparking market reactions and EU warnings on trade deals.
- Consumer confidence data release expected today, a key indicator amid tariff uncertainties and broader economic sentiment.
- Oil prices steady as markets assess Trump's preference for an Iran nuclear deal versus escalation risks.
- Stock market volatility tied to tariff developments, with analysts noting potential short-term squeezes but longer-term concerns.
Technology
- China's DeepSeek reportedly trained its latest AI model on Nvidia's advanced Blackwell chip despite U.S. export bans, raising compliance concerns.
- Canon celebrates 23 consecutive years as No. 1 in global interchangeable-lens digital camera market share.
- Cybersecurity stocks (e.g., CrowdStrike, Datadog) slide following launches like Anthropic's new AI tool.
- AI market shifts, including Grok gaining share amid controversies.
Health
- CROI 2026 conference highlights HIV advancements, including data on treatment switches (e.g., Dovato vs. Biktarvy) and challenges from U.S. funding cuts affecting global HIV efforts.
- U.S. News & World Report releases its first rankings of top-performing home health agencies nationwide.
- Scientific findings on topics like antibiotic-resistant ancient bacteria, high-altitude protection against diabetes, and potential links between common pneumonia bacteria and Alzheimer's.
- Ongoing research into universal vaccines and chemo side effect management.
Sports
- NBA matchups today include Pelicans vs. Warriors and Knicks vs. Cavaliers, with playoff positioning implications in the East.
- WHL hockey features Americans vs. Royals, key for Western Conference playoff spots.
- NFL combine discussions heat up on topics like Lamar Jackson's contract and potential trades.
- Broader notes on post-All-Star NBA power rankings and Winter Olympics 2026 reflections (recently concluded).
These reflect the most recurring and prominent stories circulating today, with heavy focus on Trump's address, tariffs, and geopolitical anniversaries/tensions.
The Most Gorgeous Ice Skating Events of the Olympics https://dianeravitch.net/2026/02/23/the-most-gorgeous-ice-skating-event-of-the-olympics/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- Diane Ravitch discusses Amber Glenn’s emotional closing performance and Alysa Liu’s stunning gold-medal-winning ice dance at the Olympics.
- The blog archives and topics cover a wide range of subjects, including education reform, politics, and cultural issues.
- Recent posts include topics like the Supreme Court, voucher systems, and other educational and political issues.
Trump Says He's Sending a Hospital Ship to Greenland, But There Is No Need and No Hospital Ship https://dianeravitch.net/2026/02/23/trump-says-hes-sending-a-hospital-ship-to-greenland-but-there-is-no-need-and-no-hospital-ship/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- President Trump claimed he was sending a hospital ship to Greenland to address a health crisis, despite no request from Greenland.
- Greenland’s prime minister dismissed the offer, emphasizing their free public healthcare system and lack of need for such assistance.
- Both U.S. Navy hospital ships are undergoing repairs, making Trump’s announcement unfeasible.
- The announcement was widely criticized and mocked for its detachment from reality.
Fifth Circuit Court Upholds Ten Commandments in Louisiana Public Schools https://dianeravitch.net/2026/02/23/fifth-circuit-court-upholds-ten-commandments-in-louisiana-public-schools/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Louisiana can mandate the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms, reversing a prior decision deeming the law unconstitutional.
- Critics argue the law imposes a specific religious doctrine, raising concerns about the rights of families with diverse religious beliefs or no religion.
- The ruling does not definitively declare the law constitutional but allows its enforcement. Some judges expressed hesitation due to the lack of clarity on how the displays would appear.
- Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill provided guidance on how schools can comply with the law, while groups like the ACLU and Freedom from Religion Foundation plan to continue their legal challenges.
- Opponents argue that the law violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment and creates unnecessary religious conflict in public schools.
Stephen Dyer: Vouchers' Growth in Ohio Will Be Their Demise https://dianeravitch.net/2026/02/23/stephen-dyer-vouchers-growth-in-ohio-will-be-their-demise/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- Ohio's State Constitution mandates funding for public schools and prohibits public funding for religious schools, but this has been ignored or distorted by state leaders.
- Since 2021, Ohio has significantly increased its taxpayer subsidies for private school tuitions, with an estimated 313% increase in funding. However, this has resulted in only a 1% increase in private school enrollment.
- The rise in voucher spending has led to a 20% per-pupil funding increase for private schools while negatively impacting funding for public schools, which serve 85% of Ohio's students.
- Legal challenges are being mounted against the voucher system, with state leaders accused of creating an unconstitutional, unaccountable, and separate school system.
- The lack of auditing for the $8 billion spent on private school tuition subsidies since 1996 further raises accountability concerns.
Schools Matter: TN Taliban Introduces Bill To Punish Women Who Have Abortions With Life in Prison or Death Penalty http://www.schoolsmatter.info/2026/02/tn-taliban-introduces-bill-to-punish.html
- Tennessee Republicans proposed a bill to impose severe penalties, including life imprisonment or the death penalty, on women who have abortions, equating abortion to fetal homicide.
- The bill, House Bill 570/Senate Bill 738, has been referred to the House Population Health Subcommittee for consideration.
- The blog post highlights criticism of the bill and labels the lawmakers behind it as part of the "Tennessee Taliban."
- The blog includes broader commentary on educational and political issues, such as poverty, standardized testing, and educational reform.
Teacher certification exams discriminate against minority candidates Education Research Report https://educationresearchreport.blogspot.com/
### Key Points
- Teacher certification exams in Texas disproportionately affect underrepresented minority (URM) candidates, causing delays in teaching entry and higher economic costs without improving teaching quality or student achievement.
- Violence and harassment in Canadian schools have reached a level that qualifies them as hazardous workplaces, with education workers frequently exposed to incidents initiated by students, parents, colleagues, and administrators.
- A national report found that 78% of education workers experienced physical violence, 84% faced harassment, and 26% reported PTSD-like symptoms. Many workers are considering leaving the profession due to stress and lack of institutional support.
- Adolescents who use cannabis are at double the risk of developing psychotic and bipolar disorders by young adulthood, according to a longitudinal study. Cannabis use during adolescence increases the likelihood of psychiatric disorders.
- The increasing potency of cannabis products and their aggressive marketing are raising concerns about mental health risks, particularly among socioeconomically disadvantaged adolescents.
- Research on increasing physical activity among autistic youth emphasizes creating predictable routines, safe spaces, and involving family members, focusing on strengths rather than deficits.
- Excessive social media use among college students is linked to higher rates of loneliness, with those spending more than 16 hours a week on social media being significantly more likely to feel isolated.
- Excessive social media use may replace meaningful face-to-face interactions, contributing to loneliness among college students. Institutions should educate students about its potential negative effects and encourage social connections.
- Many schools and families are unprepared for teen cardiac emergencies. Only half of parents are aware of the presence of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in schools, and few know their location or feel confident in their use.
- Programs like Project ADAM aim to prevent sudden cardiac death in schools by promoting emergency preparedness and training. Parents and teens support broader access to CPR and AED training.
- Problematic use of digital devices, such as mobile phones and social media, during early adolescence is linked to mental health issues, sleep disturbances, and suicidal behaviors.
- Addictive digital habits can disrupt daily life and mental well-being. Interventions tailored to early adolescents are crucial to address these issues.
glen brown: Even a Little Alcohol Can Harm Your Health! https://teacherpoetmusicianglenbrown.blogspot.com/2026/02/even-little-alcohol-can-harm-your-health.html
### Key Points
- Research indicates that even small amounts of alcohol can harm health, causing DNA damage that may lead to cancer and other diseases.
- Alcohol increases the risk of various cancers, including liver, breast, and esophageal cancers, even with moderate consumption.
- Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to alcoholic liver disease, which progresses through three stages, with the first two being reversible if drinking stops.
- Lifestyle factors, pre-existing conditions, and genetic predispositions can influence individual risk levels for alcohol-related health issues.
- Experts recommend reducing alcohol consumption to improve health, but complete abstinence is not necessary unless specific conditions apply.
glen brown: USA's Men's Hockey Team Wins Gold Medal: Hughes delivered an overtime goal for the ages! https://teacherpoetmusicianglenbrown.blogspot.com/2026/02/usas-mens-hockey-team-win-gold-medal.html
### Key Points
- The U.S. Men's Hockey Team won gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics, defeating Canada 2-1 in overtime.
- Jack Hughes scored the decisive goal in overtime, marking a historic win after 46 years since the "Miracle on Ice."
- The match was a thrilling face-off between two hockey superpowers, with outstanding performances by players like Connor Hellebuyck and Matt Boldy.
- The article also mentions various other topics, including politics, social justice, education reform, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and U.S. domestic issues.
Does Outlier Education Success Provide Template for Universal Education Reform?: New Hampshire Edition The TL;DR answer for the title question: No. PAUL THOMAS https://substack.com/home/post/p-188903725
### Key Points
- Media and political focus on "miracle" schools often misrepresents outlier outcomes as templates for universal education reform.
- A rural school in Hill, New Hampshire, achieved high reading scores despite socioeconomic challenges, but this success is not universally replicable.
- The article highlights the importance of small schools, teacher agency, and the flexibility in using curriculum materials over one-size-fits-all solutions.
- The "science of reading" programs, often mandated, are criticized for being ineffective and wasteful.
- Socioeconomic factors remain the primary cause of low educational achievement, making outliers unsuitable for generalization.
- Mississippi's perceived success in reading reforms is attributed to grade retention policies rather than genuine improvements in reading proficiency.
- Using outlier data for universal reform is scientifically flawed; a focus on small schools and teacher agency, as seen in New Hampshire, may provide more valuable insights.
Teacher Tom: Indoctrinating Our Children https://teachertomsblog.blogspot.com/2026/02/indoctrinating-our-children.html
### Key Points
- Education is inherently a form of indoctrination shaped by cultural and societal biases, as highlighted by Doris Lessing.
- Teaching selectively presents perspectives, especially in subjects like history, which are influenced by current prejudices and cultural choices.
- Historically, children learned through life experiences and examples, but mandatory schooling introduced structured indoctrination.
- Self-education is essential to counter indoctrination, but reliance on algorithms or artificial intelligence may reinforce biases.
- Literature and diverse, trustworthy sources can help develop independent thinking and reduce susceptibility to indoctrination.
- Play-based learning enables children to self-direct their education and critically engage with their culture.
- Teachers should encourage doubt, critical thinking, and self-education rather than blindly imposing the status quo.
Seattle Schools Community Forum: On Feeling Safe in Seattle Public Schools, Februar... https://saveseattleschools.blogspot.com/2026/02/on-feeling-safe-in-seattle-public.html?spref=tw
### Key Points
- Concerns about employee security, including allegations against NE Executive Director Dr. Mike McCarthy for misogynistic behavior.
- Leadership instability at Roosevelt High School and other schools, with frequent administrative changes causing strain.
- Challenges in addressing student safety, including gang issues and slow implementation of safety measures like cameras.
- Allegations of nepotism within the district, with promotions and job changes influenced by personal connections.
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Education News Roundup, February 23, 2025 https://saveseattleschools.blogspot.com/2026/02/education-news-roundup-february-23-2025.html?spref=tw
### Key Points
- The U.S. Department of Education has dropped its stance on withholding funds from schools with DEI initiatives due to a federal ruling. A related investigation is underway in Portland Public Schools over race-based discrimination claims tied to a new learning facility for Black students.
- A Washington state bill aims to address the misuse of the Public Records Act by creating a workgroup to study its impact on school districts.
- Teacher shortages are worsening as fewer young people enter the profession, citing low pay, lack of respect, and systemic challenges. Male and Black male teachers are particularly underrepresented.
- Hawaii settled an $8 million lawsuit to support a student with special education needs, highlighting the financial strain of special education on school budgets.
- Concerns about the cost-effectiveness of programs like Digital Promise, which promotes educational innovation, were raised.
- ICE's use of school surveillance data for immigration enforcement has raised privacy concerns and calls for better safeguards.
- Allegations of nepotism in Seattle Public Schools have surfaced, with claims of personnel being promoted based on personal connections rather than merit.
Choosing Democracy: The Reality Check: BLOCKADES SHUT DOWN MEXICAN HIGHWAYS https://choosingdemocracy.blogspot.com/2026/02/the-reality-check-blockades-shut-down.html
### Key Points
- The Trump administration reduced military aid to Ukraine by 99% and cut humanitarian aid for critical services, later restoring only a fraction through UN programs.
- U.S. programs monitoring Russian sanctions and war crimes were defunded, and the U.S. reversed its stance on UN resolutions condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
- The Trump administration delayed shipments of crucial air defense missiles to Ukraine, leaving the nation vulnerable to Russian attacks.
- Allegations of a Trump-Putin alliance based on shared far-right ideologies and plans to divide Ukraine for financial and strategic gains.
- Proposed $14 trillion business deal between Trump affiliates and Russian entities, including lifting sanctions, joint resource exploitation, and other economic collaborations, conducted without Ukrainian consent.
We Need 1096 More Than Ever We can't buy Unity's snow job. ARTHUR GOLDSTEIN https://arthurgoldstein.substack.com/p/we-need-1096-more-than-ever
### Key Points
- The author expresses frustration with the current state of retiree benefits and union leadership, comparing their actions to a "snow job."
- Retirees have faced ongoing struggles with health benefits, despite claims from well-paid union leaders that these issues have been resolved.
- The author criticizes Unity for dismissing valid concerns as "misinformation" and draws parallels between their tactics and those used by political figures like Trump.
- Concerns are raised about Mamdani's potential borrowing from the Retiree Health Benefits Trust to balance the city budget, which could threaten healthcare benefits.
- Unity's support for Mamdani is questioned, as he has not backed legislation like 1096 that would protect retiree health benefits.
- The author accuses union leaders of prioritizing their own interests, increasing costs for retirees, and failing to provide adequate prescription insurance compared to other city unions.
- The movement to improve retiree benefits is determined to hold union leaders accountable and demands better treatment for retirees, including fair cost-of-living adjustments and prescription coverage.
The Scat Report: Navy's largest warship sails into a shit storm in the Persian Gulf. Weekend Quotables: There's poop in the Potomac and trench warfare at sea. MICHAEL KLONSKY https://klonsky.substack.com/p/the-scat-report-navys-largest-warship
### Key Points
- The U.S. Navy’s largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford, faces ongoing toilet system failures, causing significant inconvenience and sanitation issues for its crew.
- A major sewage spill in the Potomac River has led to an ecological crisis, with millions of gallons of raw sewage contaminating the water and sparking political disputes.
- President Trump’s approval ratings have dropped to 39%, with 60% disapproval, amid political controversies and public dissatisfaction with his administration.
- The Pentagon’s top general has warned President Trump against an attack on Iran, citing risks related to munitions shortages and lack of allied support.
- Kamala Harris lost significant support due to the Biden administration’s handling of the Gaza war, according to Democratic officials.
- Rev. Jesse Jackson was praised for his advocacy for the suffering masses, both domestically and internationally, with former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot reflecting on his legacy.
First Fish Chronicles: The Price Kids Pay: What Alpha School Really Costs | National Education Policy Center https://nepc.colorado.edu/blog/fprice-kids-pay
### Key Points
- Alpha School is a private school model promoted as the "future of education," offering a two-hour AI-driven academic program followed by skill-building activities.
- The school charges high tuition fees ($40K-$75K annually) and targets wealthy families, while also expanding into disadvantaged communities.
- Alpha School claims students can learn "twice as much in half the time," but these claims lack independent verification and rely on internal, potentially manipulated data.
- The school employs "guides" instead of certified teachers, with only one-third having educational training, despite paying them significantly more than public school teachers.
- Alpha School collects extensive personal data from students, including academic scores, biometric data, and online behavior, raising serious privacy concerns.
- Parents have limited options to opt out of data collection, and the privacy policy suggests constant surveillance of students.
- Founders Mackenzie Price and Joe Liemandt lack educational backgrounds, and their focus appears to be on scaling a profitable business model globally rather than advancing education.
- The "Timeback" platform, central to Alpha School's operations, is described as a scalable "Shopify for schools," but its methods and efficacy remain unclear.
- Critics argue that Alpha School’s promises of accelerated learning are misleading and oversimplify the complexities of education.
- Despite ethical concerns and lack of evidence supporting its claims, Alpha School has received endorsements from prominent figures in tech and AI.
- The school’s approach aligns with broader trends of integrating AI into education, raising concerns about the influence of tech companies on public education.
TRUMP IN THE NEWS TODAY
Today is Monday, February 23, 2026, and the news is dominated by the aftermath of a major Supreme Court ruling against the administration’s trade policies, as well as preparations for tomorrow’s State of the Union address.
⚖️ The "Tariff War" and the Supreme Court
The biggest story today is President Trump’s response to a 6-3 Supreme Court decision (issued Friday) that struck down his sweeping global tariffs.
The Pivot: Over the weekend and through today, Trump has vowed to bypass the ruling by using Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974.
He initially announced a 10% global tariff but has since updated that to 15%, set to take effect as early as tomorrow. Congressional Pushback: Senate Democrats today introduced the Tariff Refund Act of 2026, which would force the administration to refund an estimated $175 billion in tariffs collected under the now-invalidated policy.
Market Reaction: U.S. stock futures (S&P 500 and Dow) are trading lower today as investors weigh the uncertainty of a new "tariff surcharge" replacing the old ones.
🎙️ State of the Union Eve
President Trump is finalized his State of the Union address, scheduled for tomorrow, February 24.
Key Themes: Expect a heavy focus on "American Energy Dominance," the progress of mass deportations, and a defense of his trade policies.
Public Sentiment: A new PBS/NPR/Marist poll released this morning shows that two-thirds of Americans believe the nation's system of checks and balances is currently not working well.
🛡️ Immigration and National Security
National Angel Family Day: The President issued a proclamation today designating National Angel Family Day (formally observed Feb 22, proclaimed today) to honor victims of crimes committed by "criminal illegal aliens."
He used the event to reiterate his commitment to the "largest mass-deportation effort in our Nation's history." Legal Battles: California and other states continue to file lawsuits today—most recently one by Attorney General Rob Bonta—challenging federal cuts to public health grants and clean energy tax credits.
🌐 International Relations
Indonesia Trade Deal: The administration is touting a new Agreement on Reciprocal Trade with Indonesia, which removes tariffs on 99% of U.S. products.
Greenland Friction: Trump’s recent offer to send a hospital ship to Greenland was officially rebuffed today by Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen, who stated, "It's a no thank you from here."
Middle East Tensions: The State Department today ordered nonessential diplomats to leave Lebanon as tensions with Iran continue to rise.
