Yesterday’s Gems, Today’s Insights
A Roundup of the Web’s Finest Blog Posts!
9-30-25
Success Academy Is Opening "No Excuses" Charters in Florida https://dianeravitch.net/2025/09/29/success-academy-is-opening-no-excuses-charters-in-florida/ via @dianeravitch
Trump Administration Proposes Changes to University Research Funding### Key Points
- The Trump administration plans to tie university research grants to adherence to its values, including policies on diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-Semitism.
- Grants previously based on scientific merit and peer review may now favor institutions aligning with Trump’s ideological priorities.
- Critics argue this move undermines academic freedom, autonomy, and merit-based funding, favoring ideological compliance over scientific quality.
- The administration has faced legal setbacks in its efforts to enforce these policies, including battles with major universities like Harvard and UCLA.
- Legal experts warn that using political viewpoints as criteria for funding could violate constitutional protections like the First Amendment.
Trump Plans to Award Research Grants to Universities That Endorse His Values https://dianeravitch.net/2025/09/29/trump-plans-to-award-research-grants-only-to-universities-that-endorse-his-values/ via @dianeravitch
Trump Administration Proposes Changes to University Research Funding### Key Points
- The Trump administration plans to tie university research grants to adherence to its values, including policies on diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-Semitism.
- Grants previously based on scientific merit and peer review may now favor institutions aligning with Trump’s ideological priorities.
- Critics argue this move undermines academic freedom, autonomy, and merit-based funding, favoring ideological compliance over scientific quality.
- The administration has faced legal setbacks in its efforts to enforce these policies, including battles with major universities like Harvard and UCLA.
- Legal experts warn that using political viewpoints as criteria for funding could violate constitutional protections like the First Amendment.
Heather Cox Richardson: What Really Happened at Wounded Knee https://dianeravitch.net/2025/09/29/heather-cox-richardson-what-happened-at-wounded-knee/ via @dianeravitch
Heather Cox Richardson's article delves into the historical and political context surrounding the Wounded Knee Massacre of 1890, where U.S. troops killed over 230 peaceful Lakotas. The controversy was reignited by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's decision to uphold Medals of Honor awarded to soldiers involved in the massacre. The analysis highlights the political maneuvering of the Harrison administration, the exploitation of Indigenous peoples, and the tragic consequences of mismanagement and fear. It also underscores the enduring legacy of injustice and the manipulation of historical narratives for political gain.### Key Points
- Pete Hegseth defended the Medals of Honor awarded to soldiers involved in the Wounded Knee Massacre, despite historical controversy.
- The massacre stemmed from political mismanagement and the exploitation of Lakota lands to secure Republican control of new states.
- Failed government promises, starvation, and the Ghost Dance movement fueled tensions among the Lakotas.
- The tragic events at Wounded Knee unfolded due to fear, mismanagement, and a militarized response, resulting in the deaths of over 230 Lakotas, mostly women and children.
- President Harrison's administration dismissed Army criticism and awarded Medals of Honor to soldiers to deflect blame from political appointees.
Big Education Ape: DEMOCRACY: RIDE OR DIE - A BOOK BY RETIRED SUPREME COURT JUSTICE ANTHONY KENNEDY https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/09/democracy-ride-or-die-book-by-retired.html
### Key Points
- Retired Justice Anthony Kennedy’s book emphasizes the fragility of democracy and the dangers of political division and identity politics.
- Kennedy critiques the erosion of civil discourse and its impact on the judiciary and democracy.
- His memoir revisits landmark cases, reflecting on his evolving philosophy of liberty and dignity.
- Kennedy advocates for dynamic constitutional interpretations to expand freedoms over time.
- He warns about threats to judges and the importance of public respect for the judiciary.
Big Education Ape: AI NEWS SMACKDOWN: SEPTEMBER 29, 2025 – WHO NAILED THE CHAOS? https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/09/ai-news-smackdown-september-29-2025-who.html
The article discusses various topics, including political events, education challenges, national affairs, and global issues, as reported by different AI models (Gemini, Grok, ChatGPT-4, and Copilot). Each AI model presented news with unique styles—ranging from dramatic and sensational to responsible and entertaining—highlighting key headlines of September 29, 2025. The discussion also evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of each AI model in delivering news.### Key Points
- Retired Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy's book *Democracy: Ride or Die* addresses America's polarization and threats to democratic institutions.
- AI models Gemini, Grok, ChatGPT-4, and Copilot compete in delivering news, showcasing varied approaches to reporting.
- Gemini highlighted dramatic headlines, including government shutdowns and federal workforce resignations.
- Grok focused on sensational stories, such as Trump indicting James Comey and voter suppression lawsuits.
- ChatGPT-4 emphasized responsible reporting with topics like budget proposals affecting education funding and Supreme Court climate rulings.
- Copilot delivered news with sarcasm, covering topics like federal troop deployment, science score declines, and asteroid deflection plans.
- Major political headlines include Trump’s meetings over government shutdowns, federal troop deployments, and Medicaid work requirements.
- Education challenges include declining test scores, disputes over sex education funding, and stalled federal funds.
- National affairs cover church shootings in Michigan, Pentagon troop deployments to Portland, and climate language bans.
- Global issues include Russia’s missile attacks on Kyiv, Gaza’s escalating death toll, and UN General Assembly calls for reform.
- AI models were evaluated: Gemini for drama, Grok for sensationalism, ChatGPT-4 for responsibility, and Copilot for entertainment.
- Final thoughts suggest that while AI models bring unique perspectives, human reporting remains unmatched in capturing nuance.
Big Education Ape: AI BREAKING NEWS: MULTIPLE VICTIMS IN MICHIGAN CHURCH SHOOTING; CHURCH ON FIRE, POLICE SAY https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/09/ai-breaking-news-multiple-victims-in.html
A tragic shooting and fire occurred at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, Michigan, on September 28, 2025, resulting in multiple casualties. The incident highlighted the performance of various AI models—Gemini, Grok, ChatGPT-4, and Copilot—in covering breaking news, evaluating their accuracy, comprehensiveness, timeliness, and sensitivity to context. Grok emerged as the most reliable source, providing detailed and contextualized reporting.
### Key Points
- A gunman drove a truck into the wall of the church, opened fire on congregants, and set the building ablaze during Sunday morning services. Casualties included six to eight victims, with children among them. The shooter was pronounced dead at the scene.
- The fire escalated to a fifth-alarm level, causing extensive damage to the church. Emergency services from multiple agencies responded swiftly.
- Authorities are investigating the incident as a potential act of domestic terrorism, with the motive still unclear.
- Grok delivered the most comprehensive coverage, including casualty numbers, emergency response efforts, official statements, and broader context related to the LDS community.
- ChatGPT-4 provided accurate but brief updates, focusing on community impact and avoiding misinformation.
- Gemini and Copilot lacked depth, with Gemini offering sparse details and Copilot prioritizing brevity over comprehensiveness.
- Statements from public officials, including Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and FBI Director Kash Patel, condemned the violence and emphasized the need for community support.
- The incident underscores the strengths and limitations of AI in breaking news coverage, with Grok demonstrating the ability to synthesize information effectively.
Big Education Ape: SPECIAL REPORT: THIS WEEK'S TOP "STATE NEWS STORIES" IN THE GREAT AI NEWS SMACKDOWN https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/09/special-report-this-weeks-top-state.html
The article provides a detailed analysis of the "Great AI News Smackdown," where four prominent AI models—Gemini, Grok, ChatGPT 4, and Copilot—compete to deliver the most engaging and impactful state and local news coverage for the week of September 20–27, 2025. The report evaluates each AI's performance based on factors like tone, relevance, engagement, and accuracy, while also highlighting significant state-level news stories from the week.
### Key Points
- Gemini delivered accurate and comprehensive news coverage, including topics like federal troop deployment to Portland, immigration issues, and clean energy projects, but lacked engaging presentation.
- Grok provided dramatic and sensationalized coverage, focusing on stories like Portland protests, Michigan voter data lawsuits, and high-profile memorials, which made its reporting captivating but occasionally exaggerated.
- ChatGPT 4 prioritized sports and international news over state-level stories, such as Cal Raleigh’s home run record and Erdogan’s UN speech, which made its coverage less relevant to the competition’s focus.
- Copilot concentrated heavily on California news, covering topics like gerrymandering, water storage funding, and Arnold Schwarzenegger’s political comeback, but ignored news from other states.
- The competition highlighted key state-level stories, such as troop deployment in Portland, immigration detention center conditions, California’s solar-powered canals, and a $25 million wrongful conviction settlement.
- Grok was declared the winner for its engaging, if sensational, coverage, followed by Gemini for its factual reporting, Copilot for its California focus, and ChatGPT 4 for its misplaced priorities.
- The analysis underscores the challenges AI models face in balancing accuracy, engagement, and relevance in news reporting.
Big Education Ape: THE GREAT AI NEWS SMACKDOWN: WEEK OF SEPT 19–26, 2025 – WHO GEMINI'D THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN AND THE KIRK-KIMMEL MELTDOWN? https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/09/the-great-ai-news-smackdown-september_52.html
The article provides a detailed overview of recent developments in U.S. education, politics, and world affairs, along with a comparison of AI-powered news reporting models—Gemini, Grok, ChatGPT 4, and Copilot. It highlights key controversies, policy changes, and global events while analyzing the storytelling styles and accuracy of each AI model.
### Key Points
- The AI news smackdown compared Gemini, Grok, ChatGPT 4, and Copilot on their reporting of major stories from September 19–26, 2025. Gemini was praised for balance, Grok for drama, Copilot for conspiracy-like content, and ChatGPT 4 for being too safe.
- Harvard University faced financial sanctions and was placed on Heightened Cash Monitoring for refusing to cooperate with a compliance review on race in admissions.
- A transgender student incident in Fairfax County Public Schools sparked debates on Title IX and school safety.
- U.S. high school seniors’ reading and math scores showed significant declines, raising alarms about education quality.
- The looming government shutdown created political tension, with threats of mass layoffs and ACA subsidy extensions at stake.
- Former FBI Director James Comey was indicted, while Jimmy Kimmel faced suspension over controversial comments.
- Global affairs included escalating conflicts in Gaza, Ukraine’s plea for intervention, and Venezuela mobilizing troops amid U.S. tensions.
- AI models differed in their coverage of world events, with Gemini delivering comprehensive reporting, Grok emphasizing drama, ChatGPT 4 focusing on basics, and Copilot highlighting provocative incidents.
- Sudan experienced a deadly drone strike, Nigeria faced police ambushes, and Afghanistan rejected U.S. calls to reclaim Bagram Air Base.
Love, Joy, and the Art of Creating the World We Deserve | Bill Ayers https://billayers.org/2025/09/29/love-joy-and-the-art-of-creating-the-world-we-deserve/
### Key Points- The event "Revolution: Love, Joy, and the Art of Creating the World We Deserve" will take place on September 29, 2025, at the National Public Housing Museum in Chicago, featuring Zayd Ayers Dohrn and guest activists discussing the role of art, activism, and imagination in driving social change.
- Registration for the event is free but limited, emphasizing the intersection of storytelling and social justice.
- Goodman Theatre's "100 Free Acts of Theater" is a year-long initiative celebrating Chicago's artistic diversity by offering free performances across all 50 wards during its Centennial Season.
- Upcoming events include discussions on housing and education (September 5, 2025), family-friendly public spaces (September 25, 2025), and predatory real estate practices affecting vulnerable communities (October 8, 2025).
- The National Public Housing Museum collaborates with Indigenous communities to develop a land acknowledgment statement, recognizing the traditional homelands of several Indigenous tribes.
Teacher Tom: The Real Purpose of Learning is Joy https://teachertomsblog.blogspot.com/2025/09/the-real-purpose-of-learning-is-joy.html
The article emphasizes the joy-driven nature of learning, especially through play-based methods, and critiques the adult tendency to impose structured purposes on children's learning experiences. It argues that curiosity is an innate imperative tied to joy, not survival, and stresses the importance of allowing children to pursue self-selected learning paths without interference. The author also discusses the broader implications of fostering joyful learning environments through collaboration with parents and communities.### Key Points
- Learning is a natural, curiosity-driven process that often manifests as joy, especially in young children.
- Adults often misunderstand or interfere with children's learning by assigning utilitarian purposes, which detracts from their innate joy.
- Curiosity is essential for survival but exists primarily for the pursuit of joy, not utilitarian outcomes.
- Forcing structured learning on children, such as teaching them something they haven't chosen, undermines their curiosity and joy.
- Educators should focus on creating environments that nurture joyful, self-directed learning and involve parents as allies.
The Debate about Charlie Kirk Being Taken Out of Context – Cloaking Inequity https://cloakinginequity.com/2025/09/29/the-debate-about-charlie-kirk-being-taken-out-of-context/
The Debate about Charlie Kirk Being Taken Out of Context ### Key Points
- The viral 2018 debate between Charlie Kirk and Cenk Uygur sparked controversy, with critics accusing Kirk of using an Asian slur, while defenders claimed he was misinterpreted.
- Kirk's career is marked by repeated claims of being "taken out of context," but deeper analysis often reveals his rhetoric as inflammatory rather than misunderstood.
- Polarized interpretations of Kirk’s statements highlight broader issues of media, identity, and political polarization.
- Kirk’s comments on George Floyd framed insults as truth-telling, illustrating his rhetorical strategy of pairing offensive remarks with disclaimers.
- Critics and opponents using similar rhetorical constructions as Kirk face disproportionate backlash, exposing double standards in public discourse.
- Kirk’s rhetoric on immigration uses fear-mongering language, portraying migrants as threats and advocating harsh measures against them.
- Statements on Islam and race reflect Kirk’s pattern of dehumanization, targeting specific groups and individuals with inflammatory remarks.
- Kirk dismisses empathy as a manipulative political tool, redefining it as a weakness to align with his worldview of attack-driven strength.
- Kirk’s stance on abortion, including extreme hypotheticals, emphasizes his harsh, uncompromising positions regardless of human cost.
- The broader context of Kirk’s rhetoric reveals a consistent strategy of dehumanization, fear-mongering, and redefining compassion as weakness.
Just Sent-Out Free Monthly Email Newsletter - Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day... | The latest news and resources in education since 2007 https://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/
### Key Points- The blog provides a variety of educational resources, including AI chatbots, newsletters, and articles on topics like SEL, ELLs, and educational policy.
- Highlights upcoming events such as International Translation Day and World Teachers Day, offering related resources.
- Discusses research findings, including student attention and the impact of ICE raids on students.
- Features extensive "Best" lists and instructional strategies across subjects like Social Studies, Math, Science, and English.
- Offers books and materials for teachers, focusing on classroom management, student motivation, and parental engagement.
- Includes additional work such as blog posts, radio shows, and contributions to Education Week Teacher and the New York Times Learning Network.
- Provides over 50 teaching practices divided into sections based on autonomy, competency, relatedness, and relevance.
- Reports on page views from Aug. 29th to Sep. 29th, totaling 52,279.
glen brown: "Trump’s newest presidential memoranda criminalizes critics of empire, capitalism, Christian nationalism, abuses by the state and those who fight racism and gender discrimination" -Chris Hedges https://teacherpoetmusicianglenbrown.blogspot.com/2025/09/trumps-newest-presidential-memoranda.html
The article discusses the rise of authoritarianism and fascism under the Trump administration, focusing on its policies, memoranda, and ideological underpinnings. It highlights the administration's efforts to criminalize dissent, target liberal institutions, and promote a Christian nationalist agenda while eroding democratic norms and freedoms.### Key Points
- The Trump administration issued a presidential memo targeting critics of law enforcement, capitalism, and Christian nationalism, labeling them as fomenters of violent revolution.
- The memo accuses dissidents and critics of being part of phantom organizations promoting sedition, using baseless claims to justify state oppression.
- The administration seeks to brand all dissidents as antifa supporters, enabling prosecution as terrorists under a preemptive war strategy.
- Federal agencies are instructed to investigate and dismantle networks perceived as threats, targeting individuals and institutions opposing Trump’s grip on power.
- The memo reflects a broader vision for America rooted in Christian fascism, advocating for a legal system based on religious dogma and the suppression of marginalized groups.
- The ideology promotes white male patriarchy, denies women's rights, and dismisses climate change as a hoax, while silencing dissenting voices.
- The rise of pseudo-democracy under Trump replaces facts with opinions, erases history, and enforces blind loyalty to leadership.
- The article warns of the impending collapse of democracy and the establishment of a dystopian authoritarian regime.
THE GREAT AI NEWS SMACKDOWN: SEPTEMBER 29, 2025 – THE BATTLE OF THE BOTS https://ru4people.substack.com/p/the-great-ai-news-smackdown-september-79b
The article reviews the performance of four AI models—Google’s Gemini, xAI’s Grok, OpenAI’s ChatGPT-4, and Microsoft’s Copilot—in analyzing and reporting major news stories across politics, education, national affairs, and world affairs. Each AI was scored based on its ability to deliver accurate and engaging summaries, with Copilot emerging as the overall winner for its precise and comprehensive reporting. Grok followed closely behind with its bold storytelling, while Gemini was reliable but occasionally scattered. ChatGPT-4 lagged significantly, offering less relevant and impactful coverage.### Key Points
- AI models were evaluated on their ability to summarize news stories across four categories: politics, education, national affairs, and world affairs.
- In politics, Grok excelled with sharp coverage of legal controversies like Trump’s Comey indictment, while Copilot delivered polished, scandal-packed summaries. ChatGPT-4 performed poorly, missing key political drama.
- In education, Copilot stood out with comprehensive reporting on test scores, Title IX debates, and California’s equity policies. Gemini connected AI disruption to student performance, while Grok focused on international rankings. ChatGPT-4 repeated budget-cut issues without depth.
- For national affairs, Grok balanced tragedy and institutional critique, covering the Michigan church shooting and troop deployments. Copilot offered breadth but lacked focus, while ChatGPT-4 missed major breaking news.
- In world affairs, Grok excelled again with balanced coverage of Russia’s attacks on Kyiv, Gaza’s death toll, and UN reform discussions. Copilot connected global events smartly but missed Gaza’s death toll. ChatGPT-4 focused on niche stories irrelevant to top headlines.
- Copilot was declared the overall winner for its precise and compelling reporting across all categories. Grok followed closely with bold storytelling, Gemini achieved reliable coverage, and ChatGPT-4 trailed with speculative, low-impact reporting.
- The article highlights the evolving capabilities of AI journalism and its role in reshaping how news is consumed.
Weekend Quotables: ICE invades Chicago +This week's Hitting Left show. https://klonsky.substack.com/p/weekend-quotables-ice-invades-chicago Weekend Quotables: ICE invades Chicago +This week's Hitting Left show. Michael Klonsky Sep 29, 2025 1 Share
### Key Points- ICE agents patrolled Chicago, sparking protests and resistance, with individuals like Shirley Zuniga prioritizing activism over personal celebrations, emphasizing the importance of immigrants to America.
- Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker criticized ICE operations as fear-inducing and harmful to communities and businesses, calling for vigilance and awareness of rights.
- J.D. Vance falsely claimed Democrats aim to allocate "hundreds of billions" in healthcare benefits to immigrants, a statement refuted by the article.
- Donald Trump’s rhetoric and policies, including militarized actions and discriminatory practices, were highlighted as central to his administration's immigration agenda.
- Environmental scientist Colin Kramer discussed the challenges of defending environmental justice amidst EPA rollbacks and union suppression under Trump’s administration.
- Music recommendations and radio discussions, including "The Bourgeois Blues" and interviews with advocates for prison justice, were shared as part of cultural commentary.
Moral Clarity in the Classroom https://teacherinastrangeland.blog/2025/09/29/moral-clarity-in-the-classroom/ via @nancyflanagan
### Key Points- The article emphasizes the importance of moral clarity in teaching, advocating for truth-telling and avoiding "both-sides" narratives in classrooms.
- Teachers play a crucial role in fostering classroom communities built on shared values, trust, and respect, rather than solely relying on authority or fear.
- Respect in classrooms must flow three ways: teacher to students, students to teacher, and students to students, as it builds trust and a collaborative learning environment.
- Moral clarity involves mutual respect, truth-telling, purpose-driven teaching, and modeling behaviors like intellectual curiosity, humility, and forgiveness.
- The author reflects on personal experiences of failing and succeeding in creating a classroom environment with moral clarity over 30+ years of teaching.
- Concerns are raised about the politicization of civics education, especially with initiatives like the 1776 Project, which may lack objectivity and truth-telling.
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Updates on Superintendent Search from the School Board Office. https://saveseattleschools.blogspot.com/2025/09/updates-on-superintendent-search-from.html?spref=tw
- Seattle Schools Community Forum provides updates on key dates for the Superintendent search, including finalist interviews and tentative candidate selection dates.
- Discussion on the speaker list for the Board meeting, focusing on high school boundaries and zoning departures requested by Green Dot.
- Concerns raised about nepotism within Seattle Public Schools, highlighting promotions and job movements based on personal connections rather than merit.
- Commentary on Director Geary's stance regarding advanced learning services as discussed in the Board meeting.
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Seattle School Board Candidate Forums 2025 https://saveseattleschools.blogspot.com/2025/09/seattle-school-board-candidate-forums.html?spref=tw
### Key Points- Seattle School Board Candidate Forums are scheduled, with events on September 29, October 4, October 7, and October 14, offering opportunities for community engagement and discussion with candidates.
- Forums include diverse formats such as Q&A, student-led discussions, trivia rounds, and meet-and-greets, with some events featuring refreshments and virtual attendance options.
- A previous forum at Horizon House retirement community included District 5 candidates, and the video recording is available online.
- Concerns about nepotism within Seattle Public Schools are highlighted, particularly regarding personnel promotions based on personal connections.
- Discussions on advanced learning services in Seattle Public Schools were mentioned, reflecting ongoing debates about educational strategies.
Trump Ed Department Backs Extremist Agenda for Schools Coalition includes Prager U, Turning Point USA https://theeducationreport.substack.com/p/trump-ed-department-backs-extremist
### Key Points- The Trump administration's Department of Education introduced a "patriotic education" initiative aimed at implementing MAGA-driven civics programming in schools nationwide.
- The coalition behind this initiative includes over 40 organizations such as Prager U, Turning Point USA, Moms for Liberty, and Hillsdale College, many of which advocate for banning books, whitewashing history, and removing civil rights materials from curricula.
- Turning Point USA is actively pushing to establish chapters in high schools across the country, offering incentives like cash to students for opening chapters, with some state officials supporting these mandates.
- The initiative is framed as a move to advance "God-centered, virtuous education" and restore traditional American civics education, sparking concerns about extremism and partisanship in public education.
Facing Deficits, Will Florida’s Lawmakers Look to Public Education for Reductions? – Accountabaloney https://accountabaloney.com/facing-deficits-will-floridas-lawmakers-look-to-public-education-for-reductions/
Florida faces a budget crisis as its Universal Voucher program diverts nearly all new state K-12 funding to students who were never enrolled in public schools. Despite a temporary surplus in 2026-27, significant deficits are projected for subsequent years. Public schools are increasingly reliant on local property taxes as state funding diminishes, while voucher programs consume a growing share of resources. Lawmakers are urged to address the fiscal impact of vouchers to ensure sustainable budgeting.### Key Points
- Florida's Universal Voucher program has redirected nearly all new state K-12 funding to students who never attended public schools.
- The state projects a $3.8 billion surplus for 2026-27 but anticipates significant deficits of $1.5 billion in 2027-28 and $6.6 billion in 2028-29.
- Public schools face declining state contributions, forcing local communities to compensate through increased property taxes.
- Voucher programs account for 78% of the growth in recurring state General Revenue since 2022-23, impacting the state's fiscal sustainability.
- Addressing the growth of voucher programs is essential to maintaining a stable budget and supporting public education.
Retiree Advocate Flyer: NYCE PPO for today's Delegate Assembly https://jd2718.substack.com/p/retiree-advocate-flyer-nyce-ppo
### Key Points- The NYCE PPO plan expands the network for pre-Medicare retirees living out of state, addressing challenges in finding in-network providers in states like Arizona, Florida, and North Carolina. It also reduces prior authorization requirements, improving efficiency.
- Concerns exist about the redacted contract details, including financial or usage targets that could lead to increased member costs, such as tiering hospitals or raising copays. Transparency is a key issue.
- Members of the Retiree Advocate group have differing opinions on the NYCE PPO plan, with some supporting it for its expanded network and others opposing due to lack of trust and transparency.
- Retiree Advocate emphasizes oversight, accountability, and proper implementation of the plan, ensuring members understand its impact and monitoring its rollout.
- Calls for delaying the vote on the plan to demand full transparency and better healthcare options, with concerns about profit-driven motives and potential negative impacts on members.
Hillshire Brands Company Recalls Corn Dogs - Nutrition (CA Dept of Education) https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/nu/hillshirebrandsrecall.asp
Hillshire Brands Company Recalls Corn Dogs Due to Possible Contamination### Key Points
- Hillshire Brands Company recalled approximately 58,000,000 pounds of corn dog and sausage on a stick products due to potential contamination with wood pieces embedded in the batter.
- The affected products were packaged between March 17, 2025, and September 26, 2025, and bear establishment numbers “EST-582” or “P-894.”
- These items were sold online, shipped nationwide to retail, food service locations, school districts, and Department of Defense facilities, but are not part of USDA-provided National School Lunch Program foods.
- Consumers and program operators are advised to dispose of or return the products to the place of purchase.
- For recall-related questions, contact Christina Self at Hillshire Brands Company or Jeremy Partsch at the California Department of Education.
- Additional resources on food safety, recalls, and nutrition are available through related links.
Yesterday’s Gems, Today’s Insights
A Roundup of the Web’s Finest Blog Posts!
9-29-25
The article covers a wide range of topics, including political developments, societal issues, educational reforms, AI news competition, and critiques of leadership styles, particularly focusing on Donald Trump’s authoritarian tactics, societal implications, and the role of AI in news aggregation. It also highlights controversies in education systems, governance, and public transparency.
### Key Points
- Retired Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy publishes a book titled *Democracy: Ride or Die*, reflecting on democracy and its challenges.
- Trump’s actions are compared to King George III, highlighting parallels with historical grievances like deploying military forces without consent and obstructing justice.
- Trump’s plan to deploy military troops to Portland, Oregon, sparks controversy, with local officials opposing the move and questioning its legality.
- A tragic church shooting in Michigan results in multiple casualties, illustrating the strengths and weaknesses of AI models in breaking news coverage. Grok emerges as the most reliable source.
- The "Great AI News Smackdown" evaluates AI models—Gemini, Grok, ChatGPT-4, and Copilot—on their performance in news reporting, with Grok declared the winner for engaging coverage.
- Trump’s administration has been accused of authoritarian tactics and using the Department of Justice to target perceived enemies, raising concerns about democracy erosion.
- Analysis of billionaire influence on education highlights privatization efforts, declining test scores, and harmful reforms like AI integration and EdTech.
- Stockton’s grassroots efforts are showcased as a model for local democracy and equity, emphasizing community-driven change.
- Spotify scams are detailed, with tips on avoiding phishing emails, fake apps, and account takeovers.
- NYC mayoral candidates Cuomo, Sliwa, and Mamdani debate education policies, focusing on Mayoral control, charter schools, and class sizes.
- Critique of the "Christofascist Agenda" in schools highlights the dangers of replacing education with propaganda centers.
- Historical reflections on obedience as a root cause of societal atrocities emphasize the importance of resisting authoritarianism.
- The article explores gun violence, flavored marijuana vaping among teens, and the impact of privatization policies on public education.
- AI models differ in their reporting styles, with Gemini focusing on accuracy, Grok on drama, ChatGPT-4 on basics, and Copilot on niche topics.
- Marc Cooper critiques Trump’s exaggerated portrayal of Portland, emphasizing the city’s recovery and cultural vibrancy.
- Larry Ferlazzo’s blog highlights Social Emotional Learning (SEL) resources, teaching strategies, and the impact of ICE raids on students.
