OCTOBER 30, 2025
- President Donald Trump has instructed the Department of War to resume nuclear weapons testing on an equal basis with other global powers, including China and Russia.
- A potential sale of TikTok to a U.S. buyer could be finalized on October 30, according to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
- A federal judge in San Francisco has halted thousands of federal employee layoffs announced by the Trump administration.
- Twenty-five states are suing the Trump administration over a freeze on SNAP food stamp funding, amid ongoing hurricane threats like Melissa approaching Jamaica.
- U.S. Southern Command conducted airstrikes in the Eastern Pacific as part of top stories highlighted in global updates.
- U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Busan, South Korea, to address escalating trade tensions, with Trump threatening 100% tariffs on Chinese imports.
- The Tokyo auto show focused on advanced technology, but concerns over Trump's proposed tariffs on imports loomed large for the industry.
- Trump described the trade deal discussions with Xi as progressing, amid investigations into China's compliance with the 2020 agreement.
- The Wall Street Journal highlighted how Trump navigated D.C. bureaucracy for White House changes, alongside economic impacts on families.
- Trump announced orders for the U.S. to resume nuclear weapons testing to match levels with China and Russia.
- Trump and Xi held talks in South Korea to de-escalate months of trade disputes during the APEC summit.
- Six Pakistani soldiers, including a captain, were killed in a blast in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while U.S. forces struck a suspected drug boat.
- Key global updates included ongoing trade tensions and nuclear developments from the Trump-Xi meeting.
- New York City pilots using AI in education reported a 30% increase in identifying at-risk students, reducing behavioral incidents.
- Fewer candidates are running for school boards in New Jersey elections, impacting school governance and taxpayer spending.
- Education Week launched a project to portray teaching realities and guide better policies for the K-12 workforce.
- Headlines for school assemblies included electoral roll revisions in Kerala and BJP poll code allegations, touching on civic education.
- U.S. stocks slipped while gold surged amid banking and fiscal fears, marking intensified market volatility.
- Wall Street fluctuated around record levels after the Federal Reserve cut rates but offered no guarantees for further reductions.
- Trade talks between Trump and Xi could lead to new sanctions if China fails 2020 deal compliance, heightening economic tensions.
- The Wall Street Journal archived stories on economic policies, including family impacts and bureaucratic changes under Trump.
- Nvidia is nearing a $5 trillion valuation after securing deals to build AI supercomputers for the U.S. Energy Department.
- The U.S. will share technology allowing South Korea to build nuclear-powered submarines, as announced by Trump.
- Battery-powered appliances are easing the switch from gas to electric, driven by cheaper and more powerful batteries.
- Top startup funding rounds focused on AI, biotech, climate tech, and fintech infrastructure breakthroughs.
- Scientists discovered an antibiotic 100 times stronger than existing drugs against superbugs like MRSA.
- Direct Relief and Boehringer Ingelheim delivered advanced stroke treatments to 30 low-income countries worldwide.
- A new Lancet report warns that climate inaction is causing millions of deaths annually, urging health protections as a climate driver.
- Obamacare health insurance prices for 2026 became public, showing significant increases amid congressional impasse.
- In the 2025 World Series, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Davis Schneider hit back-to-back home runs off Blake Snell, leading Toronto to a Game 5 win over the Dodgers.
- Trey Yesavage set a record with 12 strikeouts, putting the Blue Jays up 3-2 against the Dodgers in the series.
- Boston Celtics used a barrage of three-pointers to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers in NBA action.
- Cade Cunningham's 30 points and 10 assists powered the Pistons to a 135-116 victory over the Magic.
Book Review :: An Education: How I Changed My Mind About Schools and Almost Everything Else by Diane Ravitch - NewPages.com https://www.newpages.com/blog/books/book-reviews/an-education-by-diane-ravitch/
An Education: How I Changed My Mind About Schools and Almost Everything Else: Ravitch, Diane: 9780231220293: Amazon.com: Books https://www.amazon.com/Education-Changed-Schools-Almost-Everything/dp/0231220294?
Big Education Ape: TODAY'S TOP NEWS - YESTERDAY'S BEST BLOG POST OCTOBER 29, 2025 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/10/todays-top-news-yesterdays-best-blog_0298820397.html
### Key Points
- Diane Ravitch's blog critiques North Carolina's legislature for expanding vouchers and ignoring public schools.
- Trump administration's Asia tour focuses on trade, diplomacy, and tariff reductions on China in exchange for fentanyl control.
- Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm, threatens Jamaica, raising concerns over climate change and disaster response.
- Bill Gates emphasizes technological solutions over immediate climate action, sparking criticism for delaying systemic emissions cuts.
- The Trump administration's federal agency layoffs target civil rights offices and critical functions, impacting marginalized communities.
- Diane Ravitch's memoir, "An Education," reflects on her evolution in education policy advocacy and her commitment to public schools.
- Glenn Kessler critiques the politicization of the White House website under Trump, highlighting misinformation and authoritarianism concerns.
- U.S. government shutdown impacts food aid, education funding, and federal services, while international diplomacy efforts continue.
- "No Kings" protests emphasize democracy, collective action, and resistance to authoritarianism, marking a historic movement.
- The "Southern surge" in reading improvement is critiqued as a media-driven narrative with misleading data and persistent literacy gaps.
- The Trump administration's dismantling of the Department of Education impacts public schools, particularly low-income districts.
- Gabe Dannenbring, a middle school teacher, becomes a viral sensation for creating relatable educational content on social media.
- The Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights faces staff cuts and potential transfer to the Department of Justice, raising concerns about civil rights enforcement.
- Studies show physical fitness and moderate screen time positively influence adolescents' brain health, while extreme heat impacts test scores.
- The Seattle School Board's superintendent selection process faces scrutiny over transparency and nepotism concerns.
- The "No Kings" protests highlight the importance of humility, collaboration, and service in leadership, rejecting authoritarianism.
Big Education Ape: MORNING NEWS UPDATE: WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 29, 2025 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/10/morning-news-update-wednesday-october.html
### Key Points
- North Carolina legislature expands school vouchers, neglecting public schools.
- Hurricane Melissa prompts evacuations in Cuba, with potential U.S. impact.
- U.S. government shutdown threatens programs like Head Start and food aid.
- Trump administration intensifies immigration enforcement and hints at a third term.
- U.S.-South Korea trade agreement finalized; tensions with China over Taiwan escalate.
- Israeli airstrikes in Gaza violate ceasefire; Cyclone Montha impacts India.
- AI's growing role in healthcare and education sparks both innovation and concerns.
- Nvidia nears $5 trillion valuation; OpenAI transitions to a for-profit model.
- U.S. Federal Reserve likely to cut interest rates amid global economic slowdown.
- Tylenol lawsuit raises autism risk claims; climate change anxiety affects family planning.
- Sports updates: NFL trade, NBA debates, and cricket milestones.
Big Education Ape: BILL GATES: THE BILLIONAIRE ORACLE WHO'D RATHER PIVOT THAN PREPARE, AS HURRICANE MELISSA EYES JAMAICA FOR A CATASTROPHIC REMIX https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/10/bill-gates-billionaire-oracle-whod.html
### Key Points
- Bill Gates emphasizes a pivot from emissions reduction to technological innovation and poverty alleviation, but critics argue this creates a false dichotomy and delays urgent climate action.
- Hurricane Melissa, one of the strongest storms in Atlantic history, highlights the immediate impacts of climate change, with Jamaica bracing for catastrophic damage.
- Climate scientists stress that every fraction of a degree of warming intensifies extreme weather and argue for deploying existing renewable energy solutions rather than relying on unproven technologies.
- Gates’ strategy of investing in futuristic technologies like carbon capture and nuclear energy is seen as insufficient for addressing the urgent needs of communities facing climate disasters now.
Big Education Ape: TODAY'S TOP NEWS - YESTERDAY'S BEST BLOG POST OCTOBER 28, 2025 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/10/todays-top-news-yesterdays-best-blog_01201057585.html
The Unsung Architects of Greatness – Cloaking Inequity https://cloakinginequity.com/2025/10/29/the-unsung-architects-of-greatness/
### Key Points
- Shane Battier's quiet, consistent contributions helped the Miami Heat win championships, demonstrating the value of role players who prioritize team success over personal glory.
- Successful teams rely on "glue people" who do the unnoticed but essential work, maintaining culture, bridging gaps, and ensuring cohesion.
- Humility in leadership fosters innovation, collaboration, and resilience by creating psychological safety and balancing confidence with self-awareness.
- True humility involves stepping forward to do necessary work without seeking recognition, prioritizing collective goals over individual credit.
- Teams succeed through collaboration and shared purpose, not individual achievement, with humble contributors driving sustainable success.
Teacher Tom: If There is Any Single Thing I Want Parents to Know, It's This https://teachertomsblog.blogspot.com/2025/10/if-there-is-any-single-thing-i-want.html
### Key Points
- A gifted three-year-old demonstrated self-directed learning by mastering the Periodic Table and other advanced topics while focusing on social-emotional skills at school.
- Despite societal pressure, the boy's parents prioritized his happiness and natural curiosity over formal gifted programs.
- The child struggled with social interactions but remained motivated to connect with peers, ultimately thriving in play-based learning environments.
- The author highlights that true happiness and learning come from following one's curiosity, advocating for less pressure on children to conform to accelerated academic expectations.
glen brown: "I could send the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines" into any American city https://teacherpoetmusicianglenbrown.blogspot.com/2025/10/i-could-send-army-navy-air-force.html
### Key Points
- The connection between the historical use of the term "atheist" for those resisting Roman emperor worship and modern political resistance.
- A critique of corporations like Target that abandoned Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives under political pressure.
- Advocacy for "political atheism," which rejects idolizing any political leader or system, emphasizing the fragility of democracy.
- Reflection on the dangers of complacency after political victories and the importance of sustained activism.
Around The Web In ESL/EFL/ELL Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day... | The latest news and resources in education since 2007 https://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/
### Key Points
- The blog features curated posts and resources related to ESL/EFL/ELL, including strategies and tools for language instruction.
- November 5th is recognized as World Tsunami Awareness Day, with related teaching and learning resources provided.
- A free monthly email newsletter is shared with simple and valuable educational insights.
- Infographics on topics like high school graduation rates and the most visited websites are highlighted as useful resources.
- Sanger Unified is discussed as a potential model district for engaging instruction and student achievement.
- Various educational books and resources authored by the blogger focus on research-based strategies for teaching multiple subjects and supporting English learners.
- The blog includes posts on student motivation, lesson plans, and classroom management strategies.
- The author also shares contributions to platforms like the New York Times Learning Network and Education Week Teacher.
MORNING NEWS UPDATE: WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 29, 2025 https://ru4people.substack.com/p/morning-news-update-wednesday-october
### Key Points
- Hurricane Melissa makes landfall in Cuba, prompting evacuations with potential impacts on the southeastern U.S.
- U.S. government shutdown enters its 28th day, threatening programs like Head Start and food aid.
- Trump administration plans to intensify immigration enforcement through ICE leadership changes.
- Former President Trump hints at a third-term possibility, raising constitutional debates.
- U.S. Senate passes a resolution to end tariffs on Brazilian imports, though it faces obstacles in the House.
- China escalates tensions over Taiwan, stating military force remains an option for reunification.
- Israeli airstrikes in Gaza kill at least 81 people, despite a ceasefire.
- California colleges experiment with short courses to boost enrollment.
- Global markets await the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision, with a cut expected.
- Nvidia nears a $5 trillion valuation due to significant orders and robotaxi partnerships.
- AI investments grow in healthcare, with companies like Eli Lilly and Johnson & Johnson leveraging technology for advancements.
- Flu and COVID-19 infections linked to increased cardiovascular risks, according to new studies.
- Virat Kohli reaches 27,000 career runs in international cricket, setting a record.
BREAKING: TRUMP DEPLOYS SPACE FORCE TO AMERICA’S CITIES—ARMED WITH PATENTED TRUMP FREEZE LASERS™ https://ru4people.substack.com/p/breaking-trump-deploys-space-force
### Key Points
- President Trump launched "Operation Absolute Zero," deploying Space Force troops equipped with Trump Freeze Lasers™ to major U.S. cities.
- The lasers, mounted on Starlink satellites, can rapidly freeze areas, drawing comparisons to advanced air conditioning technology.
- Reports from cities include humorous and surreal scenarios, such as frozen lattes in Portland, frozen deep-dish pizzas in Chicago, and cocaine igloos in Miami.
- Critics, including the ACLU, argue the lasers constitute "cruel and unusual chill," but Trump dismissed these claims on Truth Social.
- Trump hinted at global expansion of the program, joking about freezing Greenland for annexation. NASA has been rebranded as NASFA to align with the initiative.
### Key Points
- Seattle’s upcoming elections include four School Board seats, with a special note on the District 2 race where the winner will serve only two years.
- Candidates shared their views on the most pressing issues in education, such as teacher devaluation, opportunity gaps, funding challenges, and rebuilding trust in public education.
- Concerns about systemic inequities, marginalized student needs, and the district's loss of enrollment and trust post-pandemic were highlighted by candidates.
- Nepotism in Seattle Public Schools is discussed, focusing on personnel promotions and job movements based on personal connections rather than merit.
Unity Forms a Committee to Investigate Voting And naturally, it's far from representative https://arthurgoldstein.substack.com/p/unity-forms-a-committee-to-investigate
- Unity forms a committee to investigate online voting but disproportionately represents its own faction, giving it more influence than its election results justify.
- The committee's composition does not equitably reflect the election results, favoring Unity with 62% representation compared to their 54% vote share.
- Past Unity-led committees, such as the health committee, were heavily dominated by Unity members, limiting fair representation and transparency.
- Unity's leadership, particularly Mulgrew, is criticized for authoritarian behavior, silencing opposition, and using legal threats against dissenters.
- Critics argue that Unity consistently undermines fair representation for other factions like ABC and ARISE, while opposition groups vow to continue advocating for equity and transparency.
- The discussion highlights broader concerns about Unity's leadership style and its impact on the democratic functioning of the union.
Shanker Blog: Revisiting the Great Divergence in State Education Spending | National Education Policy Center https://nepc.colorado.edu/blog/revisiting
### Key Points
- The gap in K-12 education spending among U.S. states has significantly widened since the 1990s, with a sharp increase after the 2007-09 recession.
- Some states, like Connecticut and Massachusetts, resumed pre-recession spending growth, while others, like Arizona and New Mexico, stagnated, leading to a clear divergence in spending levels.
- Lower-spending states often have smaller economies, which limits their capacity to raise revenue for schools, despite devoting a larger share of their economies to education.
- Cuts to federal education aid, including pandemic-related funding, are expected to disproportionately harm lower-spending states.
- The growing disparity in educational investment exacerbates interstate inequality in educational opportunities and outcomes.
- While investment is critical for school performance, higher-spending states also face challenges like funding inequities within districts.
- The author expresses concern about the long-term implications of these funding gaps and the difficulty of resolving them.
Students, Poverty, and Reading: The Pernicious Folly of Red v. Blue Political Propaganda https://radicalscholarship.com/2025/10/29/students-poverty-and-reading-the-pernicious-folly-of-red-v-blue-political-propaganda/ via @plthomasEdD
### Key Points
- The discourse on education in the U.S. is polarized, often misrepresenting crises or miracles, particularly in student reading proficiency.
- The "Mississippi miracle" in reading reform is a misrepresented success story, with minimal evidence to support its widespread adoption.
- Poverty and socioeconomic factors, which are beyond the control of schools, significantly influence standardized test outcomes.
- Comparing Mississippi and California's education systems oversimplifies the challenges, ignoring their distinct socioeconomic and demographic contexts.
- Politicized education reforms, such as the red/blue state narrative, detract from addressing systemic issues like poverty and racial inequity.
- Standardized tests are unreliable indicators of educational quality, often penalizing schools serving disadvantaged communities.
Hormel Foods Recalls Ready-To-Eat Chicken Products - Nutrition (CA Dept of Education) https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/nu/hormelrecallchicken.asp
### Key Points
- Hormel Foods recalled over 4.8 million pounds of frozen chicken products due to possible metal contamination.
- Affected products include specific boneless chicken breast and thigh items distributed nationwide from February 10 to September 19, 2025.
- Consumers and food program operators are urged to avoid serving or consuming these products and to dispose of them as per USDA guidelines.
- Detailed product information and contact details for further inquiries are provided.
- Other recent food recalls, such as M.C.I. Foods breakfast burritos, were also noted.
Build Momentum for 2026: Support Aftyn Behn on Dec. 2 http://www.schoolsmatter.info/2025/10/build-momentum-for-2026-support-aftyn.html
### Key Points
- Aftyn Behn is running for Congress in Tennessee, advocating for bold leadership and prioritizing people's needs.
- Supporters express enthusiasm for her campaign, highlighting the importance of electing more women Democrats and removing MAGA-aligned politicians.
- Critics question her eligibility based on residency and criticize Democrats' governance in certain areas.
- Suggestions for improving her campaign include better production quality in promotional materials.
Kurt Vonnegut's Player Piano Nightmare Is Here AI school expanding reach, schools without teachers are here https://theeducationreport.substack.com/p/kurt-vonneguts-player-piano-nightmare
### Key Points
- AI-driven schools, inspired by Kurt Vonnegut's "Player Piano," are replacing human teachers with apps like "2 Hour Learning."
- The concept involves students learning through laptops for two hours daily, with support from major backers like Elon Musk and other tech billionaires.
- These AI-based schools are rapidly expanding, with virtual charter schools and brick-and-mortar campuses opening across the U.S.
- The model claims students learn two to three times faster, but critics question its impact on human fulfillment and traditional education values.
- Concerns arise over public funding being directed toward AI charter schools, potentially reshaping the education system.
