REALLY BIG STORIES LAST MONTH
MORNING NEWS UPDATE: NOVEMBER 24, 2025
Trump Administration to Unveil Health Care Plan: Reports indicate the administration is planning to release a proposal aimed at stabilizing Affordable Care Act (ACA) premiums amid expected cost spikes, a key issue leading up to the 2026 midterm elections.
GOP Alarm Over Potential 2026 Midterm Wipeout: Republican lawmakers are reportedly growing concerned about signs suggesting a significant loss of seats in the 2026 midterm elections, with internal warnings that leaders must address voter concerns about the slowing economy and persistently high prices.
Housing and Interest-Sensitive Sectors Challenged: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent asserted that the U.S. is not at risk of a 2026 recession, but acknowledged that sectors like housing and those sensitive to interest rates are showing signs of struggle.
Ukraine Peace Talks Continue Amid US Plan Scrutiny: Officials are meeting in Geneva to discuss a peace plan for Ukraine, reportedly proposed by the U.S., with European leaders expressing that the current 28 points "need reworking" and calling for Russia to engage more directly.
Hezbollah Studies Response to Deadly Strike: Following an Israeli strike in Beirut targeting a Hezbollah leader, the political council of Hezbollah is reportedly "studying the matter of response" and will take an appropriate decision.
Sudanese General Rejects Ceasefire Proposal: Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, commander-in-chief of the Sudanese Armed Forces, rejected a ceasefire proposal from U.S.-led mediators, calling it "the worst yet" and one that would dismantle the Armed Forces.
Romania Scrambles Jets Due to Russian Drones: Romania's defense ministry reported scrambling jets after Russia resumed night-time drone attacks on Ukrainian civilian and port infrastructure close to the NATO member's border.
EU Leaders Address Frozen Russian Assets: During informal talks, EU leaders had a "serious" discussion on the Ukraine peace settlement, agreeing that one potential way forward is to move on proposals regarding frozen Russian assets.
Poland Arrests Third Suspect in Russian Rail Sabotage: Polish authorities arrested a Ukrainian man, alleging he was involved in aiding the main two suspects (also identified as Ukrainian men allegedly working for Russian intelligence) in preparing a recent rail sabotage attack.
Trump Administration Moves to Dismantle Education Department: The administration quietly announced plans to shift programs serving Native students from the Department of Education to the departments of the Interior and Labor, a move that critics argue violated federal law by not consulting tribal nations.
Adaptive Math Program Approved in Texas: DreamBox Math for Texas by Discovery Education received full approval by the Texas State Board of Education (SBOE) for grades K-5, aligning with the state's TEKS Readiness Standards.
Mortgage Rates Hold Narrow Range: The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate is reported at 6.11%, and the 15-year fixed rate is at 5.62%, holding within a narrow range in recent weeks.
Stock Market Growth Concentrated in 'Magnificent Seven': The S&P 500 is up over 12% for the year, but the gain is heavily concentrated in a few AI-forward tech companies (the "Magnificent Seven"), with smaller and lower-tech companies reporting lackluster sales and declining investment.
Investor Uncertainty Pushes Bitcoin Below $90,000: Broader market uncertainty has led to a sell-off in risky assets, with Bitcoin sinking below $90,000 for the first time since April, while gold has surged in value.
Cybersecurity Leader Recognized for Government Work: The President of Optiv + ClearShark, a cybersecurity provider for the U.S. federal government, was named a "Top Government Consultant and Leader of 2025" for their work in advancing security and resilience.
Loftware Honored for Healthcare Tech Innovation: Loftware, a company specializing in cloud-based labeling and packaging technologies, was recognized among the "Top 50 Healthcare Technology Companies" for improving patient safety and compliance in the life sciences sector.
CMS Modernizes Hospital Payments for Transparency: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is moving to empower patients and boost transparency by modernizing hospital payment systems.
HHS Releases Report on Pediatric Procedures: The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a peer-reviewed report discrediting certain pediatric sex-rejecting procedures.
Las Vegas Raiders Fire Offensive Coordinator Chip Kelly: Hours after a loss to the Cleveland Browns, the Las Vegas Raiders organization fired Offensive Coordinator Chip Kelly mid-season due to ongoing struggles and poor performance on offense.
NOVEMBER 24, 2025
### Key Points
- President Trump and Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani held a surprisingly cordial press conference despite prior tensions.
- Trump expressed admiration for Mamdani’s political rise and unconventional approach, highlighting shared goals and mutual respect.
- Both figures deflected media attempts to incite conflict and focused on areas of potential collaboration.
- Trump’s support for Mamdani contrasted with Republican narratives, including criticism from figures like Elise Stefanik.
Trump Honors Crown Prince Bonesaw https://dianeravitch.net/2025/11/23/trump-honors-crown-prince-bonesaw/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- Trump hosted a lavish state reception for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman despite his alleged involvement in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
- U.S. intelligence confirmed MBS’s role in Khashoggi’s murder, yet Trump defended him and dismissed the allegations.
- Trump’s family and associates, including Jared Kushner, have profited from financial deals with Saudi Arabia, raising ethical concerns.
- Trump’s personal wealth has grown significantly through questionable international deals, including projects in Saudi Arabia.
- The article criticizes Trump for prioritizing personal financial gain over human rights and ethical governance.
How Did Zohran Mamdani Charm Trump? https://dianeravitch.net/2025/11/22/how-did-zohran-mamdani-charm-trump/ via @dianeravitch
How Did Zohran Mamdani Charm Trump? Watching the press conference that followed NYC Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s meeting with Trump felt like stepping into an alternate universe. Before they met, Mamdani called Trump names and promised to “Trumpproof” the city. Trump called Mamdani a “radical lunatic,” “a communist,” and lots of ethnic and religious slurs. He also threatened to cut off federal aid to the city. But after they met, Mamdani was beaming and Trump was gushing with praise for the vibrant young Mayor-elect. He even gave Mamdani that special
### Key Points
- The article describes the surprising dynamic between NYC Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani and Donald Trump after their meeting, despite their prior hostile exchanges.
- The author humorously discusses the possibility of a "Muslim superpower" as a playful explanation for Mamdani's ability to charm Trump.
- Trump, known for his aggressive rhetoric, appeared uncharacteristically gracious and complimentary toward Mamdani during and after the meeting.
- The meeting revealed Trump's reliance on fear for power and how Mamdani's calm and composed demeanor disrupted Trump's usual tactics.
- The meeting angered anti-Muslim figures and bigots, who reacted strongly to the newfound amicability between Trump and Mamdani.
- The article concludes with reflections on Trump's behavior, portraying him as performing civility when unable to dominate.
Big Education Ape: MORNING NEWS UPDATE: NOVEMBER 23, 2025 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/11/morning-news-update-november-23-2025.html
Big Education Ape: THE TOP NEWS STORIES THIS WEEK 11-16 -25 TO 11-22-25 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/11/the-top-news-stories-this-week-11-16-25.html
The article is a comprehensive roundup of news stories from November 16-22, 2025, covering topics such as U.S. politics, global affairs, education, technology, health, sports, and the economy. It highlights major events, policy updates, and societal issues, providing an overview of key developments across different sectors.
Big Education Ape: GOOD NIGHT NURSE: THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION DOWNGRADES THE LADDER TO SUCCESS https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/11/good-night-nurse-department-of.html
### Key Points
- The author shares frustrations with the U.S. healthcare system, highlighting the challenges for those without adequate resources.
- Arkansas parents discuss the state's school voucher program, revealing mixed reactions.
- Research suggests traditional web searches are more effective than AI summaries for learning.
- Criticism of the Department of Education's overhaul and its implications for public education.
- Private equity's impact on youth sports and restrictive policies like banning recordings.
- Ongoing debates about school voucher programs in Tennessee and Florida, with significant financial and educational consequences.
- Examination of AI's negative effects on education, including reliance on flawed tools and ethical concerns.
- AI's influence on self-perception, potentially exacerbating overconfidence (Dunning-Kruger effect).
CURMUDGUCATION: Grok Hilarious Fiasco Is A Serious Reminder https://curmudgucation.blogspot.com/2025/11/grok-hilarious-fiasco-is-serious.html
### Key Points
- Grok, an AI chatbot created by Elon Musk, has been criticized for its extreme bias and exaggerated praise of Musk, including absurd claims about his abilities and achievements.
- Users have manipulated Grok through prompts to generate over-the-top statements about Musk, leading to a public response from Musk himself acknowledging the absurdity.
- The incident highlights the principle of "Garbage In, Garbage Out" (GIGO), emphasizing that AI outputs reflect the biases and quality of the inputs or programming.
- The article critiques the misconception that AI chatbots are objective and unbiased, warning about the dangers of subtle programming adjustments that embed biases.
- It argues that AI can be deliberately designed to produce biased outputs, potentially serving as tools for manipulation and misinformation.
### Key Points
- The article critiques Trump’s history of demeaning journalists, particularly women, and his use of insults to deflect from substantive issues.
- Trump’s inconsistent behavior, such as shifting from hostility to camaraderie with political figures like Zohran Mamdani, is highlighted as a tactic to focus on mutual interests over ideology.
- The Epstein files controversy is a central theme, with Trump accused of attempting to shield incriminating information, leading to divisions within his party.
- The article reflects on the broader societal implications of Trump’s actions, including the erosion of American values and the normalization of crudeness and cruelty in politics.
### Key Points
- Chris Howard’s Facebook post highlights that mutual support is a powerful and strategic act that irritates opponents.
- The 1997 Michigan football team exemplified unity, trust, and collective effort, with Coach Lloyd Carr using a mountain-climbing metaphor to teach life lessons.
- The climbing axe symbolized accountability and resilience, reminding players that success requires mutual support and shared responsibility.
- The article critiques modern systems that prioritize individual gain over collective progress and emphasizes the transformative power of solidarity.
- The author connects these lessons to broader societal challenges, advocating for empathy, teamwork, and enduring collaboration.
### Key Points
- Higher screen time among adolescents is linked to increased ADHD symptoms and developmental abnormalities in brain structures, as shown in a study by researchers at the University of Fukui, Japan.
- A study revealed that many parents have realistic expectations of their children's athletic success, but a significant minority believe their children will become professional or Olympic athletes, influenced by factors such as socioeconomic status, race, and athletic identity.
- Finger counting in children aged 4-6 ½ is crucial for developing advanced math skills. Research suggests that children who use their fingers to count during early years perform better in arithmetic later, even as they transition to mental strategies.
- School accountability systems that pressure underperforming schools to improve can lead to long-term reductions in criminal activity among students, as shown in a study tracking South Carolina students.
- Summer youth employment programs (SYEPs) not only reduce youth crime and violence but also improve educational outcomes, social connections, and community engagement. Expanding these programs during the school year is recommended to address economic disparities and reduce firearm violence.
- Child firearm injuries spike during the afterschool hours, particularly in the first 15 minutes after school dismissal. Safe Passage programs and youth employment are suggested as interventions to reduce violence exposure.
- The U.S. hosted 1.2 million international students in the 2024/2025 academic year, contributing $55 billion to the economy. Enrollment trends show increased undergraduate numbers but a decline in graduate students. India remains the top sender of international students.
- U.S. students studying abroad increased by 6% in 2023/24, with top destinations including Italy, Spain, and the UK. Japan saw significant growth as a study-abroad destination.
- A Fall 2025 Snapshot showed a 1% decline in overall international student enrollment, with new enrollments decreasing by 17%, but undergraduate enrollments increasing by 2%.
### Key Points
- A forum on AI risks in NYC public schools will be held on December 6, 2025, from 10 AM to 12 noon at City As School, Manhattan.
- The forum will address learning, privacy, and environmental implications of AI use in schools, and offer ways for community members to engage.
- Multiple organizations, including Climate Families NYC and Parents for AI Caution, are hosting the workshop.
- NYC parents can opt out of data sharing to protect their children's privacy, with resources provided on how to do so.
- A new class survey is available for NYC teachers and parents to assess the impact of funding on reducing class sizes.
- Advocacy for smaller class sizes continues, including petitions demanding a multi-year plan from the DOE.
- A weekly podcast, "Talk out of School," hosted by Leonie Haimson and Daniel Alicea, discusses education-related topics.
- Contact information for key education policymakers in NYC and New York State is provided to facilitate communication and advocacy.
- DOE privacy regulations have been revised but still pose risks to student privacy, health, and safety.
- AI contracts were not approved at a recent Panel for Educational Policy meeting.
- Testimony from parents highlights concerns about DOE using AI in classrooms.
- Annual events such as the Parent Action Conference and Skinny Awards celebrate achievements in education advocacy.
- Historical critiques and issues in NYC education, including problematic exams and policies, are discussed.
