NOVEMBER 24, 2025
- Cross-Country Storm Disrupts Thanksgiving Travel: A massive storm system is causing widespread delays and cancellations across the U.S., affecting millions of holiday travelers with heavy snow in the Northeast and high winds in the Midwest.
- Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene Resigns from Congress: The Republican from Georgia announced her resignation effective January 2025, citing a desire to focus on national issues amid reports of a potential 2028 presidential bid.
- Florida Rep. Indicted for Stealing Disaster Funds: U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick faces charges for allegedly diverting $5 million in federal aid to her 2021 campaign, marking a major corruption probe.
- FBI Probe Shakes California Politics: Letters from the FBI to state officials have sparked fears of a widening corruption investigation following the indictment of Gov. Gavin Newsom's former chief of staff.
- U.S.-Ukraine Peace Talks Advance in Geneva: Top U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, met with Ukrainian and European delegates on a refined 28-point framework to end the war, amid Trump's deadline pressures.
- Greene's Resignation Stuns GOP Allies: Her abrupt exit from Congress, after clashing with Trump, fuels speculation of a 2028 run and highlights deepening party fractures.
- Newsom Emerges as Anti-Trump Force: California's governor is positioning the state as a national political battleground, with rising approval ratings and vocal opposition to federal policies.
- Trump-Mamdani Meeting Signals Bipartisan Shift: The president and New York City mayor-elect held a cordial White House discussion on working-class issues, downplaying past campaign barbs.
- Israeli Airstrike Hits Beirut Suburbs: The strike marks the first on the city since June, escalating tensions in Lebanon amid ongoing regional conflicts.
- Brazil Orders Bolsonaro's Arrest: The Supreme Court issued a warrant for the former president, accusing him of fleeing to avoid a sentence for his alleged coup attempt.
- U.S. Launches New Venezuela Operations: Covert actions against Maduro's regime begin, including naval deployments, as the government is designated a terrorist organization.
- Typhoon Kalmaegi Devastates Philippines and Vietnam: The storm has killed at least 142 in the Philippines, with 127 missing, before making landfall in Vietnam.
- Dismantling of U.S. Department of Education Accelerates: Secretary Linda McMahon reassigns key powers to agencies like Labor and Health, advancing Trump's plan to dissolve the department.
- Interagency Agreements Streamline Federal Education: Six new pacts aim to reduce bureaucracy and return control to states, amid Democratic criticism of resource cuts.
- Schools Closed for Guru Tegh Bahadur Shaheedi Diwas: Holidays declared in Punjab, Chandigarh, and Uttar Pradesh (shifted to Nov. 25) for the Sikh martyrdom day, affecting millions of students.
- Cyclone Senyar Threatens Southern India Schools: Heavy rains prompt potential closures in Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Andamans due to the intensifying storm.
- U.S. Trade Deficit Plummets 24% in August: Imports fell sharply due to Trump's tariffs, narrowing the gap to $59.6 billion and signaling manufacturing resilience.
- Bitcoin Wipes Out 2025 Gains: The cryptocurrency heads for its worst month since 2022, erasing all yearly progress amid market volatility.
- U.S. Manufacturing Slows Amid High Prices: Factory activity hits a four-month low in November, with tariffs curbing demand and piling up unsold inventory.
- IMF Warns of Weakest G20 Growth Since 2009: Challenges include high debt, aging populations, and fiscal strains, with medium-term outlook dimming.
- Nokia Announces $4 Billion U.S. AI Investment: The telecom giant plans massive spending on AI infrastructure, focusing on drug development and commercialization.
- Galaxy S24 Receives November 2025 Security Patch: Samsung's update fixes 36 vulnerabilities, including Exynos chip flaws, on One UI 8 (Android 16).
- AI Job Cuts Reach 17,375 in 2025: Layoffs tied to automation surge, though broader labor market shows no widespread disruption yet.
- Figure AI Faces Whistleblower Lawsuit: A fired employee alleges robots pose severe safety risks, like fracturing skulls, in a high-profile case.
- Microplastics Accelerate Artery Disease, Worse for Men: New research links the particles in everyday environments to faster plaque buildup, with males at higher risk.
- High-Dose Vitamin D Cuts Repeat Heart Attack Risk: A clinical trial shows it drastically reduces secondary events, offering a simple preventive strategy.
- Heat Exposure in Pregnancy Tied to Preterm Birth: Emory study finds biological changes in mothers from high temperatures increase delivery risks.
- Long-Term Melatonin Use Raises Heart Failure Risk: Insomnia patients on supplements over a year face higher odds, per new data on sleep aids.
- Italy Wins Davis Cup Over Spain: Jannik Sinner's heroics secure Italy's fourth title, beating six-time champions in a thrilling final.
- Chris Paul to Retire After 2025-26 NBA Season: The Clippers star and 12-time All-Star announces his 21st year as his last.
- Eze's Hat-Trick Powers Arsenal in Derby: Eberechi Eze's three goals send Arsenal six points clear at the Premier League summit.
- Saskatchewan Roughriders Claim Grey Cup: The CFL team defeats Montreal 25-17 for their fifth championship in Canadian football.
What Happened at the Lovefest at the Trump-Mamdani Press Conference https://dianeravitch.net/2025/11/23/what-happened-at-the-trump-mamdani-press-conference/ via @dianeravitch
### 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: TODAY'S TOP NEWS - YESTERDAY'S BEST BLOG POST NOVEMBER 23, 2025 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/11/todays-top-news-yesterdays-best-blog_037407873.html
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
ICYMI: Health Care System Edition (11/23) PETER GREENE https://curmudgucation.substack.com/p/icymi-health-care-system-edition
### 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.
glen brown: "Piggy Gets Polite" by Maureen Dowd https://teacherpoetmusicianglenbrown.blogspot.com/2025/11/piggy-gets-polite-by-maureen-dowd.html
### 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.
Nothing Irritates Your Opponent More – Cloaking Inequity https://cloakinginequity.com/2025/11/23/nothing-irritates-your-opponent-more/
### 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.
Higher screen time linked to ADHD symptoms and altered brain development Education Research Report https://educationresearchreport.blogspot.com/
### 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%.
Invitation to a forum on the risks of using AI in the classroom on Dec. 6 | Class Size Matters | A clearinghouse for information on class size & the proven benefits of smaller classes https://classsizematters.org/invitation-to-a-forum-on-the-risks-of-using-ai-in-the-classroom-on-dec-6/
### 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.
