DECEMBER 4, 2025
- Nor'easter Hits East Coast Hard: A powerful storm brought heavy snow, ice, and rain across the Northeast, causing widespread disruptions including flight delays and power outages affecting millions.
- Immigration Raids Launch in Key Cities: Federal agents began large-scale ICE operations in New Orleans and Minneapolis, targeting undocumented immigrants amid heightened enforcement under the Trump administration; Minnesota's AG pushed back, citing community concerns.
- Puerto Rico Faces Island-Wide Blackout: A massive power outage plunged the entire island into darkness, sparking fears of prolonged recovery amid ongoing infrastructure challenges.
- Florida State University Shooting: At least two killed and six injured in a campus mass shooting, prompting national debates on gun violence in educational settings.
- Tennessee Special Election Surprise: Republican Matt Van Epps won the 7th Congressional District race, but Democrat Aftyn Behn's strong showing signals potential Democratic gains in 2026 midterms focused on affordability.
- Hegseth Signal Scandal Report: An inspector general probe revealed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's use of Signal app shared sensitive Yemen ops intel, risking servicemember lives if intercepted.
- Trump Rolls Back Fuel Standards: President Trump announced new rules scrapping Biden-era vehicle efficiency mandates, calling them "expensive restrictions" that drove up car prices.
- California Sues Over Tariffs: Gov. Newsom and AG Bonta filed the first state lawsuit against Trump's tariffs, arguing they harm the economy and violate trade laws.
- U.S.-Russia Ukraine Talks Stall: Five-hour Moscow meeting between Putin, envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner yielded no compromise; Russia rejected U.S. peace proposal amid escalating tensions.
- Belgium Blocks Russian Assets for Ukraine: The EU nation rejected using frozen Russian funds to aid Ukraine's economy and war effort, citing legal and financial risks.
- U.S. Strikes on Venezuelan Drug Boats Spark Debate: Trump-ordered attacks on alleged cartel vessels draw legal questions from lawmakers and ex-ICC prosecutor, who called them potentially illegal.
- Floods Devastate Southeast Asia: Over 1,200 dead from landslides and flooding in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, with climate experts warning of worsening patterns.
- Dept. of Ed Reassigns Powers: Trump admin shifts responsibilities to agencies like Labor and HHS, aiming to "break up bureaucracy"; Democrats decry it as slashing resources and undermining federal oversight.
- AI Emerges as Top College Major: At MIT, "AI and decision-making" becomes the second-most popular undergrad program, reflecting booming demand for tech skills amid industry growth.
- Texas Curriculum Adoption Faces Backlash: Publishers encounter pushback over SEL, CRT, and climate topics in K-12 materials, shaping the second-largest U.S. education market.
- International Enrollment Drops Sharply: U.S. colleges report fewer foreign students due to visa restrictions, potentially costing the economy $1B; 85% cite Trump policies as barrier.
- Global Growth to Slow Amid Tariffs: OECD forecasts 3.2% in 2025 dropping to 2.9% in 2026, with U.S. at 2%; AI boom offsets some trade shocks, but uncertainty looms.
- September Jobs Add 119K, Unemployment at 4.4%: Delayed report shows steady but slowing hiring; experts eye Fed rate cut next week amid "no hiring, no firing" trend.
- Core CPI at 3%, Inflation Easing: Annual rate down from 2022 peak but above 2% target; economists warn persistent pressures could signal weakening demand.
- China's Investment Plunges 1.7%: Fixed-asset spending hits pandemic lows, retail up just 2.9%; gold buying surges as households save amid slowdown.
- Databricks Eyes $130B Valuation: Data/AI firm in IPO talks at massive multiple on $4.1B revenue forecast; margins slip to 74% from AI compute demands.
- Apple's AI Chief Retires: John Giannandrea exits after Siri delays; Apple lags rivals in AI amid postponed smarter assistant launch.
- India Mandates Gov't App on Phones: Telecoms must pre-install Sanchar Saathi for device tracking; privacy experts warn of surveillance risks for 1.4B users.
- Consultancies Freeze Junior Salaries: Big firms halt raises as AI disrupts "pyramid" model, reducing need for entry-level advisors.
- Hep B Vaccine Delay Risks Revival: RFK Jr.'s panel debates removing newborn shot; doctors warn of returning deadly liver cases in unvaccinated kids.
- WHO Backs Long-Term GLP-1 Use: Guidelines endorse weight-loss drugs like Ozempic for sustained adult treatment, but stress monitoring side effects.
- Ultra-Processed Foods Linked to 12 Issues: Global review ties them to heart disease, cancer, and mental health woes; consumption surges worldwide.
- Fructose Fuels Inflammation: Sweetened drinks prime immune overreactions to toxins, raising chronic disease risks per new study.
- India's ODI Series vs. South Africa Levels: Proteas chase down target in 2nd match for 1-1 tie; Kohli smashes 53rd century, but India sets unwanted toss-loss record.
- Haaland's Historic Man City Thriller: Norwegian scores in 5-4 win over Fulham, making Premier League history with goal involvement streak.
- Serena Denies Comeback Rumors: Williams re-enters anti-doping pool but insists no return planned; eyes family and business.
- Purdue Reclaims No. 1 in Men's Hoops: Boilermakers top AP poll after Houston's brief reign; UConn holds at No. 3.
Atlanta: There Is No "Public School System" https://dianeravitch.net/2025/12/03/atlanta-there-is-no-public-school-system/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- The Atlanta Public Schools (APS) system has lost its coherence and unity due to the rise of charter schools, which are publicly funded but operate independently and lack shared governance, transparency, and accountability.
- Charter schools in Atlanta are governed separately from APS policies and administration, creating a fragmented system that undermines the democratic principle of public education as a public good.
- The current APS Superintendent, Dr. Bryan Johnson, supports this fragmented model under the slogan “One District, with One Goal, for All Students,” which critics argue leads to further erosion of the public school system.
- Georgia’s legal framework treats charter schools as independent systems, which policymakers use to claim public education is expanding, even as its coherence deteriorates.
- Critics argue that charter schools’ competition with non-charter public schools prevents the creation of a unified educational community and advocate for either abolishing charter schools or removing them from the public school system.
Jennifer Rubin: "The Buck" Stops Somewhere Else https://dianeravitch.net/2025/12/03/jennifer-rubin-the-buck-stops-somewhere-else/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- Jennifer Rubin argues that Trump is responsible for the attack on two National Guardsmen in D.C. due to his poor decision-making and misuse of the National Guard.
- The deployment of National Guardsmen in inappropriate roles led to increased risks and tragic incidents, including violence against them.
- Trump’s administration diverted federal law enforcement from critical tasks, weakening efforts to combat crime, terrorism, and human trafficking.
- The article criticizes Trump’s immigration policies, which redirected resources and negatively impacted public safety.
- Broader critiques include the elimination of USAID, Medicare cuts, and reduced funding for NIH, leading to preventable deaths and harm.
- The blog emphasizes the importance of accountability and leadership in democracy, contrasting it with Trump’s refusal to take responsibility.
Trump Is Not Serious About Stopping the Flow of Drugs into the U.S. https://dianeravitch.net/2025/12/03/trump-is-not-serious-about-stopping-the-flow-of-drugs-into-the-u-s/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- The U.S. Navy has been destroying boats in the Caribbean and Pacific, under orders from Trump and the Secretary of Defense, allegedly to stop drug trafficking.
- A controversial incident involved the killing of defenseless survivors after an initial strike on a boat, sparking bipartisan outrage and potential war crime accusations.
- Trump pardoned Juan Orlando Hernández, a former Honduran president convicted of drug trafficking, despite overwhelming evidence of his involvement in the global drug trade.
- Critics argue Trump’s actions, including the pardon and questionable attacks, demonstrate a lack of seriousness in combating drug flow into the U.S.
Big Education Ape: TODAY'S TOP NEWS - YESTERDAY'S BEST BLOG POST DECEMBER 3, 2025 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/12/todays-top-news-yesterdays-best-blog_0422288298.html
### Key Points
- New Hampshire’s voucher program, initially aimed at low-income families, has expanded to all income levels, diverting funds from public schools and raising equity concerns.
- Diane Ravitch's memoir recounts her transformation from a conservative education reformer to a public school advocate, emphasizing her courage in reversing her stance and her advocacy against privatization.
- Glenn Kessler discusses the challenges of modern fact-checking amidst political polarization, misinformation, and the rise of generative AI.
- Florida’s public school funding has declined, leading to inequality, reduced resources, and poor outcomes, with recommendations for reforms to improve equity and efficiency.
- The Trump administration canceled federal education grants supporting DEI initiatives and special education programs, sparking criticism over discriminatory cuts.
- Puerto Rico’s colonial status impacts its education system, reflecting forced assimilation and external control, with calls for resistance and community empowerment.
- The Mississippi Miracle in education reform is critiqued for using retention policies to inflate reading scores rather than achieving genuine literacy improvements.
- Florida’s voucher program lacks transparency, with $270 million untracked and misuse of funds by private schools.
- Arresting children for minor behavioral issues reflects a harmful culture of compliance, disproportionately affecting marginalized groups.
- AI's impact on jobs is significant, with 11.7% of U.S. jobs at risk, but roles requiring creativity and empathy are less affected. Tips for future-proofing careers include hybrid skills and leveraging AI tools.
- Advocacy for public education continues as activists counter privatization efforts through independent platforms and political engagement.
- Seattle Public Schools face lawsuits, nepotism concerns, and systemic challenges, highlighting the need for transparency and accountability.
Big Education Ape: MORNING NEWS UPDATE: DECEMBER 3, 2025 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/12/morning-news-update-december-3-2025.html
### Key Points
- Discussion on rejecting crisis rhetoric in education and reading, alongside a critique of crisis narratives.
- U.S. political updates include Trump administration's deportation plans, SNAP benefit threats, and controversial comments on Somali Americans.
- Global developments include U.S. assuming G20 presidency, Russia gaining a naval base in Sudan, and the resumption of the MH370 search.
- Updates on educational reforms, including Minnesota's Paid Leave program, CBSE exam guidelines in India, and efforts to address teacher shortages in Pennsylvania.
- Economic highlights include India's rupee hitting a record low, OECD global growth forecasts, and speculation on a Federal Reserve rate cut.
- Advancements in technology, such as AI investment surges, quantum research, and Marvell Technology's acquisition of Celestial AI.
- Health findings on the Mediterranean diet, ultra-processed foods, and AI-assisted cancer diagnostics.
- Sports updates include Spain's Women's Nations League victory, MLB offseason signings, and debates on Austria's skiing future.
Big Education Ape: THE ONE "THING" A MANAGER CAN'T DELEGATE https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/12/the-one-thing-manager-cant-delegate.html
The Screen That Ate Your Child’s Education (Jean Twenge) https://larrycuban.wordpress.com/2025/12/03/the-screen-that-ate-your-childs-education-jean-twenge/ via @CubanLarry
### Key Points
- The decline in standardized test scores began before the pandemic and coincided with the rise of smartphones.
- School-issued devices are often misused for noneducational purposes, distracting students during class and at home.
- Excessive device use during school hours correlates with lower academic performance worldwide, as seen in countries like Finland.
- Parents struggle to supervise school-issued devices due to limited control options, while schools resist implementing stricter restrictions.
- Solutions include locking down devices, limiting assignments requiring technology, and allowing parents to opt out of device use for their children.
- Studies show that traditional methods like handwritten notes and paper-based learning improve comprehension and performance compared to digital tools.
- Effective technology use requires clear policies, device management systems, and professional coaching for educators.
The Song That Can Fuel Your Purpose – Cloaking Inequity https://cloakinginequity.com/2025/12/03/the-song-that-can-fuel-your-purpose/
### Key Points
- The author shares personal reflections on the song "This Little Light of Mine," highlighting its emotional and communal significance from childhood to professional life.
- The song, often thought to be a slave spiritual, was investigated by Snopes, which found no evidence of its existence during slavery, suggesting it originated in the 1920s or later.
- Despite its unclear origins, the song became deeply rooted in Black communities, embodying their struggles, hopes, and theological traditions.
- "This Little Light of Mine" played a pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement, serving as a unifying and empowering anthem during marches, protests, and moments of adversity.
- The song's message emphasizes the inherent worth of every person, the importance of sharing light, and the power of shining as resistance against oppression.
- The author calls for renewed attention to the song's message in today's context, urging individuals to act with courage, integrity, and purpose to create a more just and equitable society.
- The article highlights the author’s advocacy for equity and justice, connecting the song's themes with the broader fight for social change.
Nearly 2.2 million U.S. adolescents aged 12–17 met the criteria for at least one substance use disorder Education Research Report https://educationresearchreport.blogspot.com/
### Key Points
- Mandatory strength warm-ups for female athletes can reduce leg injuries and improve safety, supported by the FAIR Consensus Statement.
- Adolescents with substance use disorders lack sufficient medication-based treatment options, highlighting the need for more research and policies.
- A Florida school district’s all-day cell phone ban improved test scores, particularly for male students, while disciplinary rates adjusted over time.
- A stronger sense of belonging in college correlates with higher graduation rates, emphasizing the importance of fostering inclusive communities.
- Excessive screen time is linked to increased ADHD symptoms and altered brain development, underscoring the need for reduced digital exposure among children.
Teacher Tom: Classroom Management that Accommodates Our Natural Need to Move https://teachertomsblog.blogspot.com/2025/12/classroom-management-that-accommodates.html
### Key Points
- Neuroscientists emphasize the fundamental role of movement in human intelligence and survival.
- Traditional classroom management often seeks to suppress children's natural movements, which may hinder their development and expression of intelligence.
- Intelligence is often judged by pre-approved standards, ignoring the natural and diverse ways children express themselves through movement.
- Teacher Tom advocates for rethinking classroom management to align with scientific insights about movement and intelligence.
- The blog promotes a 3-week course on play-based classroom management to transform how educators approach children's behaviors.
glen brown: White House Claims Trump ‘Has the Authority to Kill’ Survivors of Boat Strikes https://teacherpoetmusicianglenbrown.blogspot.com/2025/12/white-house-claims-trump-has-authority.html
### Key Points
- The Trump administration claimed authority to attack alleged drug-smuggling vessels, leading to numerous civilian deaths, which experts describe as illegal and extrajudicial killings.
- Rights advocates and legal experts argue that the U.S. is not in an armed conflict with drug cartels, making these attacks violations of international human rights law.
- Reports indicate survivors of initial strikes were killed in follow-up attacks, actions deemed unlawful under both U.S. and international law.
- Experts emphasize that orders to commit such killings are illegal and that military personnel could face prosecution under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
- The justification of these attacks as part of an "armed conflict" with drug cartels has been widely rejected by legal experts and international law authorities.
### Key Points
- The idea of "freedom" is misused to justify policies that prioritize individual benefits over collective welfare.
- School choice vouchers are framed as empowering parents but are actually about removing government responsibility for equitable education.
- Healthcare savings accounts mimic school voucher plans, shifting responsibility to individuals and disregarding the need for collective solutions.
- There is a growing mindset that some people are more deserving of societal support than others, which undermines equality and liberty.
- True freedom involves recognition of collective responsibility, not just individual autonomy.
- Wealthy individuals often underestimate their reliance on societal structures while promoting self-sufficiency for others.
- A quote by Learned Hand highlights the importance of liberty being rooted in mutual respect and societal checks on individual freedom.
The Reliable Narrator: Why I Reject Crisis Rhetoric About Reading and Education: My Agenda | National Education Policy Center https://nepc.colorado.edu/blog/why-i-reject
- The author challenges the "crisis rhetoric" surrounding reading and education, stating that such narratives are manufactured to support perpetual education reform for market and ideological purposes.
- Many advocates of structured literacy and education reform misrepresent NAEP data, reading proficiency, and achievement levels, promoting policies like third-grade mandatory retention that disproportionately harm marginalized groups.
- Grade retention based on testing is criticized for distorting data and failing to contribute to authentic achievement gains, disproportionately impacting Black, brown, poor, multilingual, and special-needs students.
- The author argues that out-of-school factors, not teaching methods or programs, are the primary contributors to test-score gaps and low student achievement.
- The commentary calls for better data, honest discourse, and reform efforts that address systemic inequities rather than perpetuate cycles of crisis and reform.
- The author emphasizes the importance of professional autonomy for educators and rejects the influence of misinformation, political agendas, and market-driven reform efforts in education.
- The accountability era of education reform since the 1980s has failed to achieve meaningful improvements, instead fostering a culture of constant crisis and ineffective reform.
THE ONE “THING” A MANAGER CAN’T DELEGATE A BUCK-PASSING MASTERCLASS FROM THE OVAL OFFICE CIRCUS https://ru4people.substack.com/p/the-one-thing-a-manager-cant-delegate
### Key Points
- Managers can delegate tasks and authority but cannot delegate responsibility or accountability, a foundational principle of management.
- The article critiques the lack of accountability in government, highlighting instances of blame-shifting during Trump’s cabinet meeting and the adoption of the Unitary Executive Theory.
- The Unitary Executive Theory centralizes power in the President, allowing control over executive functions without accountability, leading to organizational dysfunction.
- The Supreme Court, traditionally a check on executive power, has also abdicated its oversight role, exacerbating the issue of unchecked presidential authority.
- Misleading claims made during Trump’s cabinet meeting are criticized, showcasing a lack of factual accountability akin to poor corporate leadership.
- The article emphasizes the importance of voting in the 2026 midterms to restore accountability and improve government management.
The Blogosphere Brigade: Public Education’s Last, Best Hope Against the Oligarchy’s Onslaught https://ru4people.substack.com/p/the-blogosphere-brigade-public-educations
From Victims to Offenders: How the Justice System Fails Traumatized Children https://brucelesley.substack.com/p/from-victims-to-offenders-how-the
A report by Human Rights for Kids exposes the systemic failure of the U.S. justice system in addressing the needs of traumatized children. It highlights how children who have suffered extensive abuse, neglect, and trauma are prosecuted as adults, further compounding their suffering instead of providing healing and support. The report emphasizes that societal and policy failures, not just individual actions, push these children into the justice system, where they are retraumatized rather than rehabilitated.
### Key Points
- The justice system prosecutes and incarcerates children who are victims of severe trauma, neglect, and abuse, failing to provide them with healing and support.
- Many children in the justice system report high Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), with significant exposure to emotional, physical, and sexual abuse, neglect, and family dysfunction.
- Common pathways into the justice system include trauma-induced behavioral issues, forced criminality, and acting out against abusers.
- Policies rooted in the "superpredator" myth lowered the threshold for trying children as adults, leading to a surge in children prosecuted in adult courts.
- The report argues for systemic reforms to prioritize prevention, care, and rehabilitation over punishment, urging society to reconsider its treatment of traumatized children.
- The failure to address childhood trauma reflects broader systemic neglect in education, mental health, and child welfare policies.
Part II: Charter School Reckoning: Disillusionment - Network For Public Education https://networkforpubliceducation.org/part-ii-charter-school-reckoning-disillusionment/
- The report "Charter School Reckoning: Decline, Disillusionment, and Cost" highlights that charter school growth has stagnated, with closures nearly matching openings.
- The second part of the report, "Disillusionment," examines how the original aspirations of charter schools have been overshadowed by scandals, mismanagement, profiteering, and fraud enabled by weak laws.
- The report suggests that innovative ideas should be implemented within the public school system to ensure accountability, transparency, and community involvement.
- Ten legislative reforms are proposed to restore the vision of accountability, equity, and public purpose for charter schools.
Episode #142: Fighting the Cops | Bill Ayers https://billayers.org/2025/12/03/episode-142-fighting-the-cops/
- The article discusses the role of police agencies in the United States as instruments of systemic oppression, highlighting their historical roots in slave patrols, SWAT teams, and Red Squads.
- It emphasizes that state repression during the Civil Rights Movement was widespread and not limited to a few isolated incidents, involving brutality, infiltration, spying, and bogus prosecutions.
- The article highlights the resilience and active resistance of Civil Rights Movement activists against police oppression, as documented by Joshua Clark Davis in his work "Police Against the Movement: The Sabotage of the Civil Rights Struggle and the Activist Who Fought Back."
Hegseth's Fog: Implausible Denial He thinks “the fog of war” is an actual fog. MICHAEL KLONSKY https://klonsky.substack.com/p/hegseths-fog-implausible-denial
### Key Points
- Pete Hegseth misinterprets the term “fog of war,” which metaphorically refers to confusion in combat, not literal fog or smoke.
- The article criticizes Hegseth’s efforts to avoid accountability for alleged war crimes, suggesting farcical defenses.
- References to debunked Cold War myths, such as “trained sharks” and “killer dolphins,” are included to highlight absurdities.
- The article touches on broader political and media issues, such as censorship and political endorsements.
