TODAY'S TOP NEWS STORIES
FEBRUARY 1, 2026
- Severe winter weather grips the East Coast and beyond — A bomb cyclone and blizzard-like conditions are causing heavy snow, dangerous cold, and disruptions, with impacts including power outages and travel chaos affecting millions.
- Immigration enforcement and protests continue in Minnesota — Ongoing fallout from an immigration crackdown includes a judge ordering the release of a 5-year-old boy and his father from ICE detention, amid criticism of the Trump administration's approach.
- Deadly incidents and investigations tied to protests — Reports on the killings of individuals like Alex Pretti and Renee Macklin Good, falsely linked to terrorism by some officials, with a Justice Department civil rights inquiry underway.
- Don Lemon and others released after anti-ICE protest arrests — Journalists and activists vow to continue reporting despite charges from a church protest in Minnesota.
- Trump orders DHS to avoid intervening in protests in Democratic-led cities — Unless federal help is requested or property threatened, emphasizing local responsibility for state and city properties.
- Trump nominates Kevin Warsh as next Federal Reserve Chair — A former Fed governor seen as orthodox; if confirmed, he replaces the current chair amid tensions over monetary policy.
- Government funding deal passes Senate but brief shutdown looms — House GOP delays vote on $1.2T package due to opposition; Elon Musk pours millions more into Republican efforts to retain Congress.
- Judge orders release in immigration cases; enforcement surge continues — A federal judge rejects halting the surge but criticizes aspects as inhumane.
- Explosions rock Iran, heightening tensions — Reports of blasts in areas like Bandar Abbas; Israel denies involvement amid U.S.-Iran escalations and nuclear site concerns.
- Israeli strikes in Gaza kill dozens as ceasefire efforts proceed — At least 23-26 Palestinians reported killed; Rafah border with Egypt set to reopen for medical evacuations.
- Venezuela announces amnesty for political prisoners — Potential release of hundreds under an acting president's bill.
- Mine collapse in eastern Congo leaves at least 200 dead — Tragedy at rebel-controlled Rubaya mines due to heavy rains.
- Trump proclaims National School Choice Week (ending Jan 31) — Administration pushes expansion of school choice amid declining test scores, empowering parents over federal policy.
- Department of Education shifts some programs/personnel to Labor — Integration of postsecondary education and workforce development initiatives.
- Ongoing debates on AI in teaching and reaching students — Discussions in educator publications about using AI tools, supporting boys in education, and other reforms.
- "Sell America" sentiment grows on Wall Street — Declining dollar, stalled stocks, rising borrowing costs amid tariffs, Fed independence concerns, and trade war threats.
- Fed holds rates steady; Trump pushes for lower rates — No cut despite dissent; market prices in potential future reductions amid mixed labor signals.
- China's massive trade surplus expands despite U.S. tariffs — Opportunity for Beijing as U.S. influence wanes; global manufacturing strained.
- Consumer confidence plunges; modest hiring — Broader concerns about long-term shifts post-pandemic and tariffs.
- SpaceX seeks approval for 1 million solar-powered satellite data centers — For AI, harnessing sun in orbit; major constellation expansion push.
- Nvidia pushes back on stalled $100B OpenAI investment reports — CEO disputes claims; ongoing AI investment talks.
- AI-generated content developments — Darren Aronofsky's Revolutionary War series debuts episodes using AI visuals, sparking debate on tools vs. craft.
- Tech layoffs persist despite economic signs — Continued job cuts in sector.
- U.S. life expectancy hits record high of 79 years — Rebound from pandemic, lower deaths from heart disease, cancer, overdoses; continued improvement expected.
- Measles elimination status at risk — Outbreaks could lead to loss of U.S. status.
- Research on aging, statins, and salt reduction — Insights into kidney aging in fish models; explanations for statin muscle pain; potential life-saving sodium cuts in foods.
- Flu and cold weather impacts — Brutal conditions potentially worsening flu numbers.
- WWE Royal Rumble event highlights — Major pro wrestling pay-per-view with implications for WrestleMania storylines.
- College basketball action — Key games like Lindenwood's close win over Morehead State, Tennessee Tech victories, and ACC matchups (e.g., Duke, UNC).
- Premier League: Liverpool vs. Newcastle — Full match highlights from Anfield.
- MLB offseason notes — Mets' Francisco Lindor opts out of World Baseball Classic due to elbow procedure; other team updates.
Learning from Classroom Failures: Three Students I Have Taught (Part 1) https://larrycuban.wordpress.com/2026/01/31/learning-from-classroom-failures-three-students-i-have-taught-part-1/ via @CubanLarry
### Key Points
- The author reflects on his experiences as a teacher, focusing on three challenging students, starting with Harold.
- Harold was a bright but disruptive student who excelled in discussions but often distracted the class with his antics.
- Despite his intelligence, Harold’s inconsistent attendance and behavior led to conflicts with the teacher and other students.
- The teacher implemented strategies to manage Harold’s behavior but ultimately felt he failed to reach him.
- The post concludes with the teacher reflecting on the mutual failure to move beyond stereotypes and wondering if Harold learned anything from the experience.
Why America Must Rewrite Charter School Laws Now - Network For Public Education https://networkforpubliceducation.org/why-america-must-rewrite-charter-school-laws-now/
### Key Points
- Research reveals that charter school laws enable mismanagement, profiteering, and instability, undermining students and taxpayers.
- The expansion of for-profit and nonprofit management corporations has turned charter schools into an industry, deviating from their original purpose as public school reform.
- Complex real estate and contracting structures allow management companies to profit through related-party transactions, diverting funds away from students.
- Authorization processes for charter schools are often prone to corruption due to fee incentives, political appointees, and multiple authorizers.
- Governance of charter school boards is frequently unaccountable, with limited oversight and conflicts of interest, leading to significant financial losses and scandals.
- A report documented $858 million in taxpayer funds lost to fraud, theft, and incompetence between 2023 and 2025, highlighting systemic flaws in charter school operations.
- Many charter schools fail within five to ten years, and the funds diverted from public education are permanently lost.
- The report proposes ten legislative reforms, including stronger financial transparency, prohibitions on related-party transactions, limits on authorizer fees, and democratic governance requirements, to restore the original mission of charter schools.
Stop Unwanted Charter Spread on Long Island - Network For Public Education https://networkforpubliceducation.org/stop-unwanted-charter-spread-on-long-island/
### Key Points
- The State University of New York approved applications for the Academy Charter School chain to open schools in Brentwood and Central Islip, despite opposition from local communities and education experts.
- Charter schools can pull students—and public funds—away from local public schools, draining resources and leaving public schools with stranded costs.
- Advocacy groups encourage residents to send letters to state representatives and the Governor to oppose charter school expansion on Long Island.
- Long Island Against Charter Schools and New York State United Teachers are mobilizing efforts to stop the expansion of charter schools through legal and community action.
- Donations to the Network for Public Education are encouraged to support their efforts in strengthening public education.
Virginia Lawmakers Consider Standards for Private School Coupon Schemes Legislation anticipates federal voucher program ANDY SPEARS https://theeducationreport.substack.com/p/virginia-lawmakers-consider-standards
### Key Points
- Virginia lawmakers propose HB359 to set standards for private schools receiving public funds through voucher programs.
- The bill requires private schools accepting these funds to administer Standards of Learning assessments, obtain accountability ratings, and prohibit discrimination based on various factors.
- It addresses the potential impact of federal voucher programs and tax-favored educational funding mechanisms on public education.
- The legislation reflects resistance to federal initiatives that could disrupt public education systems.
Rest in Peace: Words and Pictures "They do not make me sick discussing their duty to God" - Walt Whitman, "Song of Myself, 32" PAUL THOMAS https://paulthomas701128.substack.com/p/rest-in-peace-words-and-pictures
### Key Points
- The author reflects on the life and contributions of Willard Pate, a professor of English at Furman University who championed Southern literature and was an accomplished photographer.
- The memorial service for Willard Pate, held in Daniel Chapel, was a secular event characterized by words, pictures, and emotional tributes from colleagues and students.
- The author shares a personal poem written in response to Willard’s death, exploring themes of mortality, love, and living fully.
- The author connects the memorial and its messages to broader reflections on humanity, love, and the potential for kindness in a harsh world.
- The piece concludes with an acknowledgment of the author’s work and a call for support to keep their public work accessible.
Fund Children, Not ICE How Immigration Enforcement Is Harming Kids, and What Congress Must Do Now BRUCE LESLEY https://brucelesley.substack.com/p/fund-children-not-ice
### Key Points
- ICE's immigration enforcement practices are causing harm, trauma, and abuse to children, as exemplified by cases like Liam Ramos, a 5-year-old detained and separated from his father.
- Rep. Joaquin Castro visited a detention facility in Dilley, Texas, and confirmed the negative impact of detention on children like Liam Ramos.
- The First Focus Campaign for Children (FFCC) urges Congress to end funding for ICE practices that harm children and advocates for reforms to prioritize the best interests of children.
- Recommendations include protecting the Flores Settlement, ending child and family detention, and investing in community-based alternatives.
- Sensitive locations such as schools, child care centers, and hospitals should be protected from enforcement actions to prevent fear and trauma among children.
- Congress must ensure oversight and accountability for ICE and DHS actions that harm children and deny additional funding for practices that separate families or weaken child protections.
- Legal and judicial protections for children, including guaranteed legal representation, are essential to prevent harm during immigration proceedings.
- Adopting a "best interests of the child" standard is critical for all policies and decisions involving children, particularly in immigration enforcement.
- ICE enforcement actions are directly harming children, with documented cases of trauma, family separation, and unsafe conditions in detention facilities.
- Fear and trauma caused by enforcement actions negatively affect children's education, emotional well-being, and long-term development.
- Research shows long-lasting mental health impacts, such as PTSD and anxiety, resulting from family separation and detention.
- Children thrive in stable and nurturing environments, but ICE's actions undermine their safety and stability, causing lifelong harm.
- ICE and CBP are failing to provide adequate health care for detained children, leading to further harm and neglect.
- The article advocates for Congress to prioritize funding for children over ICE and calls for immediate reforms to DHS policies.
Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐½: One Battle After Another and the Cost of What We Refuse to Resolve – Cloaking Inequity https://cloakinginequity.com/2026/01/31/review-%e2%ad%90%e2%ad%90%e2%ad%90%e2%ad%90%c2%bd-one-battle-after-another-and-the-cost-of-what-we-refuse-to-resolve/
- The film "One Battle After Another," directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, opens with a raid on an immigration detention camp, emphasizing the disconnection between legality and justice while showcasing restrained storytelling and moral complexity.
- Leonardo DiCaprio plays Bob Ferguson, a former revolutionary grappling with the consequences of his past, whose daughter Willa becomes a target, forcing him to confront the lasting impact of his political decisions.
- The antagonist, Colonel Steven J. Lockjaw, portrayed by Sean Penn, embodies the film’s critique of authoritarian power, showing racism and violence as bureaucratic and systemic rather than overtly chaotic.
- The film examines the legacy of the militant group French 75, exploring themes of survival, betrayal, and the unresolved harm from revolutionary actions.
- Perfidia Beverly Hills, a former member of French 75 and Bob’s lover, disappears from the narrative without closure, leaving an unsettling silence and raising questions about the cost of unyielding convictions.
- The film portrays immigrant communities’ underground resistance as acts of solidarity, driven by moral duty rather than personal gain.
- The Christmas Adventurers Club, a satirical white supremacist organization, is depicted as blending nostalgia and tradition with systemic racial violence, illustrating how extremism thrives through routine and institutionalization.
- Lockjaw’s personal story reveals how white supremacy erases inconvenient truths, portraying loyalty as disposable and ideology as corrosive to personal bonds.
- The film critiques nostalgia, ideological purity, and the unresolved consequences of political movements, emphasizing that conviction without accountability leads to internal decay.
- The film’s technical excellence and disciplined storytelling earned it widespread awards recognition, though it resists being labeled as prestige cinema and focuses on the consequences of belief and resistance.
glen brown: "Trump supporters say, 'We suffered Eight years under Barack Obama.' Fair enough. Let’s take a look": https://teacherpoetmusicianglenbrown.blogspot.com/2026/01/trump-supporters-say-we-suffered-eight.html
### Key Points
- The article quotes Ambrose Bierce and Albert Camus on the role of a writer in confronting societal challenges.
- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's $100 million campaign to recruit 10,000 ICE agents involves militarized and anti-immigrant rhetoric, targeting specific audiences through podcasts and music.
- ICE ads have been criticized for using music without artists' consent and for targeting Spanish-speaking communities with intimidating messages.
- The article calls for action against Google and YouTube for hosting ICE recruitment ads, urging readers to demand their removal.
- Broader criticisms of the Trump administration's policies include accusations of immorality, injustice, and overreach in areas such as immigration, taxation, healthcare, and foreign policy.
- The blog reflects on various social justice issues, including systemic racism, education reform, and healthcare inequality.
The 2026 Session Is Flying By: A Look At Some of The Bills Affecting Florida’s Public Schools – Accountabaloney https://accountabaloney.com/the-2026-session-is-flying-by-a-look-at-some-of-the-bills-affecting-floridas-public-schools/
### Key Points
- SB 318 aims to address mismanagement in Florida's Universal Voucher Program by creating a separate funding category and improving data tracking.
- SB 320 focuses on deregulating public schools by reducing district requirements and expanding flexibility, but faces negotiation challenges with the House.
- HB 1071 is an omnibus bill that includes controversial measures such as mandatory fetal development instruction and restrictions on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
- HJR 583 proposes a constitutional amendment to protect religious expression in public schools, raising concerns about church-state boundaries.
- Other notable bills include SB 1756 (Medical Freedom Act), HB 1119 (addressing "Harmful to Minors" content), and SB 824 (requiring districts to offer unused land to charter schools).
- Proposed rule changes for Schools of Hope aim to clarify cost responsibility for charter school co-location on public campuses, sparking controversy.
Trump's 250‑Foot Arch: Definitely not about overcompensation, some say. A Giant Ballroom, a 250‑Foot Arch, and a Freudian Impulse Rendered in Federal Stone. MICHAEL KLONSKY https://michaelklonsky.substack.com/p/trumps-250foot-arch-definitely-not
### Key Points
- The article discusses Trump’s proposed 250-foot arch, which would overshadow the Lincoln Memorial and surpass the Arc de Triomphe in size.
- The author humorously critiques the project, linking it to Trump’s history of defending his masculinity and emphasizing size.
- The arch is described as a "Freudian impulse rendered in federal stone," symbolizing Trump’s obsession with grandeur and competition.
- The piece suggests the structure reflects a deeper psychological need rather than a genuine civic purpose.
TRUMP IN THE NEWS TODAY
Today, January 31, 2026, President Trump’s second term is marked by significant domestic friction over immigration, a race to avoid a government shutdown, and some highly unique additions to the "America 250" anniversary celebrations.
Here are the top stories involving Donald Trump today:
1. Government Shutdown Averted (Temporarily)
In a major shift from previous hardline stances, President Trump moved quickly this week to negotiate a deal with Democrats to fund most of the government through September.
The Compromise: The Senate passed a
$71–29$ deal that carves out Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding to allow for further debate on federal immigration raids. Status: While the Senate has approved it, the House is out of session until Monday, meaning a brief partial shutdown began at midnight Friday.
2. Tensions Over Minnesota Immigration Raids
The administration is facing intense pressure following the killing of Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse, by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis.
Investigation: The DOJ has officially opened a federal civil rights investigation into the shooting.
State Conflict: Trump is reportedly pressuring Minnesota Governor Tim Walz to end "sanctuary" protections and cooperate with ICE in exchange for a "drawdown" of federal agents in the state.
The "Insurrection Act": Protests have spread nationwide, and Trump has previously threatened to use the Insurrection Act to quell unrest in Minnesota.
3. High-Stakes Diplomacy and Cabinet Moves
New Fed Chair: Trump has selected economist Kevin Warsh to succeed Jerome Powell as Federal Reserve Chair when Powell’s term ends in May.
This follows months of public friction between Trump and the Fed over interest rates. Iran & Venezuela: The administration has ratcheted up rhetoric against Iran, with Trump warning that "time is running out" for a new nuclear deal.
Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated the U.S. is prepared to use force in Venezuela if the interim leadership fails to meet U.S. expectations. Epstein Files: The DOJ released over 3 million pages of files related to Jeffrey Epstein today, a move sparked by the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
4. America’s 250th Anniversary Plans
In a move that caught many by surprise, Trump signed an executive order for an IndyCar street race in Washington D.C. * The Route: Scheduled for August 2023, the race is expected to roar past the White House and the National Mall.
Other Events: Trump is also promoting a UFC fight on the White House grounds for June 14—which is both Flag Day and his 80th birthday.
Melania review – Trump film is a gilded trash remake of The Zone of Interest | Melania | The Guardian