TODAY'S TOP NEWS - YESTERDAY'S BEST BLOG POSTS
FEBRUARY 26, 2026
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U.S. News
- A federal judge in Boston ruled that the Trump administration's policy of summarily deporting immigrants to third countries (nations other than their origin) is unlawful, marking a significant legal setback to immigration enforcement efforts.
- Confirmation hearing for Dr. Casey Means, President Trump's nominee for Surgeon General, concluded in the Senate, with scrutiny over her positions on vaccines and medical qualifications amid broader health policy debates.
- Fallout continues from President Trump's record-long State of the Union address (delivered February 25), including Democratic protests and fact-checks on claims about the economy, energy, and immigration.
- Reports of a deadly incident off Cuba where four people were killed aboard a Florida-registered speedboat after an exchange of fire with Cuban troops.
Politics
- Ongoing reactions to Trump's State of the Union, with Democrats accusing him of falsehoods on economic issues and ignoring voter concerns, while he portrayed the U.S. as "winning" under his leadership.
- The Senate confirmation process for Surgeon General nominee Casey Means draws attention, with questions on vaccines and her wellness-influencer background.
- Broader Trump administration actions, including immigration policy challenges and preparations for potential military or diplomatic moves abroad.
- Discussions around Elon Musk's role in government efficiency efforts, highlighted in recent Cabinet dynamics.
World Affairs
- U.S.-Iran nuclear talks are set to resume amid Trump's threats of force and new sanctions, with public polls showing Americans view Iran as an enemy but doubt Trump's judgment on military action.
- U.S. and Ukrainian officials prepare for meetings in Geneva to discuss recovery aid and potential trilateral talks with Russia on ending the war in Ukraine, following stalled prior sessions.
- Reports of deadly incidents, including Russian drone strikes in Ukraine (e.g., in Dnipro) and counterterrorism operations in regions like Balochistan.
- A speedboat incident off Cuba resulting in deaths, tied to U.S.-Cuba tensions.
Education
- Trump's State of the Union mentioned AI positively but offered little specific focus on education policy.
- Ongoing uncertainty for Minority-Serving Institutions due to potential redirection or withholding of grants under the current administration.
- Discussions around college affordability, AI's role in student success, and surveys showing positive student experiences despite declining public confidence in higher education.
- Calls for stronger regulations or awareness against entrance exam coaching scams affecting students.
Economy
- Nvidia's strong earnings beat expectations and provided robust Q1 guidance, boosting tech stocks and signaling continued heavy AI infrastructure spending by Big Tech (projected at $630 billion in 2026).
- U.S. consumer confidence improved modestly in February to 91.2 after a sharp drop earlier in the year, with better job market perceptions but lingering concerns over costs.
- Market reactions to Nvidia results helped lift Asian shares and U.S. futures, amid worries about potential stock corrections impacting growth.
- Broader economic claims from Trump's State of the Union (e.g., on energy prices and tariffs) continue to face scrutiny and debate.
Technology
- Nvidia crushed earnings expectations with strong guidance, driving gains in tech stocks and highlighting massive AI chip demand from hyperscalers like Meta (which has a major AMD chip deal).
- Meta's agreement to purchase up to $60 billion in AI chips from AMD over five years, underscoring "compute lock-ins" in the AI race.
- Samsung unveils the Galaxy S26 series with price increases in key markets due to chip surges.
- Other developments include UK's O2 launching Europe's first smartphone satellite service and ongoing AI infrastructure investments.
Health
- Surgeon General nominee Casey Means faces grilling in Congress over vaccine positions and related health policies.
- A child dies of measles in West Texas, highlighting ongoing public health concerns.
- Broader research and reports on health issues, including microplastics in prostate cancer tumors and potential new approaches to brain stimulation for depression.
- Discussions around vaccine policies and wellness in the context of the Surgeon General confirmation.
Sports
- Reflections on the 2026 Winter Olympics, including Norway's record performance (18 gold medals) and debates on whether happiness and unique training approaches contribute to dominance.
- Ongoing golf news, with major invitations on the line at events like the Investec South African Open and New Zealand Open.
- High school/college basketball results, such as Union Local advancing in Ohio Division V playoffs.
- General coverage of NBA games and other leagues in daily schedules.
Note: News is fast-moving, especially around the Trump administration's policies and global conflicts—check reliable sources for the latest updates.
Trump's Partisan, Fact-Free State of the Union Address https://dianeravitch.net/2026/02/25/trumps-partisan-fact-free-state-of-the-union-address/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- Diane Ravitch's blog serves as a platform to discuss education, democracy, and current political events.
- Diane Ravitch chose not to watch Trump's SOTU address, criticizing it as partisan and misleading.
- The blog references a CNN fact-check of Trump's SOTU address.
- The blog archives cover a wide range of topics, including education reform, politics, and public figures.
- The blog provides a subscription option for readers to follow updates via email or RSS.
New York Times Confirms that Files Are Missing from Epstein Data Dump https://dianeravitch.net/2026/02/25/new-york-times-confirms-that-files-are-missing-from-epstein-dump/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- The Justice Department released documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case but omitted key FBI memos concerning a woman’s accusations against Epstein and Trump.
- The woman alleged that Epstein introduced her to Trump, who then assaulted her when she was a minor in the 1980s.
- The Justice Department cited privilege, duplication, or ongoing investigations as reasons for withholding the documents but did not directly address why specific memos were missing.
- The missing materials include FBI interview notes and summaries, raising concerns about a potential coverup.
- The New York Times and other journalists have reported on these missing files, highlighting the lack of accountability for those involved in Epstein’s activities.
Jess Piper: Missouri Republicans Won't Speak to the People They "Represent" https://dianeravitch.net/2026/02/25/jess-piper-missouri-republicans-wont-speak-to-the-people-they-represent/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- Jess Piper recounts her attempts to speak with her congressional representative, Sam Graves, but was denied access to his office despite her First Amendment rights.
- Missouri constituents face hostility, locked doors, and threats of arrest when attempting to engage with their representatives.
- Many Missouri Republican representatives, including Sam Graves, avoid town halls and direct contact with constituents, prioritizing donors over voters.
- Piper urges Missouri residents to recognize this lack of accountability and stop supporting representatives who disregard their concerns.
NPR: Missing Pages in Epstein Files Refer to Trump and Minors https://dianeravitch.net/2026/02/25/npr-missing-pages-in-epstein-files-refer-to-trump-and-minors/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- NPR reported that the Justice Department withheld and redacted portions of the Epstein files, including allegations against Donald Trump involving minors.
- Over 50 pages of FBI interviews and notes regarding the allegations are missing from public records.
- The Justice Department cited reasons such as privilege, duplication, and ongoing investigations for the redactions but faced criticism for lack of transparency.
- Two women accused Trump of misconduct, one alleging sexual abuse at age 13 and another recalling an uncomfortable encounter at Mar-a-Lago.
- The DOJ’s handling of the files, including accidental disclosures of victim identities, has been criticized by legal representatives and lawmakers.
U.S. Preschools: Limited Access and Underpaid Teachers https://larrycuban.wordpress.com/2026/02/25/u-s-preschools-limited-access-and-underpaid-teachers/ via @CubanLarry
### Key Points
- There is widespread support for increasing preschool access, with benefits ranging from reducing economic inequality to supporting working families.
- Despite this support, less than half of eligible children have access to publicly-funded preschools, with the U.S. ranking low among developed nations in preschool availability.
- A major issue is the low pay for preschool teachers, particularly those outside public schools, who earn near-poverty wages.
- Historical trends suggest a slow but eventual expansion of preschool access and improvement in teacher salaries, similar to the integration of kindergarten into public schooling.
- Challenges include the high cost of obtaining teaching credentials, which disproportionately affects low-income women of color.
glen brown: Trump's State of the Union Address https://teacherpoetmusicianglenbrown.blogspot.com/2026/02/trumps-state-of-union-address.html
### Key Points
- Donald Trump's 2026 State of the Union focused on his administration's achievements but faced backlash for falsehoods and divisive rhetoric.
- Trump highlighted individuals and events as symbols of national success, including military heroes and sports teams.
- The speech included controversial claims, such as false statements about immigration and healthcare policies.
- Democrats protested the speech, with some walking out or holding counter-events, and criticized Trump's leadership and policies.
- The address was seen as a key moment for the upcoming midterm elections, with both parties strategizing for control of Congress.
Comparing States’ Standards for Proficient Performance in Reading and Mathematics Grades 4 and 8 Education Research Report https://educationresearchreport.blogspot.com/
### Key Points
- In 2022, most state standards for proficient performance in reading and mathematics for grades 4 and 8 mapped at the NAEP Basic achievement level.
- The Mathematics Intervention Toolkit provides evidence-based practices to help educators support struggling students in grades 3–6, including professional learning modules and classroom resources.
- Teacher certification exams in Texas disproportionately affect underrepresented minority candidates, leading to higher economic costs without improving teaching quality or student outcomes.
- Violence and harassment in Canadian schools have reached alarming levels, with education workers facing high rates of physical violence and mental health challenges, prompting recommendations for better safety measures and mental health support.
- Adolescent cannabis use is linked to a doubled risk of developing psychotic and bipolar disorders, highlighting the need for public health interventions to reduce youth exposure and product potency.
- Strategies to increase physical activity among autistic youth include creating predictable routines, safe spaces, and focusing on their strengths, promoting social and emotional health.
- Excessive social media use among college students is strongly linked to loneliness, with recommendations for institutions to educate students about its effects and encourage offline connections.
Overselling the Mississippi Miracle Southern poverty is a policy choice JENNIFER BERKSHIRE https://educationwars.substack.com/p/overselling-the-mississippi-miracle
### Key Points
- The "Mississippi Miracle" in education is often oversold, with critics pointing out that while there has been some progress in reading scores, broader systemic issues remain.
- Mississippi has resisted private school vouchers, with state senators unanimously rejecting a recent attempt to introduce them, emphasizing the importance of public education.
- The narrative of Mississippi's education success ignores the state's historical and systemic poverty, which is a result of deliberate policies like supermajority requirements that limit public spending.
- The belief that education alone can solve poverty is challenged by critics who argue for addressing broader economic inequalities instead.
- Policies such as corporal punishment and grade retention in Mississippi are celebrated by some but have long-term negative impacts on students, including lower graduation rates and reduced earnings.
- The South's historical opposition to unions and right-to-work laws contributes to low wages, weak social mobility, and underfunded public services, further entrenching poverty.
- The temporary expansion of the Child Tax Credit during the pandemic significantly reduced child poverty in Southern states, demonstrating that direct economic intervention can be more effective than education reform alone.
Teacher Tom: If You Really Want to Understand Something https://teachertomsblog.blogspot.com/2026/02/if-you-really-want-to-understand.html
### Key Points
- Teacher Tom observes a debate between two preschoolers about the size of elephants and dinosaurs, showcasing the natural curiosity of children.
- Instead of intervening with facts, he allows the children to explore their understanding through dialogue, promoting critical thinking.
- Teacher Tom draws parallels to the Socratic method, emphasizing the importance of asking open-ended questions to foster learning.
- The blog highlights play-based education as a method to encourage exploration and collaborative learning among children.
- Teacher Tom offers resources for educators and parents, inviting them to explore play-based teaching methods and support his work.
A Conversation in MAGA America with James Baldwin's "Letter from a Region in My Mind" “This rigid refusal to look at ourselves may well destroy us” (“Lockridge: ‘The American Myth,’” James Baldwin) PAUL THOMAS https://paulthomas701128.substack.com/p/a-conversation-in-maga-america-with
### Key Points
- James Baldwin critiques the American concept of progress as a "trick bag," highlighting the impossibility of Black individuals becoming white and the lies surrounding this narrative.
- Traditional and modern educational approaches to reading often oversimplify text interpretation, ignoring the context of the writer, reader, and historical conditions.
- Baldwin's work emphasizes the interconnectedness of white and Black America, focusing on white fragility, denial, and systemic racism.
- White supremacy narratives perpetuate hypocrisy, with white power demanding standards not upheld by white leaders, and framing protests as riots to distract from systemic issues like police violence.
- Racism is deeply tied to capitalism and Christianity, with Baldwin urging Black Americans to reject corrupted religious practices and addressing the limitations of incremental progress toward racial justice.
- Baldwin critiques the myth of the American Dream and white supremacy's refusal to confront its own flaws, framing white denial as a barrier to change.
- Baldwin's writing reflects hope and prophecy, though the realization of his vision for racial justice remains delayed, echoing Langston Hughes' sentiment about America's unfulfilled promises.
South Dakota Senate Rejects Charter Schools Lt. Gov. refuses to break tie vote ANDY SPEARS https://theeducationreport.substack.com/p/south-dakota-senate-rejects-charter
### Key Points
- South Dakota Senate rejected a proposal to fund charter schools after a tie vote, with the Lt. Gov. choosing not to break the tie.
- Sen. Arch Beal’s absence due to health issues created the possibility of a tie in the Senate.
- South Dakota remains among the few states without charter schools.
- Kentucky Supreme Court recently ruled that charter schools violate the state constitution.
CURMUDGUCATION: Google's AI Push For Schools https://curmudgucation.blogspot.com/2026/02/googles-ai-push-for-schools.html
### Key Points
- Google is investing in AI training for schools through ISTE+ASCD, citing teacher feedback about being unprepared for AI integration in education.
- The author criticizes Google’s involvement, pointing out its vested interest in promoting its products rather than addressing educational needs.
- Past tech-driven solutions in education often lacked purpose, leading to ineffective outcomes and prioritization of profit over students' learning.
- The article warns against blindly adopting AI tools from companies focused on profit, urging educational organizations to pause and prioritize student and societal interests.
Curmudgucation: NC: Charter Accountability Fails Again | National Education Policy Center https://nepc.colorado.edu/blog/nc-charter
### Key Points
- The article addresses the lack of accountability in North Carolina's cyber charter schools, specifically the renewal of two consistently low-performing institutions, North Carolina Cyber Academy (NCCA) and North Carolina Virtual Academy (NCVA).
- Both schools received poor evaluations, with NCVA and NCCA scoring mostly D's on the state's evaluation system over the past decade. Despite this, they were renewed for another five years.
- The schools have accumulated significant taxpayer funding ($16 million for NCVA and $9.7 million for NCCA) without improving educational outcomes.
- Critics argue that these schools fail to address the needs of their student base, which often includes students already struggling academically.
- The review board's limited flexibility in renewal decisions and its leniency toward cyber charters compared to brick-and-mortar charters are cited as contributing factors to the lack of accountability.
- The article questions the effectiveness of the schools' autonomy, given their poor performance and the lack of significant improvement over a decade.
Center for Christian Virtue is the new White Hat Management, just as Jesus intended Unlike the notorious Charter School operator, though, CCV's operation is far, far less transparent. STEPHEN DYER https://10thperiod.substack.com/p/center-for-christian-virtue-is-the
### Key Points
- The Center for Christian Virtue (CCV) is accused of using taxpayer funds to subsidize private Christian schools through their "school planting" initiative, which establishes schools in churches.
- CCV’s schools reportedly show poor academic performance, with only a small percentage of students testing proficient in reading and math, despite receiving significant public funding.
- CCV’s operations lack transparency, and there are concerns about how they utilize public funds, as their financial dealings and contracts with private schools remain undisclosed.
- The author compares CCV’s practices to those of White Hat Management, alleging similar tactics to divert public education funds to private interests while undermining public schools.
- The introduction of universal vouchers in Ohio has reduced the need for traditional scholarship programs, yet CCV continues to receive large amounts of public funding for their initiatives.
- The Ohio Christian Education Network, a CCV offshoot, appears to function like a Charter School Operator, but without the transparency and oversight required of public charter schools.
SOTU Redux: Trump the demagogue performs for a captive audience Passive Democrats sat on their hands and played his foil. MICHAEL KLONSKY https://michaelklonsky.substack.com/p/sotu-redux-trump-the-demagogue-performs
Trump's 2026 State of the Union speech was characterized by false claims, divisive rhetoric, and political theater. He propagated misleading statements about wars, particularly with Iran, and exaggerated narratives about roadside bombs. Democrats largely remained passive during the event, with a few exceptions calling out Trump's remarks. The speech highlighted Trump's use of the platform to rally his supporters while delivering polarizing and inaccurate statements.
### Key Points
- President Trump repeated false claims about ending wars and exaggerated the impact of Iranian roadside bombs.
- Democrats, except a few, chose decorum over resistance during the speech, providing the visual politics Trump sought.
- Trump's rhetoric framed certain communities as outsiders and perpetuated white supremacist tropes.
- The Supreme Court's absence from the event was noteworthy, following their recent ruling against Trump's global tariff policy.
TRUMP IN THE NEWS TODAY
Today is February 25, 2026, and the dominant news cycle is focused on the aftermath of President Trump’s State of the Union (SOTU) address, which he delivered last night, February 24.
Here are the top stories involving the President today:
1. The Record-Breaking State of the Union
President Trump delivered the longest State of the Union address in modern history, clocking in at approximately 1 hour and 47 minutes.
The Message: He declared the dawn of a "New Golden Age," citing a fully secure border, rising incomes, and the total restoration of American respect abroad.
Key Moments: He awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor to Chief Warrant Officer Eric Slover, a pilot wounded during the high-profile mission to capture former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.
The Reaction: Republicans praised the speech as a "turnaround for the ages," while Democrats criticized it for omitting the impact of recent tariffs on consumer costs and for being "riddled with disinformation."
2. Defying the Supreme Court on Tariffs
Following a recent Supreme Court ruling that struck down his use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act for certain tariffs, Trump used the SOTU to announce a workaround.
New Strategy: He promised to use alternative legal statutes (such as the Trade Expansion Act of 1962) to reimpose a global tariff, which reportedly took effect Tuesday at a 10% rate, with plans to raise it to 15%.
Legal Pushback: Companies like FedEx are already suing for full refunds of previously collected tariffs following the Court's decision.
3. A New "War on Fraud" in Healthcare
Today, the administration announced a major crackdown on Medicare and Medicaid fraud, led by Vice President J.D. Vance, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz.
Medicaid Funding Freeze: The administration is withholding $259.5 million in federal Medicaid funding from Minnesota, citing "questionable claims."
AI Integration: Secretary Kennedy announced a shift to a "detect and deploy" strategy, using advanced AI to stop improper payments in real-time.
4. Rising Tensions with Iran
Ahead of critical nuclear talks in Geneva scheduled for tomorrow (Thursday), Iran has dismissed Trump’s SOTU remarks as "big lies."
Military Buildup: The U.S. has recently moved a massive naval and air deployment to the Middle East.
Diplomatic Envoy: Trump announced that Jared Kushner and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff will lead the American delegation in Geneva to ensure Iran never develops a nuclear weapon.