TODAY'S TOP NEWS - YESTERDAY'S BEST BLOG POSTS
FEBRUARY 13, 2026
U.S. News
- Ongoing partial government shutdown risks, particularly affecting the Department of Homeland Security, as Senate Democrats blocked funding bills over immigration enforcement disputes, with a potential shutdown looming over the weekend.
- Trump administration's rollback of the 2009 endangerment finding on greenhouse gases, rescinding key federal climate regulations and drawing criticism from Democrats as an abandonment of public health and environmental protections.
- A federal judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration from transferring former death row inmates (with commuted sentences) to Supermax prison.
- Continued fallout from RFK Jr.'s leadership at HHS, with surveys showing declining public trust in health agencies like the CDC one year into his tenure.
- Energy cost concerns rising due to data centers' high electricity demands, with bipartisan calls for tech companies to bear more of the burden.
Politics
- Trump administration reached a major trade deal with Taiwan, where Taiwan agreed to remove or reduce 99% of its tariff barriers, seen as a win for U.S. trade policy.
- President Trump's executive order supporting the coal industry, including funding to extend operations at coal plants in states like West Virginia, praised by Sen. Shelley Moore Capito.
- Democrats blocking DHS funding, heightening shutdown risks amid clashes over immigration policies and ICE operations.
- House Republicans passed a restrictive election bill (likely facing Senate hurdles), amid midterm preparations and Trump's calls to nationalize elections.
- Ongoing debates over tariffs, with some Republicans rebuking Trump's Canada tariffs in a rare cross-party vote.
World Affairs
- Russia-Ukraine war updates: Russia launched large-scale missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities, causing casualties and infrastructure damage; Zelenskyy noted Moscow hesitating on U.S.-brokered talks, with another round expected soon.
- EU leaders agreed on an "action plan" to restructure the bloc's economy for competitiveness amid pressures from Trump tariffs, China, and Russia, including energy grid upgrades and financial integration.
- Trump administration's trade deal with Taiwan to lower barriers, potentially shifting dynamics in Asia-Pacific relations.
- NATO and Munich Security Conference preparations, with leaders addressing U.S. commitment doubts under Trump.
- Bangladesh Nationalist Party's landslide victory in parliamentary elections, marking a historic shift post-revolution.
Education
- Chronicle of Higher Education coverage of diversity hiring reckoning in academia, with exclusive surveys on job market concerns and conservative scholar opportunities.
- California announcing 2026 Green Ribbon Schools award winners for environmental excellence in education.
- Ongoing debates in states like Iowa over allowing community colleges to offer baccalaureate programs, seen as a threat by private colleges.
- Reports on grade inflation linked to lower future earnings, and equity issues like ZIP code determining educational opportunity in Connecticut.
Economy
- Fed Governor Stephen Miran stating monetary policy is tighter than perceived, with no major inflation problem, pushing for potential rate cuts amid Trump policies like tax cuts.
- Gold prices plunging due to strong U.S. jobs data reducing expectations for Fed rate cuts.
- Upcoming U.S. CPI and labor data releases (delayed due to prior shutdowns) eyed closely for Fed policy signals.
- Tech selloff impacting stocks, with AI-related fears spreading and bitcoin/gold tumbling.
- China economic data previews, including massive credit growth expected post-Lunar New Year effects.
Technology
- OpenAI retiring GPT-4o (and related models) on February 13, 2026, transitioning to GPT-5.2 as the new standard for professional use.
- New infosec product releases, including Armis Centrix for AI-driven application security and SpecterOps' BloodHound Scentry for identity risk reduction.
- Tech sector selloff deepening amid AI concerns affecting broader markets.
- Fujitsu showcasing AI-computing fusion technologies at India AI Impact Summit 2026.
- Anthropic finalizing a major $30 billion funding deal.
Health
- RFK Jr.'s HHS tenure criticized as eroding trust in agencies like CDC, with declining vaccine information confidence per surveys.
- Federal judge blocking Trump administration from rescinding $600 million in public health grants to Democratic-led states (e.g., for disease tracking and LGBTQ+/minority health studies).
- Australian Health Ministers meeting communique reaffirming mental health and suicide prevention reforms.
- Broader public health funding maintained in FY 2026 appropriations, rejecting some proposed cuts.
- Legal challenges to HHS vaccine policy changes by health organizations seeking injunctions.
Sports
- Winter Olympics 2026 ongoing coverage, including figure skater Ilia Malinin's strong short program performance and Team USA curling highlights.
- Various U.S. college and high school basketball games, such as Youngstown State men's upset win over Oakland and OVAC 5A title games.
- Gymnastics and other local competitions, like Lady Lion gymnasts placing second.
- General Olympic updates from CNN and NBC, focusing on history-making athletes and events.
These reflect the dominant themes circulating on February 13, 2026, with heavy emphasis on Trump administration policies in politics, economy, and U.S. affairs, alongside ongoing global conflicts and tech shifts. News can evolve quickly!
Pam Bondi Angrily Testifies, Democrats Eviscerate Her https://dianeravitch.net/2026/02/12/pam-bondi-testifies-and-democrats-eviscerate-her/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- Pam Bondi testified before the House Judiciary Committee, displaying rudeness and avoiding direct answers, while praising Trump and the stock market.
- Democrats accused Bondi of undermining the Department of Justice's integrity and using it as a weapon for Trump’s personal vendettas.
- Congressman Jamie Raskin and Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett led critical questioning of Bondi’s actions.
- The article highlights Bondi’s controversial history, including her prior roles and actions linked to Trump.
Mississippi Kills Voucher Bill in 84 Seconds https://dianeravitch.net/2026/02/12/mississippi-kills-voucher-bill-in-84-seconds/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- Mississippi's Senate rejected a voucher bill after a brief committee vote, with no support from committee members.
- Governor Tate Reeves criticized Republican leaders for collaborating with Democrats to defeat the bill.
- Public school advocates celebrated the bill's failure, emphasizing the need to protect public education funding.
- Other education legislation, such as teacher pay raises and school funding adjustments, advanced successfully.
Josh Cowen: Why Should the Public Pay Tuition at Religious Schools? https://dianeravitch.net/2026/02/12/josh-cowen-should-the-public-pay-tuition-at-religious-schools/ via @dianeravitch
- Despite public opposition, state legislatures are increasingly endorsing school vouchers, which subsidize private and religious schools with taxpayer money.
- The U.S. Supreme Court has been involved in cases related to religious charter schools and vouchers, with some decisions allowing public funding for religious education.
- Efforts to establish religious charter schools in states like Oklahoma, Colorado, and Tennessee are gaining traction, pushing the boundaries between public and private education.
- Conservative activists aim to secure mandatory state funding for religious education by leveraging legal rulings and political strategies.
- Betsy DeVos and other right-wing figures are working to dismantle Blaine Amendments, which prohibit public funding for religious schools, to expand religious education subsidies.
- Federal guidance now permits school personnel to pray during the school day, reflecting a shift in emphasis from the Establishment Clause to the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment.
Trump Reverses Climate Change Policies, Alarms Scientists https://dianeravitch.net/2026/02/12/trump-reverses-climate-change-policies-alarns-scientists/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- Donald Trump repealed the 2009 endangerment finding on greenhouse gases, reversing decades of environmental progress.
- The decision eliminates the foundation of U.S. climate policy and disregards scientific evidence about the dangers of greenhouse gases.
- Experts warn that the repeal will increase pollution, respiratory diseases, and planet-warming emissions in the future.
- The Trump administration also repealed federal regulations on vehicle emissions, further accelerating fossil fuel use.
- Environmental experts describe these actions as legally and morally indefensible, undermining efforts to combat climate change.
### Key Points
- The Trump administration has used federal anti-discrimination laws to reverse efforts promoting equality in education, targeting institutions that support racial and gender equity or diversity initiatives.
- Federal funding has been withheld from schools and colleges without proper investigations, leading to fear reminiscent of the McCarthy era and undermining academic freedom.
- Many universities, under pressure, have rolled back initiatives to increase faculty diversity, with significant cuts to DEI programs.
- A lawsuit was filed against Cornell University by a white biologist, claiming discrimination in hiring practices favoring candidates of color.
- Conservative groups, emboldened by a 2023 Supreme Court decision on affirmative action, have challenged policies aimed at combating segregation and promoting diversity.
- The Trump administration has targeted Harvard University for its refusal to comply with demands to eliminate DEI programs, including cutting research funding and threatening its tax-exempt status.
- Harvard's resistance has inspired other universities to defend academic freedom and institutional autonomy, supported by organizations like the American Council on Education.
Research Contradicts “Science of Reading” Media Story Being Sold "[TikTok] videos become situated as the credible source around a public discourse where misinformation is often communicated." (Rowe, et al., RRQ, 2025) PAUL THOMAS https://paulthomas701128.substack.com/p/research-contradicts-science-of-reading
The article critiques the "Science of Reading" movement and its influence on reading policies, media narratives, and instructional practices. It highlights widespread misinformation, selective use of research, and oversimplified solutions in reading education reforms. The analysis emphasizes the need for nuanced approaches to literacy instruction that address diverse student needs rather than relying on standardized, scripted methods.
### Key Points
- LETRS training misinterprets and selectively uses literacy research, failing to substantiate claims with original studies.
- No scientific studies confirm a reading crisis in the U.S. caused by balanced literacy, phonics instruction, or teacher education inadequacies.
- Out-of-school factors account for over 60% of student reading achievement, while teacher quality impacts only 1-14%.
- LETRS training is no more effective than other professional development models for improving student reading proficiency.
- Orton-Gillingham approaches are no more effective than other instructional methods.
- Special needs and multilingual students require varied instructional approaches, not monolithic methods.
- Systematic phonics instruction improves word pronunciation but does not enhance reading comprehension.
- Whole language, balanced literacy, and systematic phonics are equally effective for reading comprehension.
- Structured literacy restricts teacher autonomy and whitewashes reading curricula.
- States adopting "Science of Reading" policies show increased grade 4 reading test scores, but these gains disappear by grade 8.
- Grade retention inflates test scores but harms students emotionally, socially, and economically.
- Media and social media oversimplify reading issues and misrepresent research through anecdotal advocacy.
- Ineffective or unsupported practices include close reading, decodable texts, sustained silent reading, multisensory approaches, and interventions targeting visual/auditory systems or working memory.
- Research rejects one-size-fits-all approaches and emphasizes the need for tailored instruction for diverse student populations.
- Brain research and cognitive science have not provided conclusive findings to inform classroom instruction.
- Advocacy for the "Science of Reading" often relies on biased reporting and lacks robust research evidence.
glen brown: The Epstein Cover-up Must End: Trump Knows More han He Has Ever Let On https://teacherpoetmusicianglenbrown.blogspot.com/2026/02/the-epstein-cover-up-must-end-trump.html
### Key Points
- The Republican-controlled U.S. House passed a voter suppression bill with strict voter ID and citizenship documentation requirements, aligning with Trump's agenda.
- Critics argue that the bill disproportionately disenfranchises marginalized groups, including women, people of color, and younger voters, while addressing a non-existent problem of voter fraud.
- The bill is likely to fail in the narrowly divided Senate, with opposition from Democrats and some Republicans.
- Broader themes in the article include criticism of the Trump administration, social justice, and global political issues such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and Ukraine.
Why Is Inclusion Political PETER GREENE https://curmudgucation.substack.com/p/why-is-inclusion-political
### Key Points
- Sarah Inama was forced to remove her inclusive classroom poster under Idaho's House Bill 41, which the West Ada School District claimed was political.
- The controversy escalated to state-level attention, with Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador framing the issue as a fight against "woke indoctrination."
- After leaving the district, Inama filed a federal lawsuit challenging the law as unconstitutional, citing its vagueness and inconsistent enforcement.
- Inama's lawsuit points out her distinguished career and the lack of actual complaints about her posters, while highlighting broader racism issues in the district.
- She is represented by a high-profile legal team, aiming for damages, legal fees, a jury trial, and an injunction against the law.
- The article discusses the misconception of "huge" staffing increases in public schools despite declining enrollments, showing data that staffing levels per 100 pupils have not grown significantly.
- The author, Bruce D. Baker, is a Rutgers professor and a recognized expert in school finance policy, with extensive research on state school finance, teacher labor markets, and cost variations in education.
- Professor Baker has contributed to various academic publications, textbooks, and handbooks on education finance and policy, focusing on equity and effective allocation formulas for student needs.
- He has also served as a consultant for state legislatures, boards of education, and testified in school finance litigation in multiple states.
Teacher Tom: Blaming Everything But Standardized Schooling https://teachertomsblog.blogspot.com/2026/02/blaming-everything-but-standardized.html
Blaming Everything But Standardized Schooling
### Key Points
- The article critiques the standardized schooling system for prioritizing testing and grades over students' actual needs and intrinsic motivation.
- Concerns about student apathy and disengagement are recurring generational issues, often blamed on external factors like technology, Covid, and lack of accountability, rather than the schooling system itself.
- Standardized schooling often relies on external motivators like rewards and punishments, which fail to foster genuine interest and intrinsic motivation in students.
- The author advocates for play-based and self-directed learning, which aligns with natural human learning processes and fosters engagement and enthusiasm.
- The article criticizes educators and institutions for failing to adapt to students' needs and for perpetuating outdated teaching practices.
- The author promotes a course on creating learning environments that encourage play and self-motivation for effective education.
Choosing Democracy: Trump's Occupying army retreats https://choosingdemocracy.blogspot.com/2026/02/trumps-occupying-army-retreats.html
### Key Points
- ICE retreats from Minnesota, marking a victory for community resistance and people power.
- Comparisons are drawn between Minnesotans’ resistance and the American Revolution, particularly the British occupation of Boston.
- The article advocates for continued resistance against Trump-era authoritarian policies and emphasizes the importance of upcoming elections.
- Mayors across the U.S. are collaborating to share lessons from resistance efforts and strengthen urban solidarity.
- Calls for nationwide actions and strikes against ICE and authoritarianism are highlighted.
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Seattle School Board Meeting, February 11, 2026 https://saveseattleschools.blogspot.com/2026/02/seattle-school-board-meeting-february.html?spref=tw
### Key Points
- The meeting marked the debut of new Superintendent Ben Shuldiner, who addressed the tragic loss of students and a community leader, emphasizing the importance of all children. He acknowledged the district's budget deficit and praised the community and staff for their support.
- Discussions included the addition of two new Highly Capable (HC) cohort schools, challenges with application processes, and equity concerns in HC programs.
- Strong advocacy for enhanced student safety measures and the implementation of Ethnic Studies starting in kindergarten was highlighted during public testimony.
- Former board member Michelle Sarju criticized the current board's approach to safety and expressed her support for the new superintendent.
- A Special Education contract was discussed, including concerns about restrictive placements and oversight of non-public placements. The board passed the item but raised issues about past struggles with similar contracts.
- Two Board Action Reports (BARs) were passed: one on student school board members' policy and another on committee policy. The latter emphasized the need for standing committees for long-term planning.
- Introductory items included an approval process for the Student Assignment Transition Plan, which proposed changes such as maintaining HC cohort schools, adding two new HC schools, and altering the enrollment timeline. Concerns about capacity, resources, and equity were raised.
- Amendments to Board Policy Nos. 6114 and 6220 were proposed, aimed at lowering the threshold for Board approval on contracts and grants, which received mixed reactions from board members.
Schools Matter: TN School Vouchers Are about Welfare for the Wealthy http://www.schoolsmatter.info/2026/02/tn-school-vouchers-are-about-welfare.html
State Data: Ohio spent more on school privatization last year than public schools For example the state spent about twice as much on charters & vouchers in Columbus than they did on kids in Columbus City Schools Ohios largest school district STEPHEN DYER https://10thperiod.substack.com/p/state-data-ohio-spent-more-on-school
### Key Points
- Ohio spent more on charter schools and private school vouchers than public schools in many communities, notably allocating nearly double the funding to privately run schools in Columbus compared to its public school district.
- On average, 20% of state funding for public schools is redirected to privately run schools, with some urban districts losing up to 80% of their state funding to these schools.
- Wealthier suburban districts also see a significant portion of state funding going to privately run schools, even though only a small percentage of students attend them.
- The shift in funding has contributed to a decline in the share of the state’s budget allocated to public school students, which is now about half of what it was in 1975.
- The analysis excludes additional state spending on special education vouchers, administrative costs, auxiliary services, and busing for privately run schools, indicating the issue may be more severe.
- Charter schools in Ohio are considered private employers by the National Labor Relations Board, contradicting claims by charter advocates that they are public schools.
TRUMP IN THE NEWS TODAY
Based on reports from February 12, 2026, here are the top news stories involving President Donald Trump:
1. Major Deregulation Action
EPA Endangerment Finding Revoked:
In a significant move, President Trump and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced the repeal of the 2009 scientific finding that greenhouse gases endanger public health. Impact: This action eliminates federal greenhouse gas emission standards for cars and trucks and is being described by the administration as the largest deregulatory action in U.S. history.
2. Trade Conflicts with Canada
House Rebuke over Tariffs: In a rare bipartisan vote, the House of Representatives voted to reject President Trump’s recent tariffs on Canada.
Trump’s Response: The President warned that any Republican voting against the tariffs would face consequences in upcoming primary and general elections.
3. International Relations and Military
Middle East Tension: President Trump indicated that the U.S. is preparing to send another aircraft carrier to the Middle East despite ongoing nuclear diplomacy with Iran.
Comments on Netanyahu: The President publicly criticized Israel's president for not pardoning Benjamin Netanyahu.
4. Domestic Policy and Border Issues
Border Operations: Border officials stated that the administration has agreed to end a recent surge in deportations in Minnesota.
Energy Policy: President Trump ordered the Pentagon to purchase electricity generated specifically by coal.
