TODAY'S TOP NEWS - YESTERDAY'S BEST BLOG POSTS
MARCH 12, 2026
The ongoing U.S.-Israel war with Iran dominates much of the news cycle across categories, with significant domestic incidents also prominent.
U.S. News
- Armed vehicle ramming and shooting attack at Temple Israel synagogue in West Bloomfield, Michigan — An armed suspect rammed a vehicle into one of the largest U.S. synagogues (with over 100 preschoolers inside), leading to gunfire; the suspect was fatally shot by security/police, and a security guard was injured. Authorities are investigating amid heightened threats.
- ISIS-linked suspect's deadly shooting at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia — The attacker killed an instructor (identified as Lt. Col. Brandon Shah from Voorhees University) and wounded two students; law enforcement links it to ISIS and braces for more potential threats following multiple incidents.
- Search ongoing for missing retired Air Force major general — A former commander of a cutting-edge technology research lab disappeared in New Mexico, with updates on the active search.
- Federal job cuts impacting Education Department’s civil rights branch — Part of broader administrative changes.
Politics
- Trump administration hikes tariffs on steel and aluminum imports — New tariffs announced to protect U.S. economy, sparking global trade concerns and retaliation risks.
- SAVE Act push and election overhaul debates — Republicans advance strict voting rules requiring citizenship proof, potentially affecting millions; Trump pressures for its passage.
- Ongoing Iran war briefings on Capitol Hill — Lawmakers receive Pentagon updates on the conflict, with discussions on escalation and economic fallout.
- Trump signals dominance in Iran conflict — Administration statements emphasize military superiority as Iran's systems reportedly collapse.
World Affairs
- Escalating U.S.-Israel war with Iran enters day 12-13 — Continued bombings, Iranian missile/drone strikes on Israel, U.S. bases, and Gulf neighbors (including fuel tanks); civilian deaths reported over 1,350 in Iran, with hospitals damaged.
- Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei vows to keep Strait of Hormuz blocked — Pledges revenge for strikes, attacks on oil tankers/U.S. bases continue; conditions floated for ending war but escalation persists.
- Regional warnings and impacts — Qatar warns of "catastrophic results" for the Middle East; attacks spread to Gulf states, with evacuations and energy infrastructure hits.
- Russia seeks details on Ukraine ceasefire plan — Amid separate diplomatic moves.
Education
- Trump administration continues push to shrink/break up Education Department — New interagency partnerships to reduce federal bureaucracy, return power to states; focus on efficiency, security, and programs like foreign gift reporting.
- Higher ed trends and predictions — Discussions on conservative critiques, public college collaborations, dual-enrollment issues, and potential turning points in the sector.
- Federal oversight changes — Impacts on civil rights enforcement and other branches from job cuts.
Economy
- Oil prices surge and energy disruptions from Iran war — Tanker attacks near Strait of Hormuz, Gulf strikes drive prices higher; global supply chain threats and economic fallout for U.S./world.
- Stock market volatility — S&P 500 in correction territory amid war uncertainty, tariffs, and inflation concerns.
- Tariffs on metals and trade probes — New U.S. hikes on steel/aluminum, plus Section 301 probes into forced-labor practices in 60 economies.
- Upcoming data releases — Focus on U.S. CPI, UK GDP, and labor reports amid war's influence on inflation and growth.
Technology
- Nvidia GTC 2026 preview — "Super Bowl of AI" event kicks off soon (March 16); focus on new chips, technologies powering AI, energy as the "first layer," and emerging applications.
- Perplexity launches "Personal Computer" AI agent tool — Turns spare Macs into locally run AI systems.
- Innovative student AI project — Spelman College students develop "Plant GPT" to let houseplants "talk" via AI for care needs.
- Other AI advancements — Tools like Gumloop for building AI agents, Google using AI/old reports for flash flood predictions.
Health
(Note: Health-specific headlines are lighter today, with war-related impacts overlapping.)
- War's health toll in Iran — Over a dozen hospitals/clinics damaged; civilian casualties and infrastructure hits raise concerns.
- Broader health policy discussions — March issues of journals like Health Affairs cover workforce, Medicare, and related topics.
- Potential indirect effects — Economic fallout from conflict could strain U.S. healthcare access and affordability.
Sports
- World Baseball Classic quarterfinals — Key matchups including Korea vs. Dominican Republic and USA vs. Canada.
- NCAA Tournament buildup — Conference tournaments ongoing; automatic bids and storylines for March Madness field.
- Golf: Players Championship Round 1 — Multiple leaders at 5-under par.
- Other notes — NHL injuries (e.g., Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews), MLB deals, and general conference action.
The Iran conflict remains the overriding global story, influencing energy, economy, politics, and more. For visuals on key events like the synagogue attack or oil impacts, let me know if you'd like some relevant images!
Thom Hartmann: Is Trump a KGB Agent? https://dianeravitch.net/2026/03/12/thom-hartmann-is-trump-a-kgb-agent/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- Thom Hartmann speculates whether Donald Trump is a KGB agent or takes orders from Vladimir Putin, citing Trump's alignment with Putin's wishes and actions such as undermining NATO and favoring Russia in foreign policy.
- Trump placed relations with Russia in the hands of personal acquaintances rather than career diplomats, with meetings often held without note-takers or translators.
- Russia reportedly helped Iran target American soldiers with precision, yet Trump downplayed Russian involvement, justifying it as reciprocal to U.S. intelligence-sharing with Ukraine.
- Trump waived sanctions on Russia, allowing oil sales to India, further aligning with Russian interests.
- Allegations suggest Putin may have kompromat (compromising material) on Trump, potentially blackmailing him.
- Trump reportedly mishandled classified documents, leaving them vulnerable to foreign adversaries, including Russia.
- Trump’s financial ties to Russian oligarchs and allegations of money laundering through his real estate ventures are explored.
- Evidence suggests Trump may have been influenced by Russia since at least 2017, with links to Russian intelligence and oligarchs.
- The Mueller Report documented Trump’s obstruction of justice during investigations into his connections with Russia.
- Trump allegedly revealed classified information to Russian officials, compromising U.S. intelligence operations and spies.
- Secret conversations between Trump and Putin, including private meetings without U.S. translators, raised concerns among U.S. intelligence agencies.
- Allegations include Trump providing sensitive information to Putin, potentially endangering American spies and intelligence operations.
- Reports suggest Trump had connections to Russian intelligence dating back to the 1980s, with the KGB allegedly grooming him as an asset.
- Trump’s 1987 visit to Moscow and subsequent political actions, such as criticizing NATO and U.S. alliances, align with Soviet interests.
- Trump’s former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn was involved in secret dealings with Russia and Turkey, raising further concerns about foreign influence.
- The article concludes by questioning why Trump appears to consistently favor Russian interests, suggesting deeper ties or leverage held by Putin.
Trump Administration Renders U.S. Dept. of Ed.’s Office for Civil Rights Utterly Dysfunctional https://janresseger.wordpress.com/2026/03/12/trump-administration-renders-u-s-dept-of-ed-s-office-for-civil-rights-utterly-dysfunctional/ via @janresseger
### Key Points
- The Trump administration, under Education Secretary Linda McMahon, intentionally weakened the OCR, which was functioning effectively at the end of the Biden administration.
- The administration laid off OCR staff, closed seven of its twelve regional offices, and redirected resources to focus on a narrow set of issues, including reverse discrimination and complaints from right-wing advocacy groups.
- The OCR shifted from addressing complaints filed by parents or advocates to conducting administration-directed investigations, often based on untested legal theories.
- Financial penalties or funding cuts were imposed on institutions like UCLA, Brown, Harvard, and public school districts, a departure from OCR’s historical focus on collaborative resolutions.
- Many discrimination complaints have been dismissed without investigation, leaving families waiting for action on unresolved cases. Some states are stepping in to strengthen civil rights enforcement at the local level.
Lessons Learned from Using Technology Devices to Improve Teaching and Schooling https://larrycuban.wordpress.com/2026/03/12/lessons-learned-from-using-technology-devices-to-improve-teaching-and-schooling/ via @CubanLarry
### Key Points
- Teachers are central to classroom learning, and no technology can replace the relationship between teachers and students.
- Access to digital tools does not guarantee effective integration into classroom activities, as there is significant variation in how teachers use these tools.
- Designers and entrepreneurs often overestimate the impact of their products on education while underestimating the influence of existing school structures.
- Ed-tech designers face a dilemma between profit, improving education, and solving educational problems, often underestimating the complexity of teaching and learning environments.
- School reform often focuses on incremental changes rather than fundamental transformations due to the inherent stability of institutions.
- Debate exists over whether to pursue incremental changes within the current public school system or aim for fundamental reforms to create a more equitable system.
- The importance of preschool education is widely acknowledged, but issues of limited access and low teacher salaries persist in the U.S.
- Teachers often lack involvement in decisions regarding the adoption of new technologies, which can lead to poor implementation and underuse of resources.
- Corporate partnerships, such as Meta's Instagram School Partnership Program, raise ethical concerns about student data privacy and the exploitation of young users.
- The growing use of AI in classrooms and social settings poses risks such as diminished critical thinking, social deskilling, and overreliance on technology.
- Emotional offloading to AI may hinder young people's development of social skills and their ability to navigate human interactions.
- Historical trends suggest that integrating preschool into public schools and addressing salary disparities for preschool teachers will take time but is achievable.
- The accountability of public versus private employees for misconduct differs, with public educators often facing harsher consequences compared to corporate executives.
Netflix Chief Ready To Help DFER Fix Education PETER GREENE https://curmudgucation.substack.com/p/netflix-chief-ready-to-help-dfer
### Key Points
- Reed Hastings, Netflix co-founder, joins Democrats for Education Reform (DFER) board, aiming to bring a disruptor’s perspective to education reform.
- DFER's mission is to shift Democratic Party perspectives toward education reform ideas often associated with Republican approaches.
- Hastings supports school choice programs and charter schools, advocating for unelected school boards and individualized software-based instruction.
- He views AI as pivotal in transforming education, proposing a model where teachers act as coaches and focus on social-emotional development alongside AI-driven personalization.
- Critics argue Hastings' vision of AI-based personalized education overlooks the value of human interaction and past failures of similar tech-driven models.
Teacher Tom: In Praise of Distraction https://teachertomsblog.blogspot.com/2026/03/in-praise-of-distraction.html
In Praise of Distraction
- The author reflects on a morning filled with distractions while attempting to read a novel, observing nature and its beauty, such as dragonflies, birds, rabbits, and the surrounding environment.
- The narrative highlights the concept of distraction as a natural human tendency, contrasting it with the rigid focus often demanded in traditional education systems.
- The author critiques rote learning methods that strip reading of meaning and joy, advocating for a more experience-based and engaging approach to education.
- The article emphasizes the importance of embracing distractions as part of life’s journey, rather than viewing them as obstacles to goals or achievements.
- The piece concludes with the idea that life itself, with its distractions and experiences, is the ultimate reality to be embraced.
glen brown: “If the road to war with Tehran required the sons and daughters of the billionaire and political class to march beside everyone else’s kids, would we still be there?” https://teacherpoetmusicianglenbrown.blogspot.com/2026/03/if-road-to-war-with-tehran-required.html
### Key Points
- Ambrose Bierce and Albert Camus' quotes about the writer’s role in society are mentioned, emphasizing resistance to oppression and isolation.
- Allegations that Iran's military precision improved due to Russia’s advanced satellite and radar support, potentially endangering U.S. soldiers.
- Trump downplayed Russia's role in aiding Iran despite reports of their involvement.
- Speculation arises about Trump’s subservience to Putin, including questions of blackmail or financial dependence.
- Trump’s alleged mishandling of classified documents, including bringing them to foreign adversaries’ territories.
- Reports of Trump’s private communications with Putin and attempts to conceal their content, including destroying translators’ notes.
- Concerns over Trump’s pardons of individuals like Paul Manafort and Michael Flynn, who had ties to Russia or foreign governments.
- Allegations of Trump exposing U.S. intelligence assets, leading to compromised informants and security risks.
- Historical claims of the KGB targeting Trump as an asset since 1987 through his connection to his first wife and his trip to Moscow.
- Trump’s public criticism of NATO and U.S. alliances, aligning with Russian interests, as early as 1987.
- Speculation about Trump’s promises to foreign leaders, including Putin, and their potential implications on U.S. national security.
- Allegations of Turkish President Erdoğan influencing Trump’s administration through payments to Michael Flynn.
- The article questions Trump’s motivations and actions, suggesting a broader strategy to align U.S. policies with Russian interests.
Voucher Reform in Arizona? Nope, not happening this year . . . ANDY SPEARS https://theeducationreport.substack.com/p/voucher-reform-in-arizona
- Republican leadership in Arizona blocked all proposed reforms to the state's ESA voucher system, preventing any measures from advancing.
- Save Our Schools Arizona advocates for citizens to take action since legislative reform is stalled.
- The Arizona legislature is currently chaotic, with lawmakers struggling to set priorities amidst divergent ideas.
- Arizona's voucher program has been criticized for enabling fraud and causing school closures.
- Out-of-state fraudsters have exploited Arizona's voucher system.
Trump may be looking for an exit ramp? Implies he was misled and manipulated into another Mideast war. The U.S./Israel war on Iran and the ongoing war in Ukraine are not isolated regional conflicts but rather the accelerants in a ... MICHAEL KLONSKY https://michaelklonsky.substack.com/p/trump-may-be-looking-for-an-exit
- The article discusses how U.S./Israel conflicts with Iran and the ongoing war in Ukraine are interconnected and could potentially escalate into a global conflict.
- It compares the current geopolitical situation to past world wars, emphasizing imperialism as a systemic driver of expansion and war.
- Trump appears to be seeking an exit strategy from the Iran war, claiming he was manipulated into the conflict by advisors and Israel.
- The Iran war, initially framed as a brief operation, has escalated significantly, with Iran gaining leverage through actions like the Strait of Hormuz blockade.
- Trump’s narrative shifts blame to others while consolidating his autocratic power, portraying himself as a victim of misleading advice.
- Criticism is directed at Trump for surrounding himself with inept advisors and ignoring accurate intelligence.
Orange: Teaching Reading not Simply Black-and-White "What avail is it to win prescribed amounts of information..., to win ability to read and write, if in the process the individual loses his own soul." John Dewey, Experience & Education PAUL THOMAS https://paulthomas701128.substack.com/p/orange-teaching-reading-not-simply
### Key Points
- The author reflects on their upbringing in the Southern U.S., where pronunciation shaming was used within the family and society, often reinforcing racial and class biases.
- Traditional approaches to teaching grammar and phonics emphasize "standard" English, often marginalizing nonstandard dialects and associating them with intellectual or moral inferiority.
- The "Science of Reading" (SOR) movement promotes standardized reading programs, which are criticized for being overly rigid, de-professionalizing teachers, and ignoring the diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds of students.
- Some mandated reading programs, such as "Into Reading," have been critiqued for reinforcing stereotypes and failing to address diversity and equity in educational content.
- Effective literacy instruction requires differentiation, scaffolding, and leveraging students’ existing language strengths, particularly for bidialectal children.
- The article critiques the dichotomy of "right vs. wrong" in language use, advocating for honoring linguistic diversity and rejecting dehumanizing standardized practices.
Birthright Citizenship: Every Baby Born Here Is One of Us First Focus on Children filed an amicus brief in Trump v. Barbara. Here's what we told the Supreme Court. BRUCE LESLEY https://brucelesley.substack.com/p/birthright-citizenship-every-baby
### Key Points
- First Focus on Children, along with other organizations, filed an amicus brief in Trump v. Barbara, urging the Supreme Court to affirm the Fourteenth Amendment’s guarantee of birthright citizenship and deem Executive Order 14160 unconstitutional.
- The Fourteenth Amendment explicitly grants citizenship to all persons born in the U.S., focusing on the child at birth rather than the parent’s status, ethnicity, or lineage.
- Birthright citizenship has been reaffirmed through numerous laws, including the Civil Rights Act of 1866, the Immigration Act of 1917, and the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952.
- The Supreme Court has consistently upheld birthright citizenship, most notably in United States v. Wong Kim Ark (1898), which ruled that children born to noncitizen parents on U.S. soil are citizens.
- President Trump’s Executive Order proposes replacing birthright citizenship with "bloodright citizenship," making citizenship contingent on the parents’ immigration status or lineage, which contradicts constitutional and legal precedents.
- Vulnerable groups, including children conceived in rape, children of abusive fathers, adopted children, children born to Amish and Mennonite families, and children born through IVF or surrogacy, would face severe challenges under the Executive Order.
- The Executive Order would require extensive documentation to prove citizenship, potentially denying millions of babies access to essential benefits like Medicaid, CHIP, and SNAP.
- The policy could create health risks by discouraging immigrant mothers from seeking prenatal care and hospital deliveries, leading to increased infant and maternal mortality rates.
- The Executive Order could render many children stateless, especially those born to parents from countries that do not recognize citizenship by descent, leaving them without nationality or legal protections.
- The proposed policy would undermine the legal foundation for programs like CHIP that provide prenatal care based on the assumption of birthright citizenship.
- Congress has repeatedly upheld the principle of birthright citizenship in statutory law, despite numerous attempts to overturn it through legislation.
- The article emphasizes the importance of prioritizing children’s rights and well-being in policy decisions, arguing that the Executive Order would cause immediate and irreparable harm to all children born in the U.S.
- Citizenship should be based on birth, not lineage, ancestry, or wealth, as per the Fourteenth Amendment and the principles of equality upon which the U.S. was founded.
State Superintendent Thurmond Meets with Joseph Londono Rodriguez and Mother; Child Signs “I Want to Go Back to School” https://www.cde.ca.gov/nr/ne/yr26/yr26rel16.asp
State Superintendent Tony Thurmond is advocating for the return of Joseph Londono Rodriguez, a six-year-old Deaf student who was deported under false pretenses. Joseph, who attended the California School for the Deaf, Fremont (CSDF), relies on American Sign Language (ASL) and English for communication and education. His deportation has placed him at risk of language deprivation, emotional distress, and physical health complications due to lack of proper care for his cochlear implant. Superintendent Thurmond is collaborating with Congress to ensure Joseph and his family return safely to California.
### Key Points
- State Superintendent Tony Thurmond met with Joseph Londono Rodriguez, his mother, and CSDF staff to address the child's deportation and well-being.
- Joseph and his family were detained during a routine immigration check-in, denied access to assistive devices, legal representation, and deported under false pretenses.
- Joseph expressed his desire to return to school, highlighting his reliance on ASL and English instruction at CSDF for communication and development.
- Superintendent Thurmond warned of the risks of language deprivation and health complications for Joseph due to the lack of proper care and educational support.
- Efforts are underway to bring Joseph and his family back to California, including advocacy with federal administration and Congress.
Curmudgucation: MO: A New School Surveillance Idea | National Education Policy Center https://nepc.colorado.edu/blog/mo-new-school
- Missouri is launching a $7 million project to monitor school wastewater for drugs like fentanyl. $4 million is allocated for K-12 schools, and $3 million for law enforcement-related testing.
- Schools participating in the program will receive weekly updates on substance misuse trends through wastewater analysis, allowing them to implement relevant programs if needed.
- Data sharing with law enforcement is not contractually prohibited, raising concerns about potential misuse of the information.
- The project is managed by Stercus Bioanalytics, a company under Mighty Good Solutions, which shifted to health and hygiene products during COVID-19.
- Experts caution against potential community stigmatization and unintended consequences, such as negative impacts on real estate, business development, or student opportunities.
- Concerns are raised about the surveillance of students and the potential for misuse of collected data, advocating for careful observation of the program's outcomes.
TRUMP IN THE NEWS TODAY
Today, March 12, 2026, news surrounding President Trump is dominated by the escalating conflict with Iran, a major legal battle over electric vehicles, and a significant push for election reform ahead of the midterms.
🌎 Foreign Policy & War in Iran
The ongoing military conflict with Iran remains the top story, characterized by shifting rhetoric and market volatility.
Contradictory War Messaging: At a rally in Kentucky, President Trump declared that the war is "won" and that Iran's military capabilities have been "decimated."
However, he simultaneously stated, "we don't want to leave early," suggesting a long-term commitment to "finish the job." Oil Prices Surge: Global crude oil prices hit $100 a barrel today as the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed.
Trump pivoted his messaging to frame high oil prices as a positive for U.S. producers, despite earlier promises to keep gas prices low. Strategic Reserve Release: In an effort to stabilize the market, the administration announced the release of 172 million barrels of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.
⚖️ Domestic Policy & Legal Actions
Lawsuit Against California: The Justice and Transportation Departments filed a lawsuit today to block California's Electric Vehicle (EV) mandate.
The administration argues the mandate is illegal and part of a "Freedom Means Affordable Cars" initiative intended to lower vehicle costs. TVA Salary Cap: Trump signed a presidential memorandum today capping the total annual compensation for Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) employees—including the CEO—at $500,000, citing a need for fiscal responsibility.
🗳️ Midterm Elections & "SAVE America Act"
Voter ID & Mail-in Ballots: Trump is escalating pressure on Senate Majority Leader John Thune to pass the SAVE America Act.
The bill aims to require proof of citizenship for voter registration and would effectively ban all-mail elections. Election Rhetoric: During recent remarks, Trump asserted that "Democrats must cheat to win," a claim that is reportedly causing a divide among some Republican voters in swing districts who are wary of nationalizing election administration.
💻 Technology & Cybersecurity
New National Cyber Strategy: The administration released a new seven-page "Cyber Strategy for America." The plan emphasizes offensive cyber operations to deter adversaries and calls for "common-sense regulation" to reduce the compliance burden on the private sector.
