TODAY'S TOP NEWS - YESTERDAY'S BEST BLOG POSTS
FEBRUARY 10, 2026
- Ongoing search for Nancy Guthrie — The desperate effort to find 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie (mother of NBC's Savannah Guthrie) enters its second week in Tucson, Arizona, with family appeals for public help amid a reported ransom note deadline and no major breakthroughs.
- Super Bowl LX aftermath — The Seattle Seahawks defeated the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 60, with highlights including Bad Bunny's halftime show; celebrations and recaps continue dominating headlines.
- Immigration enforcement developments — Reports of ICE operations, including incidents like a disabled U.S. citizen's assault and jailing in Minneapolis, plus protests against sending agents to international events like the Olympics in Italy.
- Ghislaine Maxwell testimony — From prison, Jeffrey Epstein's co-conspirator invoked the Fifth Amendment in congressional appearances, refusing details unless granted clemency by President Trump.
- Trump administration actions — New tariffs announced or impending in ongoing trade wars, plus defenses of relationships (e.g., with Elon Musk) and pushes for easier firing of federal workers via Schedule F reforms.
- Midterm election warning signs — Analyses highlight challenges for Republicans in retaining House control amid redistricting debates (e.g., Virginia maps) and broader political pressures.
- Immigration and ICE surge — Federal agents' deployments face legal blocks (e.g., in Minnesota) and public backlash, tying into broader Trump-era policies.
- Congressional hearings — Scheduled sessions on Indian Affairs and Appropriations, plus ongoing discussions around DHS demands and nuclear talks with Iran.
- Ukraine-Russia war updates — Continued attacks on Ukraine's energy grid, with Zelensky noting U.S. pushes for an end by June; negotiations in Abu Dhabi amid Trump's territorial proposals.
- 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina — Ongoing Games with controversies, including U.S. Vice President JD Vance being booed and protests over ICE presence.
- Syria post-Assad policy — U.S. congressional hearing on challenges in the region following regime changes.
- Hong Kong Jimmy Lai verdict — Government criticizes Western responses as "malicious," amid broader authoritarian cooperation discussions (e.g., Russia-China ties).
- Teacher-leadership roles at risk — Tightening K-12 budgets threaten pandemic-era positions like coaches and interventionists.
- Federal loan limits proposal — Department of Education advances rules for graduate/professional student loans under new frameworks, sparking access concerns in fields like nursing.
- Civics and public school emphasis — Discussions on school boards' role in building democracy and civics education ahead of U.S. 250th anniversary.
- Guidance on teacher workforce — ED issues flexibilities for using Title II funds for innovative strategies.
- Stock market movements — S&P and Nasdaq rise on tech rebound ahead of earnings (e.g., from companies like Coca-Cola, Ford, Shopify) and economic data.
- Trump trade war escalations — New tariff rounds announced, impacting sectors like steel and raising investor eyes on global effects.
- Growth stock highlights — Focus on high-insider-ownership companies (e.g., in lidar/tech) amid market momentum despite uncertainties like shutdowns.
- Tech rebound in markets — Gains in Nasdaq driven by big tech ahead of earnings season and AI-related developments.
- Social media addiction trial — Landmark case begins in Los Angeles against Instagram and YouTube for design features targeting kids.
- Amazon AI marketplace plans — Discussions to launch an AI content marketplace with publishers.
- High-growth tech stocks — Spotlight on companies like those in AI, circuits, and data with strong forecasts for 2026.
- Emerging virus threats — Warnings about influenza D (in cows) and canine coronavirus as potential future human outbreaks if surveillance lags.
- Diet and disease links — Studies link Mediterranean diet to lower stroke risk; intermittent fasting reduces Crohn's symptoms; keto diet insights for depression.
- RFK Jr. as Health Secretary scrutiny — One-year mark events highlight alleged public health failures under Trump appointee.
- Ovarian cancer spread research — New insights into why it spreads rapidly in the abdomen.
- Super Bowl LX recap — Seattle Seahawks' victory over New England Patriots, with star-studded halftime and fan arrivals in the Bay Area.
- NBA action — Nets defeat Bulls behind Nic Claxton's 28 points; brawl leads to ejections in Pistons-Hornets game.
- Olympics ongoing — Winter Games in Italy continue with events and side controversies.
- Other — Volleyball tournaments (e.g., NCAA Philippines) and various international friendlies.
Julian Vasquez Heilig: Bad Bunny, Love, Family, Redemption, Recognition https://dianeravitch.net/2026/02/09/julian-vasquez-heilig-bad-bunny-love-family-redemption-recognition/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- Trump is leveraging the nation's 250th anniversary to collect donations through Freedom 250, offering perks like exclusive access and photo opportunities for donors contributing at least $1 million.
- Planned events include an arch in Washington, an IndyCar race, a national prayer event, and a UFC match on the White House lawn, many of which lack connections to the nation's founding history.
- Critics suggest this is a "pay-to-play" scheme where donors may seek political advantages, such as contracts, exemptions, or pardons, through their contributions.
Stephen Dyer: Ohio Wants to Punish Districts That Joined a Lawsuit to Block Vouchers https://dianeravitch.net/2026/02/09/stephen-dyer-ohio-wants-to-punish-districts-that-joined-a-lawsuit-to-block-vouchers/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- Ohio legislators propose House Bill 671 to punish public school districts suing the state over private school voucher subsidies by withholding funding.
- Stephen Dyer condemns the bill as legislative blackmail, accusing it of jeopardizing public school students' futures for political gain.
- Dyer believes this move reflects fear among Ohio Republicans about the potential legal failure of their tuition subsidy program.
- He urges public education leaders to resist the bill and fight back politically and legally.
Ohio: Extortion in Defense of Vouchers Private school coupon backers seek to take money from public schools ANDY SPEARS https://theeducationreport.substack.com/p/ohio-extortion-in-defense-of-vouchers
- Ohio's taxpayer-funded private school voucher program costs $1 billion annually and includes five different schemes, some of which are being challenged by public school districts for creating funding inequities.
- Public school students in certain districts receive significantly less state funding per pupil compared to private school voucher students, sparking claims of discrimination and unfair treatment.
- Over 330 school districts and public school parents have sued the state, arguing that two voucher programs violate the state constitution.
- In response, Ohio lawmakers, led by Rep. Jamie Callendar, proposed HB 671, which would withhold funding from districts involved in lawsuits against the voucher program until they drop their cases.
- Critics argue this legislative move is an act of extortion and undermines fairness in the legal process.
School indoor vaping restrictions don't reduce vaping Education Research Report https://educationresearchreport.blogspot.com/
### Key Points
- School indoor vaping restrictions have minimal impact on reducing youth vaping, with students potentially shifting their behavior to less detectable areas. Comprehensive place-based restrictions, however, show a slight reduction in teen nicotine vaping.
- Teachers supervising students in work-based learning prioritize emotional and social well-being and use the Eight Dimensions of Wellness model to address student and teacher wellness.
- A study of Michigan charter schools found that students with disabilities perform as well as or better than in traditional schools, with increased attendance and academic outcomes despite reduced intensive special education services.
- Research from Sweden suggests that autism may occur at similar rates in males and females, with females often diagnosed later due to differences in social and communication skills.
- A review highlights the link between dietary patterns and adolescent mental health, suggesting that healthier diets are associated with fewer depressive symptoms, while poor diets correlate with greater psychological distress.
- Parents frequently seek online advice about substance use among children, but much of this advice is inconsistent and lacks evidence-based support. Researchers recommend creating accessible, evidence-based resources for parents.
- Physical aggression by young people toward parents peaks during early adolescence and declines into adulthood. Risk factors include parental conflict and ADHD, while supportive environments and conflict resolution skills act as protective factors.
Full-Service Community Schools grantee and partner school characteristics Education Research Report https://educationresearchreport.blogspot.com/
glen brown: The NFL Is “Socialist” on Purpose, and It Exposes Republican Economic Stupidity https://teacherpoetmusicianglenbrown.blogspot.com/2026/02/the-nfl-is-socialist-on-purpose-and-it.html
### Key Points
- The article critiques former President Donald Trump for his history of racist remarks, actions, and policies, including his comments about Barack and Michelle Obama, questioning Obama's birth certificate, and his controversial statements about immigrants.
- It highlights how Trump's administration has been accused of fostering systemic racism, including undermining diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts and dismantling civil rights gains.
- Specific examples include restoring the names of Southern slaveholders to military bases, failing to appoint Black women to federal courts, and enacting discriminatory immigration policies.
- The article criticizes the mainstream media and political leaders for failing to consistently confront Trump and his administration on their racist rhetoric and policies, which has contributed to the normalization of such behavior.
- It calls for public figures, media, and citizens to actively challenge and denounce racism, White nationalism, and attacks on pluralistic democracy.
glen brown: "The Beatles" February 9, 1964 https://teacherpoetmusicianglenbrown.blogspot.com/2026/02/the-beatles-february-9-1964.html
The Beatles | Complete LIVE Performance | The Ed Sullivan Show | 2.16.19... https://youtu.be/yqrYUORgY-s?si=jPz3oecjFM-RbsZw via @YouTube
Teacher Tom: Novelty Turns on the Learning Centers of Our Brain https://teachertomsblog.blogspot.com/2026/02/novelty-turns-on-learning-centers-of.html
### Key Points
- Novelty stimulates the brain's learning centers, making new experiences more engaging and memorable.
- Repetition and predictability can lead to boredom and disengagement, as seen in routine activities like watching the same TV shows or driving.
- Human brains naturally seek novelty as a learning trigger, but traditional schooling often lacks this element, relying on rewards and punishments instead.
- Environments designed to encourage curiosity and exploration could better align with how humans naturally learn.
- The author promotes a course called "Creating a Natural Habitat for Learning" to help educators and parents design such environments.
Students Unite! The high school student protests aren't getting enough attention JENNIFER BERKSHIRE https://educationwars.substack.com/p/students-unite
### Key Points
- Student protests against issues like ICE enforcement and civil rights are gaining momentum across the U.S., reflecting widespread frustration with the current political climate.
- Many students feel compelled to act due to the perceived failure of adults to address critical issues, reigniting hope and solidarity among the younger generation.
- The article draws comparisons between today’s protests and the teen activism of the 1960s-70s, noting similar resistance from adults and accusations of external manipulation.
- Historical examples show that student protests have often been catalysts for significant social and political change, such as opposition to the Vietnam War and desegregation efforts.
- Current protests are met with strong public support, with many Americans viewing the actions as legitimate, signaling a shift in societal attitudes toward youth activism.
“Casa Abierta”: What Bad Bunny Was Really Saying at the Super Bowl – Cloaking Inequity https://cloakinginequity.com/2026/02/09/casa-abierta-what-bad-bunny-was-really-saying-at-the-super-bowl/
### Key Points
- The Super Bowl halftime show elicited mixed reactions, reflecting societal divisions on cultural representation.
- Bad Bunny’s performance challenged preconceived notions about Latino culture and emphasized the community's enduring presence in America.
- The opening with sugarcane fields symbolized the painful history of colonialism and slavery in the Caribbean.
- The performance transitioned from themes of exploitation to celebrating cultural resilience, showcasing the shift from labor to life.
- The Casita symbolized survival, community, and cultural memory, fostering a sense of belonging and shared history.
- A wedding scene highlighted generational continuity, family bonds, and cultural inheritance through dance and music.
- Bad Bunny performed entirely in Spanish, asserting cultural identity and rejecting the need for translation or assimilation.
- A symbolic moment featured Bad Bunny giving a Grammy to a child actor, representing hope, legacy, and shared success.
- The performance concluded with the raising of flags from across the Americas, symbolizing unity, pride, and interconnected histories.
- The show was described as daring and meaningful, prioritizing truth, love, and belonging over comfort and approval.
Choosing Democracy: Major Corporations Finance ICE, And, what you and I can do about it. https://choosingdemocracy.blogspot.com/2026/02/major-corporations-finance-ice-and-what.html
### Key Points
- Major corporations, including CoreCivic, operate ICE and Border Patrol detention centers, which are reported to be rife with abuses such as medical neglect, isolation, and overcrowding.
- CoreCivic, the largest operator of ICE detention centers, is financed by institutional investors like BlackRock and Vanguard, and has a history of detainee abuse.
- Taxpayers indirectly fund CoreCivic through government contracts, and citizens can urge their representatives to condition Department of Homeland Security funding to enforce humane standards for ICE and Border Patrol operations.
- The Democratic Governors Association has accepted significant donations from CoreCivic, raising concerns about corporate influence on state legislation. Citizens can demand the DGA stop accepting such donations.
- Corporations such as Verizon, Google, Amazon, AT&T, and Microsoft provide logistical and technological support to ICE and Border Patrol, enabling large-scale enforcement. Consumers can boycott these companies to protest their collaboration.
- Individuals can use their power as taxpayers, savers, voters, and consumers to push for change and hold corporations accountable for complicity in ICE-related abuses.
Choosing Democracy: Call for NATION WIDE strike : ICE Out https://choosingdemocracy.blogspot.com/2026/02/call-for-nation-wide-strike-ice-out.html
### Key Points
- The 2006 "Day Without an Immigrant" strike, triggered by the Sensenbrenner bill, mobilized millions in a historic victory for immigrant rights.
- Youth leadership was pivotal, with high school walkouts inspiring broader participation and showing the potential of young immigrants in organizing.
- Clear and achievable demands, like stopping the Sensenbrenner bill, were crucial in uniting participants and ensuring success.
- Media played a vital role in scaling the movement in 2006, with Spanish-language radio being a key driver of awareness and participation.
- Involving mainstream audiences and institutions, such as churches and unions, helped legitimize the movement and attract wider participation.
- The 2006 movement emphasized non-violence and collective discipline, which were essential for broad participation and public support.
- Unions were initially hesitant to support the 2006 strike, but community organizations led the way, showing the importance of grassroots leadership.
- The current fight against ICE can draw on lessons from 2006 to organize non-violent mass resistance and push for immediate, winnable demands.
- The importance of organizing media strategies and using influential platforms to amplify the movement is greater now due to a fragmented media environment.
Super Bowl Weekend Quotables Trump: “Nobody understands a word this guy is saying.” MICHAEL KLONSKY https://klonsky.substack.com/p/super-bowl-weekend-quotables
- The Super Bowl is not just a sports event but a significant cultural and political spectacle, with the halftime show reflecting political and cultural tensions, especially in the Trump era.
- Bad Bunny’s halftime performance celebrated Puerto Rican culture and conveyed messages of love, joy, freedom, and solidarity, contrasting sharply with the MAGA-themed halftime show, which was criticized for its lackluster execution.
- The Super Bowl continues to break viewership records, with the 2025 game drawing approximately 135 million U.S. viewers, including 1.9 million Spanish-language viewers.
- Latino representation in the NFL remains limited, with only 40 Latino players and one Latino head coach in the 2025 season.
- The MAGA halftime show was widely criticized as poorly executed and irrelevant, failing to connect with a broader audience.
- Quotable reactions highlighted contrasting views on cultural representation and political messaging, including comments from Trump, Kacey Musgraves, and Marimar Martinez.
Kristof Is Wrong about Reading (Again), and He Knows It: A Reader "[H]ope emerges in the most unlikely of places: three states here in the Deep South that long represented America’s educational basement." Nicholas Kristof, The New York Times PAUL THOMAS https://paulthomas701128.substack.com/p/kristof-is-wrong-about-reading-again
- The article criticizes Nicholas Kristof and other journalists for repeatedly publishing misleading articles about reading proficiency in the U.S., often based on false claims.
- Kristof has been accused of spreading misinformation about the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) reading scores and falsely promoting the "Mississippi miracle" and "Southern Surge" narratives.
- The author highlights how these narratives are part of media and political campaigns that benefit the education reform industry rather than students.
- The article references a series of publications in the *English Journal* that debunk misinformation about the "science of reading" and reading reform.
- The author, Paul Thomas, is a professor of education and criticizes the perpetuation of myths like the "bad teacher" narrative and false claims of educational miracles.
Seattle Schools Community Forum: No Parade for Seattle Schools Students https://saveseattleschools.blogspot.com/2026/02/no-parade-for-seattle-schools-students.html?spref=tw
### Key Points
- Seattle Public Schools announced they will remain open during the Seahawks' Super Bowl victory parade to ensure stability, safety, and continuity for students, while attendance at the parade will not be excused. Families are advised to plan for traffic impacts.
- Concerns about nepotism in Seattle Public Schools highlight personnel promotions and job changes based on personal connections rather than merit, with examples from recent administrative shifts.
- Director Geary expressed views on advanced learning services during a board meeting, sparking discussions on the district's approach to these programs.
TRUMP IN THE NEWS TODAY
Based on reports from February 9, 2026, here are some of the top news stories involving President Trump and his administration:
Federal Workforce Reclassification
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is moving forward with a plan to create a new employment category for federal workers called "Schedule Policy/Career." This initiative is a rebrand of the "Schedule F" plan from his first term and aims to allow federal agencies to reclassify thousands of employees in policy-influencing roles, making them easier to fire and reducing their job protections.
Immigration and Detention Policies
Detention Ruling: A U.S. appeals court upheld the administration’s policy of placing individuals arrested during immigration crackdowns in mandatory detention without bond hearings.
TPS Appeal: The administration filed a notice of appeal regarding a recent ruling that blocked them from canceling Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian immigrants.
Targeted Deportations: The administration’s border czar emphasized that deportations should remain targeted to maintain the trust of the American people.
International Relations and Security
Munich Security Report: Ahead of the Munich Security Conference, officials released a report describing the President as a global "wrecking ball" to the post-World War II international order.
Iran Negotiations: The administration is utilizing high-level military leaders for diplomacy, sending a top commander to talks regarding Iran’s nuclear program.
Arms Sales: House Republicans applauded the administration's executive order establishing an "America First Arms Transfer Strategy" aimed at prioritizing U.S. defense manufacturing.
Legal and Domestic Issues
Supreme Court Petition: Lawyers for the President asked the Supreme Court to toss the verdict in the E. Jean Carroll civil suit, arguing that as President, he is too busy to focus on the case.
Education Funding Settlement: The administration reached a settlement with a coalition of 19 attorneys general, ensuring the federal government will not withhold over $1 billion in education funding from states like New Jersey based on compliance disputes regarding Title VI.
