Category Archives: Education

Town Hall honoring the late Wier Harman and Skyline resident David Brewster

Kate Nagle-Caraluzzo, Executive Director, Town Hall Seattle (thanks to Mary M.) It’s been two years since Wier Harman, our friend and former Executive Director of 17 years, passed away, and I’ve been thinking about the ways his presence still lives … Continue reading

Posted in Architecture, Books, Education, Entertainment, In the Neighborhood, literature, Music, On Stage, Science and Technology, Social justice | Comments Off on Town Hall honoring the late Wier Harman and Skyline resident David Brewster

A Spotlight on Rumors: Illuminating How Influence and Improvisation Shape Online Conversations

Thanks to Mary M. UW Professor Kate Starbird discussed her work in understanding online rumors, misinformation and disinformation. Rumors are an inherent human reaction to crisis events like natural disasters or political upheaval because they help us make sense of … Continue reading

Posted in Advocacy, Communication, Education, language, Morality, Scams | Comments Off on A Spotlight on Rumors: Illuminating How Influence and Improvisation Shape Online Conversations

After schools banned phones, students checked out more library books: ‘We’re reclaiming attention’

from GoodGoodGood – thanks to Pam P. In Kentucky’s Jefferson County Public School District, cell phone bans have made way for students to read for pleasure. The district is following a new state law that prohibits cell phone use during class and … Continue reading

Posted in Education, technology | Comments Off on After schools banned phones, students checked out more library books: ‘We’re reclaiming attention’

Columbus Day – commentary by Heather Cox Richardson

On October 9, President Donald J. Trump’s office issued an official proclamation declaring Monday, October 13, “Columbus Day.” The proclamation says that the day is one on which “our Nation honors the legendary Christopher Columbus—the original American hero, a giant … Continue reading

Posted in Advocacy, Education, Essays, Government, Health, History, Holidays, Immigration, Politics, Social justice | Comments Off on Columbus Day – commentary by Heather Cox Richardson

M.I.T. Rejects a White House Offer for Special Funding Treatment

By Vimal Patel in the NYT M.I.T. became the first university to reject an agreement that would trade support for the Trump administration’s higher education agenda in exchange for favorable treatment. The proposal, called the “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher … Continue reading

Posted in Advocacy, Education, Government | Comments Off on M.I.T. Rejects a White House Offer for Special Funding Treatment

Rutgers Expert on Antifa Flees to Spain After Death Threats

Mark Bray was teaching courses on anti-fascism. Turning Point USA accused him of belonging to antifa, which he denies. He left the country Thursday night. by Sharon Otterman in the NYT A Rutgers University expert on antifa fled the United States … Continue reading

Posted in Advocacy, Education, Justice, language, literature, Politics | Comments Off on Rutgers Expert on Antifa Flees to Spain After Death Threats

Remembering September 15, 1963

Commentary by Heather Cox Richardson At 10:22 on the morning of Sunday, September 15, 1963, a bomb ripped through the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama. It was Youth Day in the historic brick church, and five young girls … Continue reading

Posted in Advocacy, Education, Government, History, Race | Comments Off on Remembering September 15, 1963

Pharmaceutical ads in the U.S.: Top questions answered

Aaron S. Kesselheim is a primary care physician, lawyer, and professor of medicine at Harvard with expertise in pharmacoepidemiology and pharmacoeconomics. Pharmaceutical ads in the United States are annoying. Absurd. And almost uniquely American. In fact, only one other high-income … Continue reading

Posted in drugs, Economics, Education, Health, History | Comments Off on Pharmaceutical ads in the U.S.: Top questions answered

This superintendent 3D prints violins in her office so every student can play in the orchestra. They cost just $50 each

from GoodGoodGood – thanks to Pam P. Dr. Laura Jacob, superintendent of the California Area School District in Coal Center, Pennsylvania, has 30 3D printers in her office. While she does enjoy 3D printing as a hobby, these printers represent a mission … Continue reading

Posted in Advocacy, Education, Music | Comments Off on This superintendent 3D prints violins in her office so every student can play in the orchestra. They cost just $50 each

Declaration Book Club

Thanks to Mary M. Thomas Jefferson was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, which created the United States.  To celebrate the Declaration’s upcoming 250th birthday on July 4, 2026, Monticello is launching Declaration Book Club, featuring short readings, lively videos, … Continue reading

Posted in Communication, Education, Government, History | Comments Off on Declaration Book Club

This CDC Resignation Should Scare You

by Paul Offit (thanks to Ed M.) Fiona Havers resigned because she feared that RFK Jr. would suppress or manipulate CDC data. “A lot of Americans are going to die from vaccine-preventable diseases,” she warned.  On April 15, 2025, Dr. … Continue reading

Posted in Advocacy, Education, Health, Science and Technology, Vaccines | Comments Off on This CDC Resignation Should Scare You

It’s on!

Thanks to John R.

Posted in Education, Government | Comments Off on It’s on!

A New Populism: Ideas for Democrats

By David Brewster One basic axiom for a party in trouble with voters is to absorb and expand the reach to new voters. The Democratic Party is losing touch with voters, so here are some expansion ideas. My main suggestion … Continue reading

Posted in Advocacy, Communication, Education, Essays, Government, Philanthropy, Politics | Comments Off on A New Populism: Ideas for Democrats

Trump Bill’s Caps on Grad School Loans Could Worsen Doctor Shortage

The proposed limits on federal loans fall well below the costs of medical school. Critics say this could deter students from pursuing medicine. By Roni Caryn Rabin in the NYT (thanks to Ed M.) President Trump’s policy agenda would make deep … Continue reading

Posted in Education, Government, Health | Comments Off on Trump Bill’s Caps on Grad School Loans Could Worsen Doctor Shortage

Homework help. Free. All ages.

Thanks to Robbie R. “Every afternoon, 68-year-old Kathy set up two folding chairs and a chalkboard on her porch. Rain or shine, she’d write, “Homework help. Free. All ages.” Her neighbors in the quiet town of Cedar Hills thought she … Continue reading

Posted in Education, Government, Kindness | Comments Off on Homework help. Free. All ages.

Amid tensions with Trump administration, Harvard offers free courses on US history, politics

From Goodgoodgood (thanks to Pam P.) This summer, any American can add ‘Harvard University’ to their resume — for free. The university has offered free online courses for several years, but with tensions rising in relation to the Trump administration, more attention … Continue reading

Posted in Education, Government | 1 Comment

Scott Pelley speaks to 2025 graduates

Thanks to Mike C. Good morning, everybody. What a beautiful day. What a beautiful North Carolina day for a graduation. Incredible. Thank you, President Wente, Provost Gillespie, members of the Board of Trustees and Katy Harriger, my faculty sponsor, for … Continue reading

Posted in Advocacy, Education, History, Law, Morality, Politics, Social justice | Comments Off on Scott Pelley speaks to 2025 graduates

Silencing the CDC

A recent study by the CDC showed how to prevent the most common cause of hospitalizations in babies. Why haven’t we heard about it? Paul Offit (thanks to Ed. M) Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause of … Continue reading

Posted in Advocacy, Education, Government, Health | Comments Off on Silencing the CDC

The Ugly Historical Echoes of Kennedy’s Comments on Autism

By Jessica Grose Opinion Writer in the NYT (thanks to Ed M) Last week Robert F. Kennedy Jr. held his first news briefing as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, to address a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and … Continue reading

Posted in Education, Government, Health, History | Comments Off on The Ugly Historical Echoes of Kennedy’s Comments on Autism

What’s Happening Is Not Normal. America Needs an Uprising That Is Not Normal.

Ed note: This “call to action” by David Brooks is a challenge to us all. What steps strategically will help to slow the tsunami of dysfunctional destructive edits coming from the White House? Doing nothing, thus caving in, isn’t an … Continue reading

Posted in Economics, Education, Government, Law, Politics | Comments Off on What’s Happening Is Not Normal. America Needs an Uprising That Is Not Normal.

“Perfect Storm” at the University of Washington

Thanks to Ann M. This message is being sent to all staff, faculty and academic personnel across the University of Washington. Dear colleagues, Over the past two months, we have been tracking and responding to a range of policy changes … Continue reading

Posted in Education, Finance, Government | Comments Off on “Perfect Storm” at the University of Washington

An introduction to the incoming President of the University of Washington

from Blaine Tamaki, Chair of the UW Board of Regents (thanks to Ed M.)       It is my pleasure to introduce Robert J. Jones, Chancellor of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, as the next President of the University … Continue reading

Posted in Education | Comments Off on An introduction to the incoming President of the University of Washington

What to know about Lunar New Year traditions

JiaYing Grygiel – Special to The Seattle Times (thanks to Marilyn W.) Jan. 1 has come and gone, but Lunar New Year is right around the corner, celebrated by some 2 billion people around the world. The Year of the … Continue reading

Posted in Education, Entertainment, Holidays, In the Neighborhood | Comments Off on What to know about Lunar New Year traditions

Tour the Memory Hub

The Memory Hub, 1021 Columbia St is a community resource for memory support  Learn more and register — TOUR on Thursday, February 6, 2025  11:00am – 11:30am ( 30 min )

Posted in Caregiving, Dementia, Education | Comments Off on Tour the Memory Hub

M.I.T. to Offer Free Tuition to Families Earning Less Than $200,000

For students whose families earn less than $100,000 per year, the school will also cover other costs, including housing, dining, fees and an allowance for books and personal expenses. By Alexandra E. Petri in the NYT (thanks to Pam P.) The … Continue reading

Posted in Economics, Education | Comments Off on M.I.T. to Offer Free Tuition to Families Earning Less Than $200,000