On February 19, 1963, The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan was published, a landmark work that, while sparking a new wave of feminism primarily focused on white women’s experiences, also intersected with and influenced the Black feminist movement and its ongoing struggle for equality in the face of both sexism and racism.
1. 46 Candidates Will Appear on Dallas City Council Election Ballot
February 14 was the last day for city council hopefuls to file paperwork and qualify to appear on the May 5 election ballot, wherein all but one district will take on new representation. In all, 46 candidates qualified and will appear on the municipal election ballot. The most contested race is likely to be District 7, where the incumbent, Adam Bazaldua is facing a wave of opposition, including Lamar Jefferson, Cyndey Walker, Josse Rivas, Jr., O’Neil Hesson and write-in candidate Marvin Crenshaw.
Information about the qualified candidates can be found on the city’s website, here.
2. Trump Blames Ukraine for Not Making a Deal, Democrats for Russia’s Invasion
President Donald Trump, during a speech made from his estate in Mar-a-Lago, took a deep dig at Ukraine and its president Volodymyr Zelensky, saying that Ukrainian leadership had three years to made a deal to end the war with Russia. Trump’s statements come after Zelensky accused the U.S.-Russia talks, being held in Saudi Arabia, of purposefully excluding Ukraine and the E.U. Trump doubled down, stating that Ukraine started the war with Russia, demanding that “a half baked negotiator” could have ended the war with “very little land loss.”
Zelensky hit back stating, “I would like Trump’s team to be more truthful, all of this definitely doesn’t affect Ukraine in a positive way. They are letting Putin out of isolation, and I think Putin and Russia are really happy because they are involved in discussions, and yesterday there were signals that they are the victims. That is something new.”
3. Massive Spending Cuts Made in Education
The Institute of Education Sciences (IES), the research arm of the U.S. Department of Education, is facing significant budget cuts, raising concerns within the education research community. On Monday, the DOE announced $600 million in cuts to what it called “divisive” teacher training grants, which the Trump Administration and DOGE have also called “woke” and wasteful spending. These reductions are expected to limit the IES’s ability to support new research projects, potentially delaying or halting critical studies on effective teaching practices, student learning, and educational interventions, and impacting the dissemination of existing research findings.
4. Tariffs Gone Quiet, But Still a Threat
The tariff landscape affecting trade with Canada, Mexico, and China has quieted down as of late, but remains dynamic. Under the USMCA, trade with Canada and Mexico is relatively stable, though occasional sector-specific disputes arise, with focus on implementation. Trade relations with China are more complex; while some tariffs remain, discussions continue to de-escalate tensions, shifting towards targeted measures and strategic competition rather than broad tariffs, though the situation remains fluid, particularly in technology sectors. Globally, geopolitical factors, supply chain disruptions, and domestic economic considerations influence tariff policies, requiring businesses to stay informed and adapt.
5. Associated Press Has Access Limited by Trump
Reports indicate that the Associated Press (AP) has faced limited access to certain White House events and spaces. This appears to stem from a disagreement over the AP’s style guide, which differs from the White House’s preferred terminology for the body of water bordering the southern US and Mexico. The AP continues to use “Gulf of Mexico,” while the White House prefers “Gulf of America,” following an executive order. This situation has raised concerns about press access and potential First Amendment implications.
