Good evening, I'm Ravi Patel.

We begin tonight with a milestone for graduates in the Southwest—over 3,600 students celebrated their achievements at the University of New Mexico’s spring commencement. From bachelor’s degrees to doctorates, the ceremony marked the culmination of years of hard work, with students from the main campus and branch locations like Gallup and Los Alamos walking across the stage. It’s a reminder of the resilience and determination that define this generation of learners.

Halfway across the world, Malaysia’s education system faces a pressing challenge—thousands of teachers leaving the profession early each year. Outdated software, long hours, and rigid leadership are driving educators away, raising alarms about the future of the country’s schools. The National Union of the Teaching Profession is calling for urgent reforms, warning that without change, the exodus will only worsen.

Closer to home, Detroit is reshaping its high school experience. Starting this fall, ninth graders will enter a redesigned system where students choose a pathway—whether advanced academics, arts, or technical education—by their sophomore year. The five-year plan aims to give students more flexibility while preparing them for college or careers, a bold step toward modernizing public education.

Meanwhile, in Chicago, a new policy at the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools has sparked debate. The "Standards for Viewpoint-Neutral Education" seeks to encourage open discussion while avoiding bias, but critics argue it limits classroom conversations on critical topics like inclusion. Parents and faculty are pushing back, questioning whether the policy truly fosters independent thinking or stifles it.

In North Carolina, accolades are in order for Dr. Mariah Walker, principal of Wake Young Women’s Leadership Academy, who has been named the 2026 Wells Fargo Principal of the Year. Her leadership has been praised for empowering young women, and tonight, we celebrate her well-deserved recognition.

Finally, Princeton University is making headlines with a historic change to its Honor Code—the first in 133 years. To combat cheating, especially with the rise of AI, the university will reinstate proctored exams. The decision follows surveys revealing nearly a third of seniors admitted to violations, a stark reminder of the challenges technology poses to academic integrity.

This is Ravi Patel, signing off.