New York City is opening up elementary schools next week after city officials faced heavy criticism for appearing to prioritize economic activities like restaurant dining over the well-being of children. Across the country, public school closures have led to a spike in private school matriculation, since private institutions have a better chance of staying open. 

Trump still hasn’t conceded yet, but he has ramped up predictable lame-duck behavior like pushing through a battery of new rules and policy changes. Some policies might not pass legal muster or will be easy for the Biden administration to reverse, but others will have a lasting impact. 

And in headlines: Biden announces the first all-female senior White House communications team, Iran’s foremost nuclear scientist assassinated, and the Utah monolith is gone in a cloud of dirt.

Show Links:

"Trump Races to Weaken Environmental and Worker Protections, and Implement Other Last-Minute Policies, Before Jan. 20"

https://www.propublica.org/article/trump-races-to-weaken-environmental-and-worker-protections-and-implement-other-last-minute-policies-before-jan-20