Laura Pappano

We can hope 2026 will be about good sense and decency in the face of “teams.” Pay attention to those showing the way.

Before Maduro's capture, a revealing paper trail of sanctions In the weeks before executing a military operation in Caracas to arrest Maduro and his wife, the Trump administration was laying out the ideological case against Venezuela through economic sanctions.

This is the backgrounder you need.

open.substack.com/pub/topdeckn...

Thank you Gail —that means so much coming from such a superb journalist! Can’t wait to see what you do next.

A Republican homeschooling mom came to love her public schools. Now she’s fighting other conservatives she thinks will destroy them In North Idaho, a local mom’s efforts to wrest school board control from MAGA conservatives ended in disappointment on Election Day. How it happened carries a message about political power.

The race for two seats on the Lakeland school board in Idaho was not about school issues, but about allegiances. It offers an urgent message about strategy and power. Reported with @emmaepperly.bsky.social @idahoednews.bsky.social for @hechingerreport.org hechingerreport.org/a-republican...

A Republican homeschooling mom came to love her public schools. Now she’s fighting other conservatives she thinks will destroy them In North Idaho, a local mom’s efforts to wrest school board control from MAGA conservatives ended in disappointment on Election Day. How it happened carries a message about political power.

What’s happening in Idaho may foretell a stepped up far right strategy to gain control of every office, from school board on up. @emmaepperly.bsky.social of @idahoednews.bsky.social and I learned first hand about the new ground game. @hechingerreport.org hechingerreport.org/a-republican...

hechingerreport.org/a-republican...

The ground game is changing. A school board race in Idaho shows how. Really enjoyed reporting with @emmaepperly.bsky.social @idahoednews.bsky.social for @hechingerreport.org with fab photos by @joanmorse.

It may not be loud. But vouchers are having an impact. See what’s coming.

Wow: Understanding the Big Shifts in K-12 Education - with Laura Pappano Podcast Episode · The Space In Between Podcast · 10/22/2025 · 48m

Sure, we hear about choice, vouchers, the shrinking federal DOE, but what are the consequences? It’s beyond red and blue. Great convo with @leighmorgan.bsky.social podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...

OK so two of my faves @bonnietsui and @anniemurphypaul on fire talking about Bonnie’s sweet read On Muscle at @HarvardBooks event at the Harvard science center(obvi)!! I got to see this powerhouse (who could probs powerlift serious lbs if water were involved) earlier in the day.

What Will Moms for Liberty Do, Now That MAGA Runs Everything? Apparently, Bring Lawsuits. At their meeting, Charlie Kirk’s name was on everyone’s lips.

Heads up: Moms for Liberty urges members to turn their grievances into lawsuits. #lawfare My takeaways in @hechingerreport.org and @slate.com slate.com/life/2025/10...

At Moms for Liberty summit, parents urged to turn their grievances into lawsuits This year’s event tried to court younger members and more men, and there was more talk of suing school districts than running for school board.

My annual trek to the Moms for Liberty summit is always revealing. My takeaways? In @hechingerreport.org and @slate.com hechingerreport.org/at-moms-for-...

Moms for quote-unquote Podcast Episode · Relationscapes · 02/09/2025 · 1h 7m

90% of children in the US attend public schools. As @laurapappano.bsky.social puts it, no matter the arguments we have about public education, our collective role has been to educate the next generation. @blairhodges.bsky.social

Let’s not make policy decisions about programs until we understand their value. Read this piece in the @hechingerreport.org by @travisregal.bsky.social who I have known since he was 17–and admired every step he’s taken. He is why @headstart.bsky.social matters. hechingerreport.org/opinion-head...

LOVE being in this company!!!

Gen Z is making a statement about work — and, yes, it feels different. But we should listen.

I appreciate that. It’s more complicated than “they’re snowflakes.” And their insistence is probably good for a lot of people.

College career counseling is changing to better serve emerging graduates who prioritize mental health and well-being in the workplace Students graduating from college today face an uncertain job market, mass firings in the federal government, a wild stock market and fears of recession. They also expect mental health support and work...

For new grads the challenge is not just landing a job — but navigating the workplace. Campuses are revamping their approach to career counseling. @hechingerreport.org @johnshopkinssph.bsky.social @wakeforest.bsky.social hechingerreport.org/for-new-grad...

Colleges revamp career services to address Gen Z’s work-life expectations Many colleges are rewriting the way they prepare students for jobs — and life.

New college grads are entering the workforce at a time of sharp generational disconnect. But they know what they expect — and insist on it. www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...

Gender and sport has obviously become a politically charged issue. For most of us sport participation is a way to be part of a community, to belong, to be fit and part of a team. There is a way to figure this out but it requires nuance, understanding and fresh thinking. THAT instead of screaming?

Huge deal. The details on who and where will tell much.

Beyond the Hype: Navigating the Complexities of Immigration Podcast Episode · The Space In Between Podcast · 01/08/2025 · 51m

Facts, not drama. Geez do we need this smart, informed, balanced convo about immigration between @leighmorgan.bsky.social and Maggie Mitchell Salem, new director of IRIS in New Haven, CT podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b...

Facing legal threats, colleges back off race-based programs College programs designed to give students from underrepresented groups a foothold in careers are being reframed or disappearing.

Swapping out “equity” for “equality” is a shrug — until you see what it does to pipeline programs for URM students who didn’t grow up knowing how to navigate a scientific conference — or a research career. @hechingerreport.org @thenation.com @minnpost.bsky.social hechingerreport.org/facing-legal...

This story nails a pernicious problem: only some people get to study what they love.

SUCH a fair observation. Language matters. We need new words to separate the unorthodox from the specifically worrisome.

Ugh. So sorry to hear this!

Really important story. Move to the puck. More of this coming.

Reclaiming Public Schools: One Principled School Mom at a Time Podcast Episode · The Space In Between Podcast · 11/13/2024 · 48m

Can we fight at the school board meeting — and then play snowshoe volleyball? I hope so. My convo with @leighmorgan.bsky.social podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/r...