President Donald Trump is laying the groundwork to dismantle the Education Department. There's a new boycott against one popular retailer. And get ready to "Just Dance" to this highly anticipated album release. |
👋 Hi! Rebecca Morin here. Ready for the weekend? You gotta get through Thursday's news first! |
Dismantling the Education Department? |
President Donald Trump is preparing to sign an executive order that seeks to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education to "the maximum extent appropriate and permitted by law," according to a preliminary draft reviewed by USA TODAY. While there were some reports that the president could sign the order as soon as Thursday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt disputed the reports. 👉 What the executive order will do. |
What will happen if the agency is dismantled? K-12 schools' curriculum is largely under the purview of local governments, but the Department of Education plays a role in funding them. The agency also oversees colleges to ensure legal compliance and federal student aid. However, borrowers with federal student loans likely wouldn't have to worry about losing financial assistance for college. 👉 What it could mean for student loans. |
Can Trump do that? While Trump has repeatedly said that he wants to eliminate the agency, only Congress has the authority to fully abolish federal agencies. The agency was created through legislation and the Constitution doesn't give Trump the power to unilaterally overturn laws. 👉 How the agency was created. | President Donald Trump speaks after signing executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC on Thursday. Mandel Ngan, AFP via Getty Images |
Giving up Target for Lent |
Black faith leaders have a suggestion on what you can give up for Lent for the next 40 days: shopping at Target. A 40-day boycott on Target started this week as part of a protest for the retailer backtracking on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. The new action follows several other boycotts against Target, as well as a one-day "economic blackout" on Feb. 28. |
What's the Target fast? The boycott coincides with Lent, which started on Ash Wednesday. The website for the boycott said they are calling on "100,000 conscientious citizens" to not spend any money at Target and to redirect their spending to Black and ally businesses. 🛍️ Target reports drop of sales in February. | A customer enters a Target store in Sausalito, California, on Feb. 28. Justin Sullivan, Getty Images |
Trump is postponing tariffs on some imports from Canada and Mexico that fall under a trade deal that was signed under his first administration in 2019. The tariffs for the goods that fall under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement will be on hold until April 2. The move comes a day after Trump also issued a temporary exemption to automobiles from his tariffs. So what does that mean? About half of Mexico's imports will be subject to tariffs, and the majority (about 62%) of goods from Canada will still be subject to tariffs. 👉 What to know about the tariffs. |
This Little Monster is ready to play "Mayhem" on repeat. Lady Gaga is releasing her seventh studio album Friday, and it's a return to her dark dance-pop roots. Gaga, whose real name is Stefani Germanotta, already released two singles, "Disease" and bewitching earworm "Abracadabra." But apparently, the best song off her new album is a love song piano ballad called "Blade of Grass." If you're like me, I'm a sucker for a good ballad. 🎤 How Gaga's fiancé inspired the album. | Lady Gaga at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on Feb. 2. Her new album, "Mayhem," is out Friday. Dan MacMedan, USA TODAY |
Rebecca Morin is a senior national news reporter at USA TODAY. Got any thoughts or feedback? Reach out to her at rdmorin@usatoday.com. | | | | Many doctors have never seen measles in person. The Texas outbreak is reshaping how health systems prepare for drops in vaccinations. | | | | Officials in Greenland and Denmark insist the world's largest island isn't for sale. Is President Donald Trump hearing them? Does it matter? | | | | The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service said one species on the list is "surprisingly tasty" when grilled, blackened, or made into "crispy fish cakes." | | | | Pickings will be slim for 'gently used' vehicles in 2025, for one very specific reason. | | | | It's been over a week since legendary actor Gene Hackman was found dead alongside wife Betsy Arakawa in their Sant Fe come. | | | | The chief causes of the decline include habitat destruction, drier and hotter climate due to climate change and insecticide use. | | | | Jazz-funk musician Roy Ayers died on Tuesday after a "long illness," his family announced in a statement shared to his social media accounts. | | | | A growing number of health experts are advocating that fertility be added to sex education, including teaching when conception is most likely. | | | | Rates for home loans were lower in the March 6 week, Freddie Mac said Thursday | | | | Shaped like the character Charizard, and nicknamed Cheetozard, the uniquely shaped spicy snack was sold for $87,840 by Goldin Auctions. | | | | | | | Brighten your day with one of our games. | | | | | |
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