What had a change in curriculum…

AP African American Studies. Yesterday, the College Board released its revised curriculum for the new Advanced Placement course. This college-level class — not yet available nationwide — explores how African Americans have shaped the country. It's being tested in 60 schools before it expands to more high schools next year. But last month, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) banned it, with his admin calling the framework a “woke” indoctrination. Now, topics like Black Lives Matter and reparations are no longer part of the course exam. Instead, they’ll be on a list of optional subjects for student research projects. The revised curriculum also excluded authors, like Kimberlé W. Crenshaw and Ta-Nehisi Coates, whose works are associated with critical race theory and slavery reparations. Some reports accuse the College Board of caving to political pressure. But the org says the landmark course has been “shaped over years” by “scholars in the field, not political influence.” It’s unclear if DeSantis will reverse the ban given the course revisions.

What's taking a hike...

The Federal Reserve. Yesterday, it raised interest rates by 0.25 percentage point. It marks the eighth hike since the Fed started raising the roof on rates last March. But this time around, the central bank was less aggressive. That's because the agency acknowledged that inflation has gone down from 9.1% in June to 6.5% in December. So still high, but apparently not 'more than $5 for a dozen eggs' high. It comes days after the IMF said the global economy outlook is “less gloomy.” But as Fed Chair Jerome Powell put it, “we have more work to do.” In other words, don’t be surprised when more hikes come in March. In the meantime, here is what the latest increase can mean for your wallet.

Who many are remembering...

Tyre Nichols. Yesterday, mourners gathered in Memphis to pay respect to the 29-year-old Black man. Nichols' funeral came nearly three weeks after he died at the hands of five now-former police officers. At the ceremony, Nichols' mom remembered her son as "beautiful." And called on lawmakers to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, saying if they don’t “blood is going to be on their hands.” The bill — which Democrats brought to a floor vote in June 2020 — would ban chokeholds in policing and put limits on use of force. But it stalled in the Senate in 2021 amid criticism that it aimed to “defund our law enforcement.” Now, Vice President Kamala Harris — who spoke at the service — says that given Nichols’ death, passing the bill is “nonnegotiable.”

While Kate Bush and Missy Elliott could make it to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame...

Beyoncé’s taking her Renaissance on the road.

Who apparently moved on from the TikTok back...lash...

Mikayla Nogueira.

Who’s coming out of its winter slump…

Punxsutawney Phil.