What's Happening

Education

Bible Lessons in Public Schools? Texas's Controversial Curriculum Could Set a Precedent

What's going on: Texas education officials are expected to vote this week on whether to offer a curriculum that uses Bible stories in public education. For example, students would study Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper through the lens of Jesus’s final meal, using verses from the Gospel of Matthew. Covering kindergarten through fifth grade, the curriculum is optional, but districts would receive financial incentives to implement it. Supporters, including Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX), argue the Bible is foundational to American history and culture. Critics warn the curriculum crosses the line between faith and publicly funded education, infringes on parental rights, and includes exclusionary lessons. If approved, the curriculum is set to roll out in August 2025.

What it means: Texas’s actions could accelerate a broader movement that reshapes public education nationwide. These efforts align with President-elect Donald Trump’s agenda to reintroduce prayer and Christian teachings into schools and could serve as a model for a Trump-led Department of Education. The Texas proposal comes after Oklahoma’s state superintendent issued a directive requiring educators to incorporate the Bible into their lessons, a mandate that is now facing legal challenges. Florida also recently passed a policy allowing volunteer religious chaplains to serve as student counselors. Meanwhile, in Louisiana, a judge blocked a law requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in all public school classrooms.

Related: Here Are Some of Trump’s Potential Picks for Education Secretary (Education Weekly)

Politics

Will DOGE Get the Job Done or Is It a Pipe Dream? 

What's going on: President-elect Donald Trump is giving Elon Musk and former primary rival Vivek Ramaswamy free rein to “dismantle Government Bureaucracy.” Enter: The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). While it isn’t a government agency, DOGE can make recommendations on spending cuts (though Trump’s aides are reportedly looking for loopholes). Musk said he plans to ax at least $2 trillion in government spending, roughly 30% of the annual federal budget. As for what’s on the chopping block, it’s anything the duo deems as “excess” or “wasteful.” That potentially includes funding for veterans’ health care, NASA, and even the State Department. Musk and Ramaswamy haven’t shared specifics yet, but at least they have a logo, an X account with more than 1.5 million followers, and a job posting. 

What it means: DOGE’s ability to get things done could be restricted by the same bureaucratic guardrails Musk campaigns against. Those include laws protecting major spending programs like Medicare and Social Security, which together cost more than $2.2 trillion in 2023. Then there are “discretionary” programs requiring annual approval from Congress, most of which are tied to defense spending — an area both Republicans and Democrats are unlikely to consider cutting. BBC reports that achieving a $2 trillion cut would likely require shutting down entire agencies such as Transportation, Agriculture, and Homeland Security. It doesn’t look like DOGE has much to work with, but its mission aligns with Trump’s bigger goals and has struck a chord with voters.  

Related: Some Republican Lawmakers Are Eyeing Cuts to Medicaid and Food Stamps (WaPo Gift Link)

Business

What Spirit Airlines' Bankruptcy Means for You (and Your Holiday Travel Plans)

What's going on: Remember that raccoon that fell from the ceiling at a Spirit Airlines gate? Looks like he might’ve been an omen. Yesterday, the budget airline filed for bankruptcy. The move follows years of turbulence, including engine issues, post-pandemic recovery struggles, mounting debt, and a failed merger with JetBlue, which a federal judge blocked. The company has lost more than $2.2 billion since 2020, and analysts warn it faces $1 billion in debt due next year. Despite the filing, Spirit says it will keep flying, pay employees and vendors, and has assured customers in an open letter that tickets, credits, and loyalty points remain valid — for now.

What it means: Spirit is known for its cheap airfare sans amenities — it’s the kind of place where free plane pretzels go to die, and checking a carry-on might cost more than your ticket. But it (usually) gets people from point A to point B, and its low prices reshaped the travel industry by making flying more accessible. However, the bankruptcy — the first by a major airline in over a decade — has critics wondering if catering to low-budget travelers is a good business model, or if other airlines could face similar headwinds. That said, Chapter 11 bankruptcy is not a death sentence — some companies emerge financially healthier and recover. As for Spirit, the airline’s fate remains up in the air. 

Related: Here’s How to Avoid Travel Nightmares This Holiday Season (Time)