Good Morning! Today’s edition is 1,057 words, a 4-minute read.

What’s on tap: 

• Boston Celtics sold for $6.1 B

• Hawaii volcano erupts

• Being anti-social can harm your health

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Big Story

More Department of Education Cuts

President Trump signed an executive order on Thursday to further shrink the Department of Education.

• While the order calls for dismantling the department, it also mandates "uninterrupted delivery" of core services including Title I funds for high-poverty schools, special education funding, and student loan programs. Programs receiving remaining funds won't be permitted to promote "diversity, equity, and inclusion" or "gender ideology."

• Republican leaders like Senator Bill Cassidy pledged to submit legislation to accomplish Trump's goal of totally shutting down the department "as soon as possible." However, the plan faces significant obstacles from Democrats, who control enough Senate votes to block such legislation.

• Teachers unions and civil rights groups have vowed legal challenges, with American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten simply stating, "See you in court."

Big Story

Boston Celtics Sale

A group led by private equity executive William Chisholm has agreed to purchase the Boston Celtics for a record-breaking $6.1 billion.

• Chisholm will initially acquire at least 51% of the team, with current owners having the option to retain their shares until 2028. At that point, remaining shares would be sold at 20% higher, potentially valuing the franchise at $7.3 billion. The previous record for an American sports team was $6.05 billion for the NFL's Washington Commanders in 2023.

• Current owner Wyc Grousbeck, whose group purchased the team for $360 million in 2002, will remain CEO and Governor for the next three seasons. The deal needs approval from the NBA's board of governors this summer.

• Sports franchises have transformed from million-dollar purchases into billion-dollar assets in just decades. The Celtics' 17-fold return over 22 years shows how teams have outperformed traditional investments, driven by massive media deals, global audiences, sports betting revenues, and the prestige of ownership among the ultra-wealthy. (Read Why Sports Teams are Valued so Highly)

Big Story

World Happiness Report

Finland has locked up the top spot in the World Happiness Report for the eighth consecutive year.

• The Nordic nations continued their dominance in 2025 with Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden rounding out the top four positions. Locals cite trust, connection, clean nature, and social support as driving factors behind their contentment.

• The report reveals that besides health and wealth, factors like sharing meals, having someone to count on, and household size strongly predict happiness. In Europe and Mexico, a household size of 4 or 5 projects the highest happiness levels, the study said.

• While European countries dominate the top rankings, the United States fell to its lowest position ever at 24th. The UK similarly dropped to 23rd place. Costa Rica and Mexico entered the top 10 for the first time. Afghanistan remains the world's unhappiest country.

• Most concerning, nearly one-fifth of young adults globally reported having no social support in 2023, a 39% increase since 2006.

Quick Stories

US News

• Hawaii's most active volcano, Kilauea, erupted Thursday with lava fountains reaching up to 700 feet high. The eruption began Wednesday but remains contained within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. (More)

• A Southwest Airlines flight almost took off from a taxiway at Orlando International Airport on Thursday, but an air traffic controller intervened. The crew had confused the taxiway for the runway. (More)

• Minnesota Republican state senator Justin Eichorn resigned Thursday after being charged with soliciting a minor for prostitution following a sting operation. (More)

World

• Russia claims it shot down 54 Ukrainian drones during a massive attack on Engels airbase in Saratov. The attack caused a fire at the airfield and damaged about 30 homes, blowing out windows at a hospital and schools. (More)

• After two and a half years in Taliban custody, US citizen and Delta Airlines mechanic George Glezmann has been freed and is heading home to reunite with his wife Aleksandra. (More)

• Indonesia has approved changes to military law allowing soldiers to hold more civilian government positions and extending their retirement age. Analysts worry this could lead to increased military influence in government affairs. (More)

Business & Economy

• US stock markets closed lower on Thursday (S&P -0.22%, Nasdaq -0.33%, Dow -0.03%). Uncertainty about the US economy continues to stall the market’s attempts to recover from a monthlong beating. (More)

• US safety regulators recalled over 46,000 Tesla Cybertrucks (almost all on the road) because windshield panels might detach while driving. This is the eighth recall for the vehicle since it started deliveries just over a year ago. (More)

• DoorDash and Klarna have teamed up to let customers “buy now, pay later” on food delivery bills. At checkout, users can pay in full, use four installments, or schedule payment for later. (More)

Sports & Entertainment

• McNeese State's 12th-seeded basketball team upset No. 5 Clemson 69-67 in the NCAA tournament Thursday, building a big halftime lead and hanging on for their first-ever tournament win. (More)

• A judge ruled that Mariah Carey didn't steal "All I Want for Christmas Is You" from songwriters Andy Stone and Troy Powers, who had filed a $20 million lawsuit claiming she copied their 1989 song. (More)

• Panama beat the USA 1-0 in the Concacaf Nations League semifinals when Cecilio Waterman scored in stoppage time. His late shot from outside the box was Panama's only attempt on goal. (More)

Science, Health, & Tech

• A drug tested by Washington University researchers appears to delay early-onset Alzheimer's in high-risk people. The study suggests removing amyloid plaques years before symptoms develop might prevent dementia. (More)

• Scientists discovered volcanic rock can preserve microscopic feather details by studying a 30,000-year-old fossilized vulture from Italy. This is the first known instance of this preservation method. (More)

• Anthropic's chatbot Claude can now search the web, a feature previously unavailable. The capability is in preview for US paid users, with plans to expand to free users and other countries soon. (More)

Extra Credit

🔫 What happens if you shoot a gun in space?

🤒 How being anti-social can harm your health.

🌳 Screen-limiting app forces you to actually touch grass.

🧢 Does wearing a hat cause baldness?