Plus: White House Demolition For Trump’s New Ballroom Begins

Good evening,

What’s brewing? American Airlines will now offer Lavazza premium coffee blends both onboard and in its lounges, beginning in early 2026. ☕️

The airline previously served coffee from the brand Fresh Brew onboard and coffee from various providers across its lounge network.
The partnership with Lavazza will bring uniformity to the airline’s caffeine options, and partnering with an upscale brand could give American Airlines’s brand a major boost.

But there’s an old wives tale that you shouldn’t drink coffee or tea at all on a flight due to the water they use.

So, we asked members of our Mo News community if there’s truth to the rumor. 😬

One pilot said he drinks the coffee all the time.
Another pilot said he does NOT drink airplane water, which is what’s used to make coffee. He says there are two separate water tanks— one for drinking water, one for the bathrooms & toilets. The drinking water is filled at the gate, so it’s generally good. But, no telling how often they clean the tanks.
Ice is usually brought on in giant ice bags, like the ones you see at grocery stores, so it’s generally safe. But a flight attendant shared that they avoid ice too because attendants leave the scooper floating in the bucket after handling it.

And that’s why, when I fly, I stick to the nectar of the gods: lukewarm ginger ale! 👌

Sam
Associate Producer

🚨 ONE IMPORTANT THING

What Happens When Schools Ban Phones? The Data Is In

As more school districts across the country are banning students from using smartphones, it begs the question— is it helping? Finally, we are getting some data. A new study found that test scores and attendance rose after the 2023 statewide cellphone ban in Florida.

The study, published by the National Bureau of Economic Research, found that student test scores climbed by 2–3 percent compared to the year before the ban. Researchers also found fewer unexcused absences.
- The 2023 law restricted cellphone use during instructional time, leaving school districts to decide how to enforce it. This year, the law went further, banning cellphones from “bell to bell” for Florida elementary and middle school students — when phones are turned off and in the backpack from the first bell until the last bell.

Middle and high schoolers, who are more likely to use phones during class, had the biggest gains.

“It’s not transforming test scores,” said David Figlio, an economics professor at the University of Rochester who helped lead the study. “But we’re observing palpable improvement. We’re observing kids attending school more.”

THE IMPACT, INCLUDING ONE SURPRISING DOWNSIDE (BRIEFLY)
While the Florida research only covered one district, which researchers kept anonymous, it offers early evidence for what educators have long suspected: Fewer phones means more learning.

Beyond academics: This 2025-26 school year, Lee County — one of the state’s largest K–12 districts — adopted the “bell-to-bell” ban for high schoolers, too.
- Dr. Nathan Shaker, Chief Academic Officer for Lee County told Mo News that one of the biggest surprises came at lunchtime. ”Kids are talking at lunch, that they’re telling jokes,” he said. “That’s been a very positive feedback outside of even the academics.”
Negative consequences: Suspensions initially doubled the month after the ban took effect as they tried to enforce the ban, but returned to normal levels by the second year.
- The study also found disparities: Black students faced more suspensions during the first year of the ban, while white students saw greater academic gains.
- For Shaker’s district, he said, “Principles are incredibly creative and innovative in avoiding suspension” — trying to keep students in the classroom.

Phone bans are spreading fast. At least 20 states ban phones during the school day. A new RAND Corp. survey found that two-thirds of principals at K–12 schools said their school had a bell-to-bell phone ban.

🚨 ONE THING WE’RE FOLLOWING

Trump Calls Sound Of White House Construction “Music To My Ears”

Construction is officially underway at the White House — where President Trump has broken ground on a 90,000-square-foot ballroom being added to the East Wing. It will double the footprint of the White House.

He called the sounds of demolition crews working Tuesday “music to my ears.” He’s said that presidents have wanted the bigger ballroom for over a century.

With the $250 million expansion, he says, the ballroom will be able to hold 999 people. The largest room in the current White House holds about 200 guests.

THE CONTROVERSIES
Trump emphasized that the project is privately funded — meaning no taxpayer $$ is being used — however the White House has not made the names of donors public. Last week, he hosted over three dozen corporate executives — from companies like Amazon, Apple, Google, Microsoft and Lockheed Martin — and wealthy businesspeople for a White House dinner in exchange for the “tremendous amounts of money” donated toward the ballroom. Trump has also said he is also partially paying for part of it.

The White House began construction Monday without formal approval from the National Capital Planning Commission, which oversees major federal renovations.
- Chair Will Scharf — who also happens to be Trump’s staff secretary who passes him Executive Orders to sign — claimed in September the agency lacks jurisdiction over buildings’ demolition on federal property.
- Some Democrats criticized the project as out of touch — amid a government shutdown — and destroying a historic building.

MO NEWS: WHITE HOUSE HISTORY 101
This is the most significant White House expansion since the addition of the West Wing in 1902. It is set to double the size of the complex.

White House historians note that renovations and expansions have long marked different eras: Theodore Roosevelt built the West Wing, Franklin Roosevelt moved the Oval Office and added an indoor swimming pool, Harry Truman oversaw a major gutting of the White house, and Richard Nixon added a bowling alley and a press room.
The East Wing, which traditionally houses the first lady’s offices, is being partially demolished to make space for the new space.

This is the second major project on White House grounds this year, following the paving over of part of the Rose Garden to add a patio. The ballroom is planned to be completed before the end of his term.

⏳ THE SPEED READ

🚨NATION

Pardoned Capitol rioter charged with threatening to kill Hakeem Jeffries in NYC this week (MO NEWS)
2 injured, including a US marshal, after an ICE agent’s weapon discharged during LA immigration enforcement operation (CNN)
Trump nominee says MLK Jr. holiday belongs in ‘hell’ and that he has ‘Nazi streak,’ according to texts (POLITICO)
Mahmoud Khalil appears in appeals court as Trump administration continues efforts to deport him (AP)
Republicans push to renew Obamacare subsidies while rejecting Democrats’ shutdown tie-in (FOX)

🌎 AROUND THE WORLD

During visit to Israel, Vance voices optimism about preserving Gaza ceasefire (AXIOS)
Japan elects first-ever female prime minister (MO NEWS)
French ex-president Sarkozy begins jail sentence for campaign finance conspiracy (FOX)
Two killed as cargo plane skids off runway into the sea in Hong Kong (CNN)

📱BUSINESS, SCIENCE & TECH

Warner Bros Discovery considers sale as potential buyers show interest (GUARDIAN)
JPMorgan Chase unveils new 60-story headquarters, reshaping NYC skyline (AP)
LAX-bound flight returns to Nebraska after pilots thought someone was trying to break into cockpit (ABC)
Scientists detect hidden brain damage years before MS symptoms (SCIENCE DAILY)
OpenAI launches an AI-powered browser: ChatGPT Atlas (TECH CRUNCH)

🎬 SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Netflix strikes ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ toy deals with both Mattel and Hasbro (CNBC)
HBO Max hikes prices across all subscription plans (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER)
Malala Yousafzai opens up about mental health, dating and student life in new book (CTV)
American chess grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky dead at 29 (FOX)

ICYMI FROM THE 📲

In case you missed it… The Toronto Blue Jays will advance to the World Series after beating the Seattle Mariners on Monday, marking the first time the Blue Jays have advanced that far since 1993. The Blue Jays are next facing the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday for Game 1 in the best out of 7 series.

Meanwhile, the NBA season starts tonight, with the Houston Rockets facing Oklahoma City Thunder tonight at 7:30PM ET, and the Golden State Warriors playing the Los Angeles Lakers at 10PM ET.