Tracy Mumford

has broken with its own longstanding policy and held talks directly with Hamas to discuss the release of hostages from Gaza. For decades, American officials had refused to engage directly with groups that the government labeled terrorist organizations. But this week, a representative from the White House has been quietly meeting, face-to-face, with Hamas members in Qatar.

has broken with its own longstanding policy and held talks directly with Hamas to discuss the release of hostages from Gaza. For decades, American officials had refused to engage directly with groups that the government labeled terrorist organizations. But this week, a representative from the White House has been quietly meeting, face-to-face, with Hamas members in Qatar.

They've been negotiating the release of five Israeli-Americans, only one of whom is still believed to be alive. It's not clear whether the talks have been successful, or what they'll mean for the ongoing discussions between Hamas and Israel about extending the ceasefire. In American education, there's been a longtime rallying cry. College for all. The idea that everyone should get a degree.

They've been negotiating the release of five Israeli-Americans, only one of whom is still believed to be alive. It's not clear whether the talks have been successful, or what they'll mean for the ongoing discussions between Hamas and Israel about extending the ceasefire. In American education, there's been a longtime rallying cry. College for all. The idea that everyone should get a degree.

They've been negotiating the release of five Israeli-Americans, only one of whom is still believed to be alive. It's not clear whether the talks have been successful, or what they'll mean for the ongoing discussions between Hamas and Israel about extending the ceasefire. In American education, there's been a longtime rallying cry. College for all. The idea that everyone should get a degree.

Schools, educators, and politicians from both sides of the aisle pushed it. Billions of dollars were funneled into the effort. It was driven in part by data that shows people with bachelor's degrees have a higher median salary than those with just a high school diploma. But 40% of those who start college never finish.

Schools, educators, and politicians from both sides of the aisle pushed it. Billions of dollars were funneled into the effort. It was driven in part by data that shows people with bachelor's degrees have a higher median salary than those with just a high school diploma. But 40% of those who start college never finish.

Schools, educators, and politicians from both sides of the aisle pushed it. Billions of dollars were funneled into the effort. It was driven in part by data that shows people with bachelor's degrees have a higher median salary than those with just a high school diploma. But 40% of those who start college never finish.

And over the years, concerns about those dropout rates and about ballooning student debt and a changing job market have tempered the view that college is the only path.

And over the years, concerns about those dropout rates and about ballooning student debt and a changing job market have tempered the view that college is the only path.

And over the years, concerns about those dropout rates and about ballooning student debt and a changing job market have tempered the view that college is the only path.

Dana Goldstein covers education for The Times. She went to schools that had once been focused on getting as many of their students into college as possible and have since changed their approach.

Dana Goldstein covers education for The Times. She went to schools that had once been focused on getting as many of their students into college as possible and have since changed their approach.

Dana Goldstein covers education for The Times. She went to schools that had once been focused on getting as many of their students into college as possible and have since changed their approach.

And finally, this week, Carl Dean, the husband of country superstar Dolly Parton, died at 82 years old. The couple met on the day Parton moved to Nashville. She was trying to break into the industry. He was an asphalt paver. He was famously private. Even as Parton skyrocketed to fame, Dean almost never gave interviews.

And finally, this week, Carl Dean, the husband of country superstar Dolly Parton, died at 82 years old. The couple met on the day Parton moved to Nashville. She was trying to break into the industry. He was an asphalt paver. He was famously private. Even as Parton skyrocketed to fame, Dean almost never gave interviews.

And finally, this week, Carl Dean, the husband of country superstar Dolly Parton, died at 82 years old. The couple met on the day Parton moved to Nashville. She was trying to break into the industry. He was an asphalt paver. He was famously private. Even as Parton skyrocketed to fame, Dean almost never gave interviews.

But he was the inspiration behind one of the biggest songs in country music history.

But he was the inspiration behind one of the biggest songs in country music history.

But he was the inspiration behind one of the biggest songs in country music history.