Current Events

Weird News: Coins from the Roman Empire Discovered

Listen to hear how a treasure hunter found ancient Roman coins.

Vocabulary: stumbled upon, stash, worth

Spelling Bee Life Lessons

Each year, students across the country compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee, testing their knowledge of challenging words and their determination to succeed. In this audio story, past champions reflect on how the spelling bee shaped their academic and personal lives. Listen to learn how a single competition can influence future careers, friendships, and even special life events.

Searching for Planet 9

Astronomers are on the hunt for a possible ninth planet in our solar system, known as Planet 9, which might be influencing the orbits of distant dwarf planets. A new telescope, the Vera Rubin Observatory in Chile, is poised to scan the southern sky, potentially uncovering this mysterious planet. The observatory's advanced technology could provide key evidence to confirm Planet 9's existence. Listen to learn more about Planet 9 and how its discovery could reshape human understanding of the solar system.

Kids Find Mysterious Skeleton While Hiking

When a 10-year-old kid and his family find a mysterious bone in the North Dakota badlands, they are struck by its size. Could it be a dinosaur bone? Their quest to find out leads them through an exciting scientific investigation with a museum paleontologist. Listen to hear which animal the bone belongs to, and learn why scientists may disagree on the answer.

TikTok Ripoffs

On social media platforms like TikTok, AI technology is being used to mimic real people’s voices and steal from their accounts. This is making it harder than ever for users to distinguish between authentic and fake content. In this story, a reporter explores the possible reasons for the deception and the potential impact on public trust. Listen to learn how AI is shaping online content and why social media users should not believe everything they see.

Weird News: High School for Sale

Listen to hear why a Maryland high school was listed for sale on Zillow.

Vocabulary: scroll, listing, prank

Poems for Wandering Minds

Short poems are a powerful way for readers to explore big ideas in just a few words. In The Boy Who Lived In A Shell: Snippets For Wandering Minds, a boy named Ivo shares his adventures from the comfort of a snail shell on the sea, meeting unusual characters and experiencing a mix of emotions. In this interview, the author and illustrator explains where his ideas originate and the benefits of short poems. Listen to hear how Ivo’s tiny tales reveal the wonders of imagination and self-discovery.

Teamwork in Ants and Humans

In both nature and human society, teamwork is often seen as the key to achieving big goals. Recently a scientist investigated the behavior of weaver ants—insects known for building complex nests by linking their bodies—by comparing their teamwork to that of humans engaged in group activities. The findings challenge assumptions about how much effort individuals make when they work as a team. Listen to learn what ants can teach us about effective teamwork—and how these lessons might improve the way we work together.

Debate: Should Schools Test Students’ Physical Fitness?

The presidential fitness test, a set of exercises meant to measure and inspire physical activity in young people, was phased out in 2012. Now, there is discussion about bringing this well-known test back into schools, sparking debate about how best to help students stay healthy and active in a world full of screens and busy schedules. Questions about fairness, effectiveness, and what really motivates kids to move are at the center of the conversation. Listen to learn what experts and educators think about the future of fitness in schools and then debate: Should schools test students’ physical fitness?

Elementary School Podcasting Pros

A group of young journalists in an elementary school newsroom created a podcast entry for a national podcast challenge. Guided by a professional anchor, these fourth and fifth graders learned how to craft powerful stories, tackle emotional topics, and work together under tight deadlines. Listen to hear parts of their award-winning podcast that explores friendship and resilience through the true story of a classmate’s recovery.

National Thanksgiving Holiday for Unity

Americans often associate Thanksgiving with shared traditions, but the holiday’s national status began during a time of deep division—the Civil War. This story follows the determined efforts of an influential editor, who used her platform and persuasive writing to campaign for a shared national celebration. Her vision aimed to help Americans find common ground and create a unified culture. Listen to learn how one person’s persistence helped transform a holiday and left a lasting impact on the nation.

Weird News: Dogs Sense Stress

Listen to hear how dogs are able to sense human stress.

Vocabulary: collected, detect

Rubik's Cube Robot

Inventors and problem-solvers often use science and technology to achieve incredible feats. Recently a team of university students created a robot that can solve a classic puzzle—the Rubik’s Cube—in record time, faster than the human eye can follow. This story explores the challenges of engineering, teamwork, and innovation as the students improved their design to break a world record. Listen to learn how creative thinking and perseverance helped these students push the boundaries of what machines can do.

Voice of a U.S. Garment Worker

Many Americans value products with "Made in the USA" labels, but few know what that really means for the people making those products. In this story, a journalist visits a garment factory in Los Angeles to learn about the lives and working conditions of domestic garment workers. Through conversations with a worker and an expert, the story explores the hidden reality behind the making of a single item of clothing. Listen to learn what life is really like for the people who make our clothes.

Debate: Is Speaking the Language Necessary for Preserving Culture?

Some young people with Latin American heritage are questioning what it means to belong when they don’t speak Spanish fluently. This audio story highlights the experiences of two Latinx people who have felt pressure to prove their cultural roots. They explain how they navigate feelings of belonging and shame when they are not fluent in Spanish, a situation sometimes referred to as being a “no sabo kid.” Listen to hear a conversation about how language and tradition shape what it means to belong and then debate: Is speaking the language necessary for preserving culture?

Recorders Make Beautiful Music

For decades, elementary students have first learned to play music with a simple woodwind instrument called the recorder. Recently, though, fewer children are learning the recorder, especially after changes brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. Some classrooms have switched to other instruments or technology, but the recorder remains a favorite for teaching basic music skills. Listen to hear why the recorder still matters—and what makes it special for young musicians today.

Vaccinating Vampire Bats

Vampire bats are known for feeding on blood and spreading dangerous diseases like rabies to both animals and people. Now a team of scientists has devised a clever new way to help stop the spread of rabies. Instead of harmful poisons, researchers are testing a method of vaccinating bats that relies on their natural grooming habits. Listen to learn about a creative scientific approach aimed at protecting both wildlife and humans from deadly diseases.

Weird News: Dolphin Baby Talk

Listen to hear about the special way mother dolphins talk to their young.

Vocabulary: communicate, tone

Legend of Chincoteague Ponies

For a long time, an island on the border of Maryland and Virginia has been home to a breed of horses known as Chincoteague ponies. According to local legend, a shipwreck centuries ago left the ponies stranded there. Recently, the discovery of a fossilized tooth may give some weight to the shipwreck theory and is helping researchers better understand the role horses may have played in Spanish colonial society. Listen to learn about these unique ponies living on a coastal island and the clues that may help explain how they got there.

Halloween Costume Tips

Halloween is a time for creative expression and maybe even trying on a different persona for an evening. Even at the last minute, it’s possible to devise a clever and unique costume without spending a lot of money. In this audio story, a style expert shares ideas on finding inspiration and using the resources at hand to design a satisfying and fun Halloween costume. Listen to learn how small details and some imagination can help create a memorable look for Halloween!

Debate: Should AI Supervise Police Officers?

Police officers often wear body cameras that record their daily interactions. resulting in hundreds of hours of video footage. Now researchers and police leaders are exploring how artificial intelligence can help analyze this video data, potentially improving police conduct and accountability. Those in favor say the practice has already led to more professional behavior among police officers. But opponents argue that AI is not a reliable judge of police conduct, and they have concerns about privacy. Listen to hear how AI is shaping policing and then debate: Should AI supervise police officers?

Kid News: Spain's Ghost Village

When the water in a lake dried up, villagers in Spain got a surprise: old buildings suddenly appeared, like a hidden town coming back to life. In this audio story, two young reporters share the history of this “ghost village” and how it came to be covered with water. Listen to learn how a forgotten village came back into the sunlight and what can happen when land and the climate change.

Fighting Pythons to Balance the Food Web

South Florida’s Everglades face an unusual challenge: giant Burmese pythons that have invaded the ecosystem and are disrupting the natural balance. These powerful predators eat dozens of different species of animals, many of which are struggling to survive. Now a scientist and a wildlife team are using creative research and tracking methods to help protect native species. Listen to hear how scientists are working to restore balance to the Everglades ecosystem, and learn about one native animal that is helping them accomplish their goal.

Weird News: Longest Friendship Bracelet in the World

Listen to hear how elementary students broke a world record.

Vocabulary: enormous, paid off

Man Runs Marathon on Crutches

Despite having his left leg amputated due to cancer, Alex Parra was determined to complete the San Francisco Marathon – all 26.2 miles. He decided to run the race on crutches to highlight the challenges faced by disabled athletes. Of particular concern to him was educating people about the high cost of prosthetic limbs, and his story went viral on social media. Listen to hear from a marathon runner and cancer survivor who was determined to use his story to help others.

Sunken Ships Reveal Stories of Enslavement

Along the coast of Costa Rica, local legends tell of pirate ships lost at sea. However, a recent discovery by a marine archaeologist reveals a different story. It turns out that two sunken ships from the early 1700s were actually Danish vessels carrying enslaved Africans. The investigation uncovered dramatic events, including a rebellion and a mystery about what happened to many aboard. Listen to learn how evidence from the sea floor has changed what we know about the people and history of Costa Rica.

Debate: Can Banning Social Media for Teens Work?

Around the world, governments are debating how to protect young people online. Recently Australia took the bold step of banning social media accounts for anyone under age 16. The government argues the ban will help protect kids from toxic content and avoid addictive behaviors. However, the policy raises questions about privacy, the role of government in daily life, and social isolation. Listen to an Australian teen react to the law and then debate: Can banning social media for teens work?

Kid News: World Population Trends

All around the world, the number of people is growing and changing in surprising ways. In this audio story, two reporters talk about a big moment in history—the world’s population reaching 8 billion people. They explain how new babies are born every minute, but not every country is changing in the same way. Some places, like India, are getting more crowded, while others, like Japan and Italy, are shrinking. Listen to learn how human populations are shifting and what that means for the future!

Learning Mandarin Chinese to Dream Big

Learning new languages opens doors to different cultures and ideas. In this story, a reporter visits a public school in Washington, D.C., where students study both English and Mandarin Chinese, even though most have no Chinese heritage. This program, and others like it, aim to prepare American students for an interconnected, global world, even as relations between China and the U.S. have at times become tense. Listen to hear young students explain why they enjoy learning Mandarin Chinese, and learn about the value of bilingual education.

Weird News: "Splooting" Squirrels

Listen to hear about strange squirrel behavior.

Vocabulary: splayed out, passersby

Medieval Books with Surprising Covers

Researchers have discovered books almost 1000 years old with unusual covers. The books belonged to monks living in a French village hundreds of miles from the ocean, but they were covered in skin from an ocean-dwelling animal. The mystery of how the books ended up in the abbey has sparked questions about how monks in the Middle Ages interacted with outsiders. Listen to learn what these curious books reveal about a centuries-old world.

Teachers Inspire Through Hip Hop

Educators in Detroit are using rap music to inspire more men, particularly Black men, to become teachers. Through their hip-hop songs, these educator-rappers are trying to ignite passion for teaching and learning in their students and drive change in their community. Listen to hear teachers perform original rap songs and explain why they see teaching as a profession that makes a difference.

Debate: Does Listening to an Audiobook Count as Reading?

Ever since the rise of audiobooks in the 1990s, readers have debated whether listening to audiobooks qualifies as reading. Scientific studies show that adults retain about the same amount of information whether they are listening or reading. Young people who are still developing literacy skills, however, may benefit from practicing traditional reading. Listen to learn more about how learning styles affect the controversy over audiobooks and then debate: Does listening to an audiobook count as reading?

Monarch Butterfly Migration

Monarch butterflies are known for their vibrant colors and remarkable migration patterns. Each year, millions of monarchs start a 3,000-mile journey from North America to warm southern climates to escape the cold. Scientists have been studying this phenomenon for decades, trying to understand how these tiny creatures navigate such huge distances. Listen to hear what makes monarch migration so unusual, and learn about the tricks they may use to reach their destination.

What's for Dinner 3 Million Years Ago

Across time, humans have been curious about what our ancestors ate and how it influenced their development. A new study sheds light on this mystery. Using chemical analysis, scientists examined ancient teeth to determine whether early human relatives were primarily meat-eaters or vegetarians. The results deepen our understanding of human evolution, especially development of the complex human brain. Listen to learn more about the study and how it challenges previous assumptions about the lives of early humans.

Weird News: Pickles on Pizza

Listen to hear what flavors people prefer on their pizza.

Vocabulary: debate, trends, predict

Science of Paper Cuts

Paper cuts can be surprisingly painful. But what makes some kinds of paper more likely to slice open a finger than others? Scientists have researched this question to find out. Listen to hear about a study on what makes some types of paper more hazardous than others, and learn how the scientific findings might be applied.

Reflections of an Ultramarathoner

In the world of extreme sports, the Badwater 135 Ultramarathon challenges even the most experienced athletes. It’s a grueling 135 mile race that crosses three mountain ranges and climbs over 14,000 feet. Recently, at 80 years old, a remarkable runner from Florida became the oldest person ever to complete the race. His journey offers insights into human endurance and the power of determination. Listen to hear the athlete reflect on his experience and what drove him to tackle such a formidable challenge.

Debate: Should Apex Predators Be Reintroduced in the Wild?

The sudden appearance of Eurasian lynx - a predator at the top of the food chain - in the Scottish highlands has sparked debate about rewilding and ecological balance. These cats, not seen in the area since medieval times, may have been released by unauthorized rewilders. Some in the scientific community argue in favor of restoring apex predators to wild places in order to maintain healthy ecosystems. Others worry about the negative impacts on local farming communities. Listen to learn about the complexities of reintroducing species and then debate: Should apex predators be reintroduced in the wild?

10-Year-Old Podcaster Tells Family Immigration Story

Across the world, families often move from one place to another, bringing their stories and memories with them. In this audio story, fourth-grader Ameya Desai shares her family's journey of immigration and explores the history of forced migration. She talks to her grandfather about his life in Uganda and the challenges he faced when he had to leave his home. Listen to hear how, through her podcast, Ameya uses storytelling to connect with her family's history and uncover untold stories of the past.