Current Events

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.

School Math Makeover

Transforming math from mind-numbing memorization to hands-on problem solving has spurred student success in one Alabama school district. Teachers in the district are using math manipulatives and data analysis to better understand and meet their students’ needs. The students have made huge gains in their math performance while having fun as they learn. These efforts have caught the attention of state leaders who are working to bring the same strategies to more schools. Listen to learn how rethinking math class has helped students and teachers grow together.

Weird News: Cricket-Flavored Ice Cream

Listen to hear about an ice cream shop’s unusual new flavor

Vocabulary: classics, regulations

Keeping Cool with Sweat

Anyone who has ever exercised, played a sport, or just engaged in physical activity is familiar with sweat – that liquid released in response to an increase in body temperature that sometimes produces body odor. Sweating may be familiar, but what exactly is sweat? Why do people sweat in the first place? Listen to learn about the science behind sweat and why it is, in fact, a very important part of one’s physical health.

Persuasive Powers of AI

Artificial intelligence is becoming more persuasive, as a recent experiment by university researchers demonstrates. They tested AI's ability to influence opinions on a Reddit forum without informing participants. The experiment, and the heated debate that followed, raises important questions about the scientific method, online identity, and research ethics in the age of AI. Listen to learn how a bold experiment sparked outrage, and why it matters for both science and society.

Debate: Should School Time Be Increased?

Practice makes perfect—but only if there’s enough time to practice. A study on learning time found that students across the U.S. spend very different amounts of time in school, which raises questions about fairness and learning opportunities. Some experts say longer school days or years help students catch up and achieve more, especially when paired with extra support like tutoring. Others believe schools should focus on using the time they already have more wisely. Listen to learn what researchers discovered about time in school, and then debate: Should school time be increased?

Pet Octopus Surprises Owner

When a 9-year-old from Oklahoma set his heart on owning an octopus, his family faced an unusual parenting decision. Supporting his passion meant learning how to create and maintain a highly specialized marine habitat far from the ocean. This story explores the joys and challenges of caring for a unique pet, and the deep commitment it takes to nurture a child’s curiosity. Listen to learn how one family's effort to support their son led to an unexpected surprise.

Black Southern and Filipino BBQ Fusion

In families with mixed cultural backgrounds, blending heritage often leads to unique and delicious meals. One example can be found In New Orleans, where a chef draws on both his Black Southern and Filipino roots to create dishes that bring together flavors from different parts of the world. Listen to learn what ingredients are common in both cultures and hear how one chef turns a mix of traditions into something entirely his own.

Weird News: Boy Finds Prehistoric Treasure

Listen to hear what a nine-year-old found in his grandma’s back yard.

Vocabulary: uncovered, prehistoric, roamed

Canine Water Rescue

During the hot summer months, many people head to the beach, where lifeguards work hard to keep swimmers safe. At Scarborough Beach State Park in Maine, two remarkable dogs, trained by experts in canine water rescue, follow lifeguards into the water to help save people caught in dangerous currents. Their rescue skills and enthusiasm make them vital team members. Listen to learn how these trained dogs contribute to beach safety and the innovative ways animals can assist humans in challenging environments.

Art and Fun of Letter Writing

In a world of instant messages and constant virtual communication, some people are rediscovering the joy of writing letters. A journalist and author of a handbook on letter writing has found that slowing down to write letters builds more thoughtful connections between people—whether with friends, family, or even strangers. She shares creative tips to help listeners get started writing meaningful and artistic communications. Listen to learn how writing letters can lead to lasting connection and delight.

Weird News: The Longest Hopscotch

Listen to hear how long the world's longest hopscotch course runs.

Vocabulary: diagram, course, record

Honeybee Vaccines

Vaccines can prevent the spread of disease in humans and even animal populations. But what about insects? Surprisingly, a vaccine has recently been developed for honeybees. This new vaccine offers hope in countering the impact of a serious bacterial infection known as American foulbrood, which has been wiping out bee populations. Listen to learn how the vaccine is given to bees and how it can help preserve an important part of the ecosystem.

Online Club for Making Friends

In today’s digital age, meeting new people and forming genuine friendships can be challenging. Recently an American college student studying in Scotland created a friendship club as a way to help her community form more social connections. The club matches peers for dinner and conversation, and it immediately attracted hundreds of participants. Listen to learn more about how one student’s creative idea helped address the problem of loneliness and transform student life at her school.

Debate: Should Cornhole Be a College Sport?

Move over, football and basketball. Cornhole—a beanbag-tossing game where players aim to land bags on a raised platform—has come to town. Recently a South Carolina university awarded scholarships to two Colorado teenagers to play cornhole for their school. Some support the move, arguing that cornhole demands strategy, precision, and mental endurance. But others say that tossing beanbags lacks the physical rigor expected of collegiate athletics. Listen to learn how coaches and players are shaping this emerging sport and then debate: Should cornhole be a college sport?

Heroic Dog Saves Toddler

When a young child goes missing, it can be a terrifying experience for any family. That’s what happened in Arizona recently when some parents lost sight of their two-year-old. Worry spread quickly throughout the community until, miles away, a large dog found something out of the ordinary. Listen to hear about a lost toddler and the surprising hero who saved him.

Leo XIV First American Pope

Large crowds gathered recently in Rome’s St. Peter’s Square to hear the announcement of a new pope. Robert Francis Prevost of Chicago took the title of Pope Leo XIV and became the first ever pope from the United States. As he begins his papacy, many wonder how his views and leadership will compare to his predecessor, Pope Francis, and what the impact might be of having an American pope. Listen to learn about how popes are selected and hear reactions from people in Vatican City who heard the news.

Weird News: Messy Meal Miracle

Listen to hear how engineers are cleaning up messy lunches.

Vocabulary: engineering, solution, sticky situation

History of Hamburgers

Today, the hamburger is one of America’s most popular cookout food items for holidays such as Memorial Day. But how did that happen? The story of the hamburger’s rise to cookout prominence goes back to the year 1885 and to two brothers who sold food at local fairs in New York. Through a lucky turn of events, one day the brothers began selling ground beef sandwiches, and the rest is history. Listen to learn about the birth and enduring popularity of the hamburger.

Voice of a Video Game Creator

Often big teams of people produce video games, but “Stardew Valley” started with just one person and his dream. “Stardew Valley”’s creator wanted to make a game that was calm, creative, and meaningful, where players could enjoy simple tasks like farming and making friends. He initially developed the entire game by himself, writing the code, designing the artwork, and even composing the music. Listen to hear the developer describe how with imagination and hard work he brought a world to life and built a game that millions love.

Debate: Are AI-Generated Avatars Ethical?

A growing number of companies in China are using artificial intelligence to create digital avatars of real people. These AI-powered clones are being employed in various ways, from selling things on multiple livestream channels at the same time, to hosting daily news shows. Supporters argue that these avatars offer a round-the-clock workforce to help address labor shortages. Opponents warn that cloning people’s likenesses without clear guidelines threatens privacy and undermines trust. Listen to learn about the benefits and challenges these clones present and then debate: Are AI-generated avatars ethical?

Your Generation Matters

Every generation of people is like its own special club, shaped by the time and world they grow up in. From home phones to TikTok, each group of people experiences life in a different way. This story breaks down what a generation is and shows how someone’s birth year can affect how they think, what they like, and how they connect with others. Listen to learn which generation you belong to and what makes your group one of a kind!

Ant Leg Amputations

Animals often have surprising ways of caring for each other. A scientist studying carpenter ants in Florida discovered that when ants are injured, their nestmates will often perform amputations to help them survive. These ants seem to understand when a medical procedure is necessary and respond accordingly, even without the tools or knowledge humans use. Listen to learn more about these tiny natural-born medics with life-saving skills.

Weird News: Extinct Woodpecker Species Found

Listen to hear what it takes to prove a woodpecker species is still pecking.

Vocabulary: declare, combing, impeccable

Teen Pickleball Champ Tells Her Story

Seventeen-year-old Anna Leigh Waters dominates the world of professional pickleball, a sport that has exploded in popularity across the United States in recent years. Waters discovered pickleball during a family evacuation from a hurricane and quickly rose to the top of the sport. Sometimes she even competes against her own mother, who also plays professionally. Listen to hear a pickleball player describe her unexpected journey to stardom and why she thinks the sport of pickleball appeals to athletes of all different levels.

How FDR Expanded Executive Power

How much power does the President of the United States really have? The Constitution laid the groundwork, but the actual limits on presidential power have been a constant tug-of-war throughout history. It was during the Great Depression and World War II, times of national crisis, that Franklin Delano Roosevelt forged a new kind of presidency, one that directly connected with the nation and dramatically expanded its authority. But this surge in power didn't come without controversy. Listen to hear the story of how one president redefined the executive branch and set precedents that still spark debate about the balance of power in American government today.

Debate: Should Laws Be Passed to Protect the Night Sky?

Many people can no longer enjoy the stars at night because of growing light pollution in cities and towns. Light pollution happens when too much artificial light brightens the night sky. Supporters of laws to protect the night skies say light pollution disrupts the natural rhythms of humans and animals and prevents star gazing. Others argue that setting rules to restrict outdoor lighting could impact safety. Listen to learn how scientists and communities are responding to brighter skies and then debate: Should laws be passed to protect the night sky?

The Truth About T. Rex

Since the discovery of the first T. rex fossils, scientists have continued to learn more about this fierce predator. Researchers now have a better understanding of what baby T.rexes looked like, and it turns out they were fuzzier and cuter than one might expect. Listen to learn how new findings are changing what experts know about this mighty dinosaur.

Legacy of Pope Francis

Pope Francis, who led the Catholic Church for twelve years, has died. Francis was born in Argentina and was the first pope from a Latin American country. His years of leadership brought both change and debate. He encouraged a simpler approach to the church and spoke out on important social, political, and environmental issues. However, people hold different views on the extent of his progressive impact on the church. Listen to hear Catholics from around the world reflect on Pope Francis’s legacy, and learn how a new pope is selected.

Weird News: The House of Doodles

Listen to hear about an artist known as Mr. Doodle.

Vocabulary: doodle, project, canvas, mansion