Current Events

Weird News: Suspicious Noise Found to be Roomba

Listen to hear what happened when a family called 911 after hearing strange noises in their house.

Vocabulary: unsettling, in the midst, burglary, suspect

Treasure Hunter Finds Gold Necklace Linked to Henry VIII

An amateur metal detectorist from the U.K. pulled a rare and valuable treasure out of the mud: a 500-year-old necklace dating to the time of King Henry VIII. Its discovery stunned both him and the British Museum curator to whom he brought it. Listen to learn about the exciting discovery and its significance to the reign of Henry VIII and his wife, Katherine, in Renaissance England.

Tracking Animals with AI Facial Recognition

Facial recognition software is often used for human safety and security purposes, but the technology can also help with animal conservation and behavior research. A biologist who studies geese has worked to create facial recognition AI that can accurately recognize individual members of the flock, which makes her job easier. Listen to hear how she created this facial recognition AI, and learn how other scientists are using AI to study and protect animals.

Debate: Should Sugary Drinks Be Taxed?

Excessive sugar consumption can cause health issues like obesity, heart disease, and depression. Several U.S. cities have attempted to reduce the amount of sugar in people’s diet by taxing sugary drinks, but the move has been controversial. Supporters of the tax say it will improve overall health by curbing consumption of sugary drinks. Critics feel that the tax unfairly targets the beverage industry, and they point to other ways people can limit their sugar intake. Listen to learn what a scientific study shows about the correlation between taxes on sugary drinks and consumption and then debate: Should sugary drinks be taxed?

Kid News: What Asteroids Brought to Earth

Scientists examining dirt and water samples from the surface of an asteroid have discovered organic material. Organic material comes from living things, like plants and animals, when they decay or eliminate it from their body. An asteroid is a rocky object that orbits the sun and is smaller than a planet. The discovery of organic material on an asteroid may mean that when an asteroid crashed into Earth long ago, it brought the organic material necessary for life on the planet. Listen to find out what scientists think about this exciting discovery.

Perfectionism Can Hold Us Back

Being perfect is often seen as a worthy goal. However, a psychology professor says trying to be perfect is an unhealthy way for people to mask their flaws rather than accepting them. In this interview, the professor discusses his own desires to be perfect when he was younger and the root causes of perfectionism - a trend that is intensifying in America. Listen to find out how perfectionism can hold people back and what can be done to overcome it.

Weird News: Quadrillions of Ants

Listen to hear what scientists know about the huge number of ants living on Earth.

Vocabulary: estimate, in perspective

Brooklyn Library's Most Popular Books

The Brooklyn Public Library has been open since 1897. As part of its 125th anniversary celebration, the library released a list of its 125 most borrowed books, including some of the most famous books ever published. At the same time that the library is commemorating its past, however, it is also looking towards the future, making its digital book collection available outside of New York. Listen to learn about the most read books in the library’s history and how it continues to make its collection accessible to a bigger audience.

Young People Win Climate Lawsuit

A judge has ruled that the state of Montana’s promotion of fossil fuel production has violated the constitutional rights of young people in the state. This is a first of its kind ruling that may have long lasting impacts in the state and across the country. Listen to learn why the voices of young climate activists were taken seriously in a court of law, and find out what the state of Montana must do as a result of the ruling.

Debate: Should Legacy College Admissions End?

At many private colleges, applicants whose parents or other family members attended a school have a much better chance of being admitted than most other applicants. Now a lawsuit is challenging the fairness of that admissions practice. Opponents of legacy college admissions say the practice favors largely white, wealthy applicants and denies spots to deserving students with less privileged backgrounds. Colleges, however, say they can admit whomever they want, and they value students who already have a sense of loyalty to the school. Listen to hear what an economist learned when he analyzed the admissions data at an elite university and then debate: Should legacy college admissions end?

Kid News: Happy Groundhog Day!

February 2nd is Groundhog Day. For many years, people have looked to a groundhog from Pennsylvania named Punxsutawny Phil to predict how long winter weather will last. Although this is a fun holiday, Punxsutawney Phil has not been a very reliable weather forecaster. Listen to hear more about the Groundhog Day tradition, and find out why some animals are better than Phil at predicting a change in weather.

Fashion Designer Includes the Excluded

European cities like Paris and Milan are often considered the centers of fashion design, but Canadian fashion designer Aurora James sees things differently. She has written a memoir about her partnership with artisans from Kenya, Haiti, and other places that have not typically been involved in luxury fashion. Like the women of color who James works with to create her fashion accessories brand, her background is unusual for someone in the design world. Listen to hear a non-traditional designer discuss her struggles to start a business, the lessons she learned growing up, and the negative impact wealthier countries can have on clothing manufacturing.

Weird News: From Cleaning a House to Owning It

Listen to hear about a woman who bought the house her mother used to clean.

Vocabulary: accompany, original

Dinosaurs May Not Have Roared

What did dinosaurs sound like? Thanks to the popularity of films like the Jurassic Park series, people tend to assume that dinosaurs, particularly large ones, roared. However, decades of research have led paleontologists to conclude that this was simply not true. Using modern technology to study prehistoric fossils, researchers have made some interesting and surprising discoveries about dinosaur communication. Listen to hear a science journalist share insights about how these reptiles vocalized, and find out why he calls big dinosaurs “touchy-feely.”

Henry Kissinger's Controversial Legacy

Henry Kissinger was a prominent U.S. diplomat and former secretary of state and national security adviser in the Nixon and Ford administrations. His influence in the post-World War II world was enormous. Kissinger believed America should use its power to deter communism, a rising force after the war, and pushed the U.S. to fight in Vietnam and resist Russian aggression. He aimed to protect U.S. interests above all else. While some hail Kissinger as an American hero, others view his actions in less powerful nations as war crimes. Listen to hear a professor of public affairs discuss Kissinger’s personal background and controversial legacy.

Debate: Can Individuals Solve the Plastic Waste Problem?

The dangers associated with plastics, like microplastic particles and chemicals found in water that are detrimental to people’s health, have fueled efforts to solve the plastic waste problem. Some say that the collective work of individuals to reduce the amount of plastic that they use can make a big difference. But environmentalists argue that government policy changes and innovation in the plastic and packaging industries are required to solve the problem. Listen to hear what one reporter realized when she kept a journal of all of her interactions with plastic and then debate: Can individuals solve the plastic waste problem?

Kid News: The Power of Wonder

Feeling the emotion of wonder or awe is good for the human brain. A person might feel this way when they experience something so amazing that they must stop and think about it more. They might think to themselves, wow, what is happening? Listen to learn about the benefits of feeling wonder and hear from kids who feel wonder while interacting with backyard chickens.

Why We Get More Genes from Our Moms

Biological mothers and fathers pass along their genes to their children, but it turns out that both boys and girls inherit more genes from their mom. Genes are found in the nucleus of every cell in the body and determine a person’s features and characteristics, like their brown eyes or their freckles. While a cell’s nucleus carries genes from both sides, the cell’s mitochondria – the spot where energy is made – carries only the mom’s genes. Listen to hear more about the fascinating science of genetics and the surprising truth about DNA inheritance.

Weird News: Hockey Game Lasts 252 Hours

Listen to hear how a hockey team tried to break a Guinness World Record.

Vocabulary: attempt, shattered, endurance

Highway Crossings for Wildlife Help Species Survive

Mountain lions and other animals rely on the ability to migrate from place to place in order to survive. In Southern California, the combination of imposing highways, population density, and the effects of climate change have isolated mountain lions to such an extent that they are unable to interbreed, threatening their existence. To address this, construction has begun on a wildlife highway that will allow animals like mountain lions to more easily move from place to place. Listen to learn about this unusual, but badly needed, project that is essential to wildlife conservation.

Teen Cyclist Reflects on His "Impossible Feat"

A California teenager has accomplished an extraordinary feat – biking from Alaska to Argentina. During his literal coming-of-age journey, the teen faced many challenges, like cycling in extreme heat and enduring painful injuries, but his determination to complete the long journey never wavered. Listen to hear stories from the young cyclist’s adventure, and find out what he thinks is necessary to achieve the impossible.

Debate: Is Using AI to Meet People Deceptive?

Entrepreneurs have created an app that uses AI technology to assist people with online dating. The app’s creators claim that AI helps people to present the best version of themselves as they initiate conversations with people online. Skeptics believe using the app can deceive someone into believing that the person they are meeting has a different personality than they do in real life. Listen to learn more about how people are using AI in online dating and then debate: Is using AI to meet people deceptive?

Kid News: Mummy Found Wearing the World's Oldest Pants

Archaeologists were surprised to find that a 3,000-year-old mummy they discovered in western China was wearing pants. Not only were the pants unusual clothing for the time period in which the mummified person lived, but the weaving technique used for the fabric of the pants was also significant. Listen to hear more about the mummy and find out why his pants were such a fascinating fashion discovery.

Piñatas to Celebrate Christmas in Mexico

For many Mexican and Mexican-American families, piñatas are essential to Christmas celebrations. These artistic creations typically can be found at Posadas, or traditional gatherings of family and friends in the months leading up to Christmas, where kids destroy them with sticks to free the candy and toys within. Oral history suggests that piñatas came to Mexico with Spanish Catholic missionaries in the 1600s, and a traditional Christmas piñata, a seven-pointed star design, holds religious symbolic meaning. Listen to hear more about the history and meaning of piñatas, and learn why people are blindfolded when hitting them.

Weird News: Life-Sized Gingerbread House

Listen to hear about one couple’s creative holiday decorations.

Vocabulary: transformed, edible, rambunctious

Taxing Cow and Sheep Burps

One of the biggest contributors to climate change is the methane gas that livestock like cows and sheep burp out. Scientists have experimented with techniques to reduce methane gas emissions, including changing the animals’ diet. Now New Zealand, a country with more livestock than people, is trying a new idea - a tax on farmers for the gas their animals produce. Listen to learn about an unusual idea for addressing global climate change and why one climate scientist supports it.

What a Black Hole Sounds Like

The sights and sounds of space are becoming more accessible. In this audio story, a NASA scientist explains how she uses technology to translate images taken from powerful space telescopes into sound. These audio representations of outer space are designed to help people - especially those with low vision - appreciate the incredible workings of the galaxy. Listen to learn more about the processes necessary to produce space audio and hear some examples of these majestic and ominous sounds.

Debate: Should Driverless Taxis Be On the Roads?

For several years San Francisco’s busy, hilly streets have been a testing ground for driverless, autonomous vehicles. When California’s state officials voted to allow autonomous vehicles to function as taxis, some people believed the decision would make ride sharing safer and more equitable. Others opposed the decision, citing evidence of the disruptions and safety problems driverless cars have caused while in more limited use. Listen to hear what community members, first responders, and car companies have to say about the issue, and then debate: Should driverless taxis be on the roads?

Kid News: How to Make Friends

Feeling lonely is no fun. Making new friends is a great cure for loneliness, and it can be easier to do than some people think. Listen to hear kids and an author who wrote a book about friendship share the best ways that they know to make friends.

Greta Thunberg on Climate Change Action

Climate activist Greta Thunberg first made headlines at age 15 when she skipped school and protested outside the Swedish Parliament in an effort to influence her government to take stronger action on climate change. In this interview, Thunberg discusses her new book detailing the effects of a changing climate, the United States’ progress toward addressing climate change, and her growing fame. Listen to hear from a passionate young climate activist, and learn why she likely will never seek a career in politics.

Weird News: Neanderthal Leftovers

Listen to hear what ancient leftovers reveal about the diet of Neanderthals.

Vocabulary: remnants, assumptions, consumed, palatable

Slowing Time with Advent Calendars

The Advent calendar, a special calendar with doors in a cardboard panel for each of the days in December leading up to Christmas, is a way to slow down and mark time during the holiday season. While early Advent calendars might have held small candies or chocolate treats, today’s Advent calendars offer everything from beef jerky to luxury items like jewelry. Sellers sometimes strategically use these calendars to lure customers with a variety of product samples. Listen to learn about Advent calendars and their unique place as both a holiday tradition and a part of consumer culture.

Why Trees Produce So Many Nuts

Trees produce many more nuts in certain years than they do in others. During these times, known as “mast years,” everyday observers of nature may notice more thumping as nuts fall from trees or crunching as fallen acorns crack beneath their feet. Though the timing of mast years is somewhat unpredictable, scientists have determined which weather conditions contribute to making trees extra productive. Listen to learn about when and why trees produce so many nuts, and how local animals and plants are impacted.

Kid News: Dog Wagging Deciphered

Scientists have figured out some of the reasons why dogs wag their tails. Their research reveals what dog lovers have known all along; dogs can be very intelligent and friendly! Listen to find out what it means when a dog wags their tail to the left or to the right, and how their tail wagging reveals their understanding of human actions.

Voice Notes Promote Happiness

Texting may be quick and easy, but according to scientists, communications that contain the human voice do more to strengthen people’s bonds. Recorded voice messages can convey a range of emotions and remind the listener of the sender’s humanity. Listen to hear why more people are choosing to send voice notes and why they promote happiness and connection.

Weird News: Cuddly Turkeys

Listen to hear how some turkeys are living quiet lives and comforting others.

Vocabulary: sanctuary, challenging

Daughter Honors Dad by Completing His Bucket List

Two decades after the unexpected death of her father, Laura Carney completed a goal that began with a surprising discovery. Her brother found a list among their father’s belongings titled “Things I Would Like To Do Before I Die.” The discovery led Laura on a journey to complete every item on her father’s bucket list. Listen to learn about a daughter’s quest to honor her late father and the impact it had on her own life.

Brain Science Behind Human Conflict

Some conflicts between people or groups seem nearly impossible to resolve. According to neurologists, brain science suggests biological reasons for these entrenched conflicts. Brain scans reveal that a person’s brain reacts differently when someone in their group is in pain than it does when someone from an opposing group is suffering. Listen to hear more about the science behind human conflict and learn how an expert in conflict resolution says humans can overcome their evolutionary instincts in situations of conflict.

Debate: Are AI Beauty Filters Harmful?

Filters, the appearance-altering digital image effects often used on social media, can be fun to play with. But some believe they may be detrimental to mental health. TikTok’s Bold Glamour filter uses AI technology to compare a user's image to a data set of other facial images. It then redraws the user’s pixels, changing their face to conform to popular beauty standards. Some users' faces may change drastically when using the filter, leaving them wondering if the filter version of themselves is something they should strive for in real life. Listen to hear people react to the AI beauty filter and then debate: Are AI beauty filters harmful?

Kid News: Finnish Treasure Hunters

A group of treasure hunters believe they are close to discovering hidden treasure in Finland. According to Finnish pagan mythology, the treasure, called the Lemminkäinen Hoard, is a massive collection of gems and ancient artifacts hidden in an underground cave. Although it is not certain if the hidden treasure actually exists, treasure hunters have been digging for decades. Listen to hear more about the treasure they hope to find and learn why their search has taken so long.