Current Events

Celebrating Juneteenth

Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19, marks the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Texas were notified of their freedom – more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. Some Black communities have informally celebrated Juneteenth since 1866, but since becoming a federal holiday in 2021, there has been discussion about how people can celebrate Juneteenth in the most appropriate ways. Listen to hear a book editor share her ideas about who should celebrate Juneteenth, why it should be celebrated, and the commercialization of the holiday.

Debate: Are Teens Competent to Be Paid Drivers?

There’s a shortage of truck drivers in the U.S., and teenagers are being trained to fill the gap. The federal government is piloting a program in high schools and community colleges to allow 18-20-year-olds to become long-haul truckers. Under current rules, truck drivers who cross state lines must be at least 21 years old, and some worry that younger drivers lack the maturity needed to safely drive huge vehicles at high speeds. Others say that with proper training, young people can take on the responsibilities of the job. Listen to hear participants in the new program describe their experiences and then debate: Are teens competent to be paid drivers?

Kid News: Harvey Milk Inspired Activism

Celebrating the LGBTQ community doesn’t just take place in June during Pride month. Throughout the year, many people recognize and remember Harvey Milk, a civil rights activist and the first openly gay elected official in California. Milk not only fought to protect the rights of gay people, but supported working class residents and helped build strong communities. His legacy of activism continues to inspire people. Listen to hear a teen discuss Harvey Milk's impact on his life and his hopes for a better future for young people.

Discovery About Mosquito Attraction

Scientists are learning that certain viruses may be a key to understanding what attracts mosquitoes to swarm and bite. An experiment using mice revealed that mosquitoes found the scent of skin infected with certain viruses irresistible. Listen to hear details about the mosquito attraction experiment and learn how and why viruses may change how skin smells.

Weird News: 911 Calls Without an Emergency

Listen to hear about some surprising calls to the police in Canada.

Vocabulary: clogged, option, inappropriate

How to Reduce Plastic Pollution

In spite of recycling programs, every year millions of tons of plastic waste ends up in the ocean. The reasons for this are complex, but one thing is quite clear: Producing so much plastic waste is bad for the environment and destructive for marine wildlife. Some people are calling for bolder action to reduce the amount of plastic waste produced each year. Listen to learn about this challenging problem and how some experts are proposing new, innovative ideas to address the issue.

Fred the Mastodon's Life Story

Over 13,000 years ago a mastodon - a distant relative of the modern elephant - died, and his body sank into the earth. The swampy ground kept the animal’s skeleton, including his tusks, well preserved. Scientists have studied the layers of this mastodon’s tusks to discover detailed information about his daily life, and they recently shared their findings with the world in a research paper. Listen to hear about Fred the Mastodon’s life story, and learn how his enormous tusks offer clues to how he lived and died.

Debate: Should Police Robots Be Allowed to Use Deadly Force?

Policing can be dangerous work. Robots can make police work slightly safer by assisting in high-risk situations – testing land mines, for example, or getting close enough to disarm a suspect. But the role robots should play in dangerous situations is hotly debated. Some say robots should have the power to fire weapons when all other options have failed. But others argue that empowering machines to use weapons on humans will never be accepted in U.S. culture. Listen to hear about the rules one city is setting and then debate: Should police robots be allowed to use deadly force?

Kid News: AAPI Heritage Month

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander, or AAPI Heritage Month in the United States. The month celebrates the people, culture, and accomplishments of two diverse groups of people. Listen to hear some of the many countries where people who identify as AAPI trace their family history, and learn about the historical events highlighted during AAPI month.

TikTok Star Teaches Himself to Read

It’s never too late to learn how to read. A TikTok star with over 100,000 followers is inspiring others as he teaches himself how to read at age 34. Oliver James struggled in school because of his reading disability, but now he reads all kinds of books and shares his reactions with his online audience. Listen to hear the TikTok star read aloud, and learn about his daily reading routines.

Weird News: Detroit Wins Best Pizza City in U.S.

Listen to hear why Detroit won the award for best pizza city in the U.S.

Vocabulary: capital, contender, unique

Hurricane Hunters

What does a hurricane look like from the air? Hurricane hunters are among the few people that know first-hand. They are the folks who fly into hurricanes to gather important data that help people make potentially life-saving decisions. Listen to learn about the work of hurricane hunters, what it is like to fly into a hurricane, and how doing so gives a unique view of a hurricane’s power and the damage it can cause.

Chinese Student Reflects on Americanizing Her Name

It’s not uncommon for Asian international students to change their name to one that is easier for those around them to pronounce. However, doing so may feel bittersweet. For some, the process of changing a name involves leaving behind an important piece of their identity. Listen to hear a grand-prize winner of NPR’s College Podcast Challenge describe her experience adjusting to life in the U.S. and choosing a new name.

Debate: Are Computers Headed Toward Personhood?

What does it mean to have consciousness? That’s a question that scientists and legal experts are grappling with as artificial intelligence gives computers the capacity to “think” almost like humans. Some argue that humans have particular qualities that machines cannot master, such as imagination and the ability to create new ideas. But as AI grows in sophistication, others argue that computers will soon be able to match humans’ higher-order thinking – a possibility that raises all sorts of ethical questions. Listen to hear a legal expert explain how keeping sentient computers might one day be viewed as enslavement, and then debate: Are computers headed toward personhood?

Kid News: History of Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo is a Mexican holiday observed on May 5th. The holiday celebrates a battle in 1862 where the Mexican army won against the French army. This victory helped the Union army in the United States win the Civil War. Although Cinco de Mayo is a Mexican holiday, it is celebrated more widely in the United States than in Mexico. Listen to hear more about the country of Mexico and Cinco de Mayo, and learn about the holiday’s official dish.

Powerful Sounds of the Amazon

Some scientists who study animals living in the Amazon rainforest rely on sound to do their research. Despite not easily being able to see in the dark, thick rainforest, these scientists are able to recognize specific types of monkeys, frogs, and birds by listening to their calls. They have even discovered a never-before-known species of bird. Listen to hear eerie and exotic sounds as a reporter and scientist trek through the Amazon jungle.

Weird News: Island Becomes Home to Banned Books

Listen to hear how a tiny library on an Island in Maine is protecting banned books.

Vocabulary: censored, mission, stock

Surprise Litter of Kittens Found in Plane

When a cat gives birth to a litter of kittens, she looks for a safe space to care for and feed them. At an aviation museum in North Carolina, a cat named Phantom chose an unusual space: the belly of a vintage 1950s fighter jet. Listen to learn why the jet offered ideal protection for a litter of baby kittens, and learn how the mama cat and her young were discovered.

The Limits of ChatGPT

The artificial intelligence tool ChatGPT is getting smarter. OpenAI, the company that developed the chatbot, recently announced that the tool can pass AP exams and describe images in detail, for example. When a reporter tested ChatGPT, however, he discovered some problems, including significant accuracy issues. Listen to hear about the benefits and limitations of ChatGPT and what experts caution about using it.

Debate: Do the Benefits of Club Soccer Outweigh the Problems?

Club soccer teams have become popular throughout the country. These private, for-profit programs give kids the chance to have fun, hone their skills, and get experience playing for a team. But club soccer costs money, unlike most school sports teams, and often makes it harder for non-club soccer athletes to win spots on their school team, which some consider unfair. Listen to hear more about the pros and cons of club soccer and then debate: Do the benefits of club soccer outweigh the problems?

Kid News: Earth Day Explained

Every year on April 22, people all over the world celebrate Earth Day to show their support for protecting the environment. The first Earth Day, however, occurred in the United States in 1970 as a protest against a man-made environmental disaster. Listen to hear more about this unfortunate event, and learn how people responded to the very first Earth Day.

Climate Change Added to Public School Curriculum

The state of New Jersey now requires that students learn about climate change – its causes, effects, and what can be done to address it. A local high school science teacher believes that including these new curriculum standards shows that New Jersey is committed to mitigating the effects of climate change. Listen to hear the teacher describe an interactive lab experiment she uses to teach students about changing weather conditions, and find out how her students may see climate change impact their state in the future.

Weird News: Which Came First: Dinosaurs or Octopuses?

Listen to hear whether scientists believe dinosaurs or octopuses came first.

Vocabulary: fossil, ancestor

Inclusive Video Gaming

International video gaming (esports) competitions have increased in popularity. Recently, one of the biggest, the League of Legends World Championships, was held. This competition pits some of the best League of Legends players in the world against each other. While esports competitions are unique, they are similar to other sports in interesting ways, such as in their ability to amplify compelling story lines about individual competitors and in their struggle to be more inclusive. Listen to learn more about this global esports competition and how those who broadcast it think they can make the competition accessible to a wider audience.

Rare Holocaust Images Returned to Family

When an art student purchased a box of old photos and knickknacks from a roadside sale, she knew it was special. When she rediscovered the box again in her home over thirty years later, she decided to figure out to whom the box belonged. The items in the box, which belonged to a Holocaust survivor who later died in the U.S., were returned to distant relatives and are now kept in the archive of the U.S. Holocaust Museum. Listen to learn about the historically significant items found in the box and how the return of the box impacted the Holocaust survivor’s distant relative.

Debate: Are Humans Superior to Other Animals?

Humans are typically considered the most advanced animals on the planet. They have the cognitive ability to reason, plan ahead, combine multiple ideas, and think abstractly, all traits that appear to distinguish them from other animals. But research is revealing that some animals demonstrate a quality previously thought to be particular to humans: creativity. It turns out that certain birds and mammals create original songs to communicate and attract mates, and others develop complex language systems. As humans gain new understanding of the abilities of animals, some are questioning commonly held beliefs about human dominance. Listen to hear more about animal creativity and then debate: Are humans superior to other animals?

Kid News: Dancers Produce Clean Energy

Scientists are using hot and sweaty dancers to produce geothermal energy. Dancers at a disco, or music and dancing club, in Scotland have been able to produce enough energy to power their disco club. Listen to hear details about how scientists collect and reuse the clean energy dancers produce.

Interfaith Meals Build "Justice Through Compassion"

Leaders of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community are hosting interfaith dinners around the country to connect Muslim, Jewish, and Christian communities during their spring religious holiday seasons. The dinners offer attendees an opportunity to eat delicious food and discuss social justice issues that can be solved through active efforts of compassion. Listen to hear Muslim and Christian religious leaders talk about the benefits of these dinners and the logistical planning needed to host meals while guests are observing Ramadan, Passover, Holy Week and Easter.

Weird News: Seagulls Terrorize Italian City

Listen to hear how people in Venice, Italy are trying to solve their seagull problem.

Vocabulary: renowned, snatch, repellent

Resilient Palm Trees

Hurricanes that strike land can cause terrible damage, threatening all kinds of plants and animals. However, there is one type of tree that has proved able to withstand a hurricane’s fury: the palm tree. Florida residents surveying the area after a recent hurricane noted that the city’s palm trees, once again, came out of the storm largely intact. Listen to learn about the resilience of palm trees and how they withstand the intensity of a hurricane’s power.

The Ups and Downs of Anxiety

Many people are familiar with the uncomfortable ways anxiety makes their body feel, but they may still wonder, what is anxiety? According to experts, anxiety is a normal and often useful emotion that likely played an important role in human evolution. When anxiety persists, though, it can become harmful. Listen to learn more about the purpose of anxiety, how a person’s body responds to it, and what factors influence the anxiety someone feels.

Debate: Should People Always Be On Time?

Clocks rule most people’s daily schedules. From waking up in the morning to eating meals and arriving at work or school, people generally feel obliged to be on time. Being late comes with consequences and is often viewed as rude. But some people object to what they see as the tyranny of the clock. They say constant attention to time detracts from their ability to immerse themselves in an activity and enjoy the moment. Listen to hear a researcher describe differences between “clock timers” and “event timers” and then debate: Should people always be on time?

Kid News: Sea Sponge Snot

People use sponges to suck up yucky messes, but sea sponges also have the power to sneeze out waste from their body as snot. Scientists describe sea sponge snot as a “mucus highway.” Listen to hear how scientists learned about sea sponge sneezes and find out how sea sponge snot can benefit other sea creatures.

Title IX Turns 50

Title IX is the name of the law that banned discrimination on the basis of sex in federally funded education programs. Since 1972 when Title IX became law, it has particularly helped women and girls have more equitable competitive sports opportunities. Ensuring the success of Title IX has taken great efforts by advocates for decades. Listen to hear from women who were early beneficiaries of Title IX’s opportunities and an 11-year-old who has always lived with Title IX protections.

Weird News: Rare Green Puppy Born

Listen to hear how a bulldog in Canada got a big surprise when she delivered a litter of puppies.

Vocabulary: labor, rare, womb, discoloration

Author Reunites with Teacher who Taught Him English

Jamil Jan Kochai is the author of The Haunting of Hajji Hotak and Other Stories, a finalist for the 2022 National Book Award for fiction. Many experiences shaped his development as a writer, but he credits the influence of his second grade teacher, Susannah Lung, who first taught him to read and write. In his 20s, Kochai began a search for her in order to thank her and recently, they were reunited. Listen to hear about a powerful connection between student and teacher and how one teacher’s patience and support helped a young boy grow into a great writer.

Drought Uncovers Treasures from the Past

Severe droughts around the world have uncovered historic treasures while also causing devestation. Many waterways have been impacted by the drought, from the Yangtze River in China to the Paluxy River in Texas. Researchers are excited by the finds, including an uncovered bridge dating back to the Roman empire and never before seen dinosaur tracks.. Listen to hear details about what has been found as waters recede from droughts, and find out how scientists know that recent droughts are some of the worst in history.

Debate: Have Civil Rights Progressed?

Have civil rights for Americans advanced over the past 75 years? Some say progress has been made. The country has elected a Black president and vice-president, and women and minorities participate in government in higher numbers than ever before. But others see a decided lack of progress. They point out that Americans in the 2020s are sharply divided, just as they were in the 1960s, and some of the very same battles are still being fought. Listen to hear the views of veteran civil rights activists and then debate: Have civil rights progressed?

Kid News: World Down Syndrome Day

March 21 is World Down Syndrome Day! Down syndrome occurs when someone is born with three copies of their 21st chromosome. People who have Down syndrome often enjoy and are capable of participating in the same activities as people born without Down syndrome, but they may need more time to learn and practice. Listen to hear more about Down syndrome, and find out how you can participate in World Down Syndrome Day.

Choosing Food with a Low Carbon Footprint

The choices people make about what they eat and where their food comes from can have an impact on the planet. Choosing foods with a lower carbon footprint can help reduce global warming and climate change. In this audio story, food and climate experts interviewed during the U.N. Climate Conference in Glasgow, Scotland, share their wisdom about the factors affecting a food’s carbon footprint and how to make climate-friendly food choices. Listen to learn some surprising facts about food production and the environment.