Good morning and welcome to KID News.
I'm Kim.
Today is Thursday, April 30th, 2026.
And we begin with Timmy the whale officially on the move.
As we reported a little over a week ago, a huge rescue operation descended on the shallow waters near Germany to save the 44-foot-long humpback who's been beached just offshore for more than a month.
Inflating pillows to lift him off the sand didn't work, but a recently dredged channel did.
It allowed him to swim right into a huge water-filled, flat-bottomed barge, which is now being propelled into the north sea.
As of yesterday, the whale's ride had taken timmy as far as denmark.
It's hoped that once Timmy is released, he'll find his way back to his native habitat in the Atlantic.
Some oceanographers are doubtful.
The whale can be saved, but those financing the private mission believe he is well enough to at least try.
And, as one German official put it, something like this has never happened before in Germany, where a life-saving operation of this kind has been carried out.
This was an experiment and the experiment was a success, and that's wonderful.
A food fight of sorts is shaping up in the military usa today and newsweek published photos of gut-turning grub reportedly served to sailors on two us warships fighting in the iran war.
One showed the half-empty trays of two service members, one with a meager scoop of moist shredded meat and a tortilla, and on the other only a handful of boiled carrots, dry burger and a mysterious slice of gray, spam-like meat.
Concerned family members say they are worried.
Their loved ones deployed at sea are not well fed and at least one US lawmaker is calling for a congressional probe.
The Pentagon denies any food issues on ships but hasn't offered an explanation yet for the photos.
The Navy told USA Today that it's common to run out of fresh produce on ships, but that the only complaints they received were from sailors who didn't care for the vegetable of the day.
It's a whole new world at Disneyland.
The California Adventure Park has added facial recognition to some entry lanes, a move that the Walt Disney Company says will prevent fraud and speed up reentry into the park.
According to The Guardian, the technology can be used to determine whether someone has already entered Disneyland or its companion California Adventure Park and can crack down on unauthorized annual pass sharing.
The move comes at a time when law enforcement, sports parks and other entertainment venues are experimenting with facial recognition and facing criticism over privacy infringement.
Disney's website says measures will be used to protect guests' privacy and that people can opt out, but that no security measures are perfect.
Air taxis are now airborne in New York City.
The first Jetsons-like flight took off Monday from John F Kennedy International Airport and traveled to Manhattan to kick off a week of testing.
According to ABC7 News, the all-electric aircraft created by Joby Aviation is 100 times quieter than a traditional helicopter, seats four passengers plus a pilot and has room for luggage.
The goal, says the company, is to get the Federal Aviation Administration to approve the high-speed cabs to operate all over New York City sometime in the next year.
Officials say the air taxis use existing helicopter pads to touch down.
With travel time from JFK to NYC at roughly seven minutes as opposed to the hour plus it usually takes.
They say the sky's the limit.
President Trump's picture is about to appear on some new U.S. passports.
The State Department announced it's finalizing a radical redesign that features a serious-looking Mr Trump from his second inaugural portrait, as part of a larger celebration of the nation's 250th anniversary.
According to NPR, 25000 to 30000 of the new passports will become available shortly before July 4th to those who apply through the Washington DC passport office.
The new passport adds to the growing list of items.
The president has added his name or image to including a 1 gold coin, national park passes and the Kennedy Center.
As we recently reported, efforts are also underway to put Mr Trump's signature on all new US paper currency a first for a sitting president.
Still ahead, San Francisco Bay Area residents float fun and farcical names for their new fairies.
But first, we want to give birthday shout-outs to the Espinoza brothers of Lithia, Florida.
Matthew turns 13 today, is a huge Kid News fan, and is determined to own a Lamborghini someday.
His younger brother Andrew, is the life of any party, has set his sights on building robots and turns 11 on Saturday.
Happy birthday to both of you.
Now, today's Kid News quiz.
What is Disneyland implementing at some entrance lanes?
Facial recognition technology.
Where are rescuers hoping to guide Timmy the whale?
Into the North Sea and then the Atlantic.
How much quieter are Joby Aviation's air taxis than traditional helicopters?
100 times quieter.
What is the latest item to feature President Trump's face?
The U.S. passport.
In today's Kid News Kicker, naming ferry boats can be a choppy endeavor.
The San Francisco Chronicle asked the public for help in naming five new fully electric Bay Ferry vessels, the first in the US that will be joining the current fleet over the next few years.
Readers submitted more than 1500 names and, although some were automatic sinkers, like the 50-plus variations of Boaty McBoatface, more than two dozen floated to the top for reflecting the beauty, diversity and creativity of the Bay Area.
Readers can now choose from 27, including Sourdough Doubtfire Frisco, Painted Lady and Rocco.
A nod to former Golden State Warrior Clay Thompson's dog.
The person who suggested each of the five winning names. will receive free ferry rides for a year.
Each boat will seat up to 400 passengers and will be ready to cross the bay in 2027 and 28.
Thanks again to the Espinoza family of Lithia, Florida, for your kind donation.
Happy birthday to both Matthew and Andrew.
And hello to all their friends at Bell Creek Academy and Beavis.
Now, shout-outs for our other Kid News classrooms.
Mrs. Tepp's Huskies at McKinley in Awatonna, Minnesota.
Mrs. Powell's Cubs at Richland County Middle School in Olney, Illinois.
Ms.
Ulta Peter's Bulldogs at Independence in Fargo, North Dakota.
Mrs. Yearout's Worker Bees at Earhart Environmental Magnet School in Wichita, Kansas.
And Mrs. Booth's Baby Chickens at John Muir in Merced, California.
Thanks for listening.
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We'll see you back here for more Kid News tomorrow morning.
