Kid News Weekly Roundup: October 21, 2024

This summary covers the latest headlines from the October 21st edition of Kid News, ranging from historical discoveries to the latest trends in youth culture and sports.

A Priceless Piece of American History

A long-forgotten copy of the U.S. Constitution, printed in 1787, recently made headlines by selling at auction for $9 million—climbing to $11 million after taxes and fees. The document was discovered in an unlikely place: a "dusty metal filing cabinet" inside a long-empty North Carolina home once owned by Samuel Johnston. The historical significance of the find is bolstered by the inclusion of a letter from George Washington, which explicitly requested "ratification" and noted that "compromise was needed for the sake of the nation." The last time a similar document with a ratification clause sold, in 1891, it fetched only $400, highlighting the immense growth in value for such rare historical artifacts.

A Weekend of Sporting Milestones

It was a monumental weekend for sports fans across the country. The New York Liberty secured their "first-ever WNBA title" after a tense, "winner-take-all Game Five" against the Minnesota Lynx, finishing with a score of 67 to 62 at the Barclays Center. Meanwhile, the "fall classic" of baseball is set to be an iconic "East Coast West Coast World Series showdown." The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the New York Mets to claim the National League pennant, setting them up to face the New York Yankees, who are making their first appearance in the series since 2009. The Yankees, often referred to as the "Bronx Bombers," will face the Dodgers, who last won it all in 2020, starting this Friday.

Youth Innovation and Health

Innovation is alive and well among the younger generation. 14-year-old Sarish Subash from Snellville, Georgia, was named America’s top young scientist by 3M. Sarish developed an "AI-based, handheld detector" to test food for pesticide residue. Citing FDA data that shows "70 percent of produce contains pesticide residue," Sarish noted that these chemicals can persist even after washing and are linked to "a variety of health issues." With an accuracy rate greater than 85 percent, the device aims to help consumers "avoid consuming" harmful residues. This achievement could lead to patents and companies, following in the footsteps of previous winners like Heyman Bickel.

Teen Spending Trends

The investment firm Piper Sandler recently released its "48th semiannual taking stock with teen survey," providing a clear snapshot of current youth preferences. By analyzing 65 million data points, the survey identified clear market leaders: Nike remains the top choice for "apparel and footwear," Elf products lead in "beauty," and Chick-fil-A is the favorite for food. On the social front, TikTok remains the dominant platform, ahead of Instagram and Snapchat.

Parade News and Seasonal Treats

In a historic turn for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Minnie Mouse is set to make her debut. After being absent from the event for the past 90 years, she will appear as a "towering 60-foot balloon," joining staples like Mickey, Pluto, Donald Duck, and Goofy.

Finally, as Halloween approaches, a new poll reveals the most searched-for candy in every state. Despite being a "polarizing favorite," candy corn claimed the number one spot in 34 states, far outpacing M&Ms, which ranked first in only eight states. Other top contenders included Kit Kat, Hershey's, and Reese's, proving that holiday preferences remain highly regional.