Kid News Daily Update: November 18, 2025

This summary covers the key events discussed in today’s episode of Kid News, ranging from national travel updates and climate challenges to scientific discoveries and box office trends.

Aviation Resumes Following Government Shutdown

After a record-setting 43-day government shutdown, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has finally undone the mandatory cancellations that disrupted travel. Most airlines have resumed their typical schedules, providing relief to holiday travelers. According to AAA, approximately 6 million Americans are expected to fly for the Thanksgiving holiday—a 2% increase over last year—though some travelers may have nixed their plans due to the uncertainty. Meanwhile, those hitting the highways, or "road warriors," are expected to number at least 73 million, marking an increase of a million people compared to the previous year.

Southern California Recovers from Atmospheric River

Southern California is currently in the recovery phase after being hit by a record-setting atmospheric river. The region experienced a massive drenching, with L.A. County receiving over four inches of rain. The situation was particularly severe in Santa Barbara, which saw its wettest three-day stretch ever recorded in November. Oxnard reported a staggering 32 inches of rain, shattering the previous record of 18 inches set in 1934. While evacuation orders have been lifted, officials remain concerned about the "saturated ground" and the potential for mudslides and flooding.

Challenges in the Lunar Space Race

NASA’s goal to return Americans to the moon by 2027 is facing significant skepticism. Former NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine and science communicator Bill Nye are among those questioning the timeline, citing a lack of coordination and technical snags in SpaceX's hardware. A major point of contention is the necessity of "refueling in space," a process that has never been attempted. NASA engineers estimate that a single moon landing would require SpaceX to launch more than 40 tankers, a feat described as "unrealistically ambitious." Bill Nye warned that if China beats the U.S. to the moon’s south pole, it would be "dispiriting" to see their flag displayed on newspapers worldwide.

A Biological Marvel in the Depths

In a discovery that sounds like a "creepy horror story," researchers have found a massive colony of spiders in a cave on the border of Albania and Greece. The spiders have woven what appears to be the world's largest web, spanning 1,150 square feet—roughly the size of an average house. This web is composed of thousands of funnel-shaped structures created in total darkness. Scientists were particularly surprised to find that two different spider species are cooperating, with both species exhibiting adaptations to their unique, isolated environment.

Box Office Struggles

The current state of the movie industry is described as a "real head-scratcher." While the film Now You See Me, Now You Don't topped ticket sales at $213 million, other major releases have faltered. The reboot of The Running Man proved to be a disappointment, netting only $17 million against a $110 million budget. This follows a trend of a lackluster November, which came on the heels of the "slowest October on record" and the worst summer season since 1981.

Kicker: A Monopoly-Inspired Traffic Stop

In a lighthearted conclusion to the news, a driver in Fullerton, California, attempted to avoid a traffic ticket by handing the officer a "Monopoly Get Out of Jail Free card." While the officer appreciated the humor, he informed the driver that the card "wouldn't cut it." The police department later shared the incident on Instagram with the hashtags "#AForEffort" and "#NiceTry," leading one commenter to wittily point out that since the driver didn't actually go to jail, the card technically worked.