It still feels like winter, but in a blink, spring and all the head spinning outdoor activities that go with it will be upon us.
Make the most of this wacky weather month with IXL, the online learning platform that reinforces key skills and builds confidence in your kids.
Before end of year testing.
It's easy to up their game in math, science and social studies with focused, flexible practice that meets them where they are, then rockets them forward with built-in challenges and rewards.
IXL is already the go-to choice for 15 million kindergarten through 12th graders.
Give it a try at iXL.com slash KidNews and get 20% off monthly and annual plans.
That's iXL.com slash KidNews.
Good morning and welcome to Kid News, sponsored in part by the Nicholas B. Ottaway Foundation.
I'm Tori.
Today is Monday, March 9th, 2026, the first full day of daylight saving time.
And we begin with what was once the biggest iceberg in the world on its last icy legs.
A23a, which has mesmerized scientists for 40 years, is now just a puddle of its former self.
When it broke off from the Filchner Ice Shelf in Antarctica in 1986, it was twice the size of London.
At first, it only floated as far as the Waddell Sea, where it got stuck and stayed put for 30 years.
But since 2020, it's been on the move, recently traveling a mile and a half every hour.
And the further it journeys from bitter cold Antarctica, the more it melts.
Every day, all day, it's in warmer and warmer water.
Retired University of Maryland professor Christopher Schuman told the BBC.
It's just like ice in your drink.
It doesn't take all that long to disappear.
Scientists say in a matter of weeks, A23A will be just a memory.
From the bottom of the world to the top, where the last great race on Earth is officially underway.
37 mushers and their teams of up to 16 dogs each sprinted off the start line just north of Anchorage Alaska, yesterday for the annual Iditarod.
They'll brave the snow and elements for 1000 miles finishing in Nome one block off the Bering Sea.
Some fun facts about the race.
Iditarod means distant place in the language of indigenous Alaskans.
All of the pups are Siberian Huskies, Alaskan Malamutes or a cross between the two, and each wears booties to protect their paws from the harsh terrain and gets a health check at multiple stops along the course.
The Iditarod winner typically crosses the finish line in 8 to 10 days, depending on weather conditions.
The last place finisher is awarded a red lantern, which started as a joke but has become a symbol of stick-to-itiveness in the mushing world.
There's some serious pain at the pump this morning.
As we reported last week, analysts predicted prices would rise due to the conflict with Iran.
And they weren't kidding.
A gallon of gas now costs an average of $3.41.
Up 43 cents since the war began, which NBC News says is one of the biggest one-week jumps in history.
Typically, about 138 vessels, many of them oil tankers, travel through the Strait of Hormuz every day.
But since the bombing began, that has dropped to single-digit levels.
Less supply means higher prices.
If the squeeze continues, experts say $4 per gallon gas could hit as early as this week.
In California, it's already pushing $5.
And the sticker shock is not just for car fuel.
Airlines will also take a hit and have already warned the flying public to expect higher ticket prices as a result.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has poked the bear.
And by bear, we mean Boston and its love of Dunkin'.
Last week he took aim at the chain and said they'd have to answer for the amount of sugar in some of its coffee drinks.
And not just Dunkin', but Starbucks too.
Neither company has responded, but residents of New England, where Dunkin' is almost a religion, sure did.
Social media lit up with comments like, they'll have to pry it out of my hands.
And to play on founding father Patrick Henry, give me Duncan or give me death.
In case you doubt the attachment New Englanders have for the chain, a 2022 survey by UMass Lowell and reported in the Wall Street Journal shows a 78 favorability rating for it, 26 points higher than that for Patriots legend Tom Brady.
He's only 17, but managed to take down one of baseball's greats.
Joseph Contreras pitches for Blessed Trinity Catholic High School in Roswell, Georgia.
He's also the youngest player to suit up for the World Baseball Classic.
On Friday night, playing for Brazil, he faced off against Team USA and none other than three-time MVP All-Rise, Aaron Judge, who came to the plate with the bases loaded and only one out.
What's a high school pitcher to do?
Go two-seam hard, apparently.
A pitch that got one of the best hitters in the game to ground into a weak double play.
Everyone in the baseball world took note, including Mr. Judge.
I know I wasn't doing that at that age, Judge told reporters after.
Just great stuff.
He's throwing 100 miles an hour, facing Team USA, a lot of guys he has seen on TV.
Impressive seeing him control himself and get out of a big jam.
Joseph's talent might be in his genes.
He's the son of former All-Star pitcher Jose Contreras, who played 11 years in the majors.
Still to come, a milkshake mashup that, at least for us, is giving hard pass vibes.
But first we want to recognize some of our California-based can't-do-this-without-them donors the Morrissey family of San Francisco.
Chris and Lisa Palma in Lafayette, and James Anderson of Oakland.
Thank you for helping us bring quality news to kids every weekday morning.
Now, today's Kid News Quiz.
What's the name of the rapidly melting iceberg that was once the biggest in the world?
How many vessels are making it through the Strait of Hormuz every day?
Less than 10, which is driving up gas prices.
What is the nickname for the Iditarod?
The last great race on earth.
A 17-year-old pitcher from Georgia got which baseball great to ground into a double play?
Aaron Judge.
In today's Kid News Kicker, brace yourself adventurous foodies.
Even you may find this a bridge too far.
Great Wolf Lodge, which is a chain of water parks, is releasing a limited time milkshake that mixes vanilla ice cream with ranch dressing.
According to the takeout, the rim is coated with a salty lime mix and the ranch shake is topped with whipped cream.
Served on the side of this condiment dessert mashup, carrots, celery, and crispy chicken.
It's definitely not on our bucket list, but if it's on yours.
The shake is available through March 20th.
And tomorrow on 310, it's only $3.10 to celebrate National Ranch Day.
It's shout-out time for our terrific teachers, Mr Hoverman and his Cougars at Van Wert in Van Wert, Ohio.
Mrs. Blosser and her Cougars at Ben Franklin in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. and to California for Ms.
Siegel and her Panthers at Polytechnic School in Pasadena and Ohana, Room 305, with Mrs Callahan and her Eagles at Mitchell Community in Canyon Country.
Teachers, our shout-out list is longer than it's ever been.
If, for some reason, we don't get to you this school year, please put a reminder on your calendar to sign up in August.
It fills up quickly, sometimes by September.
We'll see you back here for more Kid News tomorrow morning.
