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 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.
I'm Kim.
Today is Friday, March 6, 2026.
And we begin with a quick reminder that Daylight Saving Time returns this weekend.
At 2 am on Sunday, most of the US will spring ahead by an hour, meaning we'll lose a little sleep but gain more daylight in the evening.
In Italy.
Tonight, another opening ceremony, this time for the 665 international athletes participating in the Paralympic Games.
The origins of this event go back to 1948, when a doctor organized a competition for World War II veterans with spinal injuries in the UK.
The first official Paralympic Games were held in Rome Italy, in 1960, featuring 400 athletes from 23 countries.
And since 1988, they've been held in the same city as the Olympic Games, just a few weeks after, to help raise awareness and respect for athletes with disabilities.
One of them is two-time world champion, two-time Olympic snowboarder, Zach Miller from Colorado, who was born with cerebral palsy, which weakens his muscles but not his motivation.
I will say it's been kind of a blessing in disguise.
My disability has taught me a lot about life.
Taught me how to be resilient, taught me how to deal with extra challenges and maybe the feeling of not fitting in.
Zach has a remarkable story and a remarkable outlook.
He sat down with Tori and you can hear the entire interview tomorrow when we drop our Kid News Convos episode at 7 am.
US health officials are raising alarms about a disease most Americans rarely think about anymore.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a travel advisory to 32 countries after new cases of polio were reported during the past year.
Polio is a highly contagious virus that is spread through coughing, sneezing and poor hygiene.
Many people who contract it don't experience any symptoms, but the virus, which vaccinations helped eliminate in the US in 1979, attacks the nervous system and can lead to paralysis.
The CDC is advising anyone traveling to places including the UK Spain Finland, Poland and Germany to make sure their shots are up to date.
For those planning to visit Washington, D.C., the nation's capital is about to turn pink.
Yesterday, the National Park Service released its prediction that the majority of the city's famous cherry blossom trees will reach peak bloom between March 29 and April 1.
The approximately 3000 cherry trees that line the tidal basin at the National Mall were a gift from Japan back in 1912 to celebrate the two nations' friendship.
This year, Japan plans to deliver an additional 250 trees in honor of America's 250th birthday.
Each year, millions of visitors flock to DC to enjoy the spectacle, which coincides with the National Cherry Blossom Festival.
What if you could see a Disney song instead of just hearing it?
In honor of National Deaf History Month, the Walt Disney Company is releasing three of its hit songs in American Sign Language.
Director Hiram Osmond, who grew up with a deaf parent, collaborated with more than 20 animators to reimagine new versions of Encanto's.
We Don't Talk About Bruno.
The Next Right Thing from Frozen 2 and Beyond from Moana 2.
Animators worked with performers from the Deaf West Theater to convey the feelings behind the songs beyond the music, using animated sign language.
All viewers can experience these musical moments in a whole new way beginning April 27th on Disney+.
A TV soccer star is trying to turn his on-screen skills into the real thing.
Fans of the Apple TV show Ted Lasso know actor Cristo Fernandez for his performance as striker Danny Rojas, who regularly shouts football, is life.
Now the real-life.
Fernandez is training with the US-based pro soccer team, El Paso Locomotive FC, hoping to land a spot on the squad.
Last weekend, the now 35-year-old played about 30 minutes in a preseason scrimmage.
Fernandez is no stranger to the sport.
He played youth soccer in Mexico until a knee injury at age 15 ended his dream of going pro.
Still to come, a pop star takes on a new role behind the music.
But first we want to shout out some of our awesome Kid News supporters.
Katie Taylor of San Francisco, California.
Amelia and Max Lavin from New Orleans, Louisiana.
And Deborah Elliott of Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania.
Thanks for all your generosity.
Now, today's Kid News quiz.
How many international athletes participate in the Paralympic Games that begin after tonight's opening ceremony?
What disease that was wiped out in the U.S. decades ago is behind a new travel warning?
Polio.
The actor who portrays Danny Rojas on Ted Lasso is trying out for what real pro soccer team?
El Paso Locomotive FC.
What famous Washington, D.C. flowers could reach peak bloom later this month?
Cherry blossoms.
In today's Kid News Kicker, Charlie Puth just got a day job.
And yes, it's still about music.
The pop star is now the chief music officer for Moises, an app that uses AI to pull songs apart into vocals and instruments so musicians can practice, remix and tinker.
There has been a healthy debate among musicians and music lovers when it comes to using artificial intelligence to write songs.
But according to the singer, AI, when done right, isn't here to replace musicians.
Puth says he's used it for years.
And in his new role, he's going to help shape new tools that make making music faster and easier.
Before we go, it's shout-out time for some of our Kid News classrooms.
Ms.
Castillo's Thunderbirds at Alicia Ray's in Merced, California.
Mrs. P's Starfish at Raton Intermediate School in Raton, New Mexico.
Ms.
Hunt's Warriors at Red Lake in Red Lake, Minnesota.
Mr. G's Bulldogs at Liberty in Galena, Kansas, and Mrs. Sip's Bengals at Tamarack in Troy, New York.
Thanks for listening.
Don't forget to set your clocks ahead before going to bed Saturday night, as Daylight Saving Time returns at 2 am on Sunday.
Have a great weekend, and we'll see you back here for more Kid News Monday morning.
