Hey Kid News fans, as you know we're always working to increase the news IQ of our listeners.
Now there's a way to help them improve in all sorts of subjects.
IXL is an online learning platform helping millions of K -12 kids up their academic game.
75 scientific studies back up the boost they'll get in math, science, reading and social studies.
Kids get instant feedback and explanations.
Parents get reports showing what's working and where more help might be needed.
And right now, Kid News listeners can try it out for 20 % off when they sign up at IXL .com slash Kid News.
Check out the monthly and annual memberships at IXL .com slash Kid News.
Good morning and welcome to Kid News.
I'm Kim. Today is Wednesday, October 2nd, 2024.
And we begin with Moxie and Mullets.
A 14 -year -old California boy once bullied over his hair is now a national champion because of it.
Mason Padilla of Fremont just became the 2024 Mullet King in the teen category.
He was inspired to sport the business -in -the -front party -in -the -back style after seeing David Spade in the 2019 movie Joe Dirt.
Other kids didn't appreciate the look as much as he did, and as his mom posted on Facebook, they said some pretty mean things.
Mason ended up shaving his head but instantly regretted it and decided to grow it back bigger and better than before.
Smart move. His best -in -flow wavy mullet recently won him $1 ,000, a GoPro and national recognition.
As Mason told USA Today, I hope it inspires others to be brave in sticking to something they like and want to do, no matter what others say or think.
The baseball world has lost a legend and one of its most controversial players.
Pete Rose died Monday night at the age of 83.
To this day, he is the sport's all -time hit leader.
He also holds the records for most games played and most at bats, but the player nicknamed Charlie Hussle for putting maximum effort into routine plays will also be remembered for gambling on games while he managed the Cincinnati Reds.
That led to a lifetime ban from Major League Baseball, and even though he'd have been a shoo -in, also kept him out of the Hall of Fame.
You probably won't even know they're gone.
Six food colorings popular in school lunches have just been banned in California.
They include red dye number 40, yellow 5 and 6, blues 1 and 2, and green number 3.
Each has been tied to health and behavioral issues.
The new law doesn't take aim at any one snack.
Rather, it requires manufacturers to remove the artificial dyes and replace them with natural ones like carrot or beet juice.
That's what Europe already does and has been doing for years.
U .S. bakers have time to make their tweaks.
The law doesn't take effect until the end of 2027.
Climate change is in the news a lot lately, from record heat to increasingly devastating storms like Helene.
But this impact is a new one.
Switzerland and Italy now have to redraw their shared border.
While most international boundaries are fixed, large sections of the and when those melt so do the borders.
The first section to be adjusted will be the one beneath the famed Matterhorn Mountains.
Switzerland has already signed off.
Italy is about to. According to scientists, Europe is the world's fastest warming continent.
Half a world away in the Himalayas, another mountain is in the news for having a growth spurt.
Mount Everest, already the world's highest at 29 ,032 feet, is apparently getting even taller.
Experts say erosion along some nearby rivers means less weight on the Earth's crust there, which allows surrounding areas, including Everest, to rise up.
In scientific terms, it's called isostatic rebound.
The result? Earth's tallest peak has grown by between 49 and 164 feet in the past 89 ,000 years, or up to a half millimeter a year.
Still to come, have you seen something spooky on your porch lately?
How you can cash in by capturing it on camera?
But first, we want to wish happy ninth birthday to Kalani Underwood of Dorado, Puerto Rico.
Kalani, your mom, dad, and little sister, Kaia, tell us you're a basketball star, math wizard, gray belt in jiu -jitsu, and the funniest kid ever.
They are beyond proud of you and hope you have the best birthday yet.
Thank you for letting us help celebrate.
Now, today's Kid News Quiz.
A California boy teased for his hair just won what?
The 2024 Mullet Championship.
What legendary and highly controversial baseball player passed away this week?
Pete Rose, at the age of 83.
How many food colorings has California now banned in school lunches?
Six. What two nations are redrawing their border because of climate change?
Switzerland and Italy.
In today's Kid News Kicker, have you ever suspected paranormal activity on your porch?
A popular doorbell camera is leaning into that ghostly possibility just in time for Halloween.
Ring plans to give a spine -tingling $100 ,000 to the user who records and sends in the most compelling haunted happenings from the other side of their front doors.
Legit spookiness and silly improvised creations are both welcomed, but only one will win the prize.
Among the great ghost search judges, Stranger Things and Ghostbusters star, Finn Wolfhard.
Get busy, only the first 5 ,000 entries received by November 1 are eligible.
Thanks again to the Underwood family of Dorado, Puerto Rico for sponsoring today's quiz.
A big shoutout to Kalani Underwood for his special day today, and hello to his teacher Ms.
Carmen and all his friends at Tassas, Dorado.
And high -fives to our other Kid News classrooms, starting with Mrs.
Soto Hernandez and her pioneers at Isabelle Barnett in Temecula, California, Mrs.
Proffitt and her Panthers at Dennis in Springborough, Ohio, and Mrs.
Parker and her Shape Knights at Shape American in Mons, Belgium.
Thanks for listening!
If you like what you're hearing, please consider making a tax -deductible donation at KidNews .org to keep us on the air five days a week.
Have a great day, and we'll see you back here for more Kid News tomorrow morning.