Good morning and welcome to Kid News.
I'm Kim. Today is Thursday, November 21, 2024.
And we begin with the first in a series of powerful pre -holiday storms blasting the west coast.
Hurricane Force winds of up to 77 mph pummeled Washington State, Oregon and parts of Canada from a system that ramped up so fast it's now being called a once -in -a -decade bomb cyclone.
According to the National Weather Service, more than a half million homes and businesses were left without power as of midday yesterday, and the threat is not over.
As the winds die down, an atmospheric river is expected to pick up, dumping huge amounts of rain all over the western states.
That will continue the rest of this week and possibly into next.
Weather was not an issue at the mostly successful launch of SpaceX's latest test flight.
Its 2 p .m. central time Tuesday afternoon, with founder Elon Musk and President -elect Donald Trump looking on.
Plans to repeat last month's booster catch using a pair of giant mechanical chopsticks were called off at the last minute, with engineers opting instead for a smoky splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico.
SpaceX did not provide a reason for the change, according to the New York Times, other than to say the safety of the teams and the public and the pad itself are paramount.
The rocket's upper stage traveled for about an hour and achieved an important objective as engineers reignited an engine in space for the first time.
The Big Apple just gave the green light to a highly controversial first -in -the -nation plan to limit traffic.
On Monday, New York City approved congestion pricing.
That means starting January 5, drivers who enter midtown or below during peak times of day will have to fork over $9, in addition to whatever they spend on bridges and tunnels.
The goal is to reduce the number of vehicles on already crowded streets and help fund improvements to Manhattan's 100 -year -old public transit system.
President -elect Donald Trump is not a fan of the plan and says he'll scrap the fee as soon as he takes office.
Cities in other parts of the world have used congestion pricing with success, including London, England, Stockholm, Sweden, and Rome and Milan, Italy.
We've reported here on Kid News about travelers using Apple AirTags to track down lost luggage.
Soon it may be even easier.
According to CNN, Apple is unveiling a new feature where users can share an AirTags location with third parties, like airlines, if they desire.
An Apple News release listed 15 carriers, including Delta and United, that are planning to hop on board the program, which they say will help customer service more quickly reunite passengers with lost bags.
The feature is expected to be released in December as part of Apple's new software update.
Grand Slam tennis champion Rafael Nadal bid farewell to the game this week.
The 38 -year -old Spaniard took to the court Tuesday at the Davis Cup but lost in what turned out to be the final professional match of his widely acclaimed 23 -year career.
According to Front Office Sports, Nadal was nicknamed the King of Clay for his domination at the French Open, where with his 14 victories, he holds the record for most wins in a single Grand Slam.
He was also a member of the legendary Big Three in men's tennis, as he, Novak Djokovic, and Roger Federer are the only men with at least 20 Grand Slam titles.
Still ahead, the plush toy your pooch apparently can't do without.
But first, today's Kid News Quiz.
What weather systems are giving West Coast residents a one -two punch this week?
A bomb cyclone and an atmospheric river.
Which U .S. city just approved a first -in -the -nation plan to cut down on traffic?
New York. How many airlines are expected to participate in Apple's new AirTag sharing service?
15. Which Grand Slam tennis great played his last match this week?
Rafael Nadal. In today's Kid News Kicker, it's the perfect holiday gift for Fido.
Lamb Chop, the stuffed animal version of the white and red sock puppet from a 1960s TV show, has taken over canine culture.
According to The Atlantic, Lambie is by far the most popular plush toy at online time.
Owners can choose from more than 20 different Lambies, including Tie -Dye Lamb Chop, Nautical Lamb Chop, and Jumbo Lamb Chop, and the allure seems to be that they cater to all kinds of dogs.
Gentle pooches might cuddle with theirs, while more active animals like to shred or even eat them, which may partly explain the high sales, as according to Chewy, many customers buy more than five a year to replace damaged ones.
Pet experts have another explanation for Lambie's popularity.
Dogs may love Lamb Chop because they think their people do.
And, as dog lovers know, pooches are pleasers.
Before we go, shout -outs for our teachers, Mrs.
Wise's McNuggets at Warren Hills in Liberty, Missouri, Mrs.
Soussainto's Lions at Lincoln in Norman, Oklahoma, and Ms.
Humbery's Pigeons, along with their class rats Pippa and Ellie at Springwood in Tallahassee, Florida.
Thanks for listening.
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