Good morning and welcome to KID News. I'm Kim.
Today is Thursday, August 21st, 2025. And we begin with two new ways to speed through security at the airport.
Clear is introducing Clear Plus so members can walk through biometric gates that scan their faces rather than having to hand ID to an agent.
Clear debuted the new system at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson Airport Tuesday and plans to bring it to 30 airports to ease crisis. and time for the 2026 World Cup.
The Transportation Safety Board also has new time-saving technology It's called TSA PreCheck Touchless ID and gives passengers who opt in a separate lane from regular TSA pre-check.
The touchless line should move faster as travelers will, like the new clear option, only need their faces scanned before putting bags through the machine.
It's already being offered at 15 airports across the country. and anyone with a TSA or known traveler number can opt in on their airline's website.
Measles is moving on, at least in Texas.
State health officials say the outbreak that infected more than 750 people and hospitalized almost 100 has ended.
According to Wired, a measles outbreak is considered over after 42 days if no new cases are discovered. as that's double the time it takes a person to show symptoms of the virus after having been exposed.
Measles cases are still being reported in other parts of the country, however.
The same day Texas officials... The Colorado Department of Public Health reported two new cases, including a person who traveled through the Denver airport. who may have exposed others.
So far this year, 32 total outbreaks have been reported in the US, as opposed to 16 in all of 2024.
Health officials point to declining vaccination rates for the rise.
Big changes to the format of the U.S. Open tennis tournament this week.
Organizers boosted the mixed doubles prize purse. and moved up the timing to attract more big-name stars.
Mixed matches started Tuesday before the singles championship rather than during it.
And according to the Associated Press, the winner gets a million dollars up from $200,000 last year.
The field was also reduced to 16 pairs and the sets are now played to four games instead of six.
Double specialists are critical, calling the format sad, nonsense and just a two-day exhibition.
One of last year's winners, Sarah Arani, says it would be like if at the Olympics they didn't let the actual high jumpers participate. and instead had basketball players compete in the high jump because it's more interesting.
But the changes do appear to be having the desired effect.
Carlos Alcaraz, Emma Raducanu, Novak Djokovic, and Igas Swiatek are all playing mixed this year for the first time.
It was too tasty to resist. Deputies in South Lake Tahoe responded to an early morning call Sunday at the Camp Richardson ice cream shop. where behind the counter they found a large black bear.
The furry scooper was apparently drawn to the strawberry ice cream. but eventually sauntered out with little fanfare and did no damage.
According to the San Francisco Chronicle, officials say it's further evidence Black bears are becoming bolder in the area, increasingly entering homes, cars and businesses in search of food.
Wildlife experts say there are about 500 black bears in the Tahoe Basin and as many as 71,000 in California.
While the bears are rarely aggressive, authorities urge people to secure trash, lock doors and windows, and never leave food in cars.
Now you can follow the yellow brick road all the way to Las Vegas starting a week from today, the city's famous sphere is featuring an enhanced version of the Wizard of Oz in multi-sensory 4D with simulated fog and wind.
According to Travel Weekly, the experience will be immersive, making audiences feel like they are off to see the wizard alongside Dorothy, Toto, and friends.
The film's original score from 1939 was re-recorded to take advantage of the sphere's 167,000 speakers. that can direct sound anywhere in the venue.
Still ahead, a New Zealand cat on a cashmere crime spree.
But first, today's Kid News quiz. What state reported new measles cases the same day Texas declared their outbreak over?
Colorado. How many airports in the U.S. are now offering TSA pre-check touch lists?
15. What classic film will be featured at the Las Vegas Sphere next week?
The Wizard of Oz. Where was a black bear found in Tahoe last weekend?
Behind the counter of an ice cream shop.
In today's Kid News Kicker, they are calling it a one-cat crime wave.
A felonious feline in Auckland, New Zealand, is a prolific laundry pincher. stealing clothes from clotheslines and bedrooms in his beachside neighborhood and earning him the nickname Leonardo da Vinci.
His haul is impressive and expensive. Silk boxer shorts, men's work socks with clothes pins still attached. and a $180 cashmere sweater.
One record-setting day, Leo brought home nine items, according to the Associated Press. including underwear, which makes things a bit awkward for Leo's owner, Helen North, who has to post Are these your undies on her neighborhood WhatsApp group to find the rightful owners of Leo's stolen goods?
All of our neighbors think he's amazing, North said.
Some are quite put out that he hasn't actually stolen anything of theirs.
North's efforts to curb her cat's laundry obsession have so far failed, so she's now just hoping he grows out of it.
And now a big hello to our Kid News classrooms.
Mrs. Pritchett's Lions at Sedalia in Mayfield, Kentucky.
Miss Garcia's Eagles at Heard Barrington in Newman, California.
Mrs. Crew's Wildcats at Chrisney School in Chrisney, Indiana.
And Mrs. Varghese's Mustangs at O'Henry in Richardson, Texas.
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And we'll see you back here for more kid news tomorrow morning.