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Good morning and welcome to Kid News.
I'm Kim.
Today is Thursday, December 11th, 2025.
And we begin with a big-name billionaire philanthropist taking the season of giving to a whole new level.
Mackenzie Scott reveals she's made 71 billion in donations to nonprofits this year, a significant increase from recent years.
In an essay on her website, Scott wrote According to the Associated Press, Scott's donations come with no strings attached and there is no way to apply for them.
Recipients are notified through an intermediary that Scott is donating, often with no advance notice.
Organizations Scott gave to this year include 10000 Degrees, a nonprofit that gives to low-income students, HBCUs or Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and UNCF, the largest provider of scholarships to minority students.
The louvre can't seem to catch a break.
Weeks after the paris museum's brazen break-in work is underway to dry hundreds of books and other items that got wet when a pipe burst in one of the library rooms over the weekend, some of the artifacts dating back to the 19th century add to that.
About 200 louvre workers voted monday to strike next week in response to what they say are insufficient staff numbers, as well as technical failures and the building's aging condition.
According to Art Forum, the strike threatens to leave the world's most visited art institution understaffed as the holidays approach, with an expected surge in visitors.
These concerns aren't new to the museum.
In 2023, Louvre management capped attendance and raised fees to ease working conditions for staff.
If no agreement is reached, employee walkouts are set to begin on Monday.
This year's winner of the Nobel Peace Prize just missed the ceremony to collect her award, despite a secret effort to get to Oslo.
Venezuela's pro-democracy opposition leader, Maria Corina Machado, was predicted to be a no-show at the event in the Norwegian capital, as she spent most of the past year in hiding from her country's current government.
By leaving Venezuela, she risks not being allowed back in.
But according to the Wall Street Journal, she decided to chance it and snuck out, in part to be reunited with her three children, who live elsewhere for safety.
While she did not arrive in time to accept the award in person yesterday, Machado's daughter Anna did so on her behalf and thanked activists, journalists and artists who have fought for democracy in their country.
When all else fails, call Grandpa.
NFL legend Phillip Rivers has spent the last five years coaching high school football, working on his golf game and spending time with his first grandchild.
But the Indianapolis Colts just announced the 44-year-old is making an unexpected return to the field to help save his former team in a time of need.
The Colts just lost their top quarterback to a season-ending injury, and now their backup is hurt as well.
Rivers spent most of his career with the Chargers, but played his last year with Indianapolis, where he guided the team to its most recent playoff berth.
Should he take to the field, he will become one of the oldest players in NFL history, according to Yahoo Sports, behind Tom Brady, who retired at 45, George Blanda at 48, and Steve DeBerg, Vinny Testaverde and Warren Moon.
A tiny berry with a big bite is getting attention in the U.S.
Spice company McCormick just unveiled Black Current as its 2026 Flavor of the Year, predicting the tart treat that comes from Europe and Central Asia will soon be prominently featured in American dishes and drinks.
McCormick's annual report on dining trends characterizes the blackcurrant as a sign of opulence, due to its deep purple color and distinct sweet, tangy and rich flavor.
Blackcurrants can elevate many dishes, to take them from simple to spectacular, says McCormick's executive chef.
He predicts the spice will be especially popular, with people looking to fancify the flavor of their food even while eating at home.
Still ahead.
A New York City teen adds a dash of science to an ancient art and wins a top innovator's prize.
But first, we want to wish a happy golden 11th birthday to Milo West of Durango, Colorado.
Your mom and dad, along with Bob and Gito, tell us you shine with your love of soccer, skiing and lightning, fast reading and hope you always stay as kind as you are right now.
Happy birthday, Milo.
Now, today's Kid News Quiz.
What is the name of the grandpa who is coming out of retirement to play in the NFL?
Philip Rivers for the Colts.
What are the latest setbacks plaguing Paris' world-famous Louvre Museum?
A burst pipe and a worker strike scheduled for next week.
What tiny berry has been named McCormick's 2026 Flavor of the Year?
Black Current.
Who accepted the award on behalf of Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado?
Her daughter, Anna.
In today's Kid News Kicker, paper airplanes are nothing compared to what Miles Wu is folding.
The 14-year-old New York City teen just won 25000 at the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge this fall for researching an origami fold that can hold 10000 times its own weight.
According to Science Alert, this type of fold is called Miura Ori and involves folding a sheet of paper into a smaller area with repeating parallelograms.
Miles tested 54 variations using three different widths, angles and heights and three different types of paper, placing more and more weight on top of them until they collapsed.
Miles says his winning combination is so strong that he calculates it to be the equivalent of a New York City taxi cab holding over 4000 elephants.
Miles hopes his findings can help design emergency structures for natural disasters and plans to put his prize money toward higher education.
Thanks again to the West family of Durango, Colorado for sponsoring today's quiz.
Happy 11th birthday on the 11th to Milo West.
And a shout out to his teachers, Ms.
Barton, Mr. Keim and Mr. Rich and all his friends and fellow Wolfpack at Mountain Middle School.
And hello to our other Kid News classrooms.
Mr. Vanderwerf and Henry the Dolphin at Cape Henry Collegiate in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Dr. Samuels and her Blue Eagles at Clover Middle in Clover, South Carolina.
Mrs Tyree and her Saints at Episcopal School of Knoxville in Knoxville Tennessee, and homeschooling mom Daniela and PJ the Plot Hound in Tampa, Florida.
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