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Good morning and welcome to Kid News.
I'm Tori.
Today is Tuesday, January 6, 2026.
And we begin with part two of California's gold rush.
Recent extreme weather long droughts followed by heavy rains has exposed riverbeds and sediment that were once underwater, making them easier to access and drawing a new wave of prospectors searching for gold, dust flakes and nuggets.
High gold prices are adding to the appeal, and longtime prospectors say the rewards can add up.
Modern technology is also helping uncover gold in previously overlooked areas.
Still, the work is physically demanding and even experienced prospectors can go days or weeks without finding anything at all.
Those who are doing it say patience and persistence are the key, just as it was back in 1849.
Scientists are hoping a high-tech space crawler will soon phone home.
NASA lost contact with its MAVEN probe in early December, and the last data it sent suggested the spacecraft had begun spinning unexpectedly, an issue that could alter its orbit around the red planet.
For now, there's little the agency can do but wait.
Mars is currently on the far side of the sun, making radio communication impossible until at least mid-January.
MAVEN's mission is critical.
It's designed to uncover why Mars lost its once-thick atmosphere early in its history, transforming the planet from a warm, wet world that may have supported life into the cold, arid landscape it is today.
A 44-year-old quarterback and grandpa, who recently completed a dramatic NFL comeback, may have a second career on his horizon.
After pulling the Indianapolis Colts out of a late-season quarterback jam, Phillip Rivers is now drawing interest across the league as a potential head coach.
Yesterday, in response to the chatter, Mr. Rivers basically said it's a definite maybe.
For now, however, he's quite content to return home as the head coach of his son's team at St.
Michael Catholic High School in Fairhope, Alabama.
How about down the road?
I think if anything this past month has taught me, he said it's to be open obviously, to anything, I guess.
So I don't have any of those things on my radar.
Certainly, it's nothing I would shut down before it even became a possibility.
It sounds like science fiction, but a new study suggests humans may have a sixth sense.
Researchers at Queen Mary University of London and University College London found that people can detect objects by touch without actually making contact with them.
In the experiment, a variety of items were buried in sand, and participants were able to locate them from nearly three, three inches away, relying solely on subtle changes in how the surrounding sand felt.
Remarkably, people honed in on the objects with about 70% accuracy, while a robot only managed 40%.
While some animals are thought to have similar abilities, This marks the first time scientists have confirmed the phenomenon in humans.
Researchers say the findings could have practical applications in ocean exploration, search and rescue missions and the training of more sensitive and capable robots.
California shoppers now have just two bag choices paper or reusable, after the state rang in the new year with one of the strictest bag bans in the country.
As of January 1st.
To combat pollution, plastic bags are officially illegal statewide as they frequently end up in waterways and oceans, where they entangle wildlife and persist for centuries without fully breaking down.
While California first banned plastic bags in 2014, there were many loopholes in the law, one of which permitted thicker so-called reusable plastic bags to be used, which only added to the problem.
The new law closes those gaps, permitting stores to offer only recycled paper bags, which cost 10 cents.
Still to come, remember the bear who wouldn't budge?
He's still there, and now his unhappy landlord is threatening a lawsuit.
But first we want to give a belated birthday shout out to Regina Lipperulo of Washington Depot, Connecticut.
Regina, your mom and dad tell us you're a loving, curious fifth grader whose appreciation of news, great food, good books, choir and Pokemon fills every day with excitement.
They are so proud of you.
Happy birthday, Regina.
Now, today's Kid News quiz.
What valuable substance are prospectors looking for in the mountains of California?
Gold.
Name the 44-year-old quarterback who is now attracting attention as a possible head coach in the NFL.
Philip Rivers NASA has suddenly lost contact with a probe orbiting what planet in the solar system?
Mars Which human sense are scientists discovering is far more sensitive than previously thought?
Touch In today's Kid News Kicker.
Just before the holidays we told you about the California homeowner with an enormous black bear living under his house.
Ken Johnson says he's tried everything to get the animal out to no avail.
Now he's going to sue the California Department of Fish and Wildlife after they said they would no longer help him capture the creature.
Johnson says the bear is damaging the pipes under his home and he hasn't had hot water since Christmas Eve when the animal damaged a gas line.
The homeowner is so frustrated he says he plans to sue for negligence and emotional distress.
He adds that if he kept track of everything he's tried, the score would be Bear 14, Homeowner 0.
Thanks again to the Lipperulo family of Washington Depot, Connecticut for sponsoring today's quiz.
Happy belated birthday to Regina and hello to all her friends and her teacher, Ms.
Wenis.
We also want to give a big shout out for Kid News Classrooms.
Mrs Hawk and her cougars at Christ the King in Springfield, Illinois.
Mrs. Hitchcock and her comets at Mary Paxton Keeley in Columbia, Missouri.
Mrs Yanez and her wildcats at Fairview in Monroe, North Carolina, and Mrs Smith and Her Lions at Southwest Middle in Searcy, Arkansas.
Thanks for listening.
Please take a moment to rate and review us wherever you get your podcasts.
We'll see you back here for more Kid News tomorrow morning.
