Good morning and welcome to Kid News.
I'm Kim.
Today is Friday, January 16th, 2026.
And we begin with the legendary tennis coach who trained Venus and Serena, now betting on a nine-year-old.
Rick Mosse, who guided the Williams sisters to greatness...
Claims Vlada Haranchar, a youngster who recently arrived in the U.S. from war-torn Ukraine, will one day be the best player in the world.
To support his claim.
Masi credits her unmatched focus and work ethic, drawing comparisons to the Williams sisters at the same age.
He told CNN Sports she is the hardest worker he's ever coached in his life.
Vlada starts her practices at 5 am, seven days a week, working on her tennis skills, before hitting the books around 3 pm.
Somehow she also finds time to be a kid and enjoys going to the movies and water parks with her friends.
A tree older than the United States is coming down.
Next Tuesday, workers in Kansas City will begin chopping down a 250-year-old massive burr oak known as Frank the Liberty Tree, after years of disease, decay and a lightning strike made it unsafe to leave it standing.
Frank has been a fixture in town since before the Revolutionary War and before Kansas City was a town.
As neighbors say their goodbyes and share fond memories of the once thriving landmark, strangers from across the country are angling for a keepsake.
According to a local news outlet, some of Frank's bark will be used to make coasters and cutting boards.
There's also talk of crafting a memorial bench for the spot where Frank once stood.
Horses can smell when you're scared.
Scientists at a public research institute in France conducted a rather unusual experiment to see if human fear was contagious.
In the study, volunteers watched scenes from both happy movies and horror films.
Researchers then collected a little of the volunteers' sweat and, one type at a time, put the samples to the horses' muzzle.
Happy sweat didn't cause much of a reaction, but fear sweat?
That led the horses to startle more, move slower toward unfamiliar objects and have higher heart rates.
One of the doctors involved told The Guardian that the study shows how closely connected animals and humans are.
Unconsciously, we can transmit our emotions to animals, with quite important effects on their own emotions in return.
Many of you probably use at least a little AI in your classroom.
And while some experts are raising red flags, the findings of a new report are not all bad.
The Brookings Institution's Center for Universal Education says using generative AI in schools can help with reading and writing, but that the key is moderation.
The research studied kids, teachers and parents in 50 countries and shows AI can also weaken important skills like creativity, critical thinking and even impact kids socially.
One of the biggest problems letting chatbots do too much of the thinking.
Among the takeaways for schools AI can be a time-saving support tool for teachers, but it should not replace lessons in the classroom.
Disneyland is expanding its Star Wars universe.
When Galaxy's Edge opened in 2019 visitors, especially some older fans close to your parents' age, most likely noticed that some of their favorite characters from earlier Star Wars films were missing.
That was by design, since the land was created to reflect a specific chapter in the newer movies, when those original personalities weren't part of the story.
That's all going to change beginning April 29th, when Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia and Han Solo will appear on Batuu.
Sharp-eared park-goers will also hear a familiar soundtrack John Williams' classic Star Wars music from the early films.
Still to come, a movie theater challenge where the only limit on popcorn is the container you bring.
But first, it's time to shout out some of our loyal fans and generous donors.
Sangam Bell of Cary, North Carolina.
Kristen Cranius in Chicago, Illinois.
And Tori's former neighbor, Lisa Polson in Danville, California.
Thank you all from the bottom of our microphones.
Now, today's Kid News quiz.
What's the first name of the nine-year-old who at least one legendary coach believes will be the next great tennis player?
Vlada.
Vlada.
Why is the 250-year-old oak known as Frank the Liberty Tree being cut down?
Disease, decay, and a lightning strike made it unsafe.
What did scientists discover that horses can sense just by smell?
Fear.
Experts are warning kids not to rely too much on what technology tool?
Artificial intelligence.
In today's Kid News Kicker, got a bucket?
If so, Cinemark has a popcorn deal.
To celebrate National Popcorn Day on January 18th and 19th, the movie theater chain is bringing back its Bring Your Own Bucket event.
That means for 5 plus tax.
You can bring in any clean container of up to 400 ounces and they'll fill it to the brim with popcorn or kettle corn where available.
400 ounces is a lot.
That's about three gallons of popcorn.
Cinemark says last year's event featured everything from Halloween buckets to gym bags.
The topper?
You don't even need a movie ticket to take part.
Before we go, shout out time for some of our Kid News classrooms.
Ms.
Bollinger's Roadrunners at Baldy Mesa in Phelan, California.
Ms.
Crouch's Greyhounds at Gilman in Baltimore, Maryland.
Mrs. Carson's Wingers at Twin Bluff Middle in Red Wing, Minnesota.
And Mrs. Michael's Bulldogs at Crow Agency Public School in Crow Agency, Montana.
Thanks for listening.
A programming note.
We're headed into a three-day weekend, with Monday being a day to celebrate the life and leadership of Martin Luther King Jr.
Tune in that morning to learn all about his fight for equality, and again on Tuesday when we'll be back for another fun fresh Kid News episode.
