Celebrate Black History Month, 2026 Winter Olympics, and Flying Cars?

Summary

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The Ten News: Celebrate Black History Month, 2026 Winter Olympics, and Flying Cars?

Date: February 5, 2026
Hosts: Pamela Kirkland, Ryan Willard
Podcast: The Ten News

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Episode Overview

This episode of The Ten News dives into three timely and exciting topics: the 100th anniversary of Black History Month, the start of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina, and a peek at the world’s first FAA-approved flying car. Hosts Pamela and Ryan guide curious young listeners through important historical milestones, the latest news in sports and tech, and a dash of animal trivia and fun.

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1. Black History Month – 100th Anniversary Celebration

[00:46–05:17]

• Historic Milestone:
  2026 marks a century since Black history was first officially recognized in the United States (originally as Negro History Week), now celebrated all February as Black History Month.

• Five Black Trailblazers
  The hosts honor five individuals whose achievements have broken barriers and inspired millions:

  1. Carter G. Woodson – The Father of Black History

     • Founded Negro History Week in 1926 to ensure Black achievements were recognized ([01:19]).
     • Quote (Pamela, 01:19): “Woodson believed that the accomplishments of black Americans deserved to be taught and celebrated.”

  2. Jackie Robinson – Sports and Civil Rights Pioneer

     • First African American in Major League Baseball (Brooklyn Dodgers, 1947).
     • Multi-sport athlete, WWII Army service, and a civil rights leader post-baseball.
     • Quote (Ryan, 01:48): “He also served in the U.S. army during World War II, where he stood up for his rights after refusing to move to the back of a segregated military bus.”

  3. Shirley Chisholm – Political Powerhouse

     • First African American woman elected to Congress (1968); ran for U.S. President in 1972.
     • Introduced 50+ bills for racial/gender equality and social justice.
     • Quote (Pamela, 02:31): “Her fearless leadership reshaped American politics and continues to inspire others to challenge barriers and stand up for a more inclusive democracy.”

  4. Toni Morrison – Literary Legend

     • First African American woman to win Nobel Prize in Literature (1993); wrote “The Bluest Eye,” “Sula,” “Song of Solomon,” and “Beloved.”
     • Received the Pulitzer Prize, Presidential Medal of Freedom, and named a “Living Legend” by the Library of Congress.
     • Quote (Ryan, 03:25): “Her third novel, Song of Solomon, was published in 1977 and earned critical acclaim, including the National Book Critics Award.”

  5. Simone Biles – GOAT of Gymnastics and Mental Health Advocate

     • Most decorated gymnast in history with 41 medals (World + Olympics).
     • Made headlines at Tokyo 2020 for prioritizing her mental health, challenging stigma.
     • Quote (Pamela, 04:17): “She showed that taking care of your mind is just as important as training your body. And that true strength means knowing when to put your health first.”

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2. 2026 Winter Olympics – Milano Cortina Preview

[06:01–06:53]

• Italy Hosts for the Third Time: The Winter Olympics kick off in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo (Feb 6–22).
• New Events: Ski mountaineering debuts with women’s/men’s sprints and a mixed relay.
• Double Cauldrons: Two Olympic cauldrons symbolize “unity, shared humanity, and the global spirit of athletics.”
• Paralympics: Scheduled for March 6 onward.
• Quote (Ryan, 06:01): “The Milano Cortina 2026 Games will feature new events like ski mountaineering... and for the first time in Olympic history, the Games will feature two Olympic cauldrons.”

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3. Animal News: Mountain Lion in San Francisco

[06:53–07:48]

• Unusual Sighting:
  A 77-pound mountain lion was spotted in SF, captured safely, and sent to the zoo before release.
• Safety Tip:
  Officials advised: “slowly back away if you encountered the mountain lion.” ([07:17])
• Quote (Ryan, 07:10): “That is awesome and terrifying all at the same time.”

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4. Tech Watch: Social Media Companies Go to Court

[07:53–08:50]

• Landmark Lawsuits:
  1,600+ individuals, families, and schools are suing companies like Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube over alleged harms to youth mental health.
• Settlements & Testimonies:
  TikTok and Snap have settled one case, but more trials are expected. Meta’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg will testify.
• Quote (Pamela, 08:50): “If the jury sides with the families and schools, the companies could have to pay a lot of money and even change how their apps are designed.”

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5. Flying Cars: From Sci-Fi to Reality

[08:50–10:08]

• Aleph Aeronautics’ Model A:
  Fully electric, vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) flying car.
  • 25 mph on road (200 miles range), 110 mph in air (110 miles air range).
  • FAA-approved (for demos/research only). Already 3,500+ preorders!
  • Price: $300,000.
• Quote (Pamela, 09:35): “More than 3,500 people have already pre ordered one. The price tag? A cool $300,000. Pretty expensive, and no hoverboard included.”

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6. Trivia Segment: Groundhog Day Facts

[10:20–12:00]

• When did Groundhog Day start?
  • Answer: 1887 in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.
  • 2026 prediction: Phil saw his shadow – six more weeks of winter!
• Quote (Owen, 10:20): “Believe it or not, Groundhog Day has been a thing since 1887.”

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7. Listener Feedback & Show Community

[12:30–13:22]

• Listener Shout-Outs:
  Read reviews and suggestions from fans, including requests for more animal episodes.
• Host’s Response:
  Quote (Pamela, 12:34): “Well, thank you, Olliolli. We can definitely do an episode on animals.”

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Memorable Moments and Quotes

• Humor & Chemistry:
  Pamela and Ryan’s playful dynamic keeps the episode light and engaging.

  • Quote (Ryan, 00:05): “That it’s too cold to have my toes out outside?”
  • Quote (Pamela, 10:04): “Pretty expensive, and no hoverboard included. For your Back to the Future fans.”
  • Quote (Ryan, 12:18): “I’ve been studying this Simone Biles clip and I think I can do a backflip.”

• Reinforcing Messages:

  • Celebrate achievements and representation.
  • Importance of mental health.
  • Encouraging curiosity and critical thinking.

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Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |----------------------------------------|---------------| | Black History Month Highlights | 00:46–05:17 | | Winter Olympics Preview | 06:01–06:53 | | Mountain Lion in San Francisco | 06:53–07:48 | | Big Tech Lawsuits | 07:53–08:50 | | Flying Cars | 08:50–10:08 | | Trivia: Groundhog Day | 10:20–12:00 | | Listener Feedback | 12:30–13:22 |

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Summary for New Listeners

This episode of The Ten News celebrates a landmark Black History Month, recaps five trailblazers from history, gets kids ready for the 2026 Winter Olympics, and explores breakthrough technology with the advent of flying cars. Fun animal stories, listener feedback, and interactive trivia round out this rich, engaging episode perfect for curious kids and families—a classic blend of facts, encouragement, and humor delivered in the show’s signature bite-sized style.

Transcript

[A]

Good morning, Ry. It's February. Do you know what that means?

[B]

That it's too cold to have my toes out outside?

[A]

Yes, but no.

[B]

That the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics are about to start?

[A]

Yes, but still not what I was referring to.

[B]

That. It's Black History Month, and a historic one at that.

[A]

There we go. And I have a great way to start the celebration because I'm Pamela Kirkland.

[B]

And I'm Ryan Willard. It's Thursday, February 5th.

[A]

This is 10 things you need to know.

[C]

10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.

[A]

Black History Month is back. And this year it's extra special. 2026 marks the hundredth anniversary of federal recognition honoring black history in the United States. We what began as Negro History Week, a time dedicated to learning and recognition, has grown into a month long celebration of black culture achievements and contributions every February.

[B]

So today we're kicking the episode off by commemorating five black trailblazers from the last century who have helped and continue to shape history as we know it.

[A]

First up is the man who paved the way for Black History Month, Carter G. Woodson. Known as the father of black history, Woodson believed that the accomplishments of black Americans deserved to be taught and celebrated. So in 1926, he launched Negro History Week during the second week of February to educate people about black achievement and make sure that those stories became part of American history.

[B]

Up next is Jackie Robinson, a Major League baseball player who broke barriers on and off the field. In 1947, he became the first African American to play Major League Baseball. Before that, Robinson was a standout multi sport athlete at ucla, becoming the first four Sport Letter winner at the university. He also served in the U.S. army during World War II, where he stood up for his rights after refusing to move to the back of a segregated military bus. Robinson went on to make history with the Brooklyn Dodgers, helping lead the team to win its first World Series championship in 1955. And later, he became a leader in the civil rights movement, furthering human rights and changing the landscape of race relations in the US.

[A]

Now onto a trailblazer whose political courage helped expand opportunity and representation in American government, Shirley Chisholm. Chisholm was the first African American woman elected to the United states Congress in 1968 and served seven terms, introducing more than 50 pieces of legislation to support racial and gender equality, economic justice, justice, and the end of the Vietnam War. She also became the first black woman and second woman to serve on the House Rules Committee. And she didn't stop there. Living by her motto, unbought and unbossed Chisholm made history yet again by seeking the Democratic Party's presidential nomination in 1972. Her fearless leadership reshaped American politics and continues to inspire others to challenge barriers and stand up for a more inclusive democracy.

[B]

And just a few years later, another black woman stepped forward and became a living legend. Toni Morrison, one of the most celebrated authors around the world, became the first African American woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1993. Morrison published her first book, the Bluest Eye, when she was 39 years old. And just three years later, she published her second novel, Sula, which went on to be nominated for the National Book Award. Her third novel, Song of Solomon, was published in 1997 and earned critical acclaim, including the National Book Critics Award. And finally, leading up to her Nobel Prize, she published her novel, Beloved, which was a bestseller for 25 weeks and won countless awards, including the Pulitzer Prize for fiction. She was later named a living legend by the Library of Congress and even won the Presidential Medal of Freedom. That is a lot of awards.

[A]

And for our fifth and final trailblazer, we turn to the one and only Simone Biles, a mover and shaker for mental health and the goat of gymnastics. As the most decorated gymnast in history, Biles has won 11 Olympic medals, including seven gold, two silver and two bronze across just three Olympic Games. When combined with her world championship medals, she's earned an Incredible total of 41 medals. 41 good grading, but sometimes even the best athletes in the world need a mental health break after a case of the twisties when a gymnast loses awareness of their body in the air. Biles withdrew from the women's team gymnastics final at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. She emphasized the importance of putting mental health first by speaking up and stepping back. She showed that taking care of your mind is just as important as training your body. And. And that true strength means knowing when to put your health first.

[B]

Okay, I think we need to take a quick break so I can go watch some Simone Biles clips. Brb.

[A]

Hey, Tenors, we want to hear from you. We're prepping our special report on Minnesota and the situation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ice. What would you like to say to your elected officials? And do you have a Valentine's Day message to send people in communities impacted by the immigration crackdown? You can. And send us an email@hello, the10news.com or leave us a voicemail. 87710 NEWS. That's 87710 NEWS. Now, let's get back to the show.

[B]

The 2026 Winter Olympics are finally here and will take place in Italy, which is the country's third time hosting the Winter Games. They'll be held in Milan and Cortina d' Ampazo from February 6 to February 22. The Milano Cortina 2026 Games will feature new events like ski mountaineering, including a women's sprint, a men's sprint and a mixed relay. And for the first time in Olympic history, the Games will feature two Olympic cauldrons, one in Milan at the Arco della Pace and another in Cortina d' Ampaso at Piazza di Boni, whose lighting and extinguishing symbolize unity, shared humanity and the global spirit of athletics. You can catch all of this year's Winter Olympics streaming on Peacock and NBC will broadcast some of the Games live. And don't forget to mark your calendars for the Winter Paralympic Games beginning on March 6th.

[A]

But before we rush ahead to tomorrow for 10 points, what animal is. That? Was a mountain lion which roamed the streets of San Francisco last week.

[B]

Okay, that is awesome and terrifying all at the same time. I don't even know what I would do if I saw one.

[A]

Warnings were issued to people to slowly back away if they encountered the mountain lion as dozens of officials worked to capture and tranquilize it. The 77 pound male cat was first spotted on Monday morning and was eventually captured on Tuesday when when it was found hiding in a garden between two apartment buildings where authorities safely detained the animal. It was then taken to the San Francisco Zoo for examination and will receive further testing to make sure it's healthy and then released back into the wild.

[B]

Over in Los Angeles, California, Big Tech is facing a legal showdown.

[A]

It's tech time.

[B]

Tick a tick a tech yourself before you wreck yourself. For the first time ever, giant social media companies are being taken to court over how their apps affect kids and teens. More than 1,600 people are involved in the case, including hundreds of families and over 250 school districts. They say that apps like Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube, were designed to be addictive and that those designs can harm young people's mental health. The trial hasn't officially started yet, but two companies, TikTok and Snap, have already agreed to settle one of the California cases. Even so, they're still facing many more lawsuits that could go to trial later this year. The CEO of Meta, Mark Zuckerberg, and the head of Instagram, Adam Mosseri, are expected to testify this month. If the jury sides with the families and schools, the companies could have to pay a lot of money and even change how their apps are designed.

[A]

Up next, flying cars. Yes, actual flying cars. Marty McFly, you were just a few decades early, a California startup called Aleph Aeronautics has officially started building its first model A flying cars. The vehicles are being hand built using ultralight materials like carbon fiber and use multiple electric motors and propellers. Unlike airplanes, these cars don't need a Runway. They take off straight up, kind of like a helicopter, just with wheels. On the road, they can drive up to 25 miles per hour for about 200 miles. In the air, they can fly about 110 miles at speeds of up to 110 miles per hour.

[C]

Whoa.

[A]

Well, before you start looking for a Skylane to school, there's still a lot of testing ahead. Right now, the cars are only approved by the Federal Aviation Administration for demonstration and research flights. Even so, the future is still calling. More than 3,500 people have already pre ordered one. The price tag? A cool $300,000. Pretty expensive, and no hoverboard included. For your Back to the Future fans.

[B]

I like the idea, but I'm gonna let other people test those out first.

[A]

And for the last thing you need to know, let's go to our trivia master, Owen.

[B]

What is going on here?

[C]

Trivia on the 10. Thanks, Pam. On Monday, February 2nd, Groundhog Day, the world's most famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, took center stage once again, leaving us all wondering about the upcoming weather. But before the big reveal, do you know what year Punxsxutawney Phil made his first prediction? Was it A, 1903? B, 1885, C, 1887? Or D, 1910? The answer is C, 1887? Believe it or not, Groundhog Day has been a thing since 1887. Every February 2nd, in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, a groundhog named for Phil pops out to make one very important call. Winter or spring? Here's how it works. If the sun is out and Phil sees his shadow. Boom. That means six more weeks of wind. It's cloudy and no shadow. Congrats. Spring is coming early this year after all the wild winter weather, A lot of us were seriously hoping Phil would give us some good news. But nope. Phil saw his shadow, grabbed his tiny meteorologist clipboard, and officially called it six more weeks of winter. So bundle up. And maybe we should ask ourselves, why are we trusting a groundhog? Anyway.

[B]

Thanks for nothing, Punxsutawney Phil. I don't want another six weeks of winter. It's been so cold my teeth hurt when I smile.

[A]

Well, at least we have Black History Month and and the Olympics for the rest of February.

[B]

Speaking of, I've been studying this Simone Biles clip and I think I can do a backflip.

[A]

Oh no, not again. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.

[B]

I'm just gonna try after we give out 10 new snaps.

[A]

And before that, here's a quick note for the grownups.

[B]

It's time for 10 new snaps.

[A]

A tenor named Olliolli auction 5 star Apple review and said, you're my favorite show. You should do more episodes. I'm just giving you advice. How about an episode on axolotls and ocelots and just animals in general? I just love them. They're so cute. I have four pets. It's hard to keep careful of them all. You are the best podcast ever. Well, thank you, Olliolli. We can definitely do an episode on animals. But if you want an animal podcast, check out the weekly roar.

[B]

A tenor named Owain left us a review and said best show ever. Six' seven and Legomaster six' seven said Caterpillar and I love the show. Thank you Owain and thank you Legomaster. Though I don't know if I want to meet your friend.

[A]

And two extra notes for the grown ups. You can now get ad free versions of our episodes when you join the tenors club on our website.

[B]

And if you want to Help support the 10News, you can make a tax deductible donation at the link the in in our show notes. The whole team thanks you for your support.

[A]

The 10 News is a co production of Small but Mighty Media and Next Chapter podcast and part of the Airwave Podcast network.

[B]

The ten News creative team is training to be their own bobsled team and includes Tracy Nada crooks out of the Great Bambino, Bernard, Brian not Ryan Douglas. The Duke of Earl, Davis and Carson not so Harry Potter. Big thanks to Owen. Not slowing down for anybody.

[A]

Our production director is Jeremiah Onfaya Tittle in. Our executive producers are Donald Albright. Albright. Albright. And show creator Tracy takes the leads. Kaplan. I'm Pamela Kirkland.

[B]

And I'm Ryan Willard. And it's time for my backflip. Here we go. Nope, nope, nope. I didn't land it, but yes, I am. Okay. Thank you for listening to the dead news later.