Memorial Day, A Bun-forgettable Race Weekend, and Treat Technology

Summary

The Ten News: “Memorial Day, A Bun-forgettable Race Weekend, and Treat Technology”

Podcast: The Ten News, News For Curious Kids
Date: May 21, 2026
Hosts: Ryan Willard & Pamela Kirkland
Episode Theme:
A lively, informative, and kid-friendly rundown of Memorial Day traditions, exciting race news, quirky summer treats, a surprising animal discovery, and the intersection of tech and snacks—perfect for curious young listeners and their adults.

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Memorial Day: More Than Just a Long Weekend

[00:45 – 01:22]

• Historical Background:
  • Memorial Day is a national holiday to honor service members who lost their lives serving the U.S.
  • Began as “Decoration Day” after the Civil War, when mourners placed flowers on graves of Union and Confederate soldiers.
  • Originally observed on May 30, but changed to the last Monday in May with the 1968 Uniform Monday Holiday Act.
• Key Quote:
  • "While Memorial Day may feel like the unofficial start of summer... it is most importantly a time to honor service members who lost their lives serving our country." —Pamela Kirkland [00:45]

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Road Trips and Racing: Indy 500 & Weenie 500

[01:22 – 03:07]

• Travel Rush:
  • AAA predicts a record 39.1 million Americans will road trip this Memorial Day weekend.
• Indianapolis 500 (May 24):
  • The 110th running, with 33 cars competing.
  • Focus on Helio Castroneves (51) who could become the oldest winner ever with a fifth victory.
  • Kathryn Legge, the only woman in the field, will attempt the “double” by racing both Indy 500 and Charlotte’s Coca Cola 600 in one day.
  • Elf Cosmetics sponsors Legge, marking the first beauty brand in motorsport sponsorship.
• Weenie 500:
  • Hot dog-themed wienermobiles representing different regions compete in a fun race.
  • "You can’t forget the Wiener Mobile making its debut this year. Corndog representing the nation. Good luck to all the drivers in this Weiner Take All showdown." —Pamela Kirkland [02:57]
• Memorable Moments:
  • Ryan loves “relishing” a win.
  • "Can you imagine being the winner of the Weenie 500? I would relish that moment forever." —Ryan Willard [03:07]

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Strange Summer Treats: Pickle Smoothies

[03:07 – 04:00]

• Smoothie King x Grillo’s Pickles Collaboration
  • Limited-edition pickle smoothie timed for International Pickle Day.
  • Ingredients: Grillo’s Pickles, bananas, organic kale, coconut water.
  • Promoted for electrolytes, muscle cramp relief, gut health.
  • "So yes, Pam, I will be drinking three of them this weekend." —Ryan Willard [03:58]

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Conservation Success: Rare Macaws Return

[04:00 – 04:57]

• Red and Green Macaws in Brazil:
  • First time in 200 years, two chicks have hatched in the wild thanks to a reintroduction effort in the Atlantic Forest.
  • The program chipped, quarantined, and trained 35 birds before release to ensure survival and adaptation.
  • "Now, with the arrival of these two chicks, researchers say the program has reached a major milestone in restoring the species to the region." —Pamela Kirkland [04:54]

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Gaming & Movie News: Mario & Star Fox

[04:57 – 06:03]

• Kid-Targeted Gaming Recap:
  • Super Mario Galaxy film and sneak peek at Yoshi and the Mysterious Book (puzzle-focused gameplay, cozy art style).
  • Fox McCloud comes to Switch 2 with a Star Fox remake launching June 25th.
  • "Fox is my favorite character to use in Smash Bros. So needless to say, I am hyped." —Ryan Willard [06:01]

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News Updates: Voting Rights & World Leaders

[06:39 – 07:52]

• Voting Rights Alert:

  • Congressional Black Caucus is raising concerns over a Supreme Court decision that could restrict Black representation in Congress by weakening the Voting Rights Act.
  • While supporters say it allows for race-neutral mapping, opponents warn it may reduce majority-Black districts.
  • "Members of the CBC have already held sessions to plan their fight against the ruling's impact on voting rights, both in the courts and on the campaign trail." —Pamela Kirkland [07:12]

• Global Diplomacy:

  • President Trump and China’s President Xi met in Beijing—topics included trade, global security, and the war in Iran.
  • No detailed agreements yet, but both leaders mention goals for business and stability.
  • "They also covered the ongoing war in Iran. President Trump stated that they both feel similarly about how they want the war to end." —Ryan Willard [07:49]

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Creature Feature: Two-Headed Snake Trick

[07:52 – 08:44]

• Discovery in China:
  • Guangzhi reed snake has a tail mimicking its head, creating a figure-8 pose to confuse predators.
  • Slender, brown with seven stripes, about 8 inches, non-venomous.
  • "While it's non venomous, the Guangzhi reed snake proves that even tiny creatures can have mighty defense tactics." —Pamela Kirkland [08:44]

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Climate Watch: Super El Niño Incoming?

[08:44 – 09:46]

• Extreme Weather Outlook:
  • Strong likelihood of a “Super El Niño” through 2026, raising odds for record heat in 2027.
  • Effects: More heat in the west/south US, fewer Atlantic hurricanes, heavy Asia/Middle East rainfall.
  • "For the last several months, forecasters have been predicting what is called a Super El Niño and new forecasts show that the odds are increasing." —Ryan Willard [09:06]

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Tech Treat: Ice Cream Spoon That Silences Phones

[10:00 – 11:12]

• “Trivia on the Ten” with Owen:
  • Halo Top releases the “Silent a la Mode” spoon, which puts phones on silent via NFC so people can enjoy ice cream undisturbed.
  • “Finally, a gadget that can help you enjoy your ice cream before it melts.” —Owen [11:10]

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Listener Shoutouts & Show Wrap

[12:57 – 13:16]

• Five-Star Review:
  • Listener “Gamesmith508” built a Skittles/M&Ms Lego dispenser.
  • "I'm surprised that hasn't been built yet because I didn't know that is possible. How is that possible?" —Ryan Willard [13:13]
• Fun Banter:
  • Ryan pitches hot dog-flavored ice cream as a barbecue side; Pamela says she’ll “stick to the classics.”
  • “Hot dog flavored ice cream could be a new classic.” —Ryan Willard [11:35]

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Notable Quotes

• "While Memorial Day may feel like the unofficial start of summer... it is most importantly a time to honor service members who lost their lives serving our country." —Pamela Kirkland [00:45]
• "Can you imagine being the winner of the Weenie 500? I would relish that moment forever." —Ryan Willard [03:07]
• "So yes, Pam, I will be drinking three of them this weekend." —Ryan Willard [03:58]
• "Now, with the arrival of these two chicks, researchers say the program has reached a major milestone in restoring the species to the region." —Pamela Kirkland [04:54]
• "Fox is my favorite character to use in Smash Bros. So needless to say, I am hyped." —Ryan Willard [06:01]
• "Finally, a gadget that can help you enjoy your ice cream before it melts." —Owen [11:10]
• "Hot dog flavored ice cream could be a new classic." —Ryan Willard [11:35]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:45] Memorial Day origins and significance
• [01:22] Indy 500 preview and travel stats
• [03:07] Weenie 500 overview & pickle smoothie news
• [04:00] Red and green macaw conservation triumph
• [04:57] Mario/Yoshi gaming news
• [06:39] Supreme Court decision & voting rights
• [07:20] Trump/Xi Jinping diplomatic meeting
• [07:52] Two-headed snake discovery
• [08:44] Super El Niño weather watch
• [10:00] Tech trivia: the Silent a la Mode spoon
• [12:57] Listener Shoutouts

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This episode of The Ten News mixed fun, curiosity, and important world updates, making it both informative and engaging—for families, kids, and anyone curious about the world.

Transcript

[A]

It's finally almost summer.

[B]

I am so ready for it.

[A]

How are you spending your Memorial Day weekend?

[B]

I'm going to a picnic, a barbecue and a barbecue picnic. How about you?

[A]

Probably gonna go grab a couple pickle smoothies.

[B]

That's funny.

[A]

What's funny?

[B]

Oh, you're serious. Pickle smoothies are a real thing.

[A]

Of course. And of course they're real. And yeah, I'd be happy to tell you all about them because I'm Ryan Willard.

[B]

And I'm Pamela Kirkland. It's Thursday, May 21st. This is 10 things you need to know. 10, 9, 8. 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2.

[A]

1.

[B]

While Memorial Day may feel like the unofficial start of summer, a long weekend filled with travel cookouts and pool days is most importantly a time to honor service members who lost their lives serving our country. It wasn't always Memorial Day. The holiday was originally known as Decoration Day when mourners placed flowers on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers following the Civil War. It was observed on May 30 each year until Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday act in 1968, which established memorial Day as the last Monday in May.

[A]

Memorial Day is a huge Travel weekend, and AAA predicts that a record setting 39.1 million Americans will will be taking a road trip this year. And speaking of driving, let's go to the wild world of sports. And in the wide world of sports. With Memorial Day weekend also comes the greatest spectacle in Racing. The 110th running of the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 24, featuring a 33 car field. Eyes are currently on Helio Castroneves, a 51 year old who has won the Indy 500 four times. And if he secures a fifth win, he'll be alone at the top and the oldest winner in race history.

[B]

There's also Kathryn Legge, who is the only female in the field, and she will be the first woman to attempt the double by racing in the Indy 500 and Charlotte's Coca Cola 600 on the same day. Both of her cars that day will be sponsored by Elf Cosmetics, the first beauty brand to be a motorsport sponsor since partnering with Leg a few years back.

[C]

Stepping.

[B]

Stay tuned to see who will get to chug the traditional glass of milk on victory Lane.

[A]

And before all that is the iconic Weenie 500, which will return to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for its second year in a row. Six wienermobiles will be competing and will include Slaw Dog from the Southeast, Shy Dog representing the Midwest, New York Dog for the East, Chili Dog for the south and Seattle, Dog for the Northwest and ry.

[B]

You can't forget the Wiener Mobile making its debut this year. Corndog representing the nation. Good luck to all the drivers in this Wiener Take all showdown.

[A]

Weenie Stop your entra. Can you imagine being the winner of the Weenie 500? I would relish that moment forever. Speaking of relish, Grillo's Pickles and Smoothie King are doing a collab. Just ahead of International Pickle Day, Smoothie King added a little limited edition pickle smoothie to their menu. The drink is made with garden fresh ingredients and no artificial ingredients. It's a blend of Grillo's Pickles, bananas, organic kale and coconut water, making for an electrolyte packed smoothie with a refreshingly tangy taste. The collaboration was inspired by the growing popularity of pickles and their nutritional benefits as pickle juice is known to support hydration, help with muscle cramps, and promote gut health. So yes, Pam, I will be drinking three of them this weekend.

[B]

While Ryan's talking about tangy pickles, I'm talking about tropical feathers. We've got some great news about red and green macaws.

[A]

Did you say red and green macaws?

[B]

Macaws, Yes, I did. Two chicks recently hatched in Brazil's Atlantic Forest, marking the first documented reintroduction of the species in the area in 200 years. Once found throughout Brazil, red and green macaw declined due to deforestation and illegal capture for the pet trade. This prompted a reintroduction program in 2022, and by 2024, 35 captive birds were chipped, quarantined, and rehabilitated in specialist nurseries before release. Conservationists also trained the birds to recognize predators and forage on their own. Now, with the arrival of these two chicks, researchers say the program has reached a major milestone in restoring the species to the region.

[A]

The only thing I like more than good animal news is ggs. Good games. You could probably guess that the Super Mario Galaxy movie was one of my favorite films of the year, and naturally I wanted more. I'd already beaten Super Mario Galaxy 1 and 2 on my Switch 2 and it still wasn't enough. So I got a sneak preview of Yoshi and the Mysterious Book and it was awesome. You play as Yoshi and you explore the pages of Mr. E. Who is a Living Book. I don't think you could die in this game. It's more about solving puzzles and finding different ways to interact with the world. It's super cozy, the art style is really cool, and I think the game is as fun to watch as it is to play and another character had his big screen debut in the Super Mario galaxy movie. Fox McCloud will get his own Switch 2 game on June 25th. It's called Star Fox, which is a remake of star fo Fox 64 and follows Fox and his crew on a space adventure piloting our wings. Fox is my favorite character to use in Smash Bros. So needless to say, I am hyped.

[B]

You know what I'm hyped for?

[A]

What?

[B]

A quick break. BRB

[A]

hey grown ups. It's almost the summertime, which means we're almost at the end of season six of the TED News, which also means we're gearing up for season seven and we need your help to stay independent and unbiased. We are crowdfunded, so if you'd like to make a tax deductible donation, we have a link in our show notes. No gift is too small or large and we greatly appreciate it. We literally could not do this show without you. Speaking of back to it,

[B]

we're back with news out of Washington. The Congressional Black Caucus is raising concern about a recent Supreme Court decision that could affect how congressional districts are drawn. The CBC says the ruling weakens part of the Voting Rights act that helps protect black representation in Congress. Meanwhile, lawmakers warned that it may allow some states to redraw maps in ways that reduce the number of majority black districts. Supporters of the decision say it creates a more race neutral approach to redistricting. Members of the CBC have already held sessions to plan their fight against the ruling's impact on voting rights, both in the courts and on the campaign trail.

[A]

And last week, President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Beijing in hopes of improving relations between the United States and China, discussing trade, security and global conflicts. While no concrete agreements have been announced, President Trump has indicated business deals for American companies and farmers, and Chinese leader Xi Jinping has hinted at a new era of stability in China US Relations. They also covered the ongoing war in Iran. President Trump stated that they both feel similarly about how they want the war to end.

[B]

Also, researchers from China recently discovered a new species of snake with two heads.

[A]

What in the nightmare fuel are you talking about?

[B]

Okay, well, not technically two heads, but the reptile has a unique way of defending itself from predators, but which makes it seem like it does. It's called the Guangzhi reed snake, and because its tail and head have the same markings, it coils its body into a figure 8 or raises its tail to mimic a second head to confuse the enemy. The newly discovered species can be identified by its slim brown scales and seven dark stripes running along its back and it measures just under 8 inches long. While it's non venomous, the Guangzhi reed snake proves that even tiny creatures can have mighty defense tactics and a little

[A]

Weather or not, the world may be on track for warmer than normal temperatures, hurricanes, droughts and other extreme weather through the end of 2026. For the last several months, forecasters have been predicting what is called a Super El Nino and new forecasts show that the odds are increasing.

[B]

A Super El Nino is super strong and is defined by sea surface temperatures that are at least 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit above average in the Pacific Ocean. If we do end up with a Super El Nino this year, scientists say Global temperatures in 2027 could reach record breaking highs. El Nino can reduce hurricane activity in the Atlantic by creating creating strong upper cell winds that disrupt storms as they form. It's also linked to hotter, drier conditions across parts of the southern United States, above average heat and humidity in the western United States, and heavier rainfall in parts of Asia and the Middle East.

[A]

I am sweating just thinking about that. For the last thing you need to know, let's go to our Trivia master, Owen. What is going on here?

[D]

Trivia on the 10 thanks Ry Today's trivia is about a tasty treat that can keep you cool during a Super El Nino. There are lots of ways to enjoy ice cream, but do you know which object can put your phone on silent while you're eating ice cream? Is it a an ice cream bowl, b a cherry on top of the ice cream, c a spoon or D a straw? The answer is C Halo top A Better for you ice cream company has created the silent A la mode spoon that puts your phone on silent, encouraging eaters to disconnect while they're enjoying a pint of ice cream. The Golden Spood is sold online for just $4.90 and uses near field communication to put your iPhone or Android on. Do not disturb Finally, a gadget that can help you enjoy your ice cream before it melts.

[B]

And that was 10 things you need to know.

[A]

You know Pam, I was trying to make something to pair with a pickle smoothie at a barbecue.

[B]

A big bowl of no thank you.

[A]

Close. Hot dog flavored ice cream. You can even put ketchup on top.

[B]

Yeah, I'm gonna stick to the classics this Memorial Day, but hot dog flavored

[A]

ice cream could be a new classic.

[B]

Come on, just try a bite instead of a bite. I'd like to give 10 new snaps out.

[A]

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

[C]

Hey 10 News listeners. As the school year starts wrapping up, a lot of families, especially homeschool families, thinking about how to finish strong and maybe even keep learning going into the summer. And that's where IXL comes in. IXL is an award winning learning platform with interactive practice in math, language arts, science and social studies from Pre K all the way through 12th grade. It's designed to fit right into your routine whether you're wrapping up end of year projects or just trying to keep your brain sharp over the summer break. And it's super flexible. You can practice a little each day, review tricky topics, or even get ahead for next year. No pressure. So whether you're finishing strong or trying to beat the summer slide, IEXCEL makes it easy to keep learning going. So make an impact on your child's learning and get Iexcel now. And TenU's listeners can get an exclusive 20% off Iexcel membership when they sign up [e-mail] 10 Visit Iexcel.com to get the most effective learning program out there at the best price.

[A]

It's time for 10 new steps.

[B]

A tenor named Gamesmith508 left us a five star Apple podcast review and said, I built a Skittle Slash M and M dispenser out of Lego and it works well. Wow, that sounds absolutely awesome. I'm surprised that hasn't been built yet

[A]

because I didn't know that is possible. How is that possible?

[B]

Where are the blueprints and two extra notes for the grownups? You can now get ad free versions of our episodes when you join the Tenors Club on our website.

[A]

And if you want to help support the 10News, you can make a tax deductible donation at the link in our show notes. The whole team thanks you for your support. The 10News is a co production of Small But Mighty Media and Next Chapter Podcast and part of the Airwave Podcast Network.

[B]

The 10News Creative team is not eating Ryan's homemade hot dog ice cream and includes Tracy Nada Crooks, Adam the Great Bambino, Bernard, Brian Not Ryan Douglas, the Duke of Earl, Davis and Carson not so Harry Potter.

[A]

Big thanks to Owen not slowing down for anybody.

[B]

Our production director is Jeremiah Tittle and our executive producers are Donald Albright Albright Albright and show creator Tracy Takes the the Leeds Kaplan. I'm Pamela Kirkland.

[A]

And I'm Ryan Willard. Thanks for listening to the 10 news.