Serious News, Health Headlines, and Feel-Good Stories

Summary

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The Ten News: “Serious News, Health Headlines, and Feel-Good Stories”

Date: January 15, 2026
Hosts: Pamela Kirkland & Ryan Willard
Podcast: The Ten News, News For Curious Kids

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EPISODE OVERVIEW

In this episode, Pamela and Ryan navigate through some of 2026’s most pressing headlines for families: unfolding international news (Venezuela and Iran), major US events, health updates for kids, wildlife triumphs, sports comebacks, pop culture picks, and a “Ten News” trivia moment. The blend of serious and uplifting stories is designed to help curious kids (and their grownups) understand today's world in a kid-friendly, engaging format.

Tone: Friendly, inquisitive, empathetic, and upbeat—even when covering heavy stories.

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KEY DISCUSSION POINTS & INSIGHTS

1. Global Headlines: Venezuela and Iran

• Venezuela’s Leadership Shakeup ([01:10])

  • Nicolas Maduro, Venezuela's long-term leader, was captured; Vice President Delcy Rodriguez is now interim president.
  • The US is offering limited support under strict conditions, particularly regarding elections and Venezuela’s oil industry.
    • “The US has already seized millions of barrels of Venezuelan oil under sanctions…to help push Venezuela toward what the administration calls a, quote, stable transition.” – Pamela Kirkland [01:37]
  • There is debate globally and domestically about the legality and fairness of US actions.
  • On-the-ground conditions in Venezuela remain tense; US advised its citizens to leave.

• Iran’s Widening Protests ([02:47])

  • Originally motivated by economic struggles (rising costs), Iran’s protests have become demands for governmental change.
  • Many people have been hurt, killed, or arrested; the government has restricted internet access to limit protests and global awareness.
    • “To limit the protest, Iran’s government has also shut off or slowed down the Internet in many places. That makes it harder for people to communicate and harder for the rest of the world to know exactly what’s happening.” – Pamela Kirkland [03:08]
  • Iranian leadership refuses concessions, blaming unrest on foreign influence.
  • The US is monitoring, warning of consequences if violence escalates while indicating a preference for dialogue.

2. Major US Story: Protests Over ICE Incident ([03:56])

• Protests erupted after 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good was shot and killed by an ICE officer in Minneapolis.
• The use of lethal force is under investigation as both police practice and video authenticity are scrutinized—a reminder for kids to be wary of misinformation and deepfakes online.
  • “There have been videos circulating on social media…and we’d like to remind our tenors that just because something is out there, you don’t need to watch it. And not everything on social media is real these days.” – Pamela Kirkland [04:27]
• Demonstrations across the US highlight strong public feelings about law enforcement and immigration.
• Oversight of the investigation is questioned due to the administration’s quick defense of law enforcement.

3. Health Headlines: An Extra-Tough Flu Season & Vaccine Changes

• Historic Flu Wave ([05:26])

  • CDC reports the highest flu-related doctor visits in nearly 30 years: over 11 million illnesses and 120,000 hospitalizations.
  • Most US states experiencing “high to very high levels” of flu activity.
    • “45 out of 50 states are experiencing high to very high levels of flu activity.” – Ryan Willard [06:09]

• New CDC Vaccine Guidance ([06:29])

  • The CDC is reducing the number of vaccines recommended for all children; certain vaccines (rotavirus, hepatitis A/B, meningitis, flu) are now only for high-risk kids or based on doctor-family “shared decision making.”
  • The move is intended to match policies in other countries but has alarmed many public health experts as potentially weakening protection.
    • “Public health experts and pediatricians warn that these changes were rolled out without the usual scientific input—a move they say could create confusion about routine childhood protection and potentially allow dangerous diseases to spread again.” – Pamela Kirkland [06:49]
  • The hosts remind listeners to practice good hygiene this season.

4. Good News & Feel-Good Stories

• Record Manatee Releases in Florida ([07:41])

  • Zoo Tampa rehabilitated and released 26 manatees in a single year; one named Madonna survived hurricanes and extreme malnutrition before a successful return to the wild.
    • “One of those manatees was Madonna…trapped in just 5 inches of water…at only 345 pounds, far below the typical 1,000-pound adult manatee. Madonna made a remarkable recovery and returned to the wild weighing a healthy 700 pounds.” – Ryan Willard [08:56]

• Alysa Liu: Olympic Comeback ([09:07])

  • Teenage figure skater Alysa Liu, a world medalist and Olympian, retired at 16 to enjoy a “normal childhood,” then made a triumphant return after missing the thrill of competition.
  • “After a ski trip to Lake Tahoe in 2024, she realized how much she missed the adrenaline rush…Now, she’s won gold at the 2025 World Championships and has her sights set on returning to the Olympic Games.” – Pamela Kirkland [09:55]

• LEGO Pokémon & Smart Play Bricks Announced ([10:17])

  • New major LEGO Pokémon sets to be released: Pikachu, Eevee, and a massive 3-in-1 Charizard, Venusaur, Blastoise set (6,838 pieces!).
    • “Which is nuts, because that’s more expensive than a PS5 or a Switch 2.” – Ryan Willard [10:24]
  • New “Smartplay” bricks make LEGO creations interactive with sounds, aimed at engaging all ages (even “people named Ryan”).
  • Star Wars Smartplay sets also teased.

• Golden Globe Highlights ([11:30])

  • Timothée Chalamet wins Best Actor for ‘Marty Supreme.’
  • ‘K-Pop Demon Hunters’ wins Best Animated Motion Picture.
  • Owen Cooper, just 16, becomes youngest Best Supporting Actor in a TV series winner for ‘Adolescence.’

5. Trivia & Space Milestone ([12:43])

• Trivia Question: When did the first human travel into space? (Answer: 1961, Yuri Gagarin) – [13:10]
• Notable Space Achievement:
  • Michaela Benthaus, engineer from Germany, becomes first wheelchair user to travel to space on a Blue Origin suborbital flight. Her capsule was designed for accessibility and she spent ten minutes weightless.
    • “After her accident, she thought there was no chance of her ever going into space. But she experienced a 10-minute period of weightlessness in a capsule designed with accessibility in mind.” – Owen Cooper [13:50]

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NOTABLE QUOTES & MEMORABLE MOMENTS

• Ryan Willard, opening tone: “Pam, we're like two weeks into the year, and I feel like there's been a lot of big news already.” [00:03]
• Pamela Kirkland, perspective on global events: “Countries around the world are watching closely to see what this means—not just for Venezuela, but for how powerful countries act on the global stage.” [02:21]
• Pamela Kirkland, digital literacy reminder: “Just because something is out there, you don't need to watch it. And not everything on social media is real these days.” [04:27]
• Ryan Willard, on LEGO’s price: “The 3 in 1 set will have 6,838 pieces and will retail for $649.99, which is nuts because that’s more expensive than a PS5 or a Switch 2.” [10:24]
• Owen Cooper, on space accessibility: “After her accident, she thought there was no chance of her ever going into space. But she experienced a 10 minute period of weightlessness in a capsule designed with accessibility in mind.” [13:50]

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TIMESTAMPS FOR IMPORTANT SEGMENTS

| Segment | Timestamp | Quick Description | |----------------------------------|-------------|----------------------------------------------------------| | Venezuela headlines | 01:10–02:47 | Maduro captured, US oversight and oil, global reactions | | Iran unrest | 02:47–03:56 | Nationwide protests; government response and US stance | | US ICE incident & protests | 03:56–05:26 | Shooting in Minneapolis, protests, issue of misinformation| | Flu season and vaccine updates | 05:26–07:33 | High flu rates, CDC halves routine childhood vaccines | | Manatee rescue and release | 07:41–09:07 | Record number rehabilitated and released in Florida | | Alysa Liu’s sports comeback | 09:07–10:17 | Journey, early retirement, triumphant return | | LEGO Pokémon and Smartplay news | 10:17–11:30 | Set launches and price comments, innovation highlights | | Golden Globes recap | 11:30–12:30 | Major winners, youngest actor honored | | Trivia and space news | 12:43–14:04 | Space history and accessibility milestone |

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FINAL REMARKS

The episode masterfully balances serious world news, health concerns, and inspiring feel-good stories for kids, always mindful of accessibility and emotional tone. The hosts invite feedback, offer gentle guidance on digital literacy, and celebrate curiosity—making it a standout resource for young news followers and their families.

Transcript

[Pamela Kirkland]

Come in.

[Ryan Willard]

Um, Pam, we're like two weeks into the year, and I feel like there's been a lot of big news already.

[Pamela Kirkland]

Yeah, there has been a lot of intense stuff happening, but there has been some good news, too. Like the Winter Olympics are almost here and a record number of rehabilitated manatees were released back into the wild.

[Ryan Willard]

Ooh, that's awesome. Oh, and LEGO just announced some brand new sets, and I want all of them. So there's been some great news and some not great news.

[Pamela Kirkland]

Yep. Let's get into all of it. I'm Pamela Kirkland.

[Ryan Willard]

And I'm Ryan Willard. It's Thursday, January 15th.

[Pamela Kirkland]

This is 10 things you need to know.

[Ryan Willard]

10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. Before we jump in, we have a quick heads up for our listeners. The first few headlines of the show talk about some heavier news. If that's not a great fit for you or your family, feel free to skip ahead to the second half of the show for some lighter stories and, of course, trivia. First up, an update on the United States and Venezuela.

[Pamela Kirkland]

Earlier this month, Venezuela's longtime leader, Nicolas Maduro was captured. Since then, his vice president, Delse Rodriguez, has been sworn in as Venezuela's interim president.

[Ryan Willard]

And the United States has baktr, at least for now. But that support comes with some major conditions. The US Says Venezuela won't hold elections in the near future and that it will closely oversee what happens next, especially when it comes to oil, Venezuela's most valuable resource.

[Pamela Kirkland]

The US has already seized millions of barrels of Venezuelan oil under sanctions. Trump says that oil will be sold on the global market with the money controlled by the US Government to help push Venezuela toward what the administration calls a. A quote, stable transition. But not everyone agrees that this is the right or legal way to do that. Some lawmakers and world leaders say the US Is going too far and raising serious questions about international law and global security. And inside Venezuela, the situation is still tense. The U.S. state Department has warned Americans to leave the country immediately, while Venezuela's government insists things are calm.

[Ryan Willard]

So what happens next?

[Pamela Kirkland]

That's still unclear. The US Says this oversight could last months or even years. And countries around the world are watching closely to see what this means not just for Venezuela, but for how powerful countries act on the global stage. For more background on how we got here, check out our special report that we put out last week. The link is in our show Notes.

[Ryan Willard]

Now, over to Iran. Over the past few weeks, people in many cities across Iran have been protesting. At first, the protests were about the economy, things like food costing more money and people having trouble paying for everyday needs. But they've grown into something bigger with many people asking for changes to how their country is run. And the situation has gotten pretty serious.

[Pamela Kirkland]

Yes. Human rights groups say many people have been hurt or killed and thousands have been arrested for protesting. To limit the protest, Iran's government has also shut off or slowed down the Internet in many places. That makes it harder for people to communicate and harder for the rest of the world to know exactly what's happening.

[Ryan Willard]

Iran's top leader, Ali Khamenei, says the government will not back down. Iranian officials have blamed other countries for the unrest and warned protesters they could face severe punishment. President Trump has said the US Is watching how Iran's government treats protesters and has warned there could be consequences if violence continues, though leaders have also said they're open to talks instead of fighting.

[Pamela Kirkland]

And while people are speaking out in places like Iran and Venezuela, there are also big protests happening right here at home in the United States. That's because earlier this month in Minneapolis, Minnesota, a 37 year old woman named Renee Nicole Good was shot and killed by a U.S. immigration and Customs Enforcement officer, better known as ICE, during a federal operation. Her death has sparked demonstrations in cities across the country with people gathering to call for change and justice and to talk about how immigration enforcement should be handled. Some marches have been peaceful, while others have led to clashes with police and a few arrests. There have been videos circulating on social media of the incident and we'd like to remind our tenors that just because something is out there, you don't need to watch it. And not everything on social media is real these days. There have been reports of AI videos circulating that show different versions of what happened. What is clear in the videos is that Good was trying to leave the scene. And according to many in law enforcement, the ICE officer did not follow proper training and did not need to act with lethal force. An investigation is ongoing, but there are concerns about it being done fairly since the Trump administration was quick to condemn Renee Goode and support the actions of the ICE officer right away after the incident.

[Ryan Willard]

So just like in Venezuela and Iran, here in the US People are raising their voices because they feel strongly about how the government and law enforcement treat people every day. And we want to hear from you. Let us know how you feel about the latest news by sending us an email@helloten news.com or leaving us a voice note at 877-10EWS okay, it's now time to talk about germs it's flu season, but this one seems to be hitting a bit harder than usual. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, flu like symptoms, including fevers, sore throat, fatigue and body aches, have prompted the highest level of doctor's visits in nearly 30 years.

[Pamela Kirkland]

Whoa.

[Ryan Willard]

The flu alone has accounted for over 11 million illnesses and 120,000 hospitalizations, and it shows no signs of slowing. 45 out of 50 states are experiencing high to very high levels of flu activity. And this data doesn't yet include illnesses caused by holiday travel and gatherings, which could further impact the flu season.

[Pamela Kirkland]

This all comes as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced they are reducing the number of vaccines routinely recommended for children from 11 to 17. Vaccines that had long been recommended for all children, like rotavirus, hepatitis A and B meningitis, and, you guessed it, seasonal flu, are now more restricted on this new schedule. These vaccines are now recommended only for those at high risk or after discussing them with a healthcare provider as part of what is now called quote, quote, shared decision making. The CDC says the change is meant to give families and doctors more flexibility and mimic the schedule of other developed countries. But public health experts and pediatricians warn that these changes were rolled out without the usual scientific input. A move they say could create confusion about routine childhood protection and potentially allow dangerous diseases to spread again. So make sure to wash your hands, everybody, and try to stay healthy this winter season.

[Ryan Willard]

Shoo. Um, yeah, let's take a quick break so I can wash my hands.

[Pamela Kirkland]

Great idea, Ry.

[Ryan Willard]

Before we get back to the show, I think we need a little vibe cleanse. So here are some sounds that I find oddly satisfying. Huh? Okay, back to it. We are back for 10 points. What animal is this? If you guessed amenatee, you are correct and I am incredibly impressed. The Zoo Tampa at Lowry Park, Florida is a family attraction, a rescue rehab and a care facility for animals. They announced that they released 26 rehabilitated manatees back into Florida waters in 2025. This is the highest number for the park in a single year. One of those manatees was Madonna, rescued in November 2024 following the aftermath of hurricanes Helene and Milton. Madonna was trapped in just 5 inches of water with temperatures dropping to 30 degrees while with very limited food. At only 345 pounds, far below the typical 1000 pound adult manatee, Madonna made a remarkable recovery and returned to the wild weighing a healthy £700.

[Pamela Kirkland]

We've got another great comeback story, but instead of wildlife, we're spotlighting an Olympic figure skater and in the wide world of sports. Alyssa Liu had already retired at the age of 16 after winning bronze at the 2022 World Figure Skating Championships and representing the United States in the Olympics at the 2022 Beijing Winter Games. Liu also modeled for the iconic fashion brand Ralph Lauren and was a guest on the Tonight show starring Jimmy Fallon. Despite these accomplishments, Lou felt something was missing the chance to have a normal childhood with all of her time dedicated to training. So she stepped away, taking her first vacation, getting her driver's license and spending time with family and friends. But after a ski trip to Lake Tahoe In 2024, she realized how much she missed the adrenaline rush and was inspired to get back on the ice. Since then, she's won gold at the 2025 World Championships and now has her sights set on returning to the Olympic Games.

[Ryan Willard]

Drumroll please for the latest unveiling of lego. The brand new Lego Pokemon sets have been announced and include Pikachu, eeVee and an epic 3 in 1 set with Charizard, Venusaur and Blastoise. The 3 in 1 set will have 6,838 pieces and will retail for $649.99, which is nuts because that's more expensive than a PS5 or a Switch 2. The LEGO Pokemon sets will drop on February 27th. LEGO also announced the new Smartplay bricks, tags and minifigures. Lego Smart Play uses a custom made chip that makes Lego bricks more interactive for children, families and people named Ryan. Those interactive bricks are paired with Lego Smart tags and Lego Smart minifigures to add sound effects to your Lego creations. Almost like bringing your builds to life.

[Pamela Kirkland]

It's a liar.

[Ryan Willard]

Star Wars Lego Smart playsets are available for pre order now but won't hit stores until March 1st. And I am saying this hoping that someone from LEGO is listening and wants to give me a hands on preview before March 1st. Please.

[Pamela Kirkland]

Hollywood's biggest party the 83rd Golden Globe Awards are officially wrapped. The annual awards ceremony honors excellence in film and American Television Productions and 2026 was a big year. Some top takeaways from this year's winners include Timothee Chalamet for best performance by a Male actor in a motion picture, musical or comedy for his role in the film Marty supreme, beating out big name actors like Leonardo DiCaprio and George Clooney. The Best Motion Picture Animated award went to none other than K Pop Demon Hunters, which was up against product productions like Walt Disney Studios Motion pictures, Elio and Zootopia 2. And last but certainly not least, Owen Cooper made history as the youngest person to win the award for best supporting actor in a TV series for his role in adolescence. Cooper is just 16 years old. And you know that we love people named Owen.

[Ryan Willard]

Yes, we do. And for the last thing you need to know, let's go to our tribute master who we love. Owen, what is going on here?

[Owen Cooper]

Trivia on the 10. Thanks, Ryan, and congratulations, Owen Cooper. It's great to see another Owen doing great things. This week's trivia is out of this world. But before we blast off, what was the year that the first person ever traveled into outer space? Was it A, 1993, B, 1957, C, 1961 or D 1934? The answer is C, 1961, when Soviet pilot Yuri Aleksevich Gagarin completed 1:1 orbit of Earth on the Vostok 1. But let's fast forward to today. An engineer from Germany, Michaela Benthaus, became the first wheelchair user to travel into outer space, taking off from West Texas on a Blue Origin New Shepard suborbital mission. After her accident, she thought there was no chance of her ever going into space. But she experienced a 10 minute period of weightlessness in a capsule designed with accessibility in mind.

[Pamela Kirkland]

And that was 10 things you need to know.

[Ryan Willard]

Sweet sassafras.

[Pamela Kirkland]

You okay? Yeah.

[Ryan Willard]

I just saw that a free update for Animal Crossing just dropped, so I think I should download it and do some research to see what it's all about.

[Pamela Kirkland]

That sounds like a good idea. But you still gotta give out 10 new snaps.

[Ryan Willard]

Of course. Before that, here's a quick note for the grownups. It's time for 10 new snaps.

[Pamela Kirkland]

A tenor named Messi left us a review on Apple podcast and said I love this podcast. Six, seven.

[Ryan Willard]

I don't think that's the real messy but I will pretend that it is.

[Pamela Kirkland]

I A tenor named L V24 said, Great show. This is an amazing show. And Ryan, I won't mention Bubbler Frvry.

[Ryan Willard]

Thank you my friend. I really appreciate that. Shout out to your cat Biff and.

[Pamela Kirkland]

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.

[Ryan Willard]

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

[Pamela Kirkland]

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

[Ryan Willard]

The 10News Creative team is getting their flu shots and includes Tracy. Not a crooks. Adam, the Great Bambino. Bernard, Brian. Not Ryan Douglas. The Duke of Earl, Davis and Carson. Not so Harry Potter. Big thanks to Owen. Not so much slowing down for anybody.

[Pamela Kirkland]

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

[Ryan Willard]

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