04.16.2026

As the old saying goes, March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. And that means spring is right around the corner, and sports, travel, and after-school activities are about to take over. Keep your students' momentum going through these busy days with IXL, a super popular online platform to sharpen skills in language arts, science, and math for kids from kindergarten through high school. The format is focused and flexible, and will give your kids a confidence boost as they wrap up the year. Give it a try at IXL.com slash KidNews and get 20% off monthly and annual plans. That's IXL.com slash KidNews. Good morning and welcome to KidNews! I'm Kim. Today is Thursday, April 16, 2026. And we begin with two major rivals floating a mega deal to create the world's largest airline. United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby reportedly pitched the idea of joining forces with American Airlines to the Trump administration recently, arguing a combined United American carrier would be a stronger competitor for international travel, since many U.S. citizens currently use foreign airlines to travel abroad. Chances of the deal's approval may be slim, however. According to Reuters, unions and other airlines, airports, and some lawmakers will likely oppose a merger, as it could drive up ticket prices and lead to root overlap and job losses. In a response on IX, Democratic Senator Ruben Gallego of Arizona posted, that's going to be a no. And one person close to the White House was skeptical the idea would fly, citing concerns that concentrating too much of the market in one airline would exacerbate rising costs consumers are already facing. The National Zoo's first baby elephant in almost a quarter century is ready to meet you. Two-month-old Lynn Mai appears to be thriving, according to The Washington Post, whose journalist got a sneak peek at the petite pack-a-derm Tuesday as she wandered her sunny enclosure, looking a little awkward with fuzzy hair on her head. Elephant manager Robbie Clark said Lynn Mai is gaining about 25 to 30 pounds per week and is now up to more than 460. Zoo members got to see her for the first time yesterday before she makes her public debut next week. Starting February 22, the general public can visit or watch from anywhere on the zoo's live elephant cam. Good grades can get you more than just pride and parental praise at one New York eatery. Over the past three years, Zach's finest deli on Staten Island has hosted Grades for Grabs, which incentivizes kids to rock their report card. According to USA Today, those who score higher than 90 percent get their pick of snacks, a $100 bill, and a t-shirt. Kids short of A's aren't left out. They're allowed to grab $10 worth of goodies. The reward started in 2023 when owner Wale Acelwi, known as Wally to the kids, told a 12-year-old patron that if he brought in his report card with good grades, he could get whatever he wanted in the store. As the young students' grades began improving, Wally posted their encounters on TikTok, prompting thousands of kids from as far away as Oklahoma to join in. During marking periods, as many as 400 youngsters line up outside the store. In between, when there's no reward, they still show up. Every single test they have to go and show Wally, said a mom of two kids from nearby William A. Morris Intermediate School 61. These kids are our future, Wally said. We're here to help them. Next time your parents tell you to cut back on gaming, you might want to have them listen to this. The Federal Aviation Administration is hiring, and they're specifically looking for video game players to replenish their air traffic controller workforce. This campaign's focus on gaming taps into a growing demographic of young adults, who have many of the hard skills it takes to be a successful controller, said transportation secretary Sean Duffy. Applicants will be required to take a three-and-a-half-hour computer-based test and pass medical and security clearances, and must be between 18 and 30 years old at the time they apply. The FAA claims the process is extremely competitive, but any adult gamers wanting to put their name in can do so starting midnight tomorrow. Las Vegas is getting the Super Bowl again. The league recently announced that the city will roll out the red carpet for the big game in 2029, just five years after hosting it in 2024. Vegas' home team is the Raiders, and their part owner, who also happens to be football goat Tom Brady, toyed with getting back on the field as a player. While speaking to Alex Sherman on the CNBC Sports Podcast, Mr. Brady says he ran it up the flagpole with the league, but that they didn't like the idea very much. I'll leave it at that. We explored a lot of different things, and I'm very happily retired. Let me just say that too. Still ahead, a new way to keep seagulls at bay, or at least away from your food. But first we have a double birthday shout out for the Bryant boys of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. Thomas turns 10 today, and Luke is chasing 12 on April 25th. Your family wants you to know they're so proud of you both for your kindness, creativity, and passion for chess. And Thomas, they wish you the best of luck with your big hip-hop competition this weekend, and so do we. Now, today's Kid News Quiz. Which two major U.S. airlines are pitching a mega merger? United and American. Who is the FAA specifically targeting in its quest to find air traffic controllers? Gamers. Which city will host the Super Bowl again in 2029? Las Vegas. What is the name of the Staten Island deli owner who trades goodies for good grades? Whale, Alcelwe, or Wally. In today's Kid News Kicker, an eye-popping solution to a new challenge. It's both funny and frustrating when you're at the beach or the park, and a seagull swoops down to swipe the box of food you were just planning to dig into. Now, researchers from the University of Exeter in the UK say that painting a pair of eyes on takeout boxes could deter the goals and cut their crimeing by half. A study published in Ecology and Evolution showed that when tempted with containers with and without painted eyes, the birds were far more wary of the ones with eyes, even with repeated exposure. Watchful eyes have also been used to deter birds from crops and even airports, but researchers say it's not foolproof. Bold goals might not care about being watched, they say, in which case you may have to resort to shouting. Thanks again to the Bryant family of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina for sponsoring today's quiz. Happy birthday to Thomas, happy early birthday to Luke, and hello to all their teachers and friends at Mason Preparatory School. Go Knights! And shoutouts for our other Kid News classrooms. Mrs. Wilson's Orioles at Maple in Avon, Indiana. Ms. Dana's Gophers at Acres Micro School in Brooklyn, Arkansas. Mrs. Karshroods Giants at Giant City School in Carbondale, Illinois. Mrs. Morse Yeti's at Reunion in Commerce City, Colorado. Mrs. Williams Spartans at Lakeview 5-6 Academy in Bavle Creek, Michigan, and, submitted by one of her students, Mrs. Burns Class at Eastgate Sixth Grade Center in Kansas City, Missouri. Thanks for listening. Remember to rate, review, subscribe, and share Kid News with all your friends and family. We'll see you back here for more Kid News tomorrow morning.