Episode notes
Today’s episode features some big news about screen time that might be changing things at your school. We’ll stay off the screens as we visit a unique vending machine that’s full of something a little surprising, and definitely not edible. And then we’ll leave modern screens behind as we head back to prehistoric times for a dinoriffic, pooptastic Wow of the Week. Quiz Questions With this new idea, are New South Wales public school kids likely to have more time or less time on screens in school? In which state or territory would you find this book vending machine? What’s the technical term…
Podcast
News Time
ABC Australia · Kids & Family · English
From amazing animals to sensational sport, interesting insects to dino discoveries, mars missions and beyond. Join Emily Anderson every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to count down the weird and wonderful. News Time is perfect for 4-9 year olds who want to know more about the world around them.
More from News Time All episodes →
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29 Sep 2026 · 8 min
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Today, we’ll find out why a dictionary just got bigger, we’ll discover two new insect species, and we’ll meet the latest world record holder in Rubik's cubing. Quiz Questions How many new words have just been added to the Merriam-Webster? Where were the new species of stick insect discovered? How old is the new women’s world record holder in Rubik's cubing? Answers 1,400 Far North Queensland Six News Noodler If you could set the world record in something, what would it be? For more great kids podcasts, download the free ABC listen app (Australia). There you’ll find more kids news podcasts,…
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27 Sep 2026 · 8 min
Planes, trains and Lego worlds
On today’s episode we’ll meet a man who built his very own plane, we’ll visit an art exhibition made of Lego, and we’ll head to the home of the world’s steepest train for Talk of the Town. Quiz Questions: What is the name of the man who built his own plane in Central Queensland? How many minifigures were used in Jackson and Alex's exhibition? What is the closest capital city to the Blue Mountains? Answers: Len Neale 2,500 Sydney News Noodler: If you could build anything in the world, what would it be?
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24 Sep 2026 · 8 min
Bluey dollarbucks and burping bovines
On today's episode we’ll visit an apple orchard in Tasmania, we’ll find out what’s on the latest dollarbucks released by the Royal Australian Mint, and we’ll learn why cow burps are bad for the planet. Quiz Questions In which state did they find the abandoned apple orchard? Who is on the new one dollar coin with Bluey? What is the name of the problem gas that cows burp out? Answers Tasmania Rusty Methane News Noodler Can you brainstorm any ways to reduce global warming (other than less cow burps)? For more great kids podcasts, download the free ABC listen app (Australia). There you’ll find…
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22 Sep 2026 · 9 min
Three kids and big dreams
Today's episode is all about cool kids! We'll meet a talented teen welder, a boy who impressed the prime minister of Australia, and a 13-year-old surfing world champion! Quiz Questions How much did Charlie sell his wolf sculpture for? What is the name of the charity Dusty is supporting? How old is Leihani Zoric? Answers $8,000 Little Wings 13 News Noodler This is something to ponder with no right or wrong answer... what big goal (like winning a surfing world championship) would you like to achieve yourself one day? For more great kids podcasts, download the free ABC listen app (Australia).…
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20 Sep 2026 · 8 min
Aura farming and tiny homes
On today’s episode we’ll meet some teenagers gaining skills and helping their community at the same time. Then we’ll be farming, but not for apples or corn... we’ll be aura farming. Yep! Plus, we’re headed to “the festival state” for Talk of the Town. If you’re not sure which state that is... listen on! Quiz Questions What do kids learn about in the first 2 weeks of the construction course? What are these people farming? In which state or territory would you find Stirling, in the Adelaide Hills? Answers They learn about mental wellbeing. Aura South Australia News Noodler Aura is a tricky…
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15 Sep 2026 · 9 min
Baby chimp and Saturn surprise
In today’s episode, we’ll meet an amateur Aussie astronomer making big discoveries from their backyard. We’ll spend some time with a cute chimpanzee looking for a new family, and then it’s time to whip out any globes or maps of the world lying around, because a big change is coming. Quiz Questions How many sides does the decagon wave have? Which bone did baby Cassie break? Does the new map make Africa look bigger or smaller than it used to look? Answers 10 Leg Bigger News Noodler Why do you think the size of a country on a map has got so many people passionately arguing? What might it mean…
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13 Sep 2026 · 9 min
Missing moths and warm weather
Get excited friends, because today’s Talk of the Town takes us far beyond the Australian shoreline – we're headed overseas! Plus, we might be in for a hot hot summer – find out why. And some migrating moths have gone missing! Hear why the scientists tracking them aren’t too worried. Questions Does El Nino mean it will probably be a summer that’s hotter than usual, or cooler than usual? How many tagged moths did the scientists find when they came back to check on them? On which continent would you find Hong Kong? I’ll give you multiple choice... is it North America, Europe, Asia or Africa?…
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10 Sep 2026 · 10 min
Burying undies and grassy art
Today’s episode is particularly grassy... we’ll learn about a new sort of burial that’s kinder to the environment. We’ll learn about artists taking unwanted weeds and turning them into art. And find out why thousands of people have been burying their undies in the backyard, for a good cause, of course! Quiz Questions What’s the technical term for the roots of mushrooms, used to make the coffin? What’s the name of the invasive grass in the Northern Territory? Why were people burying their undies? Answers Mycelium Buffel grass To check on soil health News Noodler - a question to chat about…
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8 Sep 2026 · 9 min
Silent room and quirky kakapo
We ask and answer some big questions on today’s episode. We’re encouraged to reach out to the people around us and ask how they’re going for R U OK day. We also ask ‘why is it that famous authors are writing books that might never be read by anyone alive today?’ And ‘how can we save a weird, waddley owl-parrot from extinction’? You’ll have to listen to find out! Questions Do you have to wait until R U OK day to check on someone? Where will they get the paper to print these books in 100 years? How often does a kakapo have baby chicks? Answers Nope, you can reach out to your friends whenever…
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6 Sep 2026 · 9 min
Bush school and snapping jaws
In today’s episode we’re spending some time outdoors with a group of lucky school kids getting up close and personal with nature. We’ll travel back in time to learn something new about the extinct Tasmanian Tiger, and then it’s time for Talk of the Town. I wonder where we’re headings today? Quiz Questions How often did the year 1 students get to have class outside? Do the researchers think Thylacines would be better snapping up bigger or smaller animals as prey? In which state would you find Manly, Sydney? Answers Once a week Smaller New South Wales News Noodler What are the pros and cons –…
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