Episode notes
We’re on the move in today’s episode – first, we’ll join a fun community bike ride for a good cause. Then we’re off the bikes and on to the racing track for a run with a speedy robot! And finally, we’ll travel to the bottom of the mainland of Australia for Talk of the Town... and remember, if you’d like your town to be the star of Talk of the Town, ask your grown up to head to the News Time page on the ABC kids listen website. Quiz Questions Who has the speedy robot managed to run faster than? Who are the bike-riding kids raising money for this year? In which state would you find Melbourne?…
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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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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3 Sep 2026 · 10 min
Donor doggos and humming Earth
On today’s episode, we’ll meet some kind canines helping other dogs, and we’ll kick a footy around with some budding Aussie rules athletes in the Top End. Plus, your Wow of the Week is about a sound that’s constantly around you, that you’ve never heard... Quiz Questions In which state or territory are young girls getting into AFL? Can all dogs donate blood? What is causing the Earth’s hum? Answers Northern Territory No, only fit and healthy adult dogs Ocean swells/ waves News Noodler Do you think there might be other sounds swirling around that you can’t hear? What else might make…
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1 Sep 2026 · 10 min
Mushroom kingdom and plastic bikkies
In today’s episode, we’ll hear about some strange cookies that you might think can’t be eaten, but actually can! We’ll hear news about some mushrooms that you might think can be eaten, but can’t. And we’ll visit a writer’s festival all about books – no confusion there, you definitely shouldn’t eat books. Quiz Questions What are the three words that refer to plants, animals and mushrooms? All starting with F. Where is the Blak and Bright festival being held? What are the NASA cookies made using – plastic and what? Hint – it starts with Y. Answers Flora, Fauna and Funga Melbourne, Naarm Yeast…
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27 Aug 2026 · 9 min
Deep dark skies and meaningful footy games
On today’s episode, we’ll hear about some special footy games happening in the next few weeks honouring a sporting star. And, speaking of stars, we’ll head to a remote part of Australia to peer deep into the Milky Way galaxy. Plus, it’s Wear it Purple day! So, pop your best purple accessories on and let’s get going. Quiz Questions Which team does Jai Arrow play for? What colour should people wear to show their support for LGBTQIA+ youth? In which state or territory would you find the newest Dark Sky Sanctuary? Answers South Sydney Rabbitohs Purple Northern Territory And your News Noodler...…
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25 Aug 2026 · 11 min
Clever dolphins and cosmic discovery
In today’s episode we’ll meet some very intelligent dolphins, learn about a newly discovered cosmic object and hear all about which book characters you’re dressing up as for Book Week! Quiz Questions Who do the marine researchers think the dolphins are learning the hunting skill of shelling from? What does LRDs stand for? What is the theme for this year’s Book Week? Answers Their mothers Little Red Dots Symphony of Stories News Noodler What else do you think the James Webb Space Telescope might discover that we don’t know about yet?
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23 Aug 2026 · 8 min
Recovering reef and Talk of the Town
On today's episode we’ll hear about some promising signs from the Great Barrier Reef and meet some remote school kids who aren’t able to get to school. Then, we’ll hit the road for our Talk of the Town. I wonder where we’ll visit today? Quiz Questions What type of weather do scientists think helped the Great Barrier Reef show signs of recovery? When did the very long bus service begin? In which state would you find Port Stephens? Answers A monsoon that brought cooler water temperatures 2021 NSW News Noodler Why do you think its important kids have the choice to attend face-to-face learning…
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20 Aug 2026 · 8 min
A long walk and a slow concert
On today’s episode, we’ll meet a 12-year-old walking a verrrry long way for a good cause, and we’ll attend the world’s sloooooowest concert! Quiz Questions In what state is the Cape York Peninsula? What is the name of the charity Dusty is helping? What is the name of the song being played by the organ in Germany? Answers Queensland Little Wings As Slow As Possible News Noodler Why do you think someone would write a song that would take more than 600 years to finish? For more great kids podcasts, download the free ABC listen app (Australia). There you’ll find more kids news podcasts,…
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18 Aug 2026 · 10 min
Delayed departure and protected penguins
On today’s episode, you’ll hear about a flight that didn’t quite go to plan... and learn about a threat to birds around the country – and a potential solution, too. Quiz Questions In which country was the flight that couldn’t take off? What sort of bird is being vaccinated against bird flu? How many words did Dineth study per day to prepare? Answers Canada Penguins 200 News Noodler Choose a game you might like to get really good at, like Dineth did. What steps could you take to get better at it?
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