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Ravens-Bills Week 8 preview: Five matchups that matter most
From Baltimore's offensive line and Derrick Henry to Josh Allen's mobility and Buffalo's passing attack, here are the five matchups that could decide Ravens-Bills
Weekend Watchlist: What's new in theaters, on streaming
Ready, set, binge! Here's a look at some of the new movies and TV shows coming to theaters and streaming services this weekend:Netflix TNCMS.AdManager.render({region: 'fixed-big-ad-top-asset', slot: 1, fold: "above"}); The One About Matthew Perry: This docuseries follows the life of the Friends actor Matthew Perry.SCTV: The Greatest Show You've Never Heard Of: Watch this new documentary about the classic Canadian comedy series.HBOThe Gilded Age: Season 4 of the New York-set drama series makes its premiere. Paramount+ Dexter: Resurrection: The second season of the Dexter sequel series stars Michael C. Hall as the titular serial killer.Apple TVNocturne: Liev Schreiber and Zazie Beetz star in this new crime drama series about a town under attack by an imprisoned serial killer. Movie theatersThe Only Living Pickpocket in New York: John Turturro leads this film where he plays a pickpocket who supports his wife in New York City. That’s all for this week’s Weekend Watchlist – happy streaming!Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved. Thank you for reading kmaland.comAt KMA, we attempt to be accurate in our reporting. If you see a typo or mistake in a story, please contact us by emailing kmaradio@kmaland.com.
Paul Bettany blew out 10 blood vessels in his eye while ‘wildly overacting’ on ‘VisionQuest’
Paul Bettany strained so hard while playing Vision in ‘VisionQuest’ that he ‘blew about 10 blood vessels’ in his eye: ‘I was just wildly overacting.’
Lawsuit: AI recording tool used by AHN, Highmark violates patient rights
A Pittsburgh-area woman who disclosed sensitive and confidential medical information to her doctor is suing Allegheny Health Network and Highmark alleging that she was not properly notified about the artificial intelligence recording tool they use in the clinical setting. The lawsuit, filed Thursday in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court, said
How the CEO of this wearable tech business approaches leadership
Whoop founder Will Ahmed told Northeastern students in a fireside chat how early rejection fueled his wearable company and its growth.
Ethics Week Lecture to explore AI, student mental health and human connection
Hee Yun Lee will weigh the benefits, risks and ethical questions of college students turning to chatbots for help.
Diplo: 'There's a big generational shift' of young people prioritizing health
Diplo talks with CNBC about hosting five-kilometer races across the globe branded as “Diplo’s Run Club.” The Grammy Award winner says, "There's a big generational shift right now, with young people realizing that they want to spend their time working on themselves and their bodies."
WATCH: Rubio welcomes G20 foreign ministers to Atlanta at 'critical moment'
Secretary of State Marco Rubio pulled the plug on the traditional group photo after several European officials threatened to boycott or walk out of the snapshot that usually helps kick off such diplomatic gatherings.
AP Decision Notes: What to expect in Maryland on Election Day
WASHINGTON (AP) — Maryland Democratic Gov. Wes Moore seeks a second term on Tuesday as he stakes his political capital on a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow his party to enter the mi...
What smart people are saying about the $6 billion Binance hack
After hackers stole more than $6 billion from Binance, executives and researchers raced to figure out what went wrong.
Petlove And São Paulo Metro Take On Animal Cruelty With “Villains,” An Animated Series By Unboring Company That Trades Conventional Messaging For Entertainment
Petlove, Brazil’s largest pet ecosystem, exists to make the world a place where every pet can be happier and healthier.
Padres Triple-A Struggles Reflect Poor Prospect Development
The San Diego Padres don't really do prospect development, and their Triple-A record reflects that.
We Must Kill Windows For A Just Future
Nobody likes Windows. This cannot continue. We must come together and annihilate it. I hate to say it, but the way forward is Linux.
EXCLUSIVE: Dismissing Geneva Mergers, Global Fund’s Dybul Wants To Focus On Country Capacity
Returning to lead the Global Fund, Mark Dybul argues that the future of global health lies with domestic health systems, not agency mergers in Geneva. Evoking the founding ambition of the early 2000s, the incoming Executive Director explains how the Accra Reset and US bilateral aid can align under unified national plans - and how his active ties to Washington can help navigate political fragmentation.
Anaheim Ducks’ Two-Game Scoring Explosion Comes With Brutal Catch
The Anaheim Ducks have been red-hot offensively over their past two games. But that hasn’t translated into success. The Ducks have scored 16 goals in their past three games and 11 over their last two. Unfortunately, 11 goals (five in one contest and six in the other) weren’t enough to win either of those two […] The post Anaheim Ducks’ Two-Game Scoring Explosion Comes With Brutal Catch appeared first on HEAVY.
MLB Player Market Races Against Expected Lockout on Dec. 1
Contract option decisions begin what will be a compressed player market.
You Can See Everything That Billy Evans Watched on 2x Speed
What was Elizabeth Holmes’s partner watching in the new Nathan Fielder documentary? We found the videos (and the scientists in them).
What drove Trump to revive red-state rallies less than 24 hours after canceling them
The decision to cancel relieved some political operatives on the ground, who were happy to hear Trump would be engaging in telerallies that tend to be more scripted.
Zelda: Ocarina of Time Nintendo Switch 2 remake "What's New" trailer
Nintendo just put out a new trailer for its Zelda: Ocarina of Time that goes over everything that’s new for the remake on Switch 2. This comes ahead of the launch on November 5, 2026. As a quick recap, Nintendo implemented a number of new features and extras. As a quick rundown, the game has dashing, jumping, gyro aiming, reimagined...
SMU's Rhett Lashlee Ready For Overdue Road Test vs. Syracuse
The Mustangs haven't been on the road in weeks, and now they will tackle Syracuse in what will be a tough outing on Saturday.
What are possible mental health impacts of I-638 on WA kids?
While I-638 supporters say they want to protect fair competition for cis girls in sports, health providers worry about mental health impacts trans girls could face.
What I learned about 'Avengers: Doomsday' by seeing 'Wicker'
Doctor Doom, have you heard of the Wicker Husband?
HCA Healthcare Lobbies on Hospital Price Transparency Measures
HCA Healthcare lobbied on a Senate bill requiring hospitals to post prices in dollars and cents. See what the Patients Deserve Price Tags Act may change.
Leo XIV has become the first pope in history to vote in a U.S. general election
Leo XIV has become the first pope to vote in a U.S. general election, casting a mail-in ballot in a contest that will decide America's future as the Trump era slowly comes to an end.
Small business Saturday, culinary edition
Small Business Saturday falls on November 28th this year, the Saturday after Thanksgiving, and it’s the perfect time to strengthen the Island’s local economy by promoting the importance of small businesses. Because the reality is that supporting local businesses isn’t just about shopping, it’s about investing in the well-being of our community. When we purchase […]
California's first sea turtle eggs could hatch any day now.
Federal biologists made a last-minute decision to relocate the eggs after forecasters predicted high tides would swamp their nests on Orange County beaches.
Could Texas Turn Blue? What to Watch in the 2026 Midterms
Co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina delve into the latest news in politics
Downtown Orlando businesses prepare for Halloween crowds with extra security
Ensuring that customers and employees feel safe among Halloween crowds is a priority as the area marks two years since a deadly shooting.
UMaine scientists analyze 4-billion-year-old Martian meteorite
It turns out that the meteorite, called Teghaza 001, is more than 4 billion years old.
Patrick Stewart’s son Daniel pays tribute with sweet throwback photo after actor’s death
The “X-Men” star previously revealed that he was estranged from his children.
In time for your Halloween viewing, here are the top 5 horror movies of 2026
It’s that spooky time of year again. For my top five horror films of 2026, my one requirement is originality. Other than that, the selected titles are all vastly different
CHRISTMAS AT THE KRINGLES Hopes To Bring Seasonal Scream Laughs
The other day I went to my local Walgreens and was horrified to see the Halloween section split in half, with Christmas decorations already out. So it seems fitting that Christmas at the Kringles, the new holiday horror-comedy film from director Kevin Lewis (Willy’s Wonderland), is in theaters today.
Israel's election results are in. Here's what could happen next
Israeli election results are in, showing the makeup of the country's next parliament but leaving open the question of who will be prime minister.
BREAKING: Sutter Health Abandons Plans for Emeryville Hospital
Sutter Health announced that it has abandoned plans for its Emeryville Hospital and will seek a new location in the East Bay.
Utah House of Representatives: District 66
Three candidates are running for Utah House of Representatives in District 66. This includes Russ Hatch, Breanne Mashek and Troy Shelley.
The ‘Borges protein’ reveals how to alleviate age-related memory loss
A monumental study involving millions of fruit flies shows that the same type of proteins associated with neurodegenerative diseases are involved in forming memories, and points to how to protect them in old age
Auto review: 2026 Lincoln Navigator moves people in American style
While the Ford Motor Co. continues to produce mass-market trucks and SUVs for the everyday consumer, its upscale Lincoln brand is focused on delivering an experience to consumers that is
Will daylight saving time ever become permanent? Health experts hope not
Clocks turn back an hour this weekend. A new study warns that year-round daylight saving time would mean millions more dark school commutes, with greater risk of deadly crashes.
Giving Back for October
Giving Back recognizes businesses and organizations that are helping our communities. Here’s a look at who gave back for October.
Dating again? What older adults should know about sexual health and protection
We are addressing sexual health after 60, discussing essential screenings and how older adults can stay protected while dating.
Dating again? What older adults should know about sexual health and protection
We are addressing sexual health after 60, discussing essential screenings and how older adults can stay protected while dating.
Ken Paxton's political rise, from the Tea Party to Trump's MAGA movement
Ken Paxton built a loyal conservative following long before Donald Trump entered politics. That support has helped him survive scandals, criminal charges and impeachment. Now he's counting on it to help him win a competitive U.S. Senate race.
Hailey Bieber Opens Up About Women’s Health, Rhode’s $5M Pledge
Hailey Bieber opens up to WWD about Rhode's $5 million women's health commitment, motherhood, her beauty treatments and what's next for the brand.
What elite athletes can teach us about the future of healthcare
Olympic athletes, a Hopkins sports medicine doctor, and healthcare tech startup founders weigh in.
What elite athletes can teach us about the future of healthcare
Olympic athletes, a Hopkins sports medicine doctor, and healthcare tech startup founders weigh in.
Nintendo cancels Kirby Air Riders Halloween event
Nintendo recently started up a new Halloween event for Kirby Air Riders, but it has now been cancelled. The main menu and Paddock took on a special Halloween theme. During the event, players could earn event points to unlock Halloween-themed materials and cosmetics, including a ghost hat. Unfortunately, players quickly noticed that the Kirby Air Riders Halloween event was very...
Note on Emerging Science: Spring-Loaded Spider Trap
Late summer into early fall is spider season, when you seem to find spiders everywhere, spinning their silk masterpieces or lurking in a dark corner. In this week’s note on emerging science, Living on Earth’s Don Lyman reports on a particularly impressive Australian spider that builds a spring-loaded trap to catapult unwitting ants into its web for dinner.
Florida State's defensive keys vs Clemson
Here are the defensive keys for Florida State on Saturday night as they face a Clemson offense that struggles to score.
An introspective Kirk Franklin is no longer apologizing with 'I Am What I Am' album
Kirk Franklin is back with his new album, "I Am What I Am," out Friday | WBBM Newsradio 780 AM & 105.9 FM
An introspective Kirk Franklin is no longer apologizing with 'I Am What I Am' album
Kirk Franklin is back with his new album, "I Am What I Am," out Friday. His 14th studio project and first double album, 14 tracks are divided between contemporary music and traditional, live-recorded...
An introspective Kirk Franklin is no longer apologizing with 'I Am What I Am' album
Kirk Franklin is back with his new album, "I Am What I Am," out Friday | Talk 1370
An introspective Kirk Franklin is no longer apologizing with 'I Am What I Am' album
Kirk Franklin is back with his new album, "I Am What I Am," out Friday.
Gubernatorial candidate Rick Bennett unveils plan to end dark money in politics
Bennett said that as governor, he would require full disclosure of political funding to end anonymous spending.
Todd Chrisley was initially not on board with daughter Savannah’s age-gap relationship
Savannah announced earlier this week that she and Jason Galanis are expecting their first baby together.
Hugging Face Launches ProtoStar to Tackle Science's Data Problem
There’s a lot of scientific data out there – and universities, government agencies, and research labs have spent decades collecting it. This includes everything from climate change to human biology. Much of it is publicly available. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean other researchers can easily use it. Sometimes, just getting the data into a usable […]
Why human scientists, not AI, still control the fate of biosecurity
AI models have written the genome of a working virus for the first time, though the ones that came alive attack only harmless lab bacteria
HEALTH INSURERS AND PHARMACY BENEFIT MANAGERS URGED TO ASSIST FAMILIES AFFECTED BY LULU M. ROSS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FIRE
State calls for swift, flexible action to help affected families replace essential medications DOVER, Del. (October 30, 2026) – This week, the Delaware Department of Insurance was notified by Secretary of Health and Social Services, Christen Linke Young and Secretary of Education Cindy Marten that the October 25 fire at Lulu M. Ross Elementary School […]
Difficult negotiations lie ahead in Israel after Netanyahu's bloc lost its parliamentary majority
Israel's final election results confirmed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his allies lost their parliamentary majority and that weeks of difficult negotiations among very different parties, from ultra-Orthodox Jewish to secular to Arab-led, lie ahead.
What First Business Financial Services (FBIZ) Said on Its Q3 Earnings Call
First Business Financial Services (NASDAQ:FBIZ) reported record third-quarter 2026 pre-tax, pre-provision and bottom-line earnings, supported by loan and deposit growth, an expanded net interest margin and lower expenses. President and CEO Dave Seiler said earnings per share increased 6% from the s
What’s in Your Vape Cart in 2026?
Recent studies showing heavy metal contamination in cannabis vape carts illustrate the need for additional testing and regulatory guidelines.
Pixel 11 Pro and 11 Pro XL Hit With Massive Price Cuts
You know that we have officially entered the holiday shopping season when Google slashes the prices of its brand new Pixel 11 series with the largest discounts to date. You may not even need a trade-in at this point, thanks to these wild price cuts. The Pixel 11 Pro has been given a $300 discount,...
Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark stepping down after college football season ends
Big 12 Conference commissioner Brett Yormark is stepping down from his role at the conclusion of the college football season, according to two sources briefed on Yormark’s decision. One of those sources told The Athletic that Yormark’s next steps will be outside of college sports. “When I accepted this job, my goal was to put this conference on an upward trajectory and truly believe the future of the conference could not be in better shape,” Yormark said in a release Friday. “The next commission
'Star Trek's' William Shatner and George Takei honor the death of Walter Koenig
'Rest well, my dear friend. Keep navigating a steady course.'
Top Science Democrat probes cuts to research spending at National Science Foundation
A key Democrat is looking into a massive amount of money that was appropriated to the National Science Foundation (NSF) but reportedly not spent. In a letter first shared with The Hill, House Commi…
Crimson Desert Enhanced Edition gets a surprise demo on PlayStation and Xbox, lets you play for 5 hours and carry over your save data
You have until January 2027 to see what all the fuss is about in a game that took the world by storm earlier this year.
Some Interesting Data as Boston Celtics Begin Run in NBA Cup
What does Boston need to do to advance in the fourth edition of the event?
Political analysts shift Spartz-Ford race to the left ahead of Election Day
The change is the latest sign that U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz, who won reelection by 18 points last cycle, may not have as swift a route to victory.
8 protein-rich food groups and 2 intake rules from Harvard Health
Harvard Health names eight food groups that supply protein and explains how much to eat each day and where the limits sit.
Reproductive Rights Left on the Table: Senator Cappelletti Reflects on Unfinished Business as Legislative Session Concludes
Harrisburg – October 30, 2026 – The Pennsylvania Senate recessed last Wednesday, October 22, with only two additional session days scheduled through the end of the 2026-2027 legislative session. As the chamber recessed—currently controlled by Republicans—the Senate left hundreds of bills on the table, including several that would advance reproductive freedoms in the Commonwealth. Senator Amanda M. Cappelletti (D-17, Delaware/Montgomery) said many of these state-level protections are critical for Pennsylvanians as Republicans in Washington continue to dismantle the nation’s healthcare infrastructure. “Wrapping up this legislative session and looking ahead to next Tuesday, access to abortion care is at the very top of my mind. I’m deeply disturbed that the majority party in our chamber was once again unwilling to come to the table and move lifesaving legislation that would protect basic healthcare in Pennsylvania,” said Senator Cappelletti, who served as the Director of Policy for Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania Advocates prior to her time in the legislature. Senator Cappelletti has proposed several bills to address reproductive healthcare, and three proposals to protect abortion care were left on the table for the third session in a row since she introduced them. On November 30, 2026, all legislative proposals not signed into law […]
Netanyahu loses majority as Israel's political parties seek path to new government
With final election results leaving both major blocs short of a majority, Fox News Digital reporter Efrat Lachter reports from Israel on the negotiations that could determine the country's next government.
Federal financial assistance now available to businesses impacted by BWCAW closures and wildfires
Several months after closures in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and surrounding wildfire impacts disrupted businesses across northeastern Minnesota, some are still dealing with the summer’s financial fallout. This week, Cook County officials announced that small businesses and nonprofit organizations that experienced financial impacts can now access federal financial assistance through the U.S. Small...
I thought it was fascinating and revealing that a team …
I thought it was fascinating and revealing that a team …
Is Meta’s Muse the Start of the Business-to-Agent Era?
Consumer AI agents are here, and they carry an understanding of the user that no brand app can match. Businesses need to be ready to serve agents as customers.
This electric screwdriver uses a camera and AI to figure out what bit you need
When did screwdrivers get smart?
Goodwill Seemingly Has No Clue It's Selling a Previously Unknown Leica Prototype Lens
What a crazy thing to have at Goodwill.
Trump will rally in Kansas and Iowa after initially canceling weekend trips before midterms
President Donald Trump has rescheduled campaign rallies in a pair of critical Midwestern states that he had previously canceled.
QB Ty Dieffenbach explains 'biggest differences' that set UCLA apart
"I think that is one of the biggest differences on this team, and why we’re so close with each other. We aren’t just isolated within position groups."
Keeneland Race Course hosts top thoroughbred horses in Breeders' Cup
The 2026 Breeders’ Cup World Championships is set for Keeneland Race Course in Kentucky for its annual two-day series. Here is what to know.
Exclusive Preview: The Lab Press releases portable editions, including SUPER SCIENCE VOL. 1
The Lab Press launches portables of ogns like Super Science Volume 1 that keep the quality of their signature designs intact
Zach Frazier’s Steelers Teammates Say What He Won’t
PITTSBURGH — Zach Frazier prefers to be unassuming. The Pittsburgh Steelers’ third-year center does his job — and does it […]
What's happening at the Waunakee Public Library
Circulation desk—608-849-4217 waupl@waupl.org
TN Politics: Election Day nears and nude photos enter the chat
State Sen. Brent Taylor says telling the truth about sending unsolicited nude selfies to multiple people makes him honest. Otis Sanford says it should make him disqualified.
Moment of Science: The science behind your scream
Spooky season has arrived; here’s what happens in your brain when you get scared.
Ad featuring Democrat’s estranged mother is off the air in Ohio
Ramaswamy said during a campaign appearance in Vandalia, Ohio, on Thursday that the ad’s planned run was over.
Giants Reveal Potential Jaxson Dart Return Date
Had someone told New York Giants fans that the team would be leading the division entering Week 8 of the NFL season, the logical assumption a fan might have had is that quarterback Jaxson Dart had taken the next step in his development and cemented himself as the future of the franchise.Instead, it’s been a […] The post Giants Reveal Potential Jaxson Dart Return Date appeared first on HEAVY.
Peltola denies knowing about Alaska spoiler candidate as Justice Department escalates investigation
Democratic Senate candidate Mary Peltola denied Thursday that she knew anything about an effort to put another candidate on the Alaska ballot with the same name as the Republican incumbent as the Justice Department escalated a criminal investigation with new grand jury subpoenas.
Motorola is officially launching its Signature 27 flagship next week
Motorola has officially confirmed that it will spill all of the details on its flagship Signature 27 phone next week....
AP Decision Notes: What to expect in Pennsylvania on Election Day
In Pennsylvania, three races for U.S. House seats currently held by Republicans are being closely watched for their potential to turn blue. In those three key races, President Donald Trump
Bo Bichette’s Mets Decision Delays Inevitable
In the end, Bo Bichette made the decision everyone was expecting. Bichette opted-in to his New York Mets contract for 2027 on Thursday, according to The Athletic’s Will Sammon. It was a choice between making a guaranteed $42 million next season or risking it in free agency. Bichette didn’t take that risk. Coming off a […] The post Bo Bichette’s Mets Decision Delays Inevitable appeared first on HEAVY.
Mid-Michigan entertainment for the weekend of Oct. 30 to Nov. 1 and beyond
Check out what’s going on around the area.
Report: Nvidia Accelerating RTX 5080 24GB Launch, Could Arrive By December
RTX 50 Super, is that you?
AP Decision Notes: What to expect in Minnesota on Election Day
Minnesota voters will elect a new governor and new senator Tuesday after retirement announcements by two prominent Democrats caused a reshuffling throughout the ballot. Voters will also decide races for
The Foundation celebrates a decade of building community through sports in Denver
The social sports school that the Real Madrid Foundation operates in Denver (Colorado) in collaboration with Colorado United Soccer Club held its...
Bayer wins Roundup weedkiller cancer trial while awaiting settlement ruling
Bayer won a trial on Thursday over claims by three women that its Roundup weedkiller caused their cancer, while awaiting a broader ruling from a separate court on the company’s $7.25…
SLOPAGANDA! How to combat MAGA’s AI manipulation POISONING politics
Slopaganda has spread far and wide in the midterm elections, and there’s only one question: Can it be stopped? Brandy Zadrozny, a senior enterprise reporter for MS NOW, provides answers in the latest episode of The Deep End, a digital video series about how disinformation is changing your world — from politics to health to culture. Her investigation covers the rise of AI-generated propaganda and President Trump’s enthusiastic embrace of it, the shadowy operatives who used it to swing an election in Florida, and Brandy’s own slopaganda experiment that shows why AI technology is in desperate need of guardrails that protect voters and democracy itself.
WeWork CEO explains what it takes to fix a damaged company coming out of bankruptcy
As part of Business Insider's The Long Play, John Santora shared what it takes to turn a damaged company into one built to last
Science Begins With Wonder and Sometimes With a Salamander.
The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by the Don & Beth Straus Center at Birch Bay Village. BAR HARBOR—The children had come to see the axolotls, those odd little salamanders with pink frills around their heads and the remarkable ability to grow back what they lose. But also there were stickers. There were crafts. There was the kind of excitement that makes a roomful of kindergarteners forget, for a little while, that sitting still is ever a requirement. And then there were the animals themselves, alive in their clear cases at the MDI Biological Laboratory, where 12 children from Pemetic Elementary School got to meet the creatures they had been learning about in class. “Do you love them?” their teacher, Carol Null, asked. The answer came back in a chorus. “I do!” “I do!” “I do too,” Null said, smiling. “I love them even more now.” That was the thing about a day at the lab. Science was no longer a picture in a book, or a word on a classroom wall. It had a face, a tail, and a set of extraordinary powers. And for a child, sometimes that is where wonder begins. Sometimes learning about science is about stickers. Sometimes it’s about bright pink feathers and getting super excited about that glow in the dark. Sometimes learning about science is joy—pure and simple joy. That’s how it was October 28 at the MDI Bio Lab as Miss Hannah (known in the lab as Dr. Hannah Lust, director of STEM, undergraduate and graduate Training), other scientists, graduate students, and MDI Bio Lab staff, hosted 12 students from Carol Null’s Pemetic Elementary School’s kindergarten class. The 2.5-hour program created by Dr. Lust focused on axolotls, a species of mole salamanders, a superhero in the animal world: a superhero with some scientific-study worthy superpowers. One of those superpowers come from the axolotls’ ability to regenerate body parts, including entire limbs. But also, they’re cute. This fall, before coming to the internationally renowned lab nestled in Salsbury Cove, Null has been integrating axolotls into her class. They’ve been part of the kids’ vocabulary and their storytelling. They’ve been part of science. They’ve been part of the children’s learning about facts vs opinions. The Pemetic Elementary kindergarten students learn about invasive species and the impact on the ecology and one student related it to their dad, who lobsters, and his worries about green craps, an invasive species in Maine. “Are they bigger or smaller than you thought they’d be?” the children are asked after the scientists show them multiple see-through cases of axolotls, lined up on a table that they’re told not to jiggle. “Bigger!” “I think they’re bigger.” “Smaller!” The bio lab opening its doors to the collaborations and to students and families is a norm, but this is the first program of this kind. It’s meant to encourage kindergarten students about axolotls. But when the students come to the bio lab something else happens too—something beyond Null’s child-focused teaching—the students see science—and the regenerating creatures in real life. They do crafts. They speak with them. They meet people who know all about them: scientists and educators who talk to the kids like they’re equals. That’s a superhero power, too. Null speaks about meeting the kids where they’re at in her classroom, letting their interest and hearts lead her in their learning. That requires recognition of interests, of individuality, of empathy. Some would argue that’s a super power, too, but it’s also in those 12 students as they listen to the storybook, encounter those live axolotls, and hear about how axolotls might help advance society’s understanding of human health. As Eddie Seckeler (comparative animal models, CORE facility manager), carefully puts the axolotls on a cart and rolls them away, some of the children stop what they’re doing to watch. “Bye axolotls.” “Bye!” “Bye!” The axolotls are not just images in a book, Hello, I’m an axolotl by Hayley and John Rocco; they are real and cool. MDI Biological Laboratory scientists Dr. Prayag Murawala and Dr. James Godwin who both feature in the Roccos’ book. The kindergarteners get to meet them in real life, off the page, in the world, doing science. They learn from them, laugh with them. “The visit is about more than meeting an unusual animal. By introducing children to scientists working in their own community, the experience helps make science tangible and accessible. Students can see that science is not just something they read about in books or learn about at school. It is something real people do every day by asking questions, making observations and working to understand how the world works,” explains MDI Biological Laboratory Director of Communications Rebecca Woods. While the students make axolotl-related crafts around tables, graduate students and staff help out. Ryan holds up his construction paper setting and axolotl to show Omar Maged, a graduate student. “Do you like it?” Ryan asks, eyes wide, turning from his axolotl to look up at Omar. Omar studies the construction paper for a moment, smiles and says definitively, each word important. “It is beautiful.” Null says that she’s so thankful for all the “amazing” community partners that her school and her students get to interact with as they learn and grow and live, but emphasized how the MDI Bio Lab goes out of its way to create something meaningful, something that allows her young students to build their own agency, to know that they can be impactful in their community, to show them how how things they learn about in text is connected to themselves and their community. Woods explains, “Axolotls have an extraordinary ability to regenerate, or regrow, certain body parts, including limbs. Scientists study these animals to understand how regeneration works and what their biology might teach us about tissue repair and healing in humans.” The children enter the space for “a memorable introduction to a big scientific question,” Woods said. “How can some animals regrow body parts? The encounter encourages children to look closely, wonder about what they see and begin to understand how scientists use observations and experiments to investigate questions.” “For the students, the visit is an opportunity to explore a fascinating animal and meet scientists in their own community,” Woods explains. “For MDI Biological Laboratory, it is a chance to share the excitement of research, nurture curiosity, and help young learners discover that science begins with asking questions.“ At the beginning of the school year, Pemetic kindergarteners didn’t know what the axolotl was—at least not exactly—now they know all about the axolotl’s life cycle. “It’s different than a butterfly,” one student told Mrs. Null. It is. The change and knowledge might seem small**,** but it offers a glimpse of what happens when a subject moves beyond the pages of a book and into a child’s world. The children have been learning about butterflies at the Charlotte Rhoades Park and Butterfly Garden. At both the garden and the MDI Bio Lab, the children see the animals, meet the scientists who study them and at the lab encounter a question that researchers are still working to answer: how can some creatures regenerate body parts, and what might that teach us about healing in humans? They leave with gift bags, paper-plate salamanders, new things to wonder about and a connection between the science they learn in school and the work happening in their own community. The axolotls may be remarkable for their ability to grow back what they have lost. For these young students, the day offers something different: a chance to discover how much there is to ask, observe, and imagine. When Null’s students had time to use chalk and draw whatever they want, in the beginning of the year, they drew rainbows. Now? They’re using that chalk and choosing to draw axolotls instead. About MDI Bio Laboratory For more than 125 years, MDI Bio Lab has been a center for training and research in comparative biology. In the last two decades its biomedical research has focused on aging, regeneration, and environmental toxins. The Laboratory houses 11 research groups staffed by an international team of world-class scientists and graduate students. It also leads a statewide network of colleges, universities and research institutions that collaborate to provide training, research experiences and financial support to help young Mainers play a bigger role in today’s biomedical revolution. Located on Maine’s rugged coast, the Laboratory’s 100+ acre campus houses research facilities, cottages and dorms that house visiting scientists and students. It is also home to MDI Bioscience, a subsidiary working to design innovative techniques to speed the drug discovery process. The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Rick Osann Art. LINKS TO LEARN MORE NIH INBRE MDI BIOLOGICAL LABORATORY Pemetic Elementary School Hello, I’m an Axolotl Photos: Carrie Jones/Bar Harbor Story HELP SUPPORT THE BAR HARBOR STORY When we started The Bar Harbor Story, we didn’t know if anyone would read it. But you showed up. You shared. You sent tips. Now—over 400,000 views every month later—it’s clear: people here care about their community and each other. We’ve kept everything free because news should never be out of reach, but every one of our stories takes time to write, and your support keeps The Bar Harbor Story going. If you value our work, please consider a paid subscription, a founding membership, or a sponsorship. It truly helps us cover one more meeting, tell one more story, shine one more light. Even $5 a month makes a difference. Click here to become a one-time supporter now. Thank you so much for being here. Founding member information can be found here. Have questions about sponsorships? 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