Listen to this episode
Watch the original episode on YouTube.
Today’s Pulse rundown
The Tower Opens for Business
Transcript: In 2014, One World Trade Center opened for business, welcoming more than 170 Condé Nast employees on November 3; the public observatory opened in 2015.
28-Year World Walk
Transcript: Could you imagine leaving home for nearly three decades just to travel on foot? British adventurer Karl Bushby returned to Hull, England, on Monday after completing a twenty-eight-year walk around the globe. Associated Press reports that Bushby started his trek in Punta Arenas, Chile, back in nineteen ninety-eight. He covered thirty-one thousand miles across four continents and thirty countries without using boats or planes to move forward. He faced frozen ice, dense jungles, and years of visa delays before finally walking up to his mother's front door. His incredible journey proves that patience and determination can overcome massive challenges. Where is the farthest place you have ever walked?
Spiders Show Two Sleep Stages
Transcript: Could jumping spiders have a dream-like stage of sleep? Researchers at the University of Bonn filmed jumping spiders hanging from silk threads at night. They observed two sleep stages, including one with twitching legs and rapid eye movements. The spiders also reacted more slowly to sounds while resting. Those movements resemble a feature of human REM sleep, but the study does not show that spiders actually dream. Researchers could not measure brain activity, so what the animals experience is still unknown. The findings give scientists new clues about sleep in animals with very different brains. What would you like scientists to investigate next?
Rover Breaks Mars Record
Transcript: What if a robotic car could explore another planet entirely on its own? NASA reports that the Perseverance rover has officially set a world record by traveling over twenty-eight miles across Mars. Engineers upgraded the six-wheeled explorer with smart navigation software and improved braking to climb rocky slopes safely. Because Mars lacks Earth-style satellite signals, the rover uses onboard image matching to calculate its exact coordinates after every drive. This autonomous steering lets Perseverance explore ancient crater rocks without waiting hours for driving directions from mission control. How far would you drive an explorer robot if you were in charge?
Valkyries’ Offseason Plans
Transcript: The WNBA season has officially concluded, and the celebration is in full swing for the newly crowned champions, the Valkyries. After securing their title, the focus for many players has shifted toward the future. Several key members of the championship roster are now navigating their status as free agents. This period is a critical time for both the athletes and the league, as players weigh their options for where they will play next season. Whether they choose to stay with the Valkyries to defend their title or explore new opportunities with different teams, fans are eager to see how the roster will shape up for next year.
High Court Voting Order
Transcript: How do legal rules protect voter access during a major national election? NPR reports that the United States Supreme Court denied an emergency request by the Justice Department involving California voting rolls. Federal officials had asked judges to separate thousands of ballots right before Election Day. Lower courts ruled that creating a brand-new sorting system during active voting would disrupt the process and violate federal election laws. The justices upheld longstanding legal principles that prevent last-minute rule changes on the eve of voting to keep elections orderly. Why is stability so important when millions of citizens cast their ballots?
Urban Driver Assist
Transcript: Picture a car that smoothly guides you through busy roundabouts and city traffic! The Verge reports that BMW plans to introduce navigation-guided urban driving assist to select vehicles starting in twenty twenty-seven. The system uses built-in cameras, radar sensors, and smart software to help steer, brake, and change lanes on city streets. However, because it is a Level two system, drivers must keep their hands on the wheel and remain ready to take over instantly. Automakers are working to make daily driving smoother while emphasizing that human attention remains essential for road safety. Would you trust an assisted driving system on your neighborhood streets?
Dawn Sky Trio
Transcript: Set your morning alarm, because a bright sky show is coming before sunrise! The Guardian reports that Venus, a slender crescent moon, and the star Spica will line up this week. Look toward the morning sky before dawn. Venus will shine beside Spica, the brightest star in the Virgo constellation. The waning moon will appear as a very thin crescent. Sunlight bouncing off Earth will softly brighten the moon's darker side. This glow is faint, so a clear sky will help. Will you wake early to see the trio before sunrise?
Southwest Flash Floods
Transcript: Imagine receiving two months of heavy rainfall in just a couple of days! PBS NewsHour reports that powerful Pacific storm systems have triggered flash flooding and mandatory evacuations across the American Southwest. In Pagosa Springs - pronounced *pah-GO-suh* Springs - Colorado, officials warned residents as the San Juan River swelled rapidly toward historic flood levels. Rescue crews in Arizona and New Mexico closed submerged highways, sandbagged buildings, and helped families move to emergency community shelters on higher ground. When sudden heavy rain drenches dry desert soil, water cannot soak in quickly, turning dry washes into rushing rivers. How does your community prepare for extreme weather events?
Zelda Team Revealed
Transcript: Have you ever wondered who builds a remake of a beloved game? Nintendo's new Ask the Developer interview introduces key members of the Ocarina of Time remake team. Director HokWai Ng led the game's core development approach, and art director Aya Shida shaped its visuals. The developers say they wanted to update the graphics while preserving the original's feel. Nintendo plans to release the remake for Switch 2 on November 5. The interview gives fans a behind-the-scenes look at how a classic game is rebuilt for a new generation. Which part of a favorite game would you want developers to keep unchanged?
Friendlier College Entry
Transcript: Applying to college can feel intimidating, but schools across the nation are making the process much friendlier! The Hechinger Report notes that high school seniors often find research, campus tours, and applications overwhelming. With national demographic trends projecting fewer high school graduates, universities are actively working to welcome students by waiving application fees and offering direct admissions. Campuses like Skidmore College are even having professors meet prospective teens in science labs and classrooms so applicants feel valued and supported right away. This shift reminds students that colleges want them just as much as they want an acceptance letter. What kind of campus environment would you look for in college?