Ready to Launch

January 22, 2026

TIME for Kids

A tall rocket stands upright on a launch pad beside a metal tower under a blue sky.
MAURICIO PAIZ—NURPHOTO/GETTY IMAGES

NASA’s Artemis II Space Launch System rocket arrives at its launch pad on Merritt Island, Florida, on January 17. The rocket is expected to take off for the moon in February.

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Four astronauts wearing white space suits sit strapped into seats inside a spacecraft cabin.

Space

Space Evacuation

January 22, 2026

On January 15, NASA completed its first medical evacuation from space. Its SpaceX Crew-11 mission ended early when an astronaut had a medical issue that couldn’t be treated at the International Space Station. At a press conference, NASA administrator Jared…

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A girl adds flowers to a colorful scene decorated with big sunflowers.

News

After the Fires

January 9, 2026

One year ago, the Palisades and Eaton Fires devastated Los Angeles, California. Community members are rebuilding. The fires began on January 7, 2025. They spread quickly. The AP reports that the fires burned through about 59 square miles. Thirty-one…

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Close‑up of a 2025 U.S. penny on a dark background.

Government

Penniless!

January 1, 2026

People pick them up for good luck. They’re tossed into fountains and valued by collectors. More than 3 billion pennies were made in 2024 alone. And on November 12, 2025, the United States Mint produced its final batch. After 232…

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Spanish
Close-up of a pile of shiny copper pennies, showing the heads and tails of U.S. one-cent coins.

Government

No More Pennies

November 25, 2025

The penny has died. At the age of 232, the coin’s final batch was minted in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on November 12. There are an estimated 250 billion pennies still in circulation. These will continue to be accepted as legal tender.…

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