AAPI Heritage Month, FIFA World Cup Prep, and Animals Around the World
10 Things You Need to Know: Episode 639
1. Celebrating AAPI Heritage Month 🧡
2. Happy Mother's Day 💜
3. Taylor's Trademarks 🎵
4. Red Sox Switch Up 🧢⚾️
5. FIFA World Cup Prep 🥵⚽️
6. DHS Funding Update 💸
7. Spirit Grounded for Good ✈️
8. Travel by Tree Tops 🦧
9. A Humpback Heads Home 🌊🐳
10. May the 4th Be With You 💫
RESOURCES
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Asian-American-and-Pacific-Heritage-Month
https://www.teenvogue.com/story/aapi-heritage-month-guide?utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://kc.edu/the-importance-of-aapi-month/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://nrf.com/media-center/press-releases/mother-s-day-spending-expected-to-hit-record-38-billion
https://www.nbcnews.com/sports/baseball/boston-red-sox-fire-manager-alex-cora-5-coaches-rcna342169
https://apnews.com/article/germany-whale-stranded-timmy-released-6e9e6b54a4c061314309a5b29c4666b7
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TRANSCRIPT
INT. TEN NEWS STUDIO - Day<SFX Door Opens> <SFX Pam sniiiiiiffs>
PAM: Ry…what, in the snacky mcyumyum, am I smelling right now?
RYAN: Thank you for asking. These are Ube cupcakes, just a little Filipino sweet treat because…
PAM: It’s your heritage month??
RYAN: How did you know that it’s AAPI Heritage month?
PAM: I know things.
RYAN: Okay, did you know it’s also called AANHPI, and do you know what the NH stands for?!
PAM: Asian Americans…Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders. President Biden made a proclamation in 2021 to include the Native Hawaiians, right?
RYAN: That is correct, Pamela “I know almost everything” Kirkland. So you have earned an Ube cupcake.
PAM: Thank you very much, Ryan “My second favorite Filipino person” Willard. It’s Thursday, May 7th…
RYAN: WAIT. <SFX Record Scratch> Who is your first favorite Filipino person?
PAM: Your mom.
RYAN: I see what you did there. And I’m not even mad about it.
PAM: This is Ten Things You Need to Know.
RYAN: So today and throughout May, we’re celebrating the accomplishments, contributions, and histories of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. Here are five fun facts to recognize AAPI Heritage Month!
PAM: The celebration began as a weeklong observance in 1979, signed into law by President Jimmy Carter, before expanding to a full month in 1992.
RYAN: May was chosen for historical reasons, honoring two key milestones: the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants in 1843 and the completion of the transcontinental railroad in 1869.
PAM: Asian Americans are among the fastest-growing populations in the United States.
RYAN: What began as a celebration of culture has evolved to also highlight issues like racial justice and anti-Asian hate.
RYAN: AANHPI represents people from dozens of countries and cultures across Asia and the Pacific Islands, making it one of the most diverse communities in the U.S.
So a happy heritage month to those who celebrate, and if you don’t, you’re welcome to join the party!
PAM: Another big celebration coming up this month is Mother’s Day! This Sunday, May 10, is a chance to show our moms and the mother figures in our lives how much we love and appreciate them, through acts of kindness, thoughtful gifts, and time spent together. And this year, Americans are going all out. According to a survey by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics, spending is expected to reach a record $38 billion, up from $34.1 billion last year. Jewelry tops the list at $7.5 billion, with flowers close behind at $3.2 billion. Just remember, whether it’s a big gift or a simple gesture, it all comes down to showing up with love.
RYAN: Shout out to all the Motherships out there, because if it weren’t for moms, literally, none of us would be here. So thank you! Now this woman’s not a mom, but she’s almost as cool as one… <SFX Tech Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself> Taylor is making a SWIFT move to combat artificial intelligence. The pop superstar recently filed three new trademark applications with the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office, a move a legal expert says may be to protect her voice and image from potential misuse by AI. One application was for a visual trademark, and the other two were sound trademarks covering her voice, with one saying “Hey, it’s Taylor Swift” and the other saying “Hey, it’s Taylor.” According to intellectual property attorney Josh Gerben, this move may be in response to growing concerns about artificial intelligence challenging celebrities' control over their likenesses and voices without their permission. THE BATTLE AGAINST THE ROBOTS CONTINUES!
PAM: Ok, Ryan… Let’s jump over to the <SFX Wild World of Sports>, the Boston Red Sox have made big changes to their coaching staff after firing their team manager and 5 other coaches. Red Sox manager Alex Cora was actually an infielder for the Red Sox's 2007 World Series championship team and managed the team to a franchise-record 108 wins, plus another championship title in 2018, but despite this impressive track record, he will be replaced on an interim basis by former minor leaguer Chad Tracy. Among the other 5 let-gos is the team’s hitting coach, third-base coach, bench coach, assistant hitting coach, and major-league hitting strategy coach. While there’s no concrete reason as to why the Sox have changed things up with their coaching staff, it could have to do with their previous 4-game losing streak and current record.
RYAN: As a Yankees fan, I’m not gonna lie, I like a little drama in our division rival’s clubhouse. So I’m curious to see how it shakes out. But aside from that, we’re counting down the days until the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted in 16 cities across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada this June and July! But with all the excitement also comes the risk of extreme heat, which can be dangerous for players, officials, and sometimes even spectators. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, July is the hottest month of the year for the contiguous United States. But the host cities, stadiums & FIFA, and the world governing body for soccer, are taking steps to combat the heat in advance.
PAM: Plans are still being finalized, but they’ve already announced a 3-minute hydration break midway through each half, regardless of weather conditions. Plus, organizers are planning climate-controlled team benches, adjusting match schedules to avoid the hottest parts of the day, and increasing access to shade, water, and cooling zones for fans, as well as expanding medical support and heat-safety campaigns.
RYAN: That’s a great idea and I think we need to take a hydration break ourselves… BRB!
BAD AI VOICE READER: Hey Ten’ers, how are you feeling, what’s up my dudes and dudettes? I’ve got so much rizz that I want to make a podcast. 6-7 6-7. No skibidi–
RYAN: NO NO NO! STOP STOP STOP TRYING TO TAKE MY JOB! <SFX deactivate button> Okay, that was some TERRIBLE AI and well, we’re doing an episode about AI made by actual HUMANS. And we want to hear from YOU, if you are a human. What do you think about AI? What do you want to know about it? We’ve already gotten some Spotify comments and Apple reviews from Ten’ers sharing their thoughts, but there’s still time! So hit us up there, or by email: hello@thetennews.com. And we might have you on the show! Speaking of… I think our hydration break is over…
RYAN: <SFX water bottle sip> And. We’re. BACK.PAM: One of the longest government shutdowns in United States history is finally coming to a close after a record-breaking 75 days. Lawmakers in Congress agreed on a plan to fund most of the Department of Homeland Security agencies, which include important services like the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, the Transportation Security Administration, or TSA, the Secret Service, and the Coast Guard. During this shutdown, many workers missed out on paychecks, and services faced disruptions, but this new bill will provide some relief and keep many of these agencies running through the end of September. However, this bill doesn’t provide new funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement or the Border Patrol, as Democrats want to see a change in immigration enforcement.
RYAN: And, over the weekend, a popular airline service went out of business after 34 years of operations. Spirit Airlines, known for its low fares and bright yellow planes, suddenly stopped all flights after running out of money, cancelling travelers’ plans and leaving many employees without jobs. The airline had been struggling with rising costs, especially fuel, and couldn’t secure the financial support it needed to keep flying. Refunds are being offered to passengers, but they’ll need to book new trips with different airlines. For now, Spirit’s planes are grounded—showing that even the biggest travel plans can hit unexpected turbulence.
PAM: For Ten points, what animal is this? <SFX ORANGUTAN Sounds> <SFX Tick Tick Tick DING!> For the first time, a Sumatran ORANGUTAN has been captured on video using a human-made canopy bridge to cross a public road on the island of Sumatra in Indonesia. Due to development, the jungle habitat for critically endangered species is dwindling, increasing fatal conflicts with people. But this moment is promising for animal safety, as it shows the young orangutan gripping the rope and carefully crossing the road on the artificial canopy bridge. The road is vital for the community, connecting remote villages to schools, healthcare, and government services, but it has also widened, cutting into the forest canopy and removing natural crossings for tree-dwelling wildlife. So far, five bridges have been built for orangutans and other wildlife, such as squirrels and langur monkeys, helping keep these amazing animals safe, one swing at a time.
RYAN: From the tree tops to the wide open waters, a humpback whale has successfully completed its journey back to the North Sea. Timmy the humpback whale was first spotted in the Baltic Sea on March 3, which is pretty far from its natural habitat. The whale kept getting stranded in shallow waters and was suffering from a bad skin condition due to the Baltic Sea’s low salt content, causing its health to decline. There were debates and protests on whether to transport Timmy back to the Atlantic Ocean or to just let him pass away in peace. But thanks to two German millionaires, Timmy was transported by a water-filled barge back to the North Sea, where we hope that he will make a full, speedy recovery!
PAM: And for the last thing you need to know, let’s go to our Trivia Master, Owen.
OWEN: Thanks, Pam. <SFX Mandalorian theme(if it fits/works!)> Monday, May 4th, was the one and only Star Wars Day, filled with celebrations of all kinds. But, there’s one company that goes all out, do you know which it is? Is it:
Nintendo
LEGO
Mattel, or
Hasbro?
The answer is… B. LEGO! And, this year LEGO released nine new sets as a part of their May the 4th Star Wars Drop, including the first Star Wars UCS set of 2026: which is the Mandalorian’s N-1 Starfighter. They’ve also released a New Republic X-Wing, a Yoda and Vader bust, character builds like Yoda, Darth Vader, and of course a Grogu build. Lego definitely made this Star Wars day extra cool, especially ahead of the next Star Wars movie: The Mandalorian and Grogu which arrives on May 22nd.
PAM: And that was Ten Things You Need to Know.
RYAN: We’ve had a sweet treat from the Philippines…I think we need something savory from… Korea? Or Thailand? Or China? What are you thinking?
PAM: I could go for some Indian or Japanese food right now…what do you think?
RYAN: I am willing to do BOTH. Let’s go!
PAM: Wait! We gotta give Ten News Snaps!
RYAN: But first, here’s a quick note for the grownups.
<AD BREAK>
RYAN: Time for Ten News Snaps!
PAM: A Ten’er named Theo and Olive the Bunny left us a comment on Spotify and said, “ Yo you are awwwwwwesome! Can you do an episode that talks about Korea?” That’s a great idea! But what would you like to know about Korea exactly? Let us know and we’ll look into it!
RYAN: And Mimikyu also left us a comment on Spotify that said, “I have an episode request. Can you do an episode about the most watched anime this year (Top on Hulu, top on Netflix, etc) I also think that you should make an episode with all of the other listener’s episode ideas and turn it into one big episode.” First off, I love anime Mimikyu so great idea. As for that one big episode… we actually did a deep dive like that! I’ll give you 10 points if you find it, listen to it and tell us what you think. If you dig it, we might do another one like that!
PAM: And two extra notes for the grown-ups, you can now get ad-free versions of our episodes when you join the Ten’ers Club on our website.
RYAN: And if you want to help support the Ten News, you can make a tax-deductible donation at the link in our show notes. The whole team thanks you for your support!
PAM: “The Ten News” is a co-production of Small But Mighty Media and Next Chapter Podcasts, and part of the Airwave Podcast Network.
RYAN: The Ten News creative team is eating all of their favorite Asian foods this month and every month and includes Tracey Not a Crooks, Adam the Great Bambino Bernard, Brian Not Ryan Douglas, the Duke of Earl Davis and Carson Not So Harry Potter. Big thanks to Owen, Not Slowin Down for Anybody.
PAM: Our Production Director is Jeremiah Tittle, and our Executive Producers are Donald Albright, Albright, Albright! and show creator Tracy Takes the Leeds Kaplan. I’m Pamela Kirkland.
RYAN: And I’m Ryan Willard. Thanks for listening to the Ten News.
