A visit to “The Land of Enchantment” | May 23, 2025

Summary

In this CNN 10 Field Trip episode, Koi Wire visits Hatch, New Mexico, the chili capital of the world, while wrapping up the school year. He explores White Sands National Park, the world’s largest gypsum dune field, and highlights the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where limited aid is reaching the population. The segment also covers the fight to protect Florida's manatees, a rare monkey birth in Germany, and Ethan Guo's world-record-breaking flight for childhood cancer awareness. As the school year ends, Koi thanks teachers and students, promising to continue bringing engaging news every Friday throughout the summer.

Takeaways

• 😀 Koi Wire is in Hatch, New Mexico, the chili capital of the world, for a CNN 10 field trip and reflects on the end of the school year.
• 😀 New Mexico is home to the world's largest gypsum dunefield at White Sands National Park, stretching over 275 square miles.
• 😀 White Sands National Park was formed over millions of years through geological processes and has historical significance as the site of the first atomic bomb test in 1945.
• 😀 Israel allowed aid trucks into Gaza for the first time in almost three months to address severe food shortages and malnutrition.
• 😀 The World Food Program insists that 500 trucks are needed to meet the food supply needs of Gaza, as many Palestinians are suffering from malnutrition.
• 😀 A federal judge has temporarily halted new septic tank permits in Florida’s Indian River Lagoon to protect manatees from starvation caused by pollution.
• 😀 Manatees in the lagoon are dying due to a loss of seagrass, and Florida is required to monitor manatee health and establish a supplemental feeding program.
• 😀 A rare event occurred at a zoo in Germany, where a barberry macaque gave birth to twins, a rare occurrence for the species.
• 😀 Teen pilot Ethan Guo is attempting to break the world record by flying solo over all seven continents to raise awareness and funds for childhood cancer research.
• 😀 CNN 10's team will continue producing Friday wrap-up episodes over the summer, with a special shout-out to teachers and students as the school year concludes.

Q & A

What makes New Mexico's gypsum dunefield unique?

New Mexico's gypsum dunefield is unique because gypsum, a sulfate mineral, is rarely found as sand due to its tendency to dissolve in water. The state's dry desert and weather patterns create the perfect environment for this rare geological formation, making it the world's largest gypsum dunefield at White Sands National Park.

What historical significance does the White Sands Missile Range hold?

The White Sands Missile Range holds historical significance as the site of the first atomic bomb detonation in July 1945, marking a pivotal moment in American history. It also continues to serve as a key location for technological testing.

What recent development in Gaza's humanitarian crisis was highlighted in the script?

The script highlighted Israel allowing aid trucks to enter Gaza for the first time in almost three months, bringing essential supplies such as flour, baby formula, and food supplements. However, the World Food Program emphasized the need for a significantly larger aid effort to meet the population's needs.

What is causing the starvation of manatees in Florida's Indian River Lagoon?

Manatees in Florida's Indian River Lagoon are starving due to the scarcity of seagrass, their primary food source. This is caused by nutrient pollution from septic tanks, which has led to algal blooms that smother the seagrass, resulting in significant manatee deaths due to starvation.

What legal victory did Bear Warriors United achieve for manatees?

Bear Warriors United achieved a legal victory when a federal judge temporarily halted the approval of new septic tank permits along the Indian River Lagoon. The state of Florida was also ordered to create a plan for monitoring manatee health and implementing a supplemental feeding program.

How does the barberry macaque birth in Germany relate to primate conservation?

The birth of twin barberry macaques in Germany is significant for primate conservation because it is a rare event, as these monkeys typically give birth to only one offspring at a time. The zoo is celebrating the successful parenting arrangement, which involves multiple caretakers to ensure the twins' survival.

What is the longest commercial flight in the world?

The longest commercial flight in the world is the route from New York to Singapore, covering 9,537 miles and taking approximately 18 hours and 50 minutes.

What was Ethan Guo's goal in his record-breaking flight around the world?

Ethan Guo's goal in his world record-breaking flight was to fly solo over all seven continents. His journey also served as a fundraising mission to raise one million dollars for childhood cancer research and treatment at St. Jude's Research Hospital.

What challenges did Ethan Guo face during his flight around the world?

Ethan Guo faced the challenge of engine troubles during an earlier attempt to break the record for the youngest person to fly around the world, which stalled his progress. Despite this, he shifted his focus to flying solo over all seven continents.

How does CNN 10 plan to continue engaging with its audience during the summer?

CNN 10 plans to continue engaging with its audience by releasing an episode every Friday throughout the summer, summarizing the biggest news stories of the week, ensuring that viewers can stay informed even during the summer break.