(upbeat music) - Coming up next on "NewsDepth", we have the latest with the presidential election.

What brings people to the polls?

Everyone has specific issues they care about.

Japan watches the World Series of Major League Baseball.

And we meet some senior citizens making strides in different fields.

"NewsDepth" is now.

(upbeat music) Americans have voted, and the next US president will be former President Donald Trump.

Hello, everybody, I'm Gabriel Kramer.

Thank you for joining us.

On Tuesday, voters took to the polls to have their voices heard, and of course, electing a president was just one of the decisions Americans made this week.

Abbey Marshall is in our newsroom with the latest.

Abbey?

(dramatic music) - Donald Trump has secured a historic second term in the White House.

Trump defeated Kamala Harris by securing more than 270 electoral votes, which is needed to become the president.

Former President Donald Trump, now president-elect, is the second person in US history with two non-consecutive terms as commander in chief.

The president-elect is the person who has been elected president, but has not yet taken up office, and Trump will have a Republican Senate with him after the Republican Party secured enough seats to take control of that chamber.

One of those Senate seats is going to Republican Bernie Moreno representing Ohio after defeating current Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown from the Democratic Party.

Ohio voters also decided to reject Issue 1.

Issue 1 proposed to change how legislative and congressional district maps are drawn.

These are the maps that separate areas and neighborhoods into voting districts.

Issue 1 would've replaced the seven elected officials on the Ohio Redistricting Commission with a 15-member panel of citizens representing all parties.

Back to you, Gabe.

(graphics whooshing) (graphics boinging) - Thank you, Abbey.

The state of Georgia was amongst the battleground states in the 2024 presidential election.

Both Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump made campaign stops in the Peach State, and it was an historic election for one man near Atlanta.

For the first time in his life, he took part in the political process.

Tom Jones reports.

- Make me feel like I'm somebody.

- [Tom] Elmore Kelly is taking steps to do- - Like a farm boy, and I never did get into all that.

- Something he has never done in his 78 years on earth.

This is your first vote for president?

- Yes.

- For 76 years of his life, Kelly had never voted.

- [Elmore] Never.

(wind chimes tinkling) - [Tom] He says he was too busy working on farms, trying to provide for his family.

Also, he couldn't read, or write.

Kelly says it wasn't that he thought voting wasn't important.

- I kind of thought it was important, but I just didn't have nobody to push me to do that.

- [Tom] Then he would see Donya Sartor during their daily walks eight years ago.

She spent years trying to convince him to register to vote.

- About eight years later, we finally got him registered.

It took some time and some convincing.

- [Tom] It took her running for Jonesboro mayor to get him to register.

- I'm eligible to vote in Georgia.

- This is a community activist helping him register.

Kelly voted for Sartor, and now is about to vote for president for the first time.

Do you think this election is important?

- Yes.

- How important?

- Very important.

- [Tom] And with that, Kelly went inside, and in less than 10 minutes, came out with his prized sticker.

He was proud he cast his vote for US president.

- First time in my lifetime, 78 years old.

(Tom and Elmore laughing) - Thank you, Tom, and great job, Elmore.

When I think about some of the milestones of being a high school student, I think about school dances, learning how to drive, but especially this year, registering to vote.

When I registered to vote for the first time and started to think about the decisions I was going to make at the ballot box, I was a little bit nervous.

I wish a younger version of myself knew this week's A+ Award winners, the students in Civics 2.0 at Collinwood High School in Cleveland.

Michael, a junior, told us that the group is made of students who care about their community, are interested in community issues, like education, crime, and the functions of democracy.

They even attended City Club of Cleveland events to hear speakers talk about important issues facing communities across our nation.

Patrick, a senior, explained to us that they even helped the 19 members of their senior class at Collinwood who are eligible to vote fill out their voter registration forms.

As a reminder, to be an eligible voter, you have to be a resident in the community that you're voting in and 18 years old.

Patrick added that as a first-time voter, he was a little nervous about filling it out, but told us that it was way easier than he expected.

Nathaniel and Errion, both juniors, are even creating a PowerPoint presentation that they're going to share with the seniors that will help them learn about the candidates and the issues.

Nathaniel told us that one of the goals is to make sure new voters understand what each candidate believes and what the issues on the ballot are about.

For example, voters in Cleveland are voting on school funding, and like all Ohioans, are voting on a new law about voting districts.

Errion pointed out that one of the main responsibilities of voters is being able to make informed decisions about your vote.

He told us that as a voter, he'll be very careful about where he gets his news to make sure it's fair and accurate.

Ms. McCall, the group's faculty advisor, told us that there are 16 students in this year's group and they are wonderful student leaders.

This week's A+ Award goes to the Civics 2.0 students at Collinwood High School in Cleveland for helping to prepare their classmates to vote.

Keep up the important work.

Voting is an essential part of our democracy.

Democracy is a system of government in which the power is held by the people directly, or indirectly through representation.

Last week, we asked you why is voting important.

Let's give a platform to young voices in our state by opening our inbox.

(graphics whooshing) (light music) Lily from Maryland Elementary in Columbus wrote, "Dear 'NewsDepth,' I think voting is important "because it helps pick new laws "and every four years a president, "which is important, because without a president, "or rules, our country would fall apart, "and trust me when I say nobody wants that."

Jackson from Maumee Intermediate School in Maumee knows that every single vote matters.

"Dear 'NewsDepth,' I think voting is important "because it could come down to one vote, or maybe even 100.

"You have to know who is going to be "the best person for that job.

"Many people have different opinions on presidents.

"Other presidents will do different things for the country, "so pick the correct one.

"Thank you, 'NewsDepth.'"

Lucy from Kensington Intermediate School in Rocky River thinks young people's voices matter, too.

"Dear 'NewsDepth,' voting is very important to everyone, "including people who can't vote yet.

"Not just presidential candidates, but senator, governor, "and mayoral candidates all depend on you.

"Voting is so important, because you can speak your beliefs.

"Voting shows that you care about your community.

"If you don't vote, "the candidate you didn't want to win could win.

"Every vote counts, so speak up.

"Voting can help the country, town, and state so much."

Lincoln from Minster Elementary in Minster says we shouldn't take voting for granted.

"Dear 'NewsDepth,' I think voting is important "because without voting, people will argue and fight.

"Voting is also important because it lets the people choose "the way of the United States.

"But some places don't do voting, "so I'm glad that the US has voting, so people don't argue, "and people get to choose their life."

Arien from John P. Parker in Cincinnati thinks voting is everyone's responsibility.

"Dear 'NewsDepth,' voting is important.

"It is important because you need to give "your honest opinion.

"Don't vote for that person "because they're giving you money, or something extra.

"You are a citizen of the United States of America, "so you give your opinion on who you think is "the right person to make the decisions for our country."

Very well said.

Thank you all for writing in, and you all bring up a very good point.

Voting can be a personal matter, because we all have different views on the important issues in our country.

The economy can be top of mind for so many voters, while others might be more concerned about immigration.

Julia Benbrook details the key concerns motivating citizens to head out to the polls.

- [Julia B.]

What issues are driving voters to head to the polls?

- How we can, I don't wanna get into politics, but secure our borders, you know, help our veterans, and help the US people.

- We wanna make sure that, you know, we have somebody that's gonna support women.

- [Julia B.]

Surveys show the economy remains the number one concern.

- We should have a plan, which I do, to actually get things done, including bringing down the cost of living for people, investing in our small businesses, expanding access to healthcare, investing in American industries.

- [Julia B.]

The majority of voters say they are displeased with the current state of the economy.

- I will never apologize for defending America.

I will protect our workers.

I will protect our jobs.

I will protect the birthright of our children to live in the richest and most powerful nation on the face of the earth.

- [Julia B.]

A new economic report came out this week leading several economists and officials to say the economy has finally pulled off a soft landing in which inflation is tamed without a recession, an exceptionally rare achievement.

- Thank you, Julia.

The election was not the only thing bringing attention to the United States.

People around the world watched the World Series championship of baseball as the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the New York Yankees.

One of those countries with their eyes on the ball, Japan, no doubt in part because of Shohei Ohtani.

He was born in Japan 30 years ago, and is a veteran of Nippon Professional Baseball.

Millions of fans in Japan dropped everything to watch their favorite slugger and Dodger star.

Will Ripley reports.

- No wonder they call it baseball's World Series when some of the most devoted fans are halfway around the globe.

Here in Japan, more than 10% of the population is tuning into this iconic showdown between the Dodgers and the Yankees.

Game two alone drew a staggering average of 15.9 million viewers in Japan, the highest MLB post-season viewership ever in the country, the league says.

(group cheering) (group applauding) Japan's passion for baseball is legendary, but in this Tokyo bar in the famed Shibuya district, the focus is not just on the game, it's on one player.

- [Group] Shohei, Shohei, Shohei- - [Will] The All-Star sensation Shohei Ohtani, the L.A. Dodgers' $700 million man, a two-time MVP, cross-cultural icon, and hometown hero.

(Mamoru speaking Japanese) - [Translator] Ohtani is an honorable person in Japan.

Everyone shouts, "Ohtani, Ohtani," and it makes me so happy.

We've never had anyone like him.

He's our dear Ohtani.

- [Will] Wednesday night, Ohtani's Dodgers delivered.

- Go L.A.!

We won, we won, we won!

- [Will] A game five win in New York City, earning them the World Series crown, and a place in the hearts of baseball fans around the world from the United States to Japan.

- Thank you, Will, but I must say, go Guardians.

An Arizona high school football player is taking life's hardships in stride.

Everett is a sophomore, and lost his foot after an accident in 2021.

But now, a recent play on the football field has presented another hurdle.

He broke his prosthetic foot.

A prosthetic is an artificial body part, such as an arm, foot, or even a tooth, that replaces a missing part.

Zach Prelutsky has the story.

- [Zach] You'd be hard pressed to find a harder worker and better teammate on the Perry High JV football team than Everett Watson, Jr. - Him as a person is the most selfless not even just player, selfless person you could ever meet.

- [Zach] Football hasn't been easy for the sophomore.

- It's kind of hard thinking that you're not gonna be the same as everyone, so, and like you're never gonna be as fast as you are, you're never gonna be as strong as you are.

- If I put this hurdle that seems insurmountable in front of me, then I've got something to keep reaching for.

- [Zach] His parents, Everett Sr. and Yolanda, say the last 3 1/2 years have been a journey.

- Positive and inspirational, that's Everett.

- [Zach] Everett plays D-line of the Perry High JV team, and in their game last week, made a tackle in the backfield.

- He had an amazing play.

- Excited, just a bunch of adrenaline- - But- - Then it was just my foot fell off.

- He was sitting on the bench, and he looks.

He's like, "Coach, they broke my foot," and he hands me his foot.

- [Zach] Everett's only prosthetic foot broke during that play.

Because of his parents' new job, their insurance won't cover the cost of a new prosthetic right now, either.

- His first response to any adversity is never to ask for support, or ask for help, but he's just gonna work harder.

- [Zach] Marin Golden is known as Coach Mom, and has developed a friendship with the Watsons over the past year.

- He has no clue how big of an impact he's made on so many people.

- [Zach] Golden is helping organize a fundraiser to get Everett a new foot and back on the field this season.

Until then, the 17-year-old is going to keep working, smiling, and being the best teammate that he can be.

- I can inspire people, you know?

I could try to do my best to make people just happy.

- Thank you, Zach.

In Arizona, 15-year-old soccer player Anaiya has achieved one of her lifelong goals, to play at the World Cup.

Currently, the Under-17 Women's World Cup is underway, and Anaiya, being a dual citizen, she is representing the country her mom is from, Mexico.

A dual citizen means when someone is a citizen of two countries at the same time, in her case, Mexico and the United States.

Patricio Espinoza spoke to the teen about her big opportunity.

- On one side, the Arizona sunset, and on the other, a full moon showing up, and in between, young girls all ages and full of dreams of one day playing professionally the game known one around the world as football.

Here, we call it soccer, and tonight, among these girls, one is getting a chance of a lifetime.

Anaiya, you're 17.

- I'm 15.

- 15?

- Yeah.

- And you're gonna go to the World Cup?

- Yeah.

- How does that feel?

- I'm excited.

It's a great feeling.

- And how is Anaiya getting to the to the Under-17 World Cup playing not for her country of birth, the US, but for Mexico?

You are a dual citizen.

- Yeah.

- So you get to represent the United States, or Mexico?

- Well, my grandma's from Chihuahua, and then, so my mom's half Mexican, so then I got the Mexican citizenship.

- Anaiya has grown up at this club.

She looked just like these girls when she started out here.

She will not be alone.

All of us will be right there alongside of her while she's in the World Cup.

Let's give her a round of applause.

(players applauding) - [Patricio] She may be strong on the soccer field, but tonight, I can see tears in her eyes.

After all, this field has been home for the last 10 years.

- I think for her, it's a dream come true.

I mean, she's a player from the time that she was six.

She wanted to be a professional soccer player, and I think she's on the road to, you know, playing on the world stage, and hopefully accomplishing her dreams.

- [Patricio] Who wants to play like that?

- Me!

- Yeah!

Yes, dreams do come true, but there is more.

Anaiya is not just playing for her.

It seems, know it, or not, she's also paving the way for those who follow.

- I wanna go to the World Cup.

- [Patricio] Awesome, what's your name?

- Olivia.

- Olivia.

How old are you, Olivia?

- Nine.

- [Patricio] Nine, well, good luck.

We'll see you on the World Cup.

- What an impressive player.

Thank you, Patricio.

Our state is also home to some very impressive women athletes.

In today's "Know Ohio," Mary shares the story of Annie Oakley and our World War II softball team.

Plus, she explains how Title IX opened the door for women to compete in all sorts of sports.

(cheerful upbeat music) - Today, it's not unusual to see women and girls swinging, shooting, and kicking their way to victory, playing all kinds of sports.

So it's probably hard to believe that there was a time when female athletes were discouraged from playing competitive sports.

But some tenacious Ohio women pushed back against these norms just by doing the things they love.

Annie Oakley, a sharpshooter from a rural community in Western Ohio, shot down gender stereotypes when she became the world's most famous exhibition shooter, outperforming nearly every male competitor with her amazing trick shots.

Other talented Ohio women found their calling during World War II.

While men were overseas fighting, women filled the jobs they left behind, and that included professional baseball playing.

Cincinnati Native Dottie Kamenshek was playing softball in an informal league when she was scouted into the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, and she quickly became one of its best players.

The left-handed first baseman played 10 seasons for the Rockford Peaches, and was considered one of the best athletes of her time.

These early women athletes proved that women were as fierce competitors as men, but female athletes weren't really given a shot until 1972, when President Richard Nixon signed a federal law that prohibited discrimination on the basis of gender in public school activities.

Title IX, as it was called, meant that schools had to give the same time and attention to girls sports as they do to boys, and this was a game-changer for female athletes all around the country.

Women athletes, like Ohio State's track and field star Stephanie Hightower, achieved greatness, remaining undefeated for three years in the 60-meter dash and hurdles, and Clarksburg, Ohio native Cindy Noble, who played college basketball, took her talents all the way to the Olympics.

Ohio has produced some seriously fierce female athletes, and new ones are scoring points all the time.

But when you're celebrating on the court, rink, or field, remember the women whose greatest victory was achieving equality off of it.

(graphics whooshing) (graphics boinging) - Thank you, Mary.

And that brings us to our poll for the week.

We want to know what is your favorite sport to play?

Jump over to our poll page to vote.

You can choose between football, baseball, basketball, soccer, hockey, tennis, something else, or I'm not really into playing sports.

And last episode, we asked you what was your favorite part of Halloween?

Let's check out the results of the poll.

More than half of you, 59% of you, said you love trick-or-treat, trick-or-treating.

About 20% of you said you enjoy a good jump scare when you're watching horror movies at home.

16% of you told us you love dressing up in a costume every year.

This year, I was Bruno Mars, and about 5% of you said Halloween is not your favorite holiday.

Thank you to everyone for voting.

Okay, I've got some pretty cool stories that prove no one is ever too old to try something new.

Take, for example, Choi Soon-hwa.

She is 80 years old, and was the oldest contestant to make it to the finals of Miss Universe in South Korea.

Mike Valerio introduces us to a beauty queen who proves it's never too late to chase your dreams.

- [Mike] This is a story of how stunning self-confidence, reinvention, and total perseverance decades in the making can lead to revolutionary change.

(Choi singing in Korean) - [Mike] Meet the sensation that is Choi Soon-hwa.

At 80, she's the oldest contestant to reach the finals of Miss Universe Korea.

Choi used to be a full-time medical caregiver, and it was one of her patients who told her she needed to become a model.

(Choi speaking Korean) - [Translator] I was really interested in acting and fashion since I was a child, but I forgot all about them during my life.

But when my patient said that, my childhood dream came alive at once.

My ears just immediately opened up.

- [Mike] One day, Choi spotted a senior silver model on a TV show, so she called the TV station, and got the name of the academy where the model learned to build couture confidence.

(Mike speaking Korean) (Choi speaking Korean) - Here we go, okay.

Now, Choi is the instructor, trying to teach me the walk.

Of course, it's the student who's the problem, and Choi told us how she perfected her approach during late night caregiving breaks.

(Choi speaking Korean) - [Translator] I've never walked in straight lines until the age of 17, so model walking, posing, and smiling were really difficult.

I practiced walking, posing, and smiling every night from midnight to 1:30 a.m., or sometimes as late as 2:00 a.m. for two years.

(contestant singing in Korean) - [Mike] This is the rehearsal for Monday's Miss Universe Korea competition.

It's Choi and 31 others vying for the chance to compete at this year's Miss Universe pageant in Mexico.

It's the first year Miss Universe has dropped age limits, paving the way for Choi to enter, strike a pose, and vogue.

As for her message to the world- (Choi speaking Korean) - [Translator] You have to do what you wanted to do, the things that you gave up to raise your kids.

You have to do that when you're old, and when you do that, you'll be super happy, and encounter happiness at every moment.

- Thanks, Mike.

Pickleball has quickly become one of America's favorite sports with players of all ages joining in the fun.

One 95-year-old Kansas woman is proving that you can be a champion at any age.

Julia Avery spoke with her to find the secret to her success.

- Come out and play with me.

- [Julia A.]

This is Lois White.

(Lois groaning) She plays pickleball every Tuesday and Thursday, and she doesn't just play, she wins.

- Yeah!

- That's a point for us, huh?

- [Julia A.]

Her skills are impressive, but what is also impressive is her age.

- I'm 95, I'll be 96 in January.

- [Julia A.]

At 95 years old, she's seen a lot in her lifetime.

She says she remembers when the first airplane flew over Missouri.

She married a military man, and together, they raised six kids.

Being an involved parent is what ultimately led her to sports.

- We always played whatever the kids wanted to do.

I played basketball, football.

You name it, I (laughs).

- Wow!

- [Lois] My husband and I had a softball team with our daughters for years.

- [Julia A.]

When she lost her husband more than 30 years ago, she wanted to keep busy.

- That's out.

- [Julia A.]

And, oh, has she kept busy.

(Lois laughing) - See, I played cards quite a bit, and then I took up square dancing.

- Oh!

- Then finally, I decided I was gonna play the mandolin, and bought me some books.

And so, I do play the mandolin and sing.

I belong to the Pickers and Fiddlers.

- [Julia A.]

An athlete, a dancer, a musician, all while keeping up with her six kids, 20 grandkids, 37 great-grandkids, and now four great-great-grandchildren.

(ball whooshing) (people chattering) So what is her secret?

- I know one thing.

You need to keep moving.

You don't wanna sit.

I don't sit in front of the television in the daytime.

- [Julia A.]

Keeping busy has kept her active, healthy, and sharp, and no one can tell her to slow down.

- Cool story, thank you, Julia.

Okay, picture your life when you are that old, 89 years old.

If you could break a world record at that age, what would it be?

I think it would be cool to be the oldest person ever to dunk a basketball, which is not something I've ever been able to do at any age.

Well, I wanna hear what you have to say.

You can send us your answers by using our inbox form on our website, or by sending us an email to newsdepth@ideastream.org.

Okay, it's time to check in with our cuteness correspondent, NewsHound.

NewsHound, NewsHound?

NewsHound, are you ready?

(lively music) (dog barking) Hey there, NewsHound, finally.

Where have you been?

Oh, you've been voting.

Good for you, but do you have a petting zoo story for us?

Wow, it's a story about a nature center in Texas taking care of the prairie dogs that live in the woods.

- And then the prairie dogs in return will aerate the soil, also clip the grass, and we hope that it's just a harmonious relationship.

- To check out the complete story, click the Petting Zoo button on this episode's page.

(graphics whooshing) (lively music) (graphics whooshing) (graphics boinging) Thanks, NewsHound.

Well, that is a wrap for today's episode of "NewsDepth."

We will be back next week, but until then, you can always stay in touch with us, because we always wanna hear from you.

You can send a letter.

We're at 1375 Euclid Avenue.

That's Cleveland, Ohio, the ZIP code here, 44115, and you can email us.

newsdepth@ideastream.org is our email address.

Plus, you can catch all of our special segments on YouTube.

Hit Subscribe if you're old enough, so you don't miss out on any of our new videos.

Thank you for joining us.

I'm Gabriel Kramer.

We'll see you right back here next week.

(graphics whooshing) (upbeat music) (graphics whooshing) (graphics boinging) - [Announcer] "NewsDepth" is made possible by a grant from the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation.

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