Students: We're Mr. Palmore’s advanced algebra class from Tuskegee Institute Middle School, and Channel One News starts right now.
Azia: Nice job, guys. Thanks to Tuskegee Institute Middle School for kicking us off today. Now, first up, the National Transportation Safety Board is on the scene in New Jersey and investigating a major train crash.
The New Jersey Transit train plowed through a busy station during Thursday morning's rush-hour commute, killing at least one person and injuring over 100. Witnesses say the commuter train slammed through a barrier into a wall at full force inside the rail station in Hoboken, New Jersey.
Michael Larson: I observed it coming at a high rate of speed. It went over the bumper block — basically through the air, traveled about another 40 feet and came to a rest.
Azia: People were standing on the platform waiting to commute into New York City when the crash happened.
David Mielach: The lights went out, then it just didn't stop. Then people were falling over who were standing, and then it just — the roof came down.
Azia: Rescue crews climbed through crumpled train cars to reach passengers trapped under mangled metal and dangling wires. The injured passengers were taken to a parking lot to have the severity of their injuries assessed. Federal investigators are now taking a look at the speed of the train and the conditions of the tracks as they try to figure out what happened.
Okay, next up, there are less than 40 days until we find out who the next president will be. And this week some people have already cast their votes. Many states allow voters to cast their ballots early, before Election Day on November 8. And you might not think it is a big deal, but it is estimated that as many as 40 percent of voters will cast their ballots in the weeks before Election Day.
Yesterday the big battleground state of Iowa opened early in-person voting. Democrat Hillary Clinton was there.
Hillary Clinton: We have 40 days to win an election that's going to affect the next
40 years of our country, and you — every one of you — can make the difference in this election.
Azia: Meanwhile, the Republican candidate, Donald Trump, was busy rallying a crowd in New Hampshire and getting ready for Debate No. 2.
Donald Trump: Hillary Clinton is an insider fighting only for herself and for her donors. I'm an outsider fighting for you.
Azia: And don't forget, you have a chance to vote in our very own OneVote election — the largest mock election for students — coming October 17 through the 21. And let us know if you are planning any cool events for the OneVote 2016 election, and we may just come to your school, featuring you on our show. Email the details to .
Okay, time to see what you guys have to say about one of our stories this week about girls and boys battling each other on the soccer field. We asked you, should boys and girls play against each other in sports? And most of you guys said, “Sure — why not?” Seventy-four percent said yes, and 26 percent of you said no.
Tyrel said, "Yes, because having girls and boys play together helps them learn how they play the game. They show they can be equal."
Nathan said, "I don't think gender matters."
Grace said, "I have played soccer with boys many times, and I liked it because it challenged me and forced me to work harder."
But Kayla said, "No, because a lot of times the boys play more rough than the girls, and they could get injured easier." Thanks for weighing in, guys.
All right, after the break, how first impressions could affect how you react to other people.
Azia: Today we are talking about bias — when you favor some people or ideas over others. Keith is here with more about how bias may have played a role in recent headlines.
Keith: A scientist at New York University says we all have biases which impact how we see the world and other people, and we don’t even know that we do. In this case we are talking about the bias against minorities. Now he is researching how that bias plays a role in the recent police shootings of black men.
David Amodio: Most people are biased. According to our research, the majority of Americans show some degree of unconscious negative attitudes towards minorities.
Keith: NYU psychologist David Amodio studies the science of racial bias and prejudice. In this test, subjects are shown a picture of a black or white male carrying either a gun or a harmless object, and they must make a quick decision to shoot or not shoot.
Amodio: Now you are in the role of a police officer. And what's been found is that if the person who appears is black and they're holding a cell phone or soda can, people are more likely to accidentally shoot them than if they were white.
Keith: One study found subjects were about 30 percent more likely to shoot an unarmed black person than an unarmed white person.
Amodio: When we've used eye tracking in that task, what we find is that the eyes always go to the person's face first and then tracks down to see what's in their hand.
Keith: So can you be trained not to automatically look at the face?
Amodio: We've tested that strategy in the laboratory, and we found that it's effective in reducing bias in shooting.
Keith: In the lab, focusing on the object rather than the race reduces mistaken shootings of unarmed black people by as much as 45 percent.
Amodio: Oftentimes we need to make a snap decision, and it can take effort and some time to overcome an automatic bias.
Keith: Keith Kocinski, Channel One News.
Azia: Interesting experiment. Thanks, Keith. But the big question is how what happens in a research lab can be applied to real-life situations where so many unpredictable things can happen.
All right, next up, we are celebrating the diversity and culture of Hispanic Americans.
Azia: Okay guys, it is Hispanic Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans. Today we are taking a look at how this month actually came about and some of the biggest Hispanic and Latino influences from the past and today. Of course, we had to add a beat to this one. Take a listen.
It is way more than something people just celebrate,
For Latinos and Hispanics, it is their heritage.
Thirty days of honor for Latin excellence,
Latin independence
and Latin presence in this country that we all share.
To be honest, I been waiting on this all year.
Fifty-five million Latins call it home here,
roots are grown here,
truths are shown here.
We ain't going nowhere.
Look at all of the people who done made a difference:
Cesar Chavez
just to paint a picture.
Civil rights activist —
you follow me.
Fighting for farmers
with dedication, no apologies.
And the list continues — we ain't stopping yet.
A-Rod, he could bring it home back to back.
Sonia Sotomayor, Supreme Court stats.
Selena Gomez — that is just a couple added.
Laurie Hernandez, she was a gymnast,
went to the Olympics —
that is major business.
Nate Diaz, a fighter inside the MMA —
hand-to-hand combat, he could beat you any day.
Bloodline from Spain and the Caribbean,
Mexico, Puerto Rico, Central South American,
all overseas.
Azia: Love that. And did you know the reason Hispanic Heritage Month runs from September 15 to October 15? It is because eight Latin and South American countries celebrate their independence from Spain during those dates.
Okay, next up, we are on the football field for Feel-Good Friday. They run, they catch and they block, but there is something you can't see that makes these two high school football players stand out from the rest. Arielle Hixson has the story.
Arielle: The pounding cleats, the play calls and whistles — football is a noisy game, but not for Woodrow Wilson High running back Darrion Green.
Darrion Green: They didn't notice until I told them. When they found out, then they were stunned. It was amazing.
Arielle: Darrion runs faster than most, has the eyes of a hawk and hands made of glue, but he can't hear, and that doesn't stop him…
Darrion: I can play anything, I can do anything.
Arielle: …a spirit that has helped land him a dozen college football scholarship offers — and counting.
Darrion: I am blessed, and I can do anything because I saw other deaf players playing football. So I'm doing that for the deaf community.
Arielle: And he is not the only Woodrow player who is deaf.
Juan Alvarez: “How are they doing that?” And I imagine that's what a lot of people are wondering.
Arielle: There is junior nose tackle Juan Alvarez.
Juan: I feel like deaf people are just like hearing people. People always think that there are things that we can't do. But it's always been in my dreams to play football.
Arielle: Helping the two make those dreams a reality? Interpreter Joel Hill, who was as new to football as the team was to him.
Joel Hill: Actions speak louder than ponytails.
Arielle: Running from sideline to field, player to coach, Hill makes sure Darrion and Juan see every call and command, even the yelling. While it is exhausting, Hill says everyone should see an important lesson here.
Hill: I hope people will be inspired to realize a lot of our boundaries are self-imposed.
Arielle: And in a game of seconds, yards and rules, for these two players, there is no stopping.
Darrion: I'm hoping that people think that I'm not giving up and keep working hard.
Juan: That we're the same as anybody else and we can do what we want. Come on, play football.
Arielle: Arielle Hixson, Channel One News.
Azia: And we have got more inspiring stories of young people who have overcome disabilities on ChannelOne.com. Make sure to check those out.
Okay guys, the weekend is so close. Enjoy it, and we will see you right back here on Monday.
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