Good morning and welcome to Kid News. I'm Kim.

Today is Thursday, March 9, 2023, and we begin with lawmakers in New Mexico saying it's

time to wake up and smell the chili as they urge their state to be the first to adopt

an official aroma. According to the Associated Press, legislation recognizing roasted chilies

as the official state smell passed its first committee vote on Tuesday. Roasted chilies

are everywhere in New Mexico from roadside stands to restaurants. The state, known also as the

land of enchantment, produced more than 60 percent of the country's chili pepper crop in 2021,

and ships its powders and spices worldwide. The bill's supporters hope the official state aroma

will fire up tourism and put to rest its debate with neighboring Colorado over who has the best

green chili. Prompted by the story, Axios pulled its San Francisco readers as to what their

cities official aroma should be. The top vote getter, sourdough bread.

They just can't catch a break. Californians are being told once again to batten down the hatches

and prepare for yet another powerful winter storm. Millions of people across the northern part

of the state are under flood watches, as weather officials predict the combination of heavy rain

and snow melt could lead to widespread flooding. CNN reports the emergency services office in the

Big Sur region of Monterey County is advising residents to stock up on enough food and essentials

to last two weeks. This latest weather threat comes as much of the state has been hit with back-to-back

rounds of heavy snow that closed roads and knocked out power for thousands.

New York City's masking policy just took an interesting turn. Mayor Eric Adams is requesting

members of the public lower their face masks briefly upon entering stores and restaurants to

reassure workers that they are not up to no good and to make them identifiable to cameras.

According to NPR, the plea comes as an attempt to reduce a spike in robberies.

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