U.S.LOCAL NEWS DESK

Riverbanks Zoo plans new animal habitats, riverside restaurant in…

The zoo's expansion plan adds new animal habitats and a riverside restaurant; reservations are not yet being taken, as far as anyone can tell.

On air: Chip Darnell and Hank Ledger on BBN Newsroom
Published 3:40 PM ET, Thursday, October 15, 2026

Photo: Carlo Giovannetti ( Thief12 ) · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN, shared under CC BY-SA 3.0

▶ As it aired · U.S.

Watch it as it aired: Chip Darnell and Hank Ledger on this story, from BBN Newsroom at 3:40 PM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are WLTX's, the jokes are ours.

Photo: Riverbanks Zoo and Garden — Photo: Carlo Giovannetti ( Thief12 ) · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN, shared under CC BY-SA 3.0

At a glance

First reported by WLTX: “Riverbanks Zoo plans new animal habitats, riverside restaurant in major expansion”.
Covered on BBN on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at 3:40 PM ET on BBN Newsroom, by Chip Darnell and Hank Ledger.

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

WLTXRiverbanks Zoo plans new animal habitats, riverside restaurant in major expansion

What BBN said about it

Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorA quieter note now, after that hard news. WLTX reports Riverbanks Zoo is planning an expansion with new animal habitats and a riverside restaurant.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorFolks, this is team coverage!
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorOur fake live map shows the habitats on one side, the river on the other, and a restaurant right where the action is!
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThat is a drawing of a zoo.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorA drawing with a view, Hank! You eat by the water while the animals get brand new homes.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorIt's the best free buffet idea I've ever heard, and I know it isn't free.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorSo the animals get habitats and the people get reservations.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorAnd everybody gets lunch with a neighbor!
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorI'll hold the table. Nina has tech next, and I hear it has screens.

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