Amelia Gray, a polar bear at the Oregon Zoo, is set to embark on a new chapter as she moves to the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago in the coming weeks. This transition is part of a broader initiative aimed at aiding her threatened species.

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Rachel Ritchason, the Oregon Zoo’s deputy director of animal care, expressed mixed emotions about the move. "We’ve been so honored to care for Amelia these past four years," she said. "We’re really going to miss her. But we’re also excited that she’ll get to spend time with a male bear — and hopefully be able to raise some cubs. Our goal is to ensure a long-term future for one of the world’s most vulnerable species."

Polar bears are classified as threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, facing a high risk of global extinction due to changes in their Arctic habitat. Amelia’s relocation is part of a cooperative program designed to maintain a sustainable, genetically diverse polar bear population at U.S. zoos and aquariums.

"We’re fighting extinction on two fronts," Ritchason said. "We’re supporting efforts to save wild bears in the Arctic while also striving to maintain a healthy population in professional care."

Amy Cutting, vice president of conservation at Polar Bears International, emphasized the importance of modern zoos and aquariums. "Polar bears live in one of the harshest environments on the planet, making them notoriously difficult to study so we have gaps in our understanding of how climate change is affecting them. The bears in professional care can help," she said.

Amelia and her half-sister Nora have contributed significantly to conservation science, assisting with various research projects and acting as "Arctic ambassadors," according to Cutting. They have helped create meaningful connections with guests and spread awareness about climate change and polar bear conservation.

Amelia was born at the Columbus Zoo on November 8, 2016, and moved to Portland in 2021. In Chicago, she will meet another female polar bear, Hope, and a male bear, Hudson. Meanwhile, Nora will remain in Portland, with potential future plans for her to raise cubs still undetermined.

Ritchason reassured that Nora will be well cared for during this transition. "Polar bears may gather around food sources, or to travel, but it’s in their nature to live independently," she said. "Nora has an expert care team who will make sure she has everything she needs during this transition."

Hot and dry conditions are creating the perfect set up for potential wildfires across Oregon, like the Emigrant Fire, especially with much of the state experiencing near-record setting heat over the last four days.

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The work week will pick up right where we left off over the weekend, meaning more upper 90s and a few 100 highs will remain in the mix.

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While the heat wave is finally beginning to see an end in sight, we aren't quite there just yet. For Monday, the heat will remain the major focal point as temperatures will continue to creep into the upper 90s across much of the state with triple digits continuing into the Columbia River Gorge.

It is back-to-school season and the McKenzie School District says it is excited to bring on its newest bus driver, as it continues to grapple with a shortage.

At the end of the school year, the district held its second annual bus driver hiring event. Out eight attendees, only one applied and was hired, according to Transportation Coordinator Justin Barker.

"So, that's a success for us, especially where we are located here. In Blue River, it is tough to get any kind of applications, let alone someone we can hire, so for us, in our district, that is a huge win," Barker said.

The new employee, Tina Embree, has been a bus driver since 2018, and has been traning all summer to prepare for the back-to-school season.

"I love to drive, I actually love to drive. It is not just a like, I love to drive, but I like knowing I can help with students or people or make things a little better at the end of the day. If it helps bring a little ease and stress-free to everybody else, I'm good," Embree said. "I tell people if you really love to drive, if you like a challenge, a bus driver is the way to go. It puts [you] out there, it's rewarding and it puts your mind to test all the time."

The District said it has a harder time getting bus drivers than other districts because of its location. Its bus routes are more rural and stretch from the McDonalds in Thurston all the way to Camp Yale.

There are no neighborhood bus routes for drivers in the school district; all of its stops are along Highway 126, which can cause some saftey issues, according to Barker.

"A lot of people don't like being stuck behind a bus, and here we have alot of people that will drive around us even when we are stopped -- our red lights are out to indicate that they need to stop, right? So, it is dangerous," he said.

The district now has four bus drivers, but Barker said he and Superintendent Lane Tompkins can also drive the buses if needed.

The school districts first day of school is Sept. 2.

Hot, dry, and windy conditions are to blame for the fast growth of the Emigrant Fire, burining near the Indigo Springs Campground.

The US Forest Service (USFS) confirmed that the fire started on Sunday after lightning rolled across the central Cascades.

USFS says firefighters are currently working to fully suppress the blaze; the fire is now estimated to have burned around 1,200 acres; burning on steep slopes within the 2009 Tumblebug Fire scar.

On Monday, the forest service says, firefighters will scout options to construct a fireline, working to rid the area of any potential combustible materials, and improve containment lines.

An Infrared Flight was conducted this morning and provided updated information about the size and location of the fire.

Fire officials anticipate the fire to only grow with continued hot, dry, and windy conditions in the area.

The USFS says smoke is visible in the vicinity of the fire and may settle into nearby drainages overnight.

Visitors are asked to avoid the area for public and firefighter safety.

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