Good morning, and welcome to Kid News! I'm Tori. It's Wednesday, January 11, 2023, and

we begin with some encouraging news about the planet. The Earth's protective ozone layer

is on track to recover within decades, according to a United Nations' back panel of experts.

The ozone layer is important because it helps protect our planet from harmful ultraviolet

rays, but scientists noticed that layer was disappearing in the 1980s, so a widespread

ban was put on the production of chemicals called chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs, which

were mainly found in air conditioners, refrigeration, and in products that came in spray cans,

and were found to cause much of the damage. If current global policies remain in place,

the ozone layer should recover to 1980 levels by the year 2040 for most of the world, but

it will take until 2066 for the ozone to be fully recovered over the Antarctic.

When most people spot a bear, they quickly get as far away as possible, but one family

in Connecticut is doing the opposite. A couple was hanging out in their backyard recently

when their dog started growling at their raised outdoor deck. Upon further investigation,

they found a large black bear tucked underneath, looking pretty groggy. The family contacted

state officials who said they could either make a lot of noise and force the bear to flee,

or they could just let him rest until he's done hibernating likely in a few months.

The family decided on the second option, telling the New York Times, he hasn't bothered

us at all, so we feel like there's no reason to move him. However, they are no longer letting

their dog loose in the backyard just to be on the safe side. No engine? No problem. A teenage

pilot flying his grandma and two cousins lost all power while near the San Bernardino forest

in Southern California last week. He's only had his license for four months, and because of the terrain,

couldn't even mayday the local airport for help. And that 18 year old Brock Peter says meant

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