Anna Canny, KTOO - Juneau
New Sitka research could help berry pickers adjust to climate change
A new project at the Sitka Sound Science Center will closely monitor berry plants throughout the seasons, to help harvesters plan for the future.
Why this year’s record glacial outburst flood likely won’t be Juneau’s worst
Annual glacial outburst floods on Juneau’s Mendenhall River will continue for years to come. But forecasting their severity is proving to be unsolvable.
Juneau’s worst glacial outburst flood destroys homes and displaces residents
“We started seeing structural timber,” one resident said. “And then I was like, ‘Oh, my God. That’s from houses upstream.'”
Wildfires in the Interior, potential drought in Southeast as record heat drags into August
There are now 140 active Interior wildfires, with Southeast Alaska seeing "abnormally dry" conditions.
2 humpback whales freed after entanglements near Juneau
One of the freed whales, a humpback calf named Herbert, was the third reported humpback entanglement in the area this month.
Sitka-based tour company is asking visitors to consider the cost of their emissions
Allen Marine Tours is one of the first tour companies in the region to adopt a carbon offset program.
Plans for second Juneau-Douglas crossing gain momentum with new federal funding
The proposed crossing would create a new northern route between Juneau and Douglas to supplement the existing bridge.
Southeast trollers help study a warming ocean: ‘Fishermen are natural scientists’
Two new citizen science projects will help Southeast Alaska troll fishermen gather data about how the waters they depend on are changing.
EPA fines Hecla Greens Creek Mine for mishandling hazardous waste on Admiralty Island
The settlement agreement cited five 2019 violations at the Greens Creek silver mine, most related to lead contamination.
A shortage of heat pump installers is slowing climate action in Southeast Alaska
Swapping out oil-based heating systems for heat pumps is one of the best ways for homeowners to shrink their carbon footprints. But in communities like Juneau, Ketchikan and Sitka, heat pump installers are struggling to keep up.
A high-stakes drop onto Juneau’s icefield could lead to better monitoring of Antarctic ice
Engineers from MIT teamed up with Coastal Helicopter and the Juneau Ice Research Program to drop the 6-foot ice penetrator last month.
Passengers evacuated after fire breaks out on cruise ship in Glacier Bay
Nearly 70 passengers were evacuated after a Monday engine room fire disabled UnCruise’s Wilderness Discoverer in Glacier Bay.
Turning weather data into music could help Southeast Alaska students hear their changing environment
Chet Udell's WeatherChimes, which collects weather data and turns it into music, will be used in projects across Southeast Alaska.
After 47 years, Alaska Weather TV is going off the air
The 30-minute daily show covers things like incoming storms, sea ice and big picture climate trends while reaching some of the most remote places in Alaska. But after June 30, it will no longer broadcast on public television.
Drones could make Juneau’s avalanche monitoring faster and more precise
The new project with drone maker DJI will try to get a bigger picture than fieldwork trips with more frequent, automated drone flights.
City and cruise lines agree to future limits on tourism as first ship of the season docks in Juneau
Major cruise lines have agreed to a daily limit of five ships visiting Juneau starting next year — but some locals say that doesn't go far enough.
Juneau’s urban avalanche forecast ends for the season, but avalanche potential remains
Juneau’s avalanche advisory only serves urban areas, but the city’s final winter post encouraged backcountry travelers to remain cautious into the spring.
Juneau expects to see more cruise passengers than ever this year
The city’s tourism manager says this year’s season is expected to see 30% more visitors than in 2019.
It’s spring and Juneau’s bears are waking up hungry
Bears usually start to emerge from hibernation in April. And right on time, Juneau's initial bear sightings were reported online late last month.
Seattle journalist describes impacts of Alaska’s ‘cruise ship invasion’
Freelance journalist Andrew Engelson looked at the cruise industry's impact on Southeast Alaska's environment and quality of life for Hakai magazine.