Wesley Early, Alaska Public Media - Anchorage
Wesley Early covers Anchorage life and city politics for Alaska Public Media. Reach him at wearly@alaskapublic.org and follow him on X at @wesley_early. Read more about Wesley here.
Heavy, expensive wind storms projected to hit Northwest Alaska harder in coming decades, study finds
Historically, Arctic communities have had thick layers of sea ice to help buffer those storms, but as the region warms, that protection is disappearing.
A Northwest Arctic Borough program cut water bills by about two thirds, but one village says it doesn’t need the help
The program is a partnership between the borough, Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium and Maniilaq Association to bring local communities in compliance with state criteria for water utilities.
Heavy storms set to hit Northwest Arctic will likely disrupt fragile sea ice
While lower sea ice conditions pose safety and hunting risks, they can also lead to an overall temperature increase for the region.
NANA approves new shareholder trust, allowing for tax-free dividends
Shareholders of the NANA Regional Native Corporation voted on Nov. 16 to establish a shareholder trust, which means dividends from the corporation will be tax-free.
Study finds marine mammal viruses are traveling between oceans as sea ice recedes
The study by researchers at the University of California Davis found that, since 2001, there have been various spikes of phocine distemper virus in Steller sea lions, bearded ring seals and various other Arctic marine mammals.
As hunters deal with a warming Arctic, UAF partners with local observers to keep them informed
As climate change disrupts the migration of animals, and the frozen rivers and sea ice hunters travel on becomes less reliable, Alaskans say sharing information is increasingly important.
New Ambler heat pump project aims to drastically reduce diesel costs in the village
Installing the pump, solar arrays and LEDs costs about $8,200 per home, providing an average fuel savings of $2,000 to $3,000 dollars a year. This means they essentially pay for themselves in about three years.
Cash-strapped Ambler Road project gets boost from AIDEA to complete permitting
The Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority’s board approved the additional funding for the proposed Ambler Road, which would stretch from the Dalton Highway to the Ambler Mining District
New proposed LNG project would ship gas from North Slope to Asia on ice-breaking tankers
Qilak LNG plans on shipping gas on ice-breaking tankers from fields in Point Thomson.
New judicial order gives northern Alaska tribes more say in criminal sentencing
Northern Alaska Native tribes will have more input in criminal sentencing in their communities, after a judicial order announced at the Alaska Federation of Natives convention Friday in Fairbanks
National Native news outlet Indian Country Today announces Alaska bureau
The online news site is one of the largest news organizations in the country solely dedicated to Native journalists reporting on Indigenous issues.
As Kotzebue experiences one of its warmest years on record, subsistence hunters contend with shrinking ice
With winter subsistence hunts around the corner, changing sea ice could have major effects on how much hunters are able to harvest this season.
UAF study finds Kotzebue Sound fish mercury levels are safe for consumption
When mercury enters the water, it changes chemically and is prone to affect local marine ecosystems.
Utqiagvik voters overwhelmingly reject soda tax
Early results show voters in the city of Utqiagvik rejecting a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages.
Kotzebue green-lights second marijuana shop
Owner Justin An hopes to have the store open in two to three months.
2 pilots fined $3,000 for disrupting Pacific walrus haulout near Point Lay
The Marine Mammal Protection Act prohibits killing, harassing and other various actions that would disturb walruses.
Brother of trooper in charge of Northwest Arctic drug crimes banished from Kiana for alleged meth dealing
A tribal council convened on Monday, Sep. 16 to issue a civil exclusion order against 37-year-old Thomas Nay. The action is one of several tools that tribal courts have to keep their communities safe.
NOAA declares unusual mortality event for Arctic ice seals
Since June 2018, NOAA has documented 282 dead seals in the Bering and Chukchi Seas, and close to 300 stranded seals.
Rep. Laddie Shaw selected to fill seat of late Sen. Chris Birch
Less than a year into his freshman term as a Representative, Laddie Shaw has been selected to fill the Senate seat of the late Chris Birch.
As Sec. DeVos promotes her Education Freedom Scholarship statewide, some advocates wonder how it would work in Alaska
Some Alaska education advocates question if and how the program could work in the state.