Yereth Rosen, Alaska Beacon
Bering Sea snow crab fishing to resume, but at an ultra-low level to encourage repopulation
After a two-year hiatus forced by low stocks, the Bering Sea snow crab harvest is back on.
Alaska’s seafood industry lost $1.8 billion last year, NOAA report says
Glutted seafood markets, low prices, high costs and reduced catches caused pain that swept through Alaska and beyond, the report says.
Yukon River salmon runs remain low, but glimmers of improvement emerge
The fall run of chum salmon is the third lowest in a record that goes back to the 1970s. But there were some positive signs.
Alaska’s life-expectancy drop was biggest among all states in 2021, CDC says
Alaska’s life expectancy in 2021 was 74.5 years, down from the average of 76.6 years in 2020.
Marquee Alaska sockeye run was bigger than expected, but the individual fish were small
Bristol Bay’s sockeye salmon have been shrinking over past decades, and this year’s average fish size was the smallest on record.
Alaska House race in South Anchorage presents contrasts, despite common party affiliation
Both candidates are Republicans, but they differ in their ideas about bipartisan caucuses, state employee retirement benefits and other issues.
Visitors to Alaska’s national parklands pumped $2.3B into the state’s economy, report says
Tourism to national parks in Alaska has rebounded from pre-pandemic levels after three years of lower numbers.
Study gives updated estimate for wolverine population on Alaska’s North Slope
The population is healthy despite apparent decline, but the species can get overlooked when development is planned, scientists say.
Alaska schools to be stocked with anti-overdose kits under new law
Hundreds of overdose-reversal kits are headed to schools as part of a strategy to combat Alaska’s high rate of opioid deaths.
Alaska judge strikes down requirement that only licensed physicians provide abortions
A judge agreed with Planned Parenthood that barring clinicians from providing services violates the state's constitution.
Alaska bill making church and synagogue vandalism a felony is signed into law
Alaskas's new law addresses vandalism attacks on synagogues and other religious sites, which are increasing nationwide.
Road section removed at Alaska’s Katmai National Park to protect archaeological sites
The road section, built in 2014 without proper tribal consultation, has now been removed, and the park has improved its procedures.
Lawsuit claims fishery managers have failed to adequately protect Alaska’s coral gardens
An environmental group says the National Marine Fisheries Service should do much more to limit bottom trawling in the Gulf of Alaska.
Justice to monitor Alaska primary election for compliance with language requirements
The Department of Justice will have observers in certain rural areas to see if Indigenous language speakers are served properly.
Survey of Alaska youth reveals more mental health problems, but also some positive trends
The latest Youth Risk Behavior Survey found more anxiety and suicidal thoughts than earlier surveys, but also less alcohol and tobacco use.
Rising pertussis case numbers in Alaska prompt warnings and prevention recommendations
This year’s spike in the disease known as "whooping cough" follows COVID-19 pandemic years that had very few cases reported.
The Alaska Supreme Court weighs citizens’ right to challenge state’s predator control program
An opponent of the multiyear bear-killing program is defending her standing to be a plaintiff against the state.
NOAA selects Alaska projects for funding from its climate-resilience program
Federal climate resilience grants, including for the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, are aimed at helping at-risk communities.
Alaska highlighted in new Department of Defense Arctic strategy
The newly released strategy cites Alaska’s role in protecting the homeland from increased Russian and Chinese threats.
Bill mandating end to use of PFAS-containing firefighting foams becomes law in Alaska
The new law requires a switch to PFAS-free foams by Jan. 1 and sets up a system to help rural villages get rid of them.