Yereth Rosen, Alaska Beacon
U.S. Supreme Court lets stand a ban on baiting of brown bears in Alaska’s Kenai refuge
The court declined to hear an appeal from the state and Safari Club that sought to strike down the wildlife refuge’s ban.
Rapes and aggravated assaults push Alaska’s violent-crime rates up; property-crime rates fall
Alaska’s rate of violent crimes has increased, a contrast to national trends driven by extremely high statewide rates of rape and aggravated assault.
Report shows wide regional disparities seen in Alaska colorectal and lung cancer rates
Rates of colorectal cancer in certain parts of rural Alaska are up to 2.5 times as high as the state average.
Biden nominates Alaska scientist as nation’s first Arctic ambassador
Mike Sfraga is the chair of the U.S. Arctic Research Commission.
Alaskans will no longer need college degrees for most state jobs
Future job postings will list relevant experience that can substitute for college degrees when reasonable, according to Gov. Mike Dunleavy's order.
Amputations and broken bones are among the injuries caused by winches on fishing boats
Over a 20-year period, there were 125 serious injuries to Alaska fisheries from winches, according to a newly published study.
Catching up: Researchers track 6,000 Alaskans’ paths after their 2005 high school graduations
Nearly 18 years ago, about 6,000 young Alaskans left high school and launched into adulthood. Where did they end up?
Diminished population of sunflower sea stars may get Endangered Species Act listing
The huge sea stars, which help conserve kelp beds by eating sea urchins, have been devastated by a wasting disease that is linked by scientists to climate change.
Crab crisis in Bering Sea a sign of ‘borealization’ and big changes in the future, scientists warn
In coming decades, the ocean conditions that triggered the snow crab crash and harvest closure are expected to be common.
Alaska health officials and providers work on strategies for responding to tuberculosis surge
Effective prevention and treatment requires an understanding of past tuberculosis-related trauma, experts at an Anchorage health summit said.
Student project tracking microplastics found in Bering Strait-area spotted seals
A UAF graduate student has found microplastics in the stomachs of spotted seals harvested in the Bering Strait region.
Tuberculosis, a disease that devastated Alaska in the past, took a big jump in 2022
Documented active cases of the disease increased dramatically, and pandemic-related interruptions to medical services are getting some of the blame.
Southeast Alaska’s porpoises have separate populations, and 1 may be vulnerable
The breakdown of Southeast Alaska’s porpoises into northern and southern populations contrasts with current management, which treats them as a single population.
Construction to start on bridge over landslide site in Denali National Park
A contractor has been chosen to address problems at perilous Pretty Rocks, but full access to the park road is not expected until 2025.
Study analyzes moose-vehicle collision risks, with results that could be used to improve road safety
A new study, funded by NASA, analyzes the relationships between moose movements, snowpack and traffic patterns in Alaska and areas of western Canada.
In northernmost Alaska, a battle is on to limit the damages of permafrost thaw
Warming soils beneath Utqiagvik are triggering erosion that threatens homes, infrastructure and cultural resources.
Climate change seen as suspected factor in Western Arctic Caribou Herd decline
Alaska’s Western Arctic Caribou Herd population is lower than at any time in over four decades.
Dramatic decline in teen smoking largely offset by boom in e-cigarette use, state report says
Electronic cigarettes are not taxed by the state. But some legislators have been trying to change that to discourage youth vaping.
COVID-19 pushed Alaska’s death rate higher and life expectancy lower in 2021
The report documented noticeable increases in alcohol-related and drug-related fatalities in 2021.
Alaska crab fishery collapse seen as warning about Bering Sea transformation
The loss of snow crab and Bristol Bay red king crab harvests poses immediate hardships and raises worries about future seafood prospects.