Yereth Rosen

The Sikuliaq, a National Science Foundation research vessel operated by the University of Alaska Fairbanks, is docked in its homeport of Seward on July 4, 2024.

Federal funding released for this year’s operations of Alaska research vessel; future undetermined

Yereth Rosen

The funding will cover this year's operations of the Sikuliaq, an ice-capable ship used for research cruises around Alaska.

A subadult brown bear stands on June 8, 2018, on the shore of Naknek Lake in Katmai National Park and Preserve.

Politics

Alaska officials seek emergency rule to continue bear-killing program, despite court ruling

Yereth Rosen

A predator-control program in Western Alaska, recently ruled unconstitutional, is needed to boost the ailing Mulchatna caribou herd, state game managers say.

Mount Augustine is seen on Aug. 17, 2021, from a campsite on the island. The Alaska Division of Oil and Gas has scheduled a lease sale for companies seeking to explore the island's geothermal resources.

Energy

Geothermal lease sale scheduled for volcano in Alaska's Cook Inlet

Yereth Rosen

The Alaska Division of Oil and Gas is offering leases for companies that might want to explore Augustine Volcano's geothermal resources.

A racer in the 2025 version of the Tour of Anchorage ascends a hill during the race on March 2. The event normally features race distances of 50, 40 and 25 kilometers running through Alaska’s largest city. But this year, because of lack of snow, the events were staged as repeated laps on a 4.4-kilometer loop of manmade snow.

Environment

Warm, snowless conditions snarl winter sports that are traditions in Alaska

Yereth Rosen

Persistent warmth and rains have wreaked havoc with ski races and other events in the Anchorage area. Organizers are adjusting and considering changes in the future.

A Medicaid card is seen in this undated photo. Alaska's annual Medicaid costs, which are currently borne by both the federal and state governments, are expected to increase by an annual average rate of 4.7% through 2045, according to a report presented to state lawmakers.

Health

Expert predicts 4.7% average annual increase in Alaska Medicaid costs over the next 20 years

Yereth Rosen

Narrowed gaps between provider reimbursements and medical costs and an aging population with more health problems are expected cost drivers, lawmakers are told.

Tourists walk along Juneau's harbor on April 26, 2024, next to the docked Carnival Spirit, a ship operated by Carnival Cruise Line. Cruise ship visitation to Alaska has increased in recent years, and so have measured violations of wastewater standards.

Politics

More cruise traffic in Alaska is followed by more wastewater violations, officials say

Yereth Rosen

Monitoring of wastewater discharged shows an increase over time in the number of samples with pollution levels above regulatory limits.

Economy

Nonresident hiring in Alaska hits new record, state analysis shows

Yereth Rosen

Seasonal and project-based industries that long relied on out-of-state workers increased their nonresident hire in 2023, but so did other major industries.

A spotted seal pup is seen on the ice in the Bering Sea in 1978. New research confirms that pregnant spotted seals are transferring microplastics to their fetuses through the placentas.

Environment

Microplastics are in the fetal tissues of Alaska spotted seals, new research finds

Yereth Rosen

UAF scientists have found microplastics in all marine mammals species they’ve studied so far, and new results show passage from maternal seals to their young.

Emma Pokon, then acting commissioner of the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, speaks on Nov. 15, 2023, at the Resource Development for Alaska annual conference in Anchorage.

Washington, D.C.

Alaska environmental commissioner picked for Trump administration EPA post

Yereth Rosen

Emma Pokon, commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation, was named to lead EPA's Pacific Northwest regional office.

A dog in musher Paige Drobny's team, lined up for the March 5, 2022 ceremonial start of the Iditarod, wears a jacket urging vaccination. This year is the 100th anniversary of the Serum Run that used sled dog teams to deliver life-saving diphtheria medicine to Nome.

Health

Alaskans failing to make progress toward most health improvements sought by 2030

Yereth Rosen

The latest Healthy Alaskans status report shows little improvement in most categories, including preventive care for pregnant women and young children.