US, Russian researchers track polar bears and ice seals across the Arctic
A collaboration between scientists from both countries is providing a clearer picture of the species, which remain subsistence staples to Arctic communities.
Kaktovik is crawling with polar bears. Now a man is going to prison for wasting one.
The case shows how it’s become common for polar bears to disrupt village life in Kaktovik, which sits on an island at the edge of the Beaufort Sea. As climate change melts sea ice and drives the bears ashore, residents say they’ve been under increasing stress.
Calista, Doyon deny rumors of an exit from Alaska Federation of Natives
Calista Corp. has reaffirmed its Alaska Federation of Natives membership, in response to a caller on a KYUK talk show who claimed that Calista had pulled out of the organization.
Endangered Cook Inlet beluga whales continue to decline, and scientists aren’t sure why
In 2008, Cook Inlet beluga whales were listed as endangered. Their numbers still continue to drop: There are fewer than 300 today, and they’re steadily declining.
Switch from BP’s corporate giving to Hilcorp’s employee contributions could be ‘a bucket of cold water’ for nonprofits
Hilcorp’s philanthropic strategy is more about individual employee giving than corporate sponsorship. And, a national expert says, that’ll diffuse the giving and make it harder to predict — at least at first.
Former state Sen. Anna MacKinnon hired by Alaska Department of Revenue
In her new role, Anna MacKinnon will be on the boards of the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority and the Alaska Energy Authority.
Alaska oil tax initiative has enough valid signatures to appear on ballot, election officials say
When the oil tax initiative would appear on a ballot depends on when the Alaska Legislature wraps up its work.
Western Arctic caribou populations stable, though officials worry about warming climate
A warmer climate in the area is having an effect on permafrost and vegetation that caribou eat.
‘This is their shot’: BLM urges community for input on mercury mine cleanup plans
The federal government has laid out how it wants to clean up the site, and it wants to make sure the affected communities weigh in.
Pebble is proposing to offset its impacts to wetlands through sewer repairs
Offsetting a project’s potential impacts to wetlands usually means restoring or protecting wetlands that serve the same purpose as those being altered or destroyed by development. But Pebble is proposing to do something different.
A second ‘Blob’ marine heat wave has disappeared, but the warming trend will continue, scientists say
The first “Blob” decimated fisheries, caused a mass seabird die-off and spurred toxic algal blooms up and down the coast. As Alaska braced for the second heat wave, it disappeared — at least for now.
About Alaska’s Energy Desk
Alaska’s Energy Desk is a collaboration between KTOO in Juneau, Alaska Public Media in Anchorage, KUCB in Unalaska, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner in Fairbanks, KBRW in Utqiaġvik and KYUK in Bethel. Each week we produce in-depth coverage of energy issues in Alaska that air on local stations, the Alaska Public Radio Network and on national news programs.
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