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Anchorage Residents Face Surge in Bear-Related Deaths Due to Unsecured Attractants

Anchorage Residents Face Surge in Bear-Related Deaths Due to Unsecured Attractants

Anchorage is experiencing a significant increase in bear killings by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, with 20 bears, both brown and black, euthanized this year due to becoming public safety threats. This number surpasses the combined total of the previous two years. Nearly all these incidents, 19 out of 20, are attributed to bears being drawn into residential areas by unsecured attractants, primarily improperly stored garbage and chickens not kept in electrified enclosures. Wildlife officials and trash haulers are urging residents to adhere to trash handling guidelines and utilize bear-resistant containers. The issue is exacerbated by a potentially poorer berry crop this year, driving more bears into urban environments in search of food. While some areas of Anchorage have 'Secure Trash Regulation Zones' requiring bear-resistant containers, the demand for these specialized bins currently outstrips supply from private haulers.

University of Oregon Researcher Studies Glacier Behavior at Mendenhall and Shakes Glaciers in Alaska

University of Oregon Researcher Studies Glacier Behavior at Mendenhall and Shakes Glaciers in Alaska

A University of Oregon graduate student, Benson, is conducting research on the behavior of lake-terminating glaciers, focusing on Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau and Shakes Glacier near Wrangell, Alaska. This research aims to understand why lake-terminating glaciers are losing mass at a significantly higher rate compared to marine glaciers. Benson's study involves mapping the topography beneath the lakes, measuring water temperatures, and analyzing sediment levels. At Mendenhall Lake, her team observed that the water became cooler throughout the summer, suggesting increased glacier melt was cooling the system. In contrast, Shakes Lake, which is considerably larger, showed expected warming throughout the season, indicating its size might buffer the temperature changes from glacier melt. Drone mapping at both glaciers revealed caves forming at the base of the glacier faces, along with cooler temperatures and increased sediment in the water, confirming glacier melt through cracks at the base.

Man gets 2-year prison stint for unruly behavior on airplane

Man gets 2-year prison stint for unruly behavior on airplane

A South Carolina man is going to federal prison for a drunken outburst forced a Delta flight to be diverted to Alaska.

Anchorage Assembly Members Express Concern Over JBER Expansion's Impact on Housing Market

Anchorage Assembly Members Express Concern Over JBER Expansion's Impact on Housing Market

Anchorage Assembly members are raising concerns about the potential impact of the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) expansion on the city's already strained housing market. The 'Fightertown Recapitalization' project is expected to bring over $2 billion in federal funding next year, potentially rising to $7 billion over several years, and will introduce approximately 2,500 new service members and their families to the area. While on-base housing will accommodate junior personnel, the remaining influx will seek housing in the private market. This comes as Anchorage's housing market is already experiencing significant pressure, with the average home price at $481,000 (a 42% increase over a decade) and average two-bedroom rent exceeding $1,700. The municipality's Office of Management and Budget Director, Ona Brause, confirmed that staff are working with JBER to identify financing and locations for potential housing development.

Cincinnati Enquirer

The 170,000 animals killed at Rumpke aren't the whole story | Opinion

The 170,000 animals killed at Rumpke aren't the whole story | Opinion

Opinion: Millions of animals visit Rumpke's landfill. What should we do about them?

Alaska's Rivers Turn Orange and Acidic Due to Thawing Tundra, Exceeding Mine Drainage Acidity

Alaska's Rivers Turn Orange and Acidic Due to Thawing Tundra, Exceeding Mine Drainage Acidity

Rivers in Alaska are turning orange and becoming highly acidic, a phenomenon researchers are calling 'rusting.' This change is attributed to minerals, specifically iron and sulfuric acid, leaching from thawing permafrost in the Arctic tundra. A study conducted in northern Alaska's Brooks Range found that these 'rusting' waters are more metallic and acidic than typical drainage from metal mines. For instance, on the Salmon River, metal levels increased seventy-fold approximately 60 miles downstream. This process began in the summer of 2019, which was the hottest summer on record for Alaska, and has since been observed in over 200 rivers across Alaska and northern Canada. Scientists, including Brett Poulin, a professor of environmental toxicology at the University of California, Davis, and co-author of the new study, were surprised by this development, noting it was not predicted in climate change assessments.

University of Kentucky Researchers Monitor Arctic Bird Migrations for Predictive Avian Flu Risks to U.S.

University of Kentucky Researchers Monitor Arctic Bird Migrations for Predictive Avian Flu Risks to U.S.

Researchers from the University of Kentucky, led by Scott Berry, Ph.D., are collaborating with Alaska Native communities in Utqiaġvik, Alaska, to monitor migratory birds for emerging pathogens, particularly the H5N1 avian flu strain. Utqiaġvik is a critical ecological crossroads where multiple major flyways converge, making it an ideal location for viruses to spread among diverse avian populations before they migrate south. The team is implementing newly developed microfluidic chips to enable genomic analysis directly in the field, significantly reducing the time it takes to get results from weeks to a single day. This rapid detection capability is crucial for understanding potential human health risks and preparing for future outbreaks. The project also involves training local community members, including hunters, in sampling techniques and genomic analysis, empowering them to manage their own health data and respond quickly to potential threats. This initiative is part of a broader 'One Health' philosoph...

Great Sitkin Volcano Continues Slow Lava Dome Growth

Great Sitkin Volcano Continues Slow Lava Dome Growth

The Great Sitkin Volcano in Alaska is experiencing ongoing slow lava dome growth within its summit crater. The eruption, which began in July 2021, has filled most of the summit crater with lava and extended into nearby valleys. Weak earthquake activity, associated with the lava dome's growth, was observed over the past day. However, poor weather conditions have obscured satellite and webcam imagery. The volcano remains under a WATCH alert level and an ORANGE aviation color code, indicating heightened activity but no immediate explosive eruptions.

West Virginia Division of Natural Resources and U.S. Forest Service Renew Agreement for Monongahela National Forest Wildlife Management

West Virginia Division of Natural Resources and U.S. Forest Service Renew Agreement for Monongahela National Forest Wildlife Management

The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (W.Va. DNR) and the U.S. Forest Service have renewed their long-standing agreement to cooperatively manage wildlife, trout streams, and sensitive species within the Monongahela National Forest. This updated memorandum of understanding replaces a document that had not undergone significant revision since the 1980s. The agreement establishes a framework for continued collaboration on fish and wildlife habitat, threatened, endangered, and sensitive species, and annual planning between the agencies. Projects under this partnership have historically included stream restoration, erosion control, invasive plant removal, native tree planting, wildlife habitat improvements, and maintenance of trails and roads. Wildlife management on these federal lands also involves planting trees and shrubs for food and cover, maintaining wildlife openings, developing wetlands, and improving public access through various infrastructure. Paul Johansen, chief of wildlife for the state,...

Sahel Region Faces Severe Environmental Degradation and Resource Scarcity

Sahel Region Faces Severe Environmental Degradation and Resource Scarcity

The Sahel region, a semi-arid zone bordering the Sahara Desert, is experiencing significant environmental degradation driven by prolonged droughts, desertification, and declining agricultural productivity. This area typically receives between 150mm and 450mm of rainfall annually, concentrated over a few months, supporting savannah grasslands and scattered trees. However, since the late 1960s, the region has seen below-average rainfall, leading to a loss of natural vegetation and exposed soil. Interconnected factors contributing to this crisis include climate-related issues, rapid population growth, unsustainable livestock management, and poor agricultural practices. The population in the Sahel is doubling approximately every 20 years, increasing demand for food, water, and fuel, which further exacerbates deforestation and soil erosion. Historical factors, such as colonial boundaries, have also disrupted traditional nomadic herding patterns, forcing communities to settle and overgraze local grasslands.

Todd Meadows' death chronicled in harrowing 'Deadliest Catch' episode

Todd Meadows' death chronicled in harrowing 'Deadliest Catch' episode

"Deadliest Catch" has aired its episode on Todd Meadows' death at sea with a never-before-seen interview and footage from that tragic day.

Newmont Corporation Faces Opposition Over Red Chris Mine Expansion from Alaskan Tribes

Newmont Corporation Faces Opposition Over Red Chris Mine Expansion from Alaskan Tribes

Newmont Corporation, in a joint venture with Imperial Metals, is proceeding with the expansion of the Red Chris mine in British Columbia, Canada, transitioning it from an open-pit to a block cave underground operation. This expansion, which received approval from the British Columbia government on June 19 and Canadian government funding support on July 2, is projected to extend the mine's life by approximately 14 years and increase Canada's copper production by an estimated 15 percent. Newmont officials have stated that the project will create long-term value for shareholders, strengthen critical mineral supply chains, and benefit local communities, Indigenous partners, British Columbia, and Canada. However, this expansion is facing significant opposition from Alaskan tribes, particularly the Southeast Alaska Indigenous Transboundary Commission (SEITC), who fear severe environmental impacts on the transboundary watersheds, including the Unuk and Stikine rivers, which are crucial spawning grounds for salmon...