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The LEO Network is a worldwide network of observers and experts that share their observations of environmental change.
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Federal bill would add veterinary care to IHS duties to address rabies, other risks in rural Alaska
A federal bill aims to expand IHS duties to include veterinary care in rural Alaska, addressing the scarcity of such services and the risk of rabies from wildlife.
Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media

Record salmon harvest closures in Chukotka
Experts decided that during the fishing season, red fish in the water area of the Anadyr estuary can be caught only two days a week. It was decided to introduce a large number of passing days to preserve the chum salmon population spawning in this basin.
Anadyr, Chukotskiy Avtonomnyy Okrug, Russia
Prochukotku.ru

Whale surveys planned for eastern Bering Sea this summer
This summer, NOAA and the International Whaling Commission will conduct aerial and ship-based surveys in the eastern Bering Sea to monitor beluga and large baleen whale populations, employing new methods and expanding survey areas based on previous findings.
Eastern Bering Sea
The Nome Nugget

Metal mobilization from thawing permafrost to aquatic ecosystems is driving rusting of Arctic streams
Recent discoloration of 75 streams in Arctic Alaska reflects increased iron and trace metal loading following climate-driven permafrost thaw. These findings have considerable implications for drinking water supplies and subsistence fisheries.
Noatak, Alaska, United States
Nature

Yukon's Grey-headed Chickadee now considered endangered
The Grey-headed chickadee found in the far north of Yukon and Alaska was listed as endangered this month, and experts say the bird is so rare that it's hard to estimate its numbers. The decline might be related to competition as Boreal Chickadees are moving north because of climate change.
Old Crow, Yukon, Canada
CBC

Need to evacuate this summer? NWT says you're getting $800
The GNWT says it's earmarked $800 per resident age 18 or over and $400 for each dependent under 18. Applicants may be required to provide proof of residency in the community they live in, such as a utility bill, proof of dependents such as birth certificates, and identification like a driver's license — so if you are ordered to evacuate make sure you pack those along.
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada
NNSL Media

Bill to ban toxic 'forever chemicals' in firefighting foams passes Alaska House and Senate
Alaska's legislature has passed a bill to ban PFAS chemicals in firefighting foams, addressing the contamination of drinking water.
Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media

Hawaii study shows almost 75% of Maui wildfire survey participants have respiratory issues
A University of Hawaii study examining the health effects of last year’s deadly wildfires on Maui has found that up to 74% of participants may have difficulty breathing and otherwise have poor respiratory health.
Lahaina, Hawaii, United States
AP News

Low water in N.W.T. means cargo heading to northern communities via Tuk, not Hay River
Low water levels on the Mackenzie River are causing cargo shipments to use a different route to access northern communities, beginning in the Arctic Ocean.
Ulukhaktok, NWT
CBC

Alaska Native corporation ending involvement in controversial Ambler road project
An Alaska Native corporation is withdrawing from the Ambler road project due to concerns over environmental impact and subsistence practices, despite economic potential.
Ambler, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media

Japan to start hunting fin whales after five years of commercial whaling
Japan plans to expand its commercial whaling to include fin whales, five years after resuming whaling and leaving the IWC.
Japan
The Japan Times

Whale fight: Right-wing leader wants to shoot more and market whales abroad
A right-wing leader advocates for increased whale hunting and international marketing of whale meat, despite global regulations and declining participation in the industry.
Norway
NRK

Dogs entering US must be 6 months old and microchipped to prevent spread of rabies, new rules say
New U.S. regulations require all dogs entering from abroad to be at least 6 months old and microchipped to mitigate rabies risks.
United States
AP News

'Unprecedented': How bird flu became an animal pandemic
This article examines the unique spread of bird flu across multiple animal species, marking an unusual animal pandemic.
Earth

Feds give Whitehorse $45M for 'permanent' solution to escarpment landslides
The article discusses a $45M federal investment in Whitehorse for a permanent solution to recurring escarpment landslides, highlighting the increasing threat of such events due to climate change.
Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada
CBC

The governor has a big decision to make about the Eklutna River and hydro project. Here’s what to know.
The article discusses a contentious proposal for new fish passage infrastructure at the Eklutna River dam, with differing plans and potential legal challenges as stakeholders await the governor's decision.
Eagle River, Alaska, United States

Canada is 'missing the mark' on remediation and reconciliation, says Yellowknives Dene chief
The Yellowknives Dene Chief criticizes Canada's handling of contaminated sites in the North, highlighting a lack of reconciliation and proper management, as an auditor's report calls for better inclusion of Indigenous peoples and long-term care plans.
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada

Sea levels are likely to rise throughout Norway as a result of climate change
The sea level will probably rise along the entire coast of Norway. Stavanger is among the most vulnerable places.
Norway
NRK

King Cove braces for salmon season with no seafood processor amid historic price slump
The plant, formerly owned by Peter Pan Seafood Company, is the economic engine for the Alaska Peninsula community.
King Cove, Alaska, United States
KTOO

How do chum salmon spend the winter?
Recent surveys reveal that chum salmon face challenges during winter in the Gulf of Alaska, with conditions like marine heatwaves affecting their diet and survival, leading to increased mortality rates.
Gulf of Alaska
The Nome Nugget

Toxic: How the search for the origins of COVID-19 turned politically poisonous
An AP investigation reveals that political disputes and blame fears halted the search for COVID-19's origins in China, contradicting public claims of ongoing efforts.
Wuhan, Hubei, China
AP News

Caribou herds in B.C. and Alberta have grown nearly 50%, mostly due to wolf culls, study finds
A study attributes the nearly 50% growth of caribou herds in B.C. and Alberta to controversial wolf culls, which may need to continue for decades.
British Columbia, Canada

Biden administration blocks Ambler Road, strengthens protections for NPR-A
The Biden administration has halted the Ambler Road project to protect wildlife and strengthen environmental safeguards in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, sparking mixed reactions.
Upper Kobuk River, Alaska, United States

What's Causing Russia's Record Floods?
This region endured similar major floods in 1922, 1942 and 1957 though the current disaster was "extraordinary and all previous 'records' have been surpassed," she added.The Ural River flooded Russia's Orenburg region in particular, while the Ishim — which feeds the Siberian regions of Tyumen and Omsk, and northern Kazakhstan — also burst its banks.
Orenburg, Orenburg, Russia
The Moscow Times

Scientists, Alaska Native leaders say the Arctic faces a growing crisis from plastic waste
Arctic communities and scientists report a crisis from increasing plastic waste, which contaminates traditional food sources and threatens the health of Alaska Native populations.
Bering Sea, Alaska

Canada's 2024 wildfire season expected to be even worse than last year's
Due to a mild winter and warmer year, this wildfire season is looking to be worse, not better, than the last
Canada
nationalpost

WA declares statewide drought emergency following poor snowpack
Washington State declares a statewide drought emergency due to significantly low snowpack levels, with expectations of less than 75% of the normal water supply.
Washington, United States
The Seattle Times

Anchorage winter ties for second snowiest on record but hitting all-time mark unlikely
A whopping 132.6 inches of snow -- more than 11 feet -- fell on the city this winter, as of the latest measurement Friday.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States

Federal regulators cut Western Arctic caribou harvest limit to 15 animals a year
Federal regulators have significantly reduced the Western Arctic caribou harvest limit for local subsistence hunters from five animals per day to 15 per year, with only one cow allowed, due to the herd's continued decline and low cow survival rates. Non-local hunting is banned until the herd recovers.
Northwest Arctic, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

Seabird demonstration: Eider populations continue to decline along the coast – scientists don't know why
Eider populations along the Norwegian coast have declined by up to 80%, with a nationwide decrease of 35-40%, and the reasons remain unknown.
Norway
NRK

Russian objection to U.S. territorial claims off Alaska complicates maritime relationship
Russia's objection to U.S. claims off Alaska highlights tensions in maritime relations and underscores the U.S. disadvantage in territorial disputes due to its non-ratification of the Law of the Sea treaty.
Arctic Ocean

Schools closed, safe rooms open for severe weather
Ahead of Wednesday’s anticipated severe weather, county officials are making some important announcements.
McLain, Mississippi, United States

1 dead, 126 homes damaged or destroyed due to severe weather in Mississippi
The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) has issued an updated damage report from Tuesday and Wednesday’s severe weather. According to MEMA, one person in Grenada County died. Six were injured, two of which were in Scott County. Details regarding where the other four injuries took place have not been released...
Grenada, Mississippi, United States
SuperTalk Mississippi Media

Juneau had a record-breaking cruise season last year. This year should be about the same.
Juneau implements a new daily limit of five large cruise ships to manage record-breaking tourism and address local concerns about traffic and quality of life.
Juneau, Alaska, United States

Tsunami program that informs Alaskans of the danger is itself at risk
It funds maps, sirens and education. "Losing this program, really, at the end of the day could mean deaths in Alaska," says a state official.
Cordova, Alaska, United States

Western Alaska tribes, outraged by bycatch, turn up the heat on fishery managers and trawlers
The years-long debate is taking on increasing urgency as subsistence harvesting bans continue and the policy responses under consideration threaten to impose steep costs on the industry.
Nulato, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

New work season opens for Denali Park Road bridge
The $100 million Pretty Rocks Bridge will cross the site of a landslide that has closed the road at Mile 45 since 2021.
Denali Park

Canada's wildfires blamed for rise in global loss of tree cover outside of tropics
Canada's record wildfires contribute significantly to global non-tropical tree cover loss, with implications for climate change and biodiversity.
Canada

Canada, Alaska suspend fishing of Yukon River chinook salmon for 7 years
Canada and Alaska have agreed to a seven-year fishing moratorium on Yukon River chinook salmon to aid the species' recovery, following years of declining numbers.
Yukon River, Alaska

Canada's mild winter disrupts key ice road to remote Arctic diamond mines
Canada's mild winter has caused the longest recent delay in opening the Arctic ice road, essential for diamond mine access and goods transport, highlighting climate change impacts on infrastructure.
ArcticToday

Landslide-triggered tsunamis can strike without warning. Alaska researchers are trying to change that.
Alaska researchers are developing a method to detect landslide-triggered tsunamis, aiming to provide early warnings for such unpredictable events.
Alaska, United States

Commercial fisheries may soon be at the Bering Strait’s doorstep
Sea ice loss, warming waters and the northward expansion of fish species like pollock are all contributing to a pattern in the Bering Strait region known as “borealization.” That means the Arctic ecosystem is becoming more like the boreal region to the south.
Nome, Alaska, United States
The Nome Nugget

Nine water lines and six sewer lines remain frozen after Swan lake Loop failed last month
Emergency measures are in place in Kotzebue after a failure in the Swan Lake Loop left 74 households without water, prompting local and state officials to declare an emergency and take action to provide services and repair infrastructure.
Kotzebue, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

Alaska creates climate plan to reduce statewide emissions and fund a wide range of sustainable energy projects
Alaska's new Sustainable Energy Action Plan aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions and promote renewable energy, excluding oil industry cuts.

Peltola has fish on her mind during Cama-i trip to Bethel
Rep. Mary Peltola discusses the challenges facing Alaska's fisheries, including declining salmon populations and the impact on subsistence and commercial fishing, during her visit to Bethel for the Cama-i Dance Festival.
Bethel, Alaska, United States

Amid salmon crash, Alaska’s Yukon River residents say a new pact with Canada leaves them behind
Alaska's Yukon River residents feel neglected by a new Canada-U.S. agreement aimed at rebuilding salmon stocks, as the pact requires a seven-year fishing halt that exacerbates their economic and cultural struggles.
Yukon River, Alaska, United States

Technology that detects volcanoes and nuclear explosions will listen for avalanches in Juneau
An infrasound avalanche detection system, previously used for monitoring volcanoes and nuclear tests, is being installed in Juneau to improve avalanche mitigation and road safety.
Juneau, Alaska, United States

Beaver expansion into Alaska’s Arctic tundra presents problems for people – and opportunities
Beavers are transforming Alaska's Arctic tundra, creating both challenges for local communities and ecological opportunities, as their population and dam-building activities alter landscapes and affect permafrost.
The Arctic
Alaska Beacon

Wood frogs are once again singing, a springtime delight
On the last Sunday in April, I received a brief but exciting message. “Frogs are singing,” Barbara Carlson notified me.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States
The Anchorage Press

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