A persistent heatwave in Finland is fueling dense blue-green algae blooms in the Baltic Sea’s Gulf of Finland and Archipelago Sea, with freshwater sightings remaining stable.

The Kachemak Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve detected Pseudo-nitzschia at bloom levels in Kachemak Bay starting July 4. This diatom can produce the toxin domoic acid, associated with amnesic shellfish poisoning, though toxin production is not yet confirmed. Observed bird deaths and marine mammal strandings have spurred collection of mussel samples for lab testing.

UAF graduate student Leanne Bulger may take an even deeper look into the mysterious hole in the ground that is likely one of many developing all over Alaska.

A teenager remains in hospital with avian flu, according to British Columbia's top doctor. On Tuesday, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said the teen is suffering from severe respiratory distress. On Wednesday, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) confirmed it as avian flu — the first case of its kind in Canada. Henry said it's very likely that the B.C. teen's infection took place due to an exposure to either a sick animal or something in the environment.

Over the past few months, the Mass Department of Public Health, working with the Department of Recreation and Conservation, has deemed dozens of water locations throughout the state closed due to high bacteria levels.