The size of king salmon returning to Western Alaska rivers to spawn has been decreasing over the past few decades. Researchers at the University of Alaska Fairbanks think that they’re closer to understanding why.
Two Yup'ik engineers are trying to push the Yugtun language into the future, using technology. Their latest project opens the door for Yugtun autocorrect, grammar checkers, and automatic subtitles on Yup'ik videos.
The Native Village of Napaimute has announced that the lower Kuskokwim Ice Road has closed. The ice road crew stopped plowing this week due to heavy snow and overflow. The crew will not plow or maintain the ice road any more this season.
An increase in COVID-19 numbers in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta this spring has led to some schools, which had recently reopened, to return to remote learning. Lower Kuskokwim School District Superintendent Kimberly Hankins said that initially there were only four schools which remained closed when schools reopened last month.
Newtok residents are one step closer to having an airport in the new community of Mertarvik, which is being built for the relocation of the village. On April 1, the Federal Aviation Administration announced in a press release that the Newtok airport project would receive $21.1 million in funding.
Domestic violence shelters around the nation are preparing for a large decrease in federal funding that will take effect in a few months. Tundra Women’s Coalition in Bethel said that it will mean a 20% cut in its operating budget, and could lead to a significant loss in services.
The Hooper Bay Lady Warriors made history this past weekend when they won the state 2A basketball championship, becoming the first girls team from Hooper Bay to do so. The Lady Warriors took the state title after defeating Talkeetna's Susitna Valley Rams 36 to 32 on April 3. After returning to Hooper Bay, the team reflected on their victory.