Laura Kraegel

Between decommissioned defense sites and contaminated currents, the Bering Strait region is particularly vulnerable to toxic pollution.

At the Iditarod banquet in Nome Sunday night, mushers, fans and race officials celebrated the 44th running of the Last Great Race. Before they announced awards, though, organizers presented Aliy Zirkle and Jeff King with a special donation from the community of Nulato.

A leaking gas line in Shishmaref has finally been fixed about a year and half after a village public safety officer first discovered an oily sheen along the northern coast of Sarichef Island.

The northwest Arctic oil spill contingency plan wasn't due for another update until 2017, but the Coast Guard is fast-tracking the projec, making it a priority for 2016.

Science was in the spotlight when the U.S. Arctic Research Commission came together for its second and final day of meetings in Nome, covering a range of topics -- from fire forecasts and walrus tagging to sea ice loss and the nutritional value of reindeer meat.

In a small gathering at Nome’s mini convention center Tuesday morning, commissioners from the U.S. Arctic Research Commission heard testimony about the mental health services available in the Norton Sound, the Bering Strait, and the Northwest Arctic regions -- and some sobering statistics as to the very real challenges residents face.

For four villages affected by this spring’s poor walrus harvest, help is on its way in the form of 10,000 pounds of halibut.

This summer, 16-year-old Wallace? Ungwiluk has a decision to make — stay home and try to win Gambell its first championship in 30 years or move to Seattle and potentially be seen by college scouts.

The research vessel Sikuliaq -- owned by the National Science Foundation and operated by the University of Alaska Fairbanks -- will be working in the Chukchi and Beaufort seas through November on three research assignments. On its way, it stopped in Nome, where it welcomed visitors aboard.

After years of effort, a community-run patrol aimed at protecting residents from polar bears is about to get underway in the village of Wales, at the tip of the Seward Peninsula.