NOAA Scientist Finds Rare Whales in the Bering Sea
![An extremely rare North Pacific right whale takes a breath at the surface of the ocean.](https://knom.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/North_Pacific_right_whale-1200x800.jpg)
A NOAA researcher used underwater sound to locate one of the rarest animals in the Bering Sea.
UAF Research Vessel Begins Ecosystem Study in Bering and Chukchi Seas
![Sikuliaq, Nome, AK, 2015](https://knom.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/2015-07-21-Sikuliaq-007-2432px-1200x800.jpg)
“We are trying to get a handle on what our ocean looks like out here, what the ecosystem looks like: how it’s working, how it’s functioning,” says Dr. Seth Danielson from the UAF research vessel Sikuliaq.
After Nearly 20 Years, NOAA Surveys Norton Sound Beluga Whale Population
![Study transects for the beluga whale aerial survey in Norton Sound. Photo Credit: NOAA Fisheries, 2017](https://knom.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/NortonSoundBeluga_2017.jpg)
The Alaska Beluga Whale Committee, the North Slope Borough, and NOAA Fisheries’ Alaska Fisheries Science Center are collaborating on aerial surveys of the Eastern Bering Sea as well as near the Yukon River Delta until June 29th.
As Summer Dredging Returns to Nome, Some Expect Less Gold — and More Competition
![Dredge operators wait for the season's kick-off meeting to start in the Nome Mini Convention Center.](https://knom.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/IMG_0746-1200x900.jpg)
“The easy gold is disappearing,” says retired mining engineer Randy Smith. In Nome, gold dredging is becoming an activity “for the more serious people now, not the get-rich-quick ones.”
An “Eskimo Ninja” Inspires
![Nick Hanson scales a “salmon ladder” in his hometown of Unalakleet.](https://knom.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/2015-09-12-nick-hanson-001-2-1200x800.jpg)
Through your support, a recent episode of KNOM’s Story49 featured a young man from Unalakleet, Alaska, whose training in Alaska Native Youth Olympic games helped turn him into a competitor on the nationally-televised show “American Ninja Warrior.”
Wintertime News
![The Yukon River](https://knom.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/2014-03-06-iditarod-ruby-1-1-2432px-1200x800.jpg)
From a stranded seal to a dangerous hole in Yukon River ice, recent stories from KNOM’s news department offer a special glimpse into what makes Western Alaska so unique — and, at times, so challenging.
U.S. Senate Advances Arctic Efforts at Port Clarence
![Point Spencer](https://knom.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Screen-Shot-2015-05-13-at-12.16.23-PM-608x400-1.png)
On Friday, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed a bill that would encourage infrastructure development at Port Clarence.
Novembers Gone By
![Ric surveys 2005 storm damage](https://knom.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/2015-10-16-misc-for-static-011-1024x768.jpg)
Explore a few quick looks at Novembers through the years at KNOM.
A Day of Blindingly Fast Sleds
![Jenn Ruckel at Nome-Golovin 2015](https://knom.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/2015-03-14-nome-glv-2015-01-006-2432px1-1200x800.jpg)
In mid-March, amid all the excitement of Iditarod, KNOM rallied to cover another thoroughly Alaskan sporting event: a fast sprint race on snowmachines that captures the pride and attention of our region.
Ice In, Ice Out
![Nome, Alaska, from the frozen Bering Sea](https://knom.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/2015-02-07-gas-prices-and-ice-002-2432px-1200x800.jpg)
The freezing of the Bering Sea drastically changes the landscape of rural Alaska’s coastal communities. It also opens up new possibilities for transportation and subsistence.