Published Oct 13, 2023 by Yereth Rosen

Chum salmon, a species that has faltered in the Interior Alaska river systems, are now reproducing farther north in some North Slope rivers, researchers have confirmed.

A University of Alaska Fairbanks team last month found about 100 chum salmon that were spawning or had just spawned in the Anaktuvuk and Itkillik rivers. The rivers are tributaries of the Colville River, which flows into the Arctic Ocean.

The discovery of salmon that far north was not a surprise since all five species of Alaska salmon have been spotted in the Arctic, said Peter Westley, an associate professor at UAF’s College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences and leader of the project.

Published Oct 13, 2023 by Carter Dejong

Graduate workers across the University of Alaska system will begin voting today whether or not to form a union.

The graduate workers have partnered with United Auto Workers to form the Alaska Graduate Workers Association-UAW so that they can advocate for increased pay and benefits.

Voting will take place from October 13-26, Kushner said. Graduate workers who are eligible to vote for unionization are teaching assistants, research assistants and those with fellowships. Around 350 to 400 graduate workers are eligible, most of which are located at UAF.

The vote to organize follows a settlement agreement between the United Auto Workers and the University of Alaska in August over which students are eligible to be part of the proposed union. UAW initially sought to include undergraduates and some staff employees, but the university system objected.

The Alaska Labor Relations Agency in July excluded undergraduates from the unit and further discussions between UAW and UA left out the staff members.

Published Oct 13, 2023 by Gavin Struve

With a new look, the University of Alaska Fairbanks rifle team is set to begin its 2023-24 season on Friday, Oct. 13, and Saturday, Oct. 14 when the Nanooks host Ohio State.

The ‘Nooks will be hard-pressed to repeat as national champions after graduating several key contributors, including individual national champion Ryan Kissell. Head coach Will Anti is focusing on growth first and foremost entering this season.

“It’s quite a young team, so I think just getting some experience and then general improvement and consistency,” Anti said. “This team that shows up against Ohio State will be quite a bit less seasoned than the one that shows up in March, hopefully, for the national title.”