The whale washed up in late May, and biologists suspect it was killed by orcas a week before the corpse was found. It's the fourth dead whale reported around the archipelago this year and the seventh found around Alaska.

Emperor geese populations have struggled across the state, but the ones nesting near Kodiak seem to be prospering. Biologists are working to verify the local flock’s growth in surveys.

The latest wave includes firing some NOAA employees at the Kodiak Fisheries Research Center. Staff could not confirm how many people were affected in the state, nor what positions were cut.

A proposed ocean and fish restoration project in the Gulf of Alaska is trying to generate support at the local and state level. Ocean Pasture Restoration wants to begin its three-year pilot starting in 2025. The project hinges on renewing pastures in the ocean to boost production of phytoplankton.

Since the fishing industry as a whole is facing increased challenges and financial hardship, many are looking at mariculture as an alternative to commercial fishing. The Alaska Fisheries Science Center Kodiak Lab is currently conducting research that could support oyster farming.

The autumn community cleanup has had dozens of participants pick up car and boat parts, rusty crab pots, buoys, and more from Kodiak Island's road system. The 10 day long cleanup has one more big push before it ends on Oct. 26.

Some residents may have noticed Kodiak brown bears getting into their trash cans in certain areas of the borough lately. Borough staff say they, too, have noticed an increase in bear activity recently. But Alaska Department of Fish & Game officials say these encounters are common this time of year.

Buskin Lake and River are the only place in the state reported to have signal crayfish, an invasive species. In an effort to keep the population low, a Louisiana tradition is prospering in Alaska.

“The driver heard small explosions, pops coming from the load – once we arrived on scene we could hear the same thing,” said City Fire Chief Frank Dorner. No injuries were reported.

Alaska's suicide rate was nearly double the national average in 2017. For National Suicide Prevention Month, several organizations in Kodiak are pushing mental health resources and awareness events as part of it.