Energy & Water Infrastructure: A University of Alaska Fairbanks panel revisited whether Alaska needs a Susitna-Watana mega-dam, weighing salmon impacts, local power reliability, and the state’s push to rely less on imported energy. Wildlife Conflict in Anchorage: Alaska Department of Fish and Game euthanized three brown bears in South Anchorage after reports of garage and vehicle damage and repeated trash-can feeding, with one cub captured for permanent placement. Arctic Climate Watch: Preliminary analysis says Arctic sea ice hit a likely minimum of about 4.60 million square kilometers on Sept. 12—tied for the 11th-lowest on record—while remaining thinner than decades past. Roads & Refuge Access: The 9th Circuit allowed construction to continue on the first 2.8 miles of the King Cove-to-Cold Bay road outside Izembek National Wildlife Refuge, even as the broader project remains controversial. Coastal & Fisheries Pollution Oversight: A proposed EPA rule would exempt many offshore seafood processing vessels from Clean Water Act discharge permitting, potentially reducing public pollution reporting in Alaska. Arctic Wildlife Conservation Spotlight: Photographer Gerrit Vyn highlighted Teshekpuk Lake’s critical role for migratory shorebirds, as the wetland sits within NPR-A’s special protected areas. Public Transit & Community Design: Anchorage’s People Mover rolled out new bus stop artwork and plans more shelters, aiming to make stops safer and more welcoming. Election Politics (Local Angle): Reporting on midterm strategy repeatedly flags Alaska as a key Senate battleground, with Republicans trying to hold seats amid voter frustration over costs.