In Dillingham, Alaska, 19 cases of avian flu have been identified in common murres, with the virus still present in wild birds and genetic testing being conducted to determine if it is a new strain or a strain circulating in North America.

A total of 94 brown bears, five black bears and five wolves were killed in the program that began May 10 and ended June 4, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game said this week. That’s more than four times the number biologists predicted would be taken. State biologists also say disease and changing food supplies might be a bigger factor overall.

Sherol Mershon runs the Silver Fin Bed and Breakfast, on the shore of Lake Aleknagik. She’s hung fishing nets for 45 years and has seen her fair share of wildlife. So when her guests told her they saw whales in the lake, she had her doubts.

Southwest Alaska has had an unusual increase in lighting storms this month. That lightning has ignited at least half a dozen wildfires in the Bristol Bay area.

Only two passenger flights from Anchorage made it to Dillingham within the last week — one on Saturday and one on Monday. Another flight is expected Tuesday afternoon.

The Bristol Bay Times - Serving Dillingham, Naknek, King Salmon and Southwest villages

A muskox (Ovibos moschatus) seen farther inland than usual during mating season.

The Bristol Bay Times - Serving Dillingham, Naknek, King Salmon and Southwest villages

Biologists believe the 18- to 20-foot whale may be sick or injured. It’s unclear if it will be able to swim out during high tide.

Dillingham farmer Mark Hermann said he's heard from gardeners around the state who are dealing with an influx of slugs. The slimy critters can add a lot of extra work to farming.

Dillingham gardeners say that an uptick in slimy pests in recent years is making growing greens more difficult.

Abundant slugs in Dillingham acting as a stressor to garden plants.

For the second year in a row, people around Dillingham, Aleknagik and Wood-Tikchik State Park and the Togiak National Wildlife Refuge are reporting a massive outbreak of caterpillars. Listen now

A problem for outboards.

Resident Ravens Disappeared in Early April

Swimming moose dies

1-28-14 Open lake water - Aleknagik, Alaska, USA

Aleknagik, November 26, 2012 (ice) Our lake froze weird again this year.

On Sunday, a gust of wind unexpectedly hit an Alaska Airlines jet on the Dillingham runway as it was preparing to taxi from the terminal, causing it to slide on the icy tarmac.