Unalaska, AK – This is the second in our new radio series, Community Crossroads, wherein we speak with Unalaskans from around the globe about their lives, their cultures, and their communities. The is a profile Kristjan Laxfoss, originally from Iceland. KIAL's Anne Hillman has this.

Unalaska, AK – Nearly 180,000 square miles of the northern and western Bering Sea will be closed to bottom trawling starting on August 25. The new regulation enacted by the National Marine Fisheries Service protects areas that have not previously been affected by the fishing method.

"This is a real precautionary and ecosystem based management approach," said Jon Warrenchuk, an Ocean Scientist for the environmental group Oceana. "One thing you want to do is prevent damage to habitat, especially habitat that things like fish and seafloor invertebrates rely on. And we know that bottom trawls damage habitat along the sea floor."

Chuginadak Island, AK – Ham radio enthusiasts sometimes go to great lengths to contact each other and remote regions of the world. A group of three Russians recently spent a week on Chuginadak Island to set up a radio call station--but they ran into a few explosive problems. KIAL's Anne Hillman went along.

Unalaska, AK – The Alaska Volcano Observatory put Okmok volcano back on Code Red after plumes rose as high as 35 thousand feet, preventing more planes from arriving. But a boat passing through the area helped stranded residents and visitors finally leave the island. KIAL's Anne Hillman was there.

Unalaska, AK – When Mount Cleveland on Chuginadak Island began erupting a week ago, KIAL's Anne Hillman was on a ship off the coast of the island. She recorded these sounds.

Unalaska, AK – Some people are into extreme sports. Others, extreme travel. How about extreme radio? A team of Russians are setting up an amateur radio out post on an uninhabited Aleutian Island just for the experience of it. KIAL's Anne Hillman caught up with them on their way through Unalaska.

Unalaska, AK – More than 4,500 marine vessels pass through the Aleutian Islands annually. The harsh weather and the unique environment put the area at high risk from oil spills and accidents. After the M/V Selendang Ayu grounded in 2004, spilling 336 thousand gallons of fuel near Unimak Island, a court settlement specified that funds be allocated for a risk assessment of ship accidents and spills in the area. A design for that assessment was released Thursday. KIAL's Anne Hillman has more.

Dutch Harbor, AK – Shell Oil is using Dutch Harbor as a staging ground for its research in the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas. Vessels of various sizes were in port until recently and others still remain in preparation for seismic, shallow hazard, marine mammal, and baseline environmental research. KIAL's Anne Hillman brings you more.

Unalaska, AK – The Aleutian Pribilof Island Community Development Association recently opened a new fish processing plant in False Pass. Bering Pacific Seafoods has the capacity to process 50 thousand pounds of fish per day and the ability to help revitalize False Pass's economy. But APICDA Joint Ventures chief operating officer Joe Kyle says it won't be easy. Anne Hillman has more.