Sofia Stuart-Rasi’s Journalist Portfolio

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Citizen science helped expose the biggest wildlife die-off ever documented

Citizen science helped expose the biggest wildlife die-off ever documented

NPR — Decades of citizen science in Alaska helped researchers figure out how one of the biggest wildlife die-offs -- that of the seabird the common murre -- unfolded.

Scientists monitor series of earthquakes in western Aleutians

Scientists monitor series of earthquakes in western Aleutians

Alaska Public Media — Scientists at the Alaska Earthquake Center are monitoring an unusually high number of moderate earthquakes near Adak Island.

Feds investigate 'large balloon' found by fishermen near Alaska's Aleutian chain

Feds investigate 'large balloon' found by fishermen near Alaska's Aleutian chain

Alaska Public Media — The Department of Defense declined to discuss the origin or purpose of the balloon, which was brought to Dutch Harbor then flown to Anchorage.

Orcas challenge the Bering Sea's black cod industry

Orcas challenge the Bering Sea's black cod industry

Alaska Public Media — Orca depredation isn't just a costly headache for fishermen - it can be dangerous for orcas, too.

The fight to preserve Indigenous culture in the face of climate change

The fight to preserve Indigenous culture in the face of climate change

Idaho Matters — Archeologists at the Udax̂tan site in Unalaska are trying to protect artifacts from being destroyed by storms and rising seas. Other sites face similar dangers as climate change makes weather more intense.

Dating coaches, who specialize in working with people with autism, are in demand

Dating coaches, who specialize in working with people with autism, are in demand

NPR — Dating coaches have been around for years. A more recent trend is coaches who specialize in helping people with autism navigate romance. They can't keep up with demand. A MARTINEZ, HOST: Dating isn't always easy. And for decades, dating coaches have offered people help negotiating romantic relationships.

Researchers say Unangax̂ knowledge can help solve the mystery of ancient bear bones

Researchers say Unangax̂ knowledge can help solve the mystery of ancient bear bones

KUCB-FM (Unalaska, AK) — Archaeologists found brown and polar bear bones - some over 5,000 years old - at two dig sites on Unalaska and Amaknak Islands in the Aleutians during the early 2000s. Since then, the bones have puzzled scientists. There are no bears on either island today and no historical records of bears ever living there.

Biologists describe freeing Unalaska whale from 'life-threatening entanglement'

Biologists describe freeing Unalaska whale from 'life-threatening entanglement'

Alaska Public Media — After a young humpback whale was found entangled in Iliuliuk Bay, experts carefully cut the line wrapped around its mouth and tail Friday.

The Ute Mountain Ute tribe plans to build a 600 megawatt hydroelectric pump

The Ute Mountain Ute tribe plans to build a 600 megawatt hydroelectric pump

KSJD-FM (Cortez, CO) — The Ute Mountain Ute tribe is moving towards an economy driven by renewable energy production after historically relying on fossil fuels. For instance, the tribe already supplements its electricity with solar power. And now, the tribe is also looking into hydroelectric projects too. (Aired regionally.)

Atka volcano briefly erupts, raises alert levels

Atka volcano briefly erupts, raises alert levels

KUCB-FM (Unalaska, AK) — A small volcanic eruption occurred on Atka Island Wednesday night. But it was short-lived and no significant ash emissions were observed in satellite images, according to the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO).

Thursday, January 18, 2024 " National Native News

Thursday, January 18, 2024 " National Native News

National Native News — Aleutian Islands school has enough students to re-open after 15 years

NOAA researchers may have discovered two new organisms on the Aleutian seafloor

NOAA researchers may have discovered two new organisms on the Aleutian seafloor

KUCB-FM (Unalaska, AK) — Scientists aboard a federal research vessel may have discovered two new species in the Aleutian Islands this summer.

Tuesday, August 29, 2023 " National Native News

Tuesday, August 29, 2023 " National Native News

National Native News — Qawalangin tribal members eligible for free college degrees

Qawalangin Tribe teams up with scientists researching contamination in subsistence foods

Qawalangin Tribe teams up with scientists researching contamination in subsistence foods

KUCB-FM (Unalaska, AK) — The United States military left many contaminated areas around Unalaska when they pulled out after World War II, like oil tanks and chemicals that polluted streams and soils. Now, the Qawalangin Tribe of Unalaska is teaming up with scientists from universities in Arizona, Nevada and Alaska to address the contamination.

Deepwater mapping reveals gas seeps in Aleutian Trench

Deepwater mapping reveals gas seeps in Aleutian Trench

KUCB-FM (Unalaska, AK) — The Okeanos Explorer docked in Unalaska last month, after finishing its first of six expeditions, mapping out the deep seafloor around the Aleutian Islands and discovering three gas seeps. According to NOAA, the discovery is crucial because these gas seeps can create unique surrounding habitats and provide potential sources of alternative energy and biopharmaceuticals.

Thursday, March 16, 2023 " National Native News

Thursday, March 16, 2023 " National Native News

National Native News — AK tribe tracking climate vulnerability in new research

Two Aleutian volcanoes on watch for potential eruption

Two Aleutian volcanoes on watch for potential eruption

KUCB-FM (Unalaska, AK) — Two western Aleutian volcanoes are showing signs of unrest, signaling the potential for an eruption in the coming days or weeks. (Aired on NPR newscast.)

Citizen scientist records retreat of Colorado glaciers one ski run at a time

Citizen scientist records retreat of Colorado glaciers one ski run at a time

The Colorado Sun — It's the middle of summer and most people's ski gear is packed away, but not Jonah Seifer's. The moon is out, Denver streets are buzzing with people enjoying the cool night and Seifer is inside packing his gear to go skiing in the Front Range the following morning.

'Essential' Researchers Work To Keep Montana Science Labs Running

'Essential' Researchers Work To Keep Montana Science Labs Running

Montana Public Radio — May 4, the University system in Montana started to slightly relax restrictions on research and lab work. But labs across the state continue to grapple with how to keep their experiments on course. This is another story in our series looking at the impact of the novel coronavirus pandemic on science in Montana.