Arctic Energy Courts: The U.S. Department of Justice says it has settled Alaska lawsuits over Biden-era Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Coastal Plain oil and gas leasing restrictions, arguing the limits violated federal law and ordering the program to be run under requirements of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Wildlife on the Move: Pacific gray whales are washing up dead in high numbers along the West Coast, with NOAA reporting 145 dead so far this year and 13 in Alaska, as advocates push for stronger protections amid climate-linked population declines. Misinformation Watch: The Alaska SeaLife Center warns that a viral “beluga escape” story from Seward is false and likely AI-generated, stressing how misinformation can harm public trust and research. Bear Encounters, Human Safety: A black bear foraged for peaches inside the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson commissary, with base officials saying no one was injured. Public Health in Summer: Fairbanks scientists are studying “swimmer’s itch,” a parasite linked to local swimming holes, and are asking people who’ve been bitten to help track whether climate change is increasing infections. EV Reality Check: A new report finds Alaska lags on EV readiness, with very few public chargers and no state tax credits or rebates. Local Housing Tensions: Eastwood Court residents urge Anchorage and housing officials to prioritize neighborhood compatibility as multi-family rentals expand nearby.