A federal court ruled that the State of Alaska cannot issue gillnet openers for all Alaskans in the federal areas of the Kuskokwim River, at least for now. A local Tribal group requested the order favoring federal management following disagreements between state and federal managers.

An air quality specialist sent one device to St. Mary’s while smoke from the East Fork Fire was threatening their community. It’s the first one in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta.

The Pilot Station sonar has counted 843 summer chum salmon as of June 21, which ADF&G says is below the median of 1,737 fish. And on the Kuskokwim, ADF&G says that this year’s chum run is tracking nearly identically to last year’s record lows.

Republicans Sarah Palin and Nick Begich III, and Democrat Mary Peltola remain on the special general ballot for August.

The next gillnet opening for lower Kuskokwim River waters, from the mouth upstream to the Kalskag Bluffs, is scheduled for June 22 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The state has established a fire response hub in Aniak to issue supplies to the surrounding fires.