Alena Naiden

With relatively calm summer weather, an Utqiagvik crew landed at least 11 whales, Wainwright caught 50, and Kotzebue Sound saw the second-biggest harvest since 2007, according to local hunters.

Officials are encouraging the public to be safe, report polar bears in the area and never approach the animals, which can be “dangerous and unpredictable.”

Lars Nelson and Trina Paul, who will represent Utqiagvik, took an insurmountable lead in this week’s runoff elections. The official results will be announced next week.