Remembering our birth as a state: Alaska entered the Union 59 years ago, starting a new life.  News-Miner opinion: It was 59 years ago this week that the U.S. flag took in a 49th state — ours. Caribou on oil industry gravel pad. Five feet above the mosquito infested tundra decreases mosquito caused mortality among spring-born calves. -dh Porcupine caribou herd numbers highest in monitoring history The Porcupine caribou herd, whose range includes the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, has grown to the highest number seen since monitoring started back [...]