SITKA — Herring are spawning again in Sitka Sound on the shores of Baranof and Kruzof islands.

The second wave comes after a previous peak of spawning was observed about two weeks ago, around the time of the commercial sac roe openings.

Dave Gordon, area management biologist for Fish and Game, said a second spawn is not unusual, and he is not looking at reopening the sac roe fishery.

SITKA — Sitka artist Nicholas Galanin has been awarded a $25,000 grant by the Eiteljorg Contemporary Art Fellowship.

In addition to the unrestricted grant, the honor comes with an agreement to purchase Galanin’s work for the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art in Indianapolis, Ind.

The fellowship annually honors four juried artists and one invited artist who excel in the field of contemporary art.

SITKA — Sitka artist Teri Rofkar sees a natural connection between art and science for Native people.

“When explaining the Tlingit world view, we didn’t have a word for art,” Rofkar said. “We didn’t have a word for science, either. We were investigating all the time. We had to be in tune with the world for our own survival.”

Rofkar is doing her part to combine science with traditional Northwest art forms.

SITKA — When Alaskan author Lael Morgan first thought about writing a book about the first Native American film star, she wondered whether anyone would be interested in reading it.

“I didn’t want to write the book because ... he was a totally decent guy,” said Morgan, speaking of her subject, Ray Wise Mala.

“Who wants to read about someone who’s really a good guy?”

But the more Morgan learned about Mala’s challenges early in life in Alaska as a traditionally raised Eskimo, and his family history, the more she knew the story had potential.