Thumbs up, thumbs down

Thumbs up:

• Graphite One: Graphite development project near Nome receives $37.5 million federal defense grant.

• Dipnetting: Southcentral Alaska fishing tradition feeds families, souls.

• Jobs: Students with the Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program see increased opportunities for federal jobs thanks to partnership with the Department of the Interior.

Thumbs down:

• Thieves: Challenge Alaska targeted by thieves, who took $100,000 worth of equipment specially designed for athletes with disabilities. A new low.

• Impostors: Denali gift shop owners accused of selling fake Alaska Native art to visitors.

• Salmon prices: No one’s happy about plunging salmon prices in Bristol Bay. Finger pointing abounds.

– Sarah Erkmann Ward, Blueprint Alaska