Beach testing for fecal bacteria underway in Juneau for second summer in a row

Rebecca Bellmore scoops a sample of seawater for fecal contaminant testing at Auke Village Recreation Area on June 8, 2026. (Photo by Alix Soliman/KTOO)
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Summer is in full-swing, and that means many coastal Alaskans are flocking to the shoreline. Scientists are testing a few popular beaches in Juneau for fecal contamination and so far, they’re mostly poop-free. 
At low tide on a bright June