The Robotics Underdog Ready to Run

An AI robotics company cutting crime by 46% and scaling fast-yet its valuation lags behind peers.

PHOTO ESSAY: In rural Alaska, collecting driftwood saves time, money and brings jobs

DORANY PINEDA and JOHN LOCHER
June 30, 2025

GALENA, Alaska (AP) -- As ice breaks on the Yukon River, Jake Pogrebinsky looks at the water from shore, searching for a large log floating downstream.

When he spots one, he hops into his wooden motorboat and roars toward it, chainsawing any roots or branches that might still be attached, a hand-rolled cigarette never far from his lips. Then he drags the log with a rope toward shore, where eventually it will be used in the community here in central Alaska.

Pogrebinsky, 59, has been collecting driftwood in this remote, sprawling village of Galena for as long as he can remember. It's part of his job, but it also brings him great joy. "Doing this, it's the greatest time," he said.

Plucking logs from the river provides jobs and heating

Naturally felled and chopped trees and logs have long journeyed down rivers and oceans, transported by winds, waves, currents and ice, some eventually swooped up by people for building, heating, tools and more. Indigenous people have done the practice for millennia and it continues today. Rather than paying to barge or fly in wood, Galena residents say gathering floating logs not only saves money and energy, but also allows people to connect with their environment.

"It provides local jobs. We're using local materials, we're using local labor," said Brooke Sanderson, tribal administrator for the local Louden Tribe.

Most of the collected driftwood becomes firewood for heating during bone-chilling winters, but it is also transformed into sidings for new energy efficient homes being built for members of the Louden Tribe.

Collecting large floating logs is just one of the village's sustainable practices: For nearly a decade, locally harvested trees have been shredded into wood chips that heat a bustling boarding school. And soon, a nearly-completed solar farm will curb the town's reliance on expensive, imported diesel.

In the summer of 2024, the tribe set up a sawmill -- which Pogrebinsky operates -- to process driftwood and trees into lumber. They had tried to harvest trees off the land but it was too time consuming and labor intensive, said Sanderson. Collecting driftwood, she said, was more worth people's time.

Pogrebinsky can tell you all the reasons why. For one, the river carries a lot of good wood the village generally wouldn't have. "The quality of material is very high. ... They can be permanent materials that would last decades."

And by the time he catches a driftwood, most of the logging and branch removal has been done, and the bark has washed away. "It's amazing. It saves so much energy," said Pogrebinsky. A good season brings in so much driftwood that you can hardly see the water, he added, and a boat is nearly impossible to use.

Pulling out driftwood also has environmental benefits

Enda Murphy, assistant professor of civil engineering at the University of British Columbia who has researched coastal driftwood, said too much can smother vegetation in sensitive ecosystems and consume oxygen that fish and other species need. But these floating logs can also transport seeds, plants and serve as perches for birds and hiding spots for fish. A big question researchers are still working to answer is: How much is too much? And when does it start having adverse impacts on the environment? "This is something that we don't really fully understand," said Murphy.

With Pogrebinsky's help, the Louden Tribe is working to get more people to collect driftwood from the river and sell it to the sawmill, and in the process reap all the benefits of being in nature.

"A big part of the idea is to encourage people to go out and do this. To see the value of this. To experience all the marvelous things that I have experienced," said Pogrebinsky.

___

Pineda reported from Los Angeles.

___

The Associated Press receives support from the Walton Family Foundation for coverage of water and environmental policy. The AP is solely responsible for all content. For all of AP's environmental coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/climate-and-environment

Continue Reading...

Popular

Juul can continue selling its tobacco and menthol e-cigarettes, FDA says

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Food and Drug Administration is allowing vaping brand Juul to keep its e-cigarettes on the market, providing relief to a company that has struggled for years after being widely blamed for sparking the teen vaping trend.

Trump keeps saying the GOP mega bill will eliminate taxes on Social Security. It does not

WASHINGTON (AP) — President keeps saying that Republicans' mega legislation will eliminate taxes on federal benefits.

Robotics Meets Public Safety Innovation - Ad

Advanced security robots, real-world impact, and a valuation gap too big to ignore. This robotics stock is one to watch.

What To Expect From Taiwan Semiconductor Q2 Performance?

Taiwan Semiconductor expects 52% profit jump in Q2 2025 due to high AI demand, but faces pressure from US tariffs and strong currency. TSM stock up 2.96%.

Circle CEO: Stablecoins Are Going Mainstream — Fast

Jeremy Allaire, CEO of Circle Internet Group, Inc. (NYSE:CRCL), is offering a compelling vision for the future of digital finance and the role of stablecoins in the global economy.

Robotics Valuation Gap: Who Will Win? - Ad

Two companies. Same sector. Vastly different valuations. One brings in millions in revenue, the other, barely a fraction. The market hasn't caught on yet.

Australian prime minister indulges in panda diplomacy as state visit in China nears end

BEIJING (AP) — Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has toured a panda breeding facility in the final stages of an extended state visit that has cast China as a fellow champion of a global fair trade system .

Warren Buffett Skips Big Banks Like JPMorgan and Wells Fargo, Bets $459 Million On This One Asset

Warren Buffett has shifted his investment strategy, investing $459 million in Sirius XM after selling his stakes in Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, and Wells Fargo.

Revived Wartime Resource May Soon Power Everything from Bullets to Batteries - Ad

This overlooked metal isn't just for the battlefield anymore. It's part of the future energy grid, too. This could be a rare early-stage play in a market that's heating up fast.

Draganfly Stock Is Moving Higher Wednesday: What's Going On?

Dragonfly shares are trading higher Wednesday after the company announced its Cammander3 XL UAV has been selected by the Department of Defense for advanced operation initiatives.

Robinhood Just Made Crypto Simpler — And Way More Powerful

Robinhood Markets (NASDAQ:HOOD) has made a significant push into crypto, unveiling a suite of inno

Elon's Greatest Invention... Hidden in South Memphis? - Ad

In South Memphis, I uncovered what could be Elon Musk's biggest invention yet. It's so secretive, rivals are flying drones to spy on it. If you're serious about investing in AI, now's the time to see what's really going on inside those walls.

After Diddy's conviction, here's where his business ventures stand

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Sean “Diddy” Combs has been in his federal sex trafficking trial, but that doesn't mean the once-celebrated music mogul will see his business empire restored.

Social Security Administration Sends 'Unbelievable' Email On Trump's 'Big, Beautiful Bill': Report

Email from SSA claims Trump's tax law will eliminate taxes on Social Security benefit. Critics call it politically motivated and incorrect.

Trump's Fast-Track Plan: These 3 Stocks Are Set to Soar - Ad

AI isn't the only game-changer on Wall Street right now. President Trump is fast-tracking a select group of U.S. companies-quietly accelerating their growth and profit potential. According to legendary investor Louis Navellier, this move could ignite a massive stock surge...And he's identified three companies that stand to benefit most.

Li Auto's Strong Q2 Deliveries Mask June's Steep Decline

Li Auto (LI) reported 36,279 vehicles delivered in June 2025, down 24.1% YoY. Q2 saw a 2.4% YoY increase with 111,074 vehicles delivered. Li's cumulative deliveries since inception reached 1,337,810.

Gold, Bitcoin Surge As Trump Eyes Powell Ouster: What's Moving Markets Wednesday?

Volatility surged across interest rate-sensitive assets Wednesday after reports circulated that President Donald Trump may be preparing to remove Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell from his post. The rumors sparked fears over the Fed's independ

Copper's Spiking - And This Junior Has the Grades to Match - Ad

Copper is climbing again - and this time, it looks tariff-proof. A $31M junior just posted nearly 1B lbs of copper equivalent. With insiders and institutions piling in, this could be the next breakout.

Paramount to pay $16 million in settlement with Trump over '60 Minutes' interview

In a case seen as a challenge to free speech, Paramount has agreed to pay $16 million to settle a lawsuit filed by President Donald Trump over the editing of CBS' “60 Minutes” interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris in October.

States brace for impact as Trump's big bill nears completion in Congress

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — President Donald Trump’s and reduce federal spending on some social safety net programs could have large implications for states, but for many it’s too late to do much about it this year.

Gold Just Hit Another Record. This Junior Could Be Next. - Ad

This copper junior was the smallest company invited to a top global mining conference. With nearly 1B pounds CuEq and 50,000m of funded drilling, this story won't stay quiet for long.

Nike soars on a production shift away from China, but it warns of a $1 billion tariff hit

Nike's shares jumped at the opening bell Friday after the company said it's shifting some production away from China. But it also warned that tariffs imposed by the Trump administration will cost it about $1 billion before it makes internal changes, which include “surgical” price increases in the U.S. starting this fall.

The Pentagon Is Stockpiling and This Company Is Poised With a "Tier 1 Priority" Resource - Ad

America is racing to rebuild its domestic supply of strategic materials. One company with projects across key allied nations is in the right place at the right time.

Greenland has a message for the rest of the world: Come visit

NUUK, Greenland (AP) — has a message for the rest of the world: We’re waiting for you.

Cathie Wood Doubles Down On Tesla Amid Elon Musk's Feud With Trump, Sells $3 Million Worth Of Coinbase Stock

On Tuesday, Cathie Wood-led Ark Invest made significant trades involving Tesla Inc. and Coinbase Global Inc. . These trades reflect Ark’s strategic positioning amid ongoing market developments.

The Tesla Shock Nobody Sees Coming - Ad

While headlines scream "Tesla is doomed"...Jeff Brown has uncovered a revolutionary AI breakthrough buried inside Tesla's labs. One that is helping AI escape from our computer screens and manifest itself here in the real world all while creating a 25,000% growth market explosion starting as early as July 23rd.

650% Later, Rocket Lab CEO Isn't One Bit Worried

Rocket Lab CEO Peter Beck highlights strong demand for launches from both commercial and government customers.

The Robotics Underdog Ready to Run - Ad

An AI robotics company cutting crime by 46% and scaling fast-yet its valuation lags behind peers.

Inside The Trump Family's $620 Million Crypto Empire

Since retaking the White House, Donald Trump's reported net worth has remained broadly stable, around $6.5 billion on Election Day to roughly $6.4 billion today.

Robotics Meets Public Safety Innovation - Ad

Advanced security robots, real-world impact, and a valuation gap too big to ignore. This robotics stock is one to watch.

Jim Cramer Made 'FAANG' Popular, Now He Says There's A New Acronym To Describe These Retail Favorite Stocks — 'PARC'

Renowned TV host Jim Cramer is stirring chatter on X with another buzzworthy "meme stock" acronym, aimed at a new group of retail-favorite stocks that are defying gravity.

Boeing Rises 2.8% After Key Trading Signal

A significant trading signal occurred for Boeing stock, as it demonstrated a power inflow at $209.02, after which BA rose up to 2.8%.

Robotics Valuation Gap: Who Will Win? - Ad

Two companies. Same sector. Vastly different valuations. One brings in millions in revenue, the other, barely a fraction. The market hasn't caught on yet.

Republicans hit major setback in their effort to ease regulations on gun silencers

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican efforts to loosen regulations on and short-barreled rifles and shotguns have been dealt a big setback with the Senate parliamentarian advising that the proposal would need to clear a 60-vote threshold if included in their big tax and immigration bill.

Donald Trump's Approval Rating Jumps Among Baby Boomers — Here's What's Driving It

President Trump's approval rating among Baby Boomers has seen a significant surge, potentially solidifying his political base as we approach the 2026 midterm elections.

Revived Wartime Resource May Soon Power Everything from Bullets to Batteries - Ad

This overlooked metal isn't just for the battlefield anymore. It's part of the future energy grid, too. This could be a rare early-stage play in a market that's heating up fast.

Shaquille O'Neal Wants $50 Million From Lakers Following $10 Billion Sale

Citing his past contributions to the Laker's success, Shaquille O'Neal jokingly requested a $50 million payout after a $10 billion sale.

Trending Now

Information, charts or examples are for illustration and educational purposes only and not for individualized investment management This message contains commercial elements, such as advertising. We only send these offers to those who have opted in to our newsletter. Past performance is not indicative of future results. For these reasons we strongly suggest trading in a DEMO/Simulated account. The information provided by us is for educational and informational purposes only. We make no representations or warranties concerning the products, practices or procedures of any company or entity mentioned or recommended and have not determined if the statements and opinions of the advertiser are accurate, correct or truthful. If you use, act upon or make decisions in reliance on information contained or any external source linked within it, you do so at your own peril and agree to hold us, our officers, directors, shareholders, affiliates and agents without fault.

Copyright systemtrading.ca
Privacy Policy | Terms of Service