Weather is big news in Alaska. In a place where many people’s lives and livelihoods are directly tied to the environment, knowing what’s in the forecast is often a question of survival. Very soon though, the state’s most reliable source of meteorology media is set to disappear.

“Alaska Weather,” a daily 30-minute TV show that has broadcast across Alaska for the past 47 years, is going off the air due to a lack of funds. In lieu of the news, residents seeking information on their state’s weather will be forced to lean on spotty, sub-par internet. Friday evening will be the final television installment of “Alaska Weather,” as first reported by Alaska Public Media.

We really need more funding for public science communication in the U.S. People don't think of weather reporting as communicating science, but it absolutely is.

And in this case, a lack of communicating science may kill people.