The Week at a Glance: This week, the House will begin consider of several measures under suspension of the rules including the Violence Against Women Act and the FY 2013 National Defense Authorization Act. The Senate is expected to resume consideration of export-import bank legislation. Both houses will work to advance appropriations bills. Congressional Quarterly

Where do Microscopic Ice Organisms Go After Arctic's Annual Melt? Many people who live in the Lower 48 aren't familiar with the Arctic's long growing season. The region's reputation for darkness and cold usually dominates Outsiders' perception of the northernmost climate. But under those sprawling floes, packed into the heart of the sea ice environment, a world of phytoplankton curls its fate round the sun - as much as any California tomato or Florida orange. Frozen though it may be, sea ice is not stagnant. "There is a whole community of organisms that live inside of the sea ice. That includes a lot of microscopic algae," said Columbia University microbiologist Andrew Juhl. Alaska Dispatch 

Canadian Federal Funding Cuts Threaten Arctic Research: Scientists. Last August, dozens of scientists from universities in Alberta, British Columbia and other parts of the country traveled to the Yukon to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Arctic Institute of North America's Kluane Research Station and its $2.5 million renovation. Coming mostly from the federal government's $85 million Arctic Research Infrastructure Fund, the investment in Kluane and several other polar research stations like it was supposed to help make Canada a global leader in responding to and adapting to climate change, resource development and geopolitical issues that are rapidly transforming the Arctic. But now many of those scientists are wondering whether they can afford to use these stations any more. Edmonton Journal

Can Alaska Lead the Way in Crafting Arctic Policy for the Nation? The Alaska Legislature is hanging out a "help wanted" sign for the job of creating Alaska's Arctic policy. The 20-member Alaska Arctic Policy Commission, formed by the Legislature this year, will be tasked with making recommendations on an Arctic policy for Alaska by January of 2014 and deliver a final decision the following year. While the commission contains six legislators - three from the house and three from the senate - as well as a member appointed by the governor, legislators are looking for 13 members to represent various factions of the state, from a mining industry representative to a tribal entity representative. Alaska Dispatch

Whale of a Season; Barrow Crew Land 10 Bowheads. With a few weeks left in the season, North Slope whaling crews are wrapping up what has been a fruitful and safe spring hunt so far. "It's been very good for us," said Eugene Brower, president of the Barrow Whaling Captains' Association. The Barrow fleet has landed 10 whales so far and lost two, all between 27 and 35 feet. These are good- sized whales, Brower said, and the fleet is pleased with its catch. There are currently 35 crews registered out of Barrow. Alaska Dispatch

No Arctic legislation was formally considered Friday.