Author: The Tundra Drums Staff
Former President Donald Trump is intensifying pressure on congressional Republicans to block the full release of the Justice Department’s investigative files on Jeffrey Epstein, as the House prepares for a critical vote next week. The push comes after the House reached the 218 signatures required to force a floor vote on legislation demanding the DOJ release all Epstein-related files within 30 days. The final signature was secured following the belated swearing-in of Democratic Representative Adelita Grijalva, whose seating had been delayed for nearly two months during the government shutdown. The discharge petition, led by Rep. Thomas Massie (R) and Rep.…
With winter conditions settling in, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is reminding drivers to take extra precautions on the roads, especially when moose are nearby. The department is encouraging motorists to flash their hazard lights if they spot a moose on or near the road. The quick signal warns approaching drivers to slow down and prepare for potential wildlife on the roadway. Moose are drawn to roadside vegetation throughout the year, but winter is when most moose-vehicle collisions occur. Deep snow pushes moose onto plowed roadways where walking is easier, increasing the likelihood of traffic encounters. Read…
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has released details of a new proposal from ConocoPhillips seeking to expand exploration activities in Alaska’s Western Arctic, launching a short one-week public comment period that has drawn attention from environmental groups and local observers. According to BLM’s announcement, the plan outlines new test drilling operations, additional seismic studies, and related exploration work near the region encompassing the company’s large-scale Willow Project, located in the National Petroleum Reserve Alaska (NPR-A). The public comment period, significantly shorter than typical federal review windows, has prompted concern from watchdog groups who say communities and stakeholders may not…
What’s Shaking Alaska?! Welcome to your weekly seismic update from across the state, brought to you by the Alaska Earthquake Center, where we monitor ground shaking 24/7. Over the past week, we recorded about 310 earthquakes. Three were reported as felt, and the largest was a magnitude 4.8 on November 8th in the western Aleutians. After an earthquake is widely felt, people often ask us how long the shaking lasted. They also share how long they experienced shaking, which can vary greatly. After the October 30th magnitude 5.4 earthquake near Seward, reports ranged from 10 to 30 seconds. And, according…
In the aftermath of the devastation left by the remnants of ex-Typhoon Halong across Western Alaska, two Bethel-born siblings are using their creativity to support families in need. Author Don Rearden and his sister, artist Beth Hill, have launched Storm Relief: An Alaskan Family Giving Back, a new initiative organized through the Bethel Community Services Foundation. The campaign is designed to provide direct assistance to families displaced or severely affected by the storm. For the pair, the effort is rooted in their upbringing and their connection to the region. Both grew up in Bethel and nearby villages, where community support…
A powerful burst of solar activity lit up night skies across the United States and dozens of countries worldwide, giving millions of people a rare chance to witness the Northern Lights far beyond their usual Arctic reach. Vibrant streaks of green, purple, red, and pink auroras were reported from states as far south as Colorado, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and even Northern California, according to space weather trackers. Similar displays were seen in parts of Europe, Asia, and New Zealand, marking one of the most widespread aurora events in recent years. Scientists say the widespread glow was triggered by a strong…
The wildlife viewing tower at Reflections Lake is temporarily closed as the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) begins structural repairs on the popular viewing platform. The tower is expected to reopen in spring 2026. While the tower is inaccessible, all Reflections Lake trails remain open to the public. Visitors are asked to follow posted closure signs and use caution around active construction zones. ADF&G says the viewing tower is an important feature for birdwatchers, photographers, and families visiting the Palmer Hay Flats State Game Refuge. Repairs are aimed at improving long-term safety and ensuring the structure can continue…
A major fire tore through the Caribou Hotel early Wednesday morning, reducing much of the building to charred debris and prompting an active investigation by state fire marshals. Fire crews were called to the scene shortly after dawn as heavy flames engulfed the structure. Video and photos taken by witnesses show the hotel almost completely burned, with only portions of the exterior frame still standing. According to responders, all occupants managed to escape safely, and no injuries have been reported. Several vehicles parked near the hotel sustained fire damage. Read More: Fire in Anchorage Authorities have not yet determined the…
A dramatic infrastructure failure occurred on November 11, 2025, when the newly completed Hongqi Bridge in Southwest China partially collapsed into the gorge below. Authorities reported no casualties. The bridge, part of China National Highway G317, lies near the construction zone of the future Shuangjiangkou Hydropower Station in Sichuan’s Maerkang City. Its design span measured 758 metres and the structure stood about 625 metres above the riverbed. On Monday, local authorities closed the bridge after detecting cracks in the nearby slopes and roadbed, signaling mounting terrain instability. The next day, a landslide triggered by the slope movement caused the approach…
A quick-thinking custodian at Wendler Middle School is being credited with preventing a potentially serious fire after spotting and extinguishing an electrical fire early Wednesday morning. According to the Anchorage Fire Department (AFD), the incident began when a hallway light fixture started to smolder. Acting immediately, the custodian grabbed a fire extinguisher and doused the smoking fixture with dry chemicals, successfully stopping the fire before it could spread. All school employees evacuated the building as a precaution until firefighters arrived to ensure the area was safe. After verifying that the danger had been completely neutralized, AFD commended the custodian’s quick…
The GAP 101 Teams webinar has been rescheduled to Monday, December 22, 2025, from 1:30–3:00 p.m. AKST. The session will be presented in English with Yup’ik translation and is open to anyone interested in how the EPA General Assistance Program (GAP) supports Tribal and community environmental work. Host & Partners: Association of Village Council Presidents (AVCP) in collaboration with the Native Villages of Kipnuk, Napakiak, Napaskiak, Nunapitchuk, and the Orutsararmiut Native Council (ONC). What you’ll learn (basics of GAP & grant management):
As the ongoing federal government shutdown continues, environmental enforcement and protection efforts across the United States have slowed to a near standstill, leaving polluters largely unchecked. According to Grist, agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are among the hardest hit. Thousands of employees responsible for monitoring air and water quality, inspecting industrial sites, and enforcing environmental laws have been placed on furlough. With enforcement suspended, factories, refineries, and other polluting industries are temporarily operating with reduced oversight. Environmental advocates warn that the pause in federal activity could have lasting ecological consequences, especially in communities already affected by pollution.…