Author: The Tundra Drums Staff

Alaska residents have just days left to apply for the 2026 Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD), with the application deadline set for March 31. The PFD program provides annual payments to eligible Alaskans from the state’s oil revenue fund, making it one of the most widely accessed financial benefits in the state. Officials remind residents that each individual must submit a separate application, including children, and that applications can be completed online through the state’s MyAlaska system. Applicants who are unable to sign electronically can still file online and submit a signed form by mail. Paper applications are also available…

Princess Cruises has announced new “North to Alaska” experiences for its 2026 season, aiming to offer travelers deeper cultural and immersive connections to the state. According to the company, the program will introduce four new onboard experiences, including expanded presentations, regional storytelling, and enhanced culinary offerings inspired by Alaska. The initiative is part of the cruise line’s broader Alaska expansion, which includes eight ships, 180 departures, and visits to 19 destinations during the 2026 season. Princess Cruise Officials said the new experiences are designed to bring Alaska’s culture, wildlife, and history onboard, complementing traditional shore excursions such as national park…

Members of the Anchorage School Board say increased state funding may be the only realistic way to keep Campbell STEM Elementary School open, as community opposition to its closure continues to grow. The school is one of several slated for closure under the district’s cost-cutting plan, aimed at addressing a budget deficit exceeding $70 million for the 2026–27 school year. During recent meetings, dozens of parents and community members voiced frustration over the decision, arguing the timeline was too short and the process lacked transparency. A motion to reverse the closure of Campbell STEM failed on a tied vote at…

An Anchorage doctor has been sentenced to federal prison for her role in a multi-million-dollar health care fraud and tax evasion scheme, the U.S. Department of Justice announced. The doctor and her husband operated a medical clinic in Anchorage and carried out a long-running scheme that generated more than $12.5 million through fraudulent billing and practices, while also evading over $4 million in federal taxes, according to federal prosecutors. Court documents show the scheme involved billing insurers for medications that were not properly administered, including using incorrect, expired, or misrepresented drugs during treatments. The couple previously pleaded guilty to multiple…

Musher Jessie Holmes has departed the White Mountain checkpoint and is on pace to secure his second Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race victory. Holmes was the first musher to reach White Mountain, the final mandatory rest stop before the finish in Nome, maintaining a strong lead over competitors. After completing the required eight-hour rest, Holmes left the checkpoint with roughly 70 miles remaining to Nome, positioning himself as the clear frontrunner. Race data shows Holmes has consistently led the field in the final stretch, with competitors trailing behind as teams head across the last section of the trail. White Mountain…

A sled dog has died during the 2026 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, forcing a leading musher to withdraw, race officials confirmed. The dog, named Charley, was a four-year-old female on the team of musher Mille Porsild. She died while the team was traveling toward the Elim checkpoint. Porsild, who was running in sixth place at the time, was required to withdraw from the race following the incident, in accordance with Iditarod rules. Race officials said Charley had passed all required pre-race veterinary checks. Her body has been transported to Unalakleet, where a necropsy will be conducted to determine the…

U.S. wholesale prices rose sharply in February, signaling renewed inflation pressure across the economy, according to new data from the Labor Department. The Producer Price Index (PPI), which measures inflation before it reaches consumers, increased 0.7% from January and 3.4% year over year, marking the fastest annual rise in a year. The increase was stronger than economists had expected and was largely driven by rising food costs. Prices for goods jumped significantly, while services such as accommodation also recorded notable gains. Core wholesale prices, which exclude food and energy, rose 0.5% for the month and nearly 4% annually, indicating persistent…

Iran’s national women’s soccer team has returned home after several players briefly sought asylum during their trip to Australia for the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, according to Iranian media reports. The team traveled back through Malaysia and Turkey before entering Iran, where Iranian media reported the players were welcomed and safe. The situation began when a number of players and at least one staff member requested asylum in Australia following the team’s elimination from the tournament. The move drew international attention, particularly after some players did not sing the national anthem before a match, which led to criticism in…

A small earthquake was recorded in Alaska this week, according to the Alaska Earthquake Center, adding to the state’s frequent seismic activity. No damage or injuries were reported from the minor tremor. The earthquake, listed under event ID aka2026fiqsij, was classified as a low-magnitude seismic event, meaning it was likely too small to be felt by residents. Preliminary data from the Alaska Earthquake Center indicates that such earthquakes typically occur at shallow to moderate depths and are often detected only by monitoring instruments. Similar recent events in Alaska have ranged between magnitude 1.5 and 2.0, levels that rarely produce noticeable…

The escalating Middle East conflict took a dramatic turn as President Donald Trump called on global allies to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz, warning that the vital oil shipping route must remain open amid rising tensions with Iran. The Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints, has become a flashpoint in the ongoing U.S.–Iran conflict. Iran has moved to assert control over the narrow maritime corridor, while the United States is seeking an international coalition to protect shipping and keep the passage open. President Trump said he has asked about seven countries to deploy…

Authorities in Anchorage, Alaska, are searching for 15-year-old Dominique Jade Smith, who has been missing since March 1 from the Eagle River area, according to the Anchorage Police Department. The Anchorage Police Department confirmed that Dominique Jade Smith, 15, was last known to be in the Eagle River community, northeast of Anchorage. Police have not released further details about the circumstances of her disappearance, but investigators are asking the public to help locate the missing teenager. Family members and community members are working to raise awareness about Dominique’s disappearance in hopes that someone may have information about her whereabouts. The…

Anchorage police are asking for the public’s help locating a 61-year-old man charged with murder following a fatal shooting in the Airport Heights neighborhood, authorities said as investigators continue searching for the suspect. The Anchorage Police Department identified the suspect as Mathew Thomas Becker, who is wanted in connection with a shooting that left a man dead in the Airport Heights area of Anchorage. Police responded to reports of the incident on Alder Drive, near the intersection of 20th Avenue and Lake Otis Parkway. Officers arrived at the scene around 10:15 a.m. and discovered a man who had been fatally…