Author: The Tundra Drums Staff

State officials are issuing an urgent reminder for owners to claim pets displaced during the 2025 West Coast Storms, with a firm deadline of December 15. After this date, any unclaimed dogs will be spayed or neutered and made available for adoption. According to the Office of the State Veterinarian, dozens of dogs remain unclaimed despite significant reunification efforts. Pet owners are being asked to check immediately for their missing animals and verify foster care information if their dogs have already been located. Residents are urged to visit AlaskaTyphoonDogs.org to view photos of unclaimed pets. Anyone who recognizes their dog,…

The Western Arctic Caribou Herd Working Group has designated the herd’s population status as “Critical and Declining” following the release of the 2025 population estimate. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) has reported a count of 121,000 caribou, reflecting continued downward trends observed over recent years. With the updated population figure now confirmed, the Working Group will begin discussing potential management actions aimed at stabilizing and supporting the herd. The Western Arctic Caribou Herd is one of Alaska’s largest and most culturally significant herds, used by numerous communities across Northwest Alaska for food security and traditional practices. Agencies…

Anchorage Animal Care & Control is asking the public for blanket donations to help keep animals warm during the current period of cold weather. With temperatures falling across the region, the shelter reports a growing need for additional bedding to provide comfort and warmth for the animals in its care. Staff noted that donated blankets help maintain a safe and supportive environment for shelter animals, particularly during extended cold spells. Also Read: Alaska Democrats Launch Food Drive to Support Families Impacted by Government Shutdown Residents are encouraged to donate clean, usable blankets during the holiday season to support the shelter’s…

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is reminding personal-use dipnetters who participated in the Chitina fishery that the deadline to submit harvest reports or appeals is 11:59 p.m. on Monday, December 15. Individuals who did not file a harvest report for the season have been placed on the Failure to Report (FTR) list, which makes them ineligible to receive a personal-use permit for the upcoming year unless the issue is resolved. ADF&G advises that anyone who received a Chitina personal-use dipnetting permit must submit a harvest report, even if they did not fish or did not catch any…

Dashcam video shared online shows the moment a small plane descended onto Interstate 95 amid heavy afternoon traffic, crushing a Toyota Camry before coming to a stop on the busy highway. The driver of the car was reported to have survived the incident with minor injuries. The footage, recorded by a motorist traveling on the interstate, appears to show the aircraft descending between vehicles before making contact with the Camry. Emergency responders were called to the scene, and the driver of the Camry was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Highway patrol officers closed affected lanes of I-95 while crews worked to…

A federal judge has approved a request to unseal previously confidential grand jury records related to the investigation of Jeffrey Epstein, marking a significant development in the long-running legal effort to make documents from the case publicly accessible. The decision follows petitions from media organizations and transparency advocates who argued that the records contain information of substantial public interest. The court agreed that portions of the material could be released without compromising protected grand jury procedures or the privacy of individuals not charged with crimes. The unsealed records are expected to shed additional light on the early stages of Epstein’s…

Alaska State Parks has closed Diamond Creek Road from the upper parking area to the beach trail due to icy conditions that have made the route unsafe for vehicle travel. The closure affects users of the Diamond Creek State Recreation Site (SRS), a popular access point for hiking, beach trails, and coastal viewing near Homer. Officials report that the steep, shaded portions of the road have become slick, and travel will remain restricted until conditions improve. Foot access to the area remains open, but visitors are advised to use caution when navigating icy surfaces. Alaska State Parks will continue to…

Here is your weekly earthquake update from the Alaska Earthquake Center for the week of December 10, where ground shaking is monitored around the clock. This week brought about 1,500 earthquakes across Alaska, and nearly two-thirds of them were aftershocks from the powerful magnitude 7.0 Hubbard Glacier earthquake that struck on December 6. The earthquake happened about 60 miles north of Yakutat and was widely felt across both Alaska and western Canada. Within the first 10 minutes after the main quake, two more earthquakes! Both magnitude 5 earthquakes were recorded. The aftershock sequence has been highly active, producing almost 300…

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) will host a sport fishing course for military personnel and their families on December 16. The session will take place at the Military and Family Readiness Center, located at Building 4986, Zuckert Avenue, Joint Base Elmendorf–Richardson (JBER), from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The program is designed to introduce participants to Alaska’s sport fishing opportunities, regulations, and basic skills. According to organizers, everyone who attends will receive a coupon for a free rental from the Outdoor Recreation Center at JBER. Also Read: JBER Soldiers Jump Into Action After Car Skids Out of…

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is requesting public feedback on proposed changes to aircraft access and permitting at the McNeil River State Game Sanctuary. The department has opened a stakeholder survey to gather input on potential operational adjustments related to visitor access. The survey, available through January 23, 2026, invites stakeholders to comment on whether the use of wheeled airplanes should be allowed at the sanctuary’s bear viewing program. ADF&G is evaluating whether expanded aircraft access could help accommodate low tide conditions and improve entry options for permit holders. According to the department, considerations include: McNeil River…

The Klondike Highway has reopened as of 11:00 a.m. on December 9 after avalanche mitigation efforts were completed by Yukon Highways and Public Works. The roadway had been closed earlier in the day to allow crews to conduct controlled avalanche mitigation in an area prone to winter slide activity. Officials temporarily restricted travel to ensure the safety of motorists while work was underway. Transportation authorities in both Alaska and Yukon continue to monitor conditions along the route, which frequently experiences winter hazards due to terrain and weather patterns. Also Read: Rescuers Attempt to Reach Site of Deadly Heli-Skiing Avalanche Residents…

As temperatures drop across the region, local officials are advising residents to take preventative measures to reduce the risk of frozen or burst water pipes during the winter season. Homeowners and businesses are encouraged to keep a small, steady flow of water running from indoor faucets to maintain circulation. Closing crawl space vents, ensuring proper pipe insulation, and confirming that heat tapes are plugged in and functioning are also recommended. Outdoor hose bibs should be turned off, hoses disconnected, and exposed areas properly insulated. According to the City and Borough of Juneau, these small steps can prevent significant water damage…