Author: The Tundra Drums Staff

Thailand Cambodia ceasefire tensions remained high Wednesday as both nations traded accusations of fresh violations along their contested frontier. Despite a truce agreed on Monday in Malaysia, Thai officials accused Cambodian forces of firing small arms and mortars overnight.  Cambodia denied those claims and accused Thailand of illegally capturing 20 of its soldiers during recent clashes. Cambodia responded by taking foreign diplomats and military attachés to a destroyed checkpoint in Preach Vihear province, asking them to verify Thai actions. A Cambodian general said one soldier escaped, two were believed dead, and Thai forces were holding the remaining. Thailand confirmed it…

Crews will fully close the road between Bogard Road and Birch View Drive this weekend to continue construction on the Cottonwood Creek bridge. According to project officials, the closure will begin Friday, August 1, at 9 p.m. and end Monday, August 4, at 4 a.m. Both vehicle traffic and pedestrians will be restricted from using this section while work is completed. Workers will remove a temporary stream diversion used during earlier construction phases of the new bridge over Cottonwood Creek. This essential step ensures the stream flows naturally through the new bridge structure. The closure also affects recreational access, with…

A powerful earthquake struck off Russia’s Far East coast on Tuesday, triggering a Tsunami warning across the Pacific. According to the US Geological Survey, the quake reached a magnitude of 8.8 and occurred near the Kamchatka Peninsula. The epicenter lay beneath the ocean off the Peninsula’s eastern coastline, deep in the Pacific’s volatile seismic zone. Shortly after the earthquake, tsunami warnings rippled across Pacific nations, including the United States. Authorities in Hawaii and Alaska quickly received alerts from the US Tsunami Warning Center, which is based in Palmer, Alaska. In Alaska, officials issued a tsunami warning specifically for sections of…

During Tuesday’s meeting, the Anchorage Assembly approved homeless shelter contracts totaling over $18 million, funding both an existing and a new shelter. MASH Property Management LLC, owned by former Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich, received the largest contract, worth approximately $11 million. This funding will support a new shelter located at 1911 East 5th Avenue in a rented facility previously serving as a church and a strip club. Henning Inc., a seasoned operator managing several municipal shelters, received the second contract, valued at roughly $7.1 million. That contract transfers management of the existing Col Weather Shelter on 56th Avenue from Catholic…

Thailand accused Cambodia of breaking a fresh deal just hours after both nations agreed to halt border fighting. The Thai army claimed Cambodian troops fired into Thai territory shortly after midnight violating the newly signed peace agreement.  Army spokesperson Winthai Suvaree said Thai forces responded appropriately and in self defence to the continued armed attacks from Cambodia. He added that the assaults targeted several locations within Thai borders unconditional ceasefire starting at midnight Monday aiming to end five days of deadly violence. The recent border clashes killed at least 38 people and people and forced nearly 300,000 civilians to flee…

Following the discovery of a moose calf carcass near the trail system, officials have closed multiple trails at Beach Lake Park in Chugiak for safety. Eagle River and Chugiak Parks and Recreation issued a bear alert Monday, warning the public of the active bear danger.  A red sign labeled bear alert appeared online, stating the trails will remain closed through Thursday for community protection. This warning came after two bear maulings were reported in Anchorage just last week, raising safety concerns among residents.  Chris Bottom, a biologist with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, emphasized the importance of avoiding…

Alaska lawmakers will reconvene in Juneau this Saturday for a special session sparked by Governor Mike Dunleavy’s recent policy priorities. The governor urged legislators to fix Alaska’s chronic education performance crisis and food insecurity challenges.   He also proposed reviving his rejected executive order to create a Department of Agriculture focused on food security. Meanwhile, legislative leaders announced a different focus, overriding Dunleavy’s vetoes. They plan to overturn his education vetoes, which slashed over $50 million from the school budget statewide. In addition, lawmakers will attempt to override his rejection of a bill increasing legislative oversight over oil and gas revenues. …

In March, photographer David Jensen set up the first 907Chip station in Alaska near Anchorage Veterinary Clinic and Urgent Care. Unlike traditional search methods these 24/7 stations let people instantly scan a pet´s microchip to help locate their family.  Within just a few days the very first station reunited a lost dog with its owner in under 30 minutes. Jensen, a full time pet and family photographer, got the idea after seeing a similar program in North Carolina on Facebook. Inspired by the potential he fundraised through portrait sessions and local donations to build the stations himself. By April Jensen…

A deadly shooting erupted Monday afternoon at Or Tor Kor Market in Bangkok, killing six people, including the gunman, police confirmed. Royal Thai Police said the gunman opened fire inside the busy food market before taking his own life at the scene. Authorities identified five victims, four security guards and one woman, according to the Erawan Emergency Medical Center that oversees Bangkok hospitals. Photos from the market show emergency responders and police securing the area known for fresh produce and seafood. Witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots followed by people running and hiding behind vendor stalls during the chaotic attack. The…

Federal investigators continue examining the fatal plane crash that killed wildlife biologist John Landsiedel at the Dillingham Airport Last Friday morning. At 9:15 a.m., Alaska State Troopers arrived to find a Piper J3C-65 CUB crashed on the runway.  Landsiedel 33, the pilot and sole occupant, was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after authorities arrived at the airport. The National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration teams are now leading the ongoing crash investigation. NTSB Alaska Chief Clint Johnson confirmed investigators are analyzing flight data and conducting witness interviews to determine what went wrong. Preliminary statements suggest a potential…

The Anchorage Police Department’s drone program expands as the department embraces technology to improve public safety and modern policing efforts. Officials confirmed eleven trained officers are certified drone pilots operating indoor and outdoor drones across various police operations. The initiative allows officers to gather critical information during high-risk situations while remaining at a safer distance. Anchorage Police Chief Sean Case emphasized the importance of using modern tools to reduce risk and improve operational outcomes. Police have used drones during tense incidents where aerial views helped them assess threats and deploy teams more effectively. Chris Barraza, the Department’s Public Information Officer,…

Alaska State Parks issued its weekend update ahead of Saturday’s “Families to Parks Day” event at Independence Mine in Hatcher Pass. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and includes birdwatching, snacks, nature activities, and a treasure hunt hosted by Revel Treks & Tours. Trail conditions vary across regions, with Gold Mint, Gold Cord Lake, and Reed Lakes trails in Hatcher Pass reported as muddy or slick. Officials noted active bear sightings near Reed Lakes and advised visitors to stay alert and carry bear spray when hiking. In Denali State Park, most trails remain open, though mud persists…