Author: The Tundra Drums Staff

Alaska Silver Corp. has begun an ambitious 2026 exploration campaign at its Illinois Creek Project in western Alaska, with plans to complete at least 6,000 meters of diamond drilling as the company seeks to expand known mineral resources and test new high-potential discoveries. The fully funded program represents the company’s largest exploration effort to date and will utilize two company-owned drill rigs operating simultaneously throughout the summer field season. Activity is expected to focus on the high-grade Waterpump Creek deposit, the recently discovered Silver Sage Zone, and several regional exploration targets across the 80,895-acre project. A Bigger Bet on One…

Alaska’s closely watched U.S. Senate race has taken an unexpected twist after a second candidate named Dan Sullivan qualified for the state’s 2026 primary ballot, prompting accusations of voter confusion and threats of legal action from incumbent Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan. The unusual situation has quickly become one of the most talked-about developments in Alaska politics, with Republicans alleging the second candidate could mislead voters in a race that already carries national significance. Two Dan Sullivans, One Senate Race For more than a decade, Alaskans have known Dan Sullivan as the Republican senator who has represented the state in Washington…

Ask ten people about the best time to visit Alaska, and you’ll probably get ten different answers. One traveler will swear by the endless daylight of summer. Another will tell you winter is magical because of the Northern Lights. A wildlife photographer may insist September is the perfect month, while a cruise passenger might argue that July is impossible to beat. The truth is that Alaska changes dramatically throughout the year. Visiting in January feels like traveling to a completely different place than visiting in July. The landscapes, activities, wildlife, weather, crowds, and even the amount of daylight can vary…

The Alaska Earthquake Center’s June 3 seismic update highlighted a unique earthquake-monitoring system inside the Usibelli Engineering Learning and Innovation Building at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. The project began in 2016 when engineering faculty proposed installing seismometers throughout the building to monitor how it responds during earthquakes. The instruments were installed in 2017 while the facility was still under construction, with sensors placed from the basement to the fifth floor. According to the Alaska Earthquake Center, the UAF engineering building is the only structure in Interior Alaska equipped with seismometers on multiple levels. Similar monitoring systems are found in…

A massive Russian missile and drone assault killed at least 18 people and injured more than 100 across Ukraine, marking one of the deadliest aerial attacks of 2026 and prompting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to make a renewed appeal to U.S. President Donald Trump for additional air defense support. The overnight barrage struck multiple cities, including Kyiv and Dnipro, with residential buildings, clinics, schools, and critical infrastructure among the reported targets. Ukrainian officials said Russia launched 73 missiles and more than 600 drones, overwhelming parts of the country’s air defense network despite numerous interceptions. A Night of Destruction For many…

For millions of viewers, Matt Brown was the adventurous eldest son of the Brown family, living off the grid and embracing the rugged wilderness lifestyle that made Alaskan Bush People a television phenomenon. This week, that story came to a heartbreaking end. Matt Brown, a former star of Discovery Channel’s Alaskan Bush People, was found dead after his body was recovered from the Okanogan River in Washington state. He was 42. The discovery came after days of uncertainty, search efforts, and growing fears among family members that something terrible had happened. Family’s Worst Fears Become Reality Days before Matt’s body…

Seeing the Northern Lights is on many travelers’ bucket lists, and few places offer a better opportunity than Alaska. Every year, thousands of visitors travel to the Last Frontier hoping to witness green, purple, and red ribbons of light dancing across the night sky. While the aurora can occasionally be seen in other parts of the world, Alaska combines accessibility, long winter nights, and a prime location beneath the auroral oval, making it one of the best destinations on Earth for aurora viewing. However, planning an Alaska aurora trip involves more than simply booking a flight and looking up at…

Every climbing season, Mount McKinley attracts adventurers from around the world seeking to stand atop North America’s highest peak. Every year, climbers are reminded that the mountain does not care about experience, preparation, or ambition. This week, that reminder came in the most devastating way possible. Three members of a Latvian mountaineering expedition died after a fall near the notoriously dangerous Denali Pass area of Mount McKinley, while a fourth climber survived and was rescued in critical condition. The accident occurred at approximately 18,200 feet, just below the mountain’s summit. For Alaska’s climbing community, the incident is more than another…

The Alaska Earthquake Center reported approximately 500 earthquakes across the state during the week ending May 27, offering another reminder of the powerful tectonic forces shaping Alaska’s landscape. According to the center, the largest earthquake recorded during the week was a magnitude 5.6 event that occurred east of Atka on May 20. One earthquake was also reported as felt by residents. Alaska’s southern coastline and the Aleutian Islands sit along one of the world’s longest and most active subduction zones. These regions experience frequent seismic activity because of the ongoing movement of tectonic plates beneath the Earth’s surface. A subduction…

I honestly think the Cadillac Lyriq is one of the few luxury EVs right now that actually feels like a proper luxury SUV instead of just a giant tech gadget on wheels. A lot of electric vehicles focus too much on screens and futuristic styling, but Cadillac seems to have understood something important: most buyers still want comfort, quietness, practicality, and premium quality first. That said, I also do not think the Lyriq is perfect for everyone. If someone asked me whether they should buy a Cadillac Lyriq, these are the exact things I would tell them before spending the…

A crash near Portage temporarily closed portions of the Seward Highway on Sunday as police and emergency crews responded to the scene, according to Anchorage police. The collision occurred near the Portage area along one of Alaska’s busiest and most heavily traveled highways connecting Anchorage with the Kenai Peninsula. Authorities had not immediately released details about injuries or the number of vehicles involved as of Sunday afternoon. Highway Traffic Impacted Near Portage Police said the crash led to significant traffic disruptions near Portage, an area south of Anchorage known for heavy seasonal tourism traffic and difficult driving conditions during changing…

Anchorage police are investigating an overnight shooting in the city’s Turnagain neighborhood after officers responded to reports of gunfire near Lyn Ary Park late Saturday night. According to the Anchorage Police Department (APD), officers were called to the area shortly before midnight after multiple reports of shots fired. Police Found Evidence of Gunfire When officers arrived, they discovered evidence indicating that a weapon had been discharged in the area. Police identified the investigation area as: Authorities have not yet announced whether any victims were injured or if any arrests have been made. Investigation Remains Active Anchorage police continued processing the…