Author: The Tundra Drums Staff

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…

After months of extreme cold, deep snow, and limited daylight, Alaska science writer Ned Rozell says the state’s unusually harsh winter is taking a toll, highlighting how relentless seasonal conditions can affect both daily life and mental resilience. Rozell, a longtime Alaska writer known for explaining science and natural phenomena across the state, described feeling the strain of a winter that has seemed unusually persistent. The extended stretch of severe weather, heavy snowfall, and cold temperatures has left many Alaskans fatigued as winter drags on into March. For people who live in northern climates, winter can last more than half…

Alaska Airlines is planning a major new airport lounge at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, a two-story facility expected to become one of the largest airline lounges in the United States once completed. The proposed lounge would measure about 40,000 square feet across two levels, with each floor spanning roughly 20,000 square feet. The space will be located in the airport’s expanded C Concourse, part of a broader terminal expansion project underway at Sea-Tac. Plans call for two separate sections within the lounge: a traditional Alaska Airlines lounge area and an additional space designed for international travelers as the airline expands its…

The Trump administration is considering a federal investment in the controversial Ambler mining road in Alaska, a proposed industrial route designed to open access to mineral deposits in the state’s remote northwest, federal officials said this week. The proposed Ambler Road would stretch about 211 miles from the Dalton Highway to the Ambler Mining District, a region believed to hold large deposits of copper, cobalt, zinc, and other critical minerals. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said federal financial participation is being discussed as a way to help unlock the area’s mineral resources, which supporters say are vital for domestic manufacturing and…

U.S. and allied forces recently completed major military exercises in Alaska and Greenland, testing their ability to operate in extreme Arctic conditions as strategic competition in the region grows, according to defense officials. The training is part of Arctic Edge 2026, a large-scale exercise led by U.S. Northern Command and the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). The drills took place across multiple locations in Alaska and Greenland and involved U.S., Canadian, Danish, and other partner forces The exercise focused on preparing military units to respond to potential threats in the Arctic, including operating aircraft, vehicles, and communications systems in…