Author: The Tundra Drums Staff

An Alaska Airlines flight bound for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport returned safely to Wichita on Sunday after a passenger’s cell phone and portable power bank overheated and ignited mid-air, airline and airport officials confirmed. Flight 2117, operated by Horizon Air on behalf of Alaska Airlines, departed Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport but diverted back to the gate shortly after takeoff when the device began to overheat in the passenger cabin. The aircraft involved was an Embraer 175 jet. Crew members responded quickly to the incident. Flight attendants placed the affected phone and external battery into a containment bag designed to…

The Mexican Army has killed a senior leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) during a military operation in western Mexico, according to a federal official. Authorities said José Alfredo Hurtado Ochoa, also known by the alias “El Contador,” died during a confrontation with security forces in the state of Jalisco. Officials described him as a high-ranking figure within the cartel’s leadership structure. The operation triggered violence in parts of the region, including reported road blockades and vehicle fires as cartel members reacted to the military action. Security forces were deployed to restore order and secure key highways. The…

Major airlines including Alaska Airlines, Air Canada, and Delta Air Lines have canceled flights between Mexico and the United States after escalating civil unrest in western Mexico raised safety concerns, significantly disrupting travel plans for passengers from Portland International Airport (PDX) and other gateways. The cancellations come amid violent clashes in the Mexican state of Jalisco, where a recent military operation reportedly resulted in the death of cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho.” The aftermath triggered road blockades, fires, and widespread security alerts that forced airlines to suspend operations to affected Mexican destinations, including Puerto Vallarta. Carriers…

Alaska House lawmakers remain divided over whether to withdraw $500 million from the state’s savings account, known as the Budget Reserve Fund, to cover budget shortfalls and support state services, legislative leaders said Monday. The disagreement has stalled progress on the Legislature’s operating budget ahead of the scheduled session adjournment next month. House Majority leaders are pushing to tap the savings to avoid deep cuts to education, public safety, and health services. They argue that the state has ample reserves and that withdrawing funds now would help stabilize finances without raising taxes or triggering program reductions. However, a faction of…

An aircrew from the Alaska Army National Guard conducted a search-and-rescue mission this week to locate and extract a snowmachiner who was reported overdue in a remote area north of Bethel. The mission began on Feb. 15 after the Alaska State Troopers requested assistance through the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center. A UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter crew based in Bethel spent about three and a half hours searching more than 100 square miles of terrain before locating the missing individual roughly 110 miles north of Bethel and 30 miles east of his last known position. According to official reports, the challenging…

The United Kingdom government is considering legislative action to remove Andrew Mountbatten‑Windsor from the royal line of succession, officials told the BBC amid ongoing political and legal controversy surrounding the disgraced royal. Despite stepping back from public duties and surrendering many royal titles in 2025, Andrew, formerly known as Prince Andrew, still occupies the eighth position in the succession to the British throne. Lawmakers and some political parties, including the Liberal Democrats and the Scottish National Party, have indicated support for legislation that would formally exclude him from the line of succession once current police investigations conclude. The move would…

In a thrilling men’s ice hockey matchup Friday night, Alaska Nanooks forward Braden Birnie scored with just three seconds left to lift the Nanooks to a 4-3 victory over the Alaska Anchorage Seawolves at Sullivan Arena in Anchorage. Alaska Anchorage took an early lead with a first-period power-play goal by Aiden Westin, but the Nanooks answered in the second period. Michael Citara tied the game before Chase Dafoe put Alaska ahead. The third period saw both teams exchange goals, with Alaska Anchorage tying the game twice and Alexander Malinowski briefly giving the Nanooks the lead before another Seawolves response. With…

A staff member for an Alaska Republican state lawmaker has been charged with multiple federal sex crimes involving a minor, according to federal prosecutors. Craig Scott Valdez, 36, was arrested in Juneau on Friday following a federal grand jury indictment. The charges include sex trafficking of a minor, sexual exploitation of a child, coercion and enticement of a minor, and receipt of child sexual abuse material. The investigation was led by the FBI Anchorage Field Office in coordination with the Anchorage Police Department. Prosecutors allege that in October 2025, Valdez used social media to contact a 15-year-old girl and arranged…

The Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities has announced a temporary closure of the Fox Well for scheduled maintenance. According to officials, the well will be closed on Monday, February 23, 2026, to allow crews to perform necessary maintenance work. The closure is part of routine efforts to ensure the facility remains safe, reliable, and fully operational for the community. The Fox Well, located north of Fairbanks, serves residents and travelers who rely on the public water source. During the maintenance period, access to the facility will be unavailable. Officials encourage users to plan ahead and collect water prior…

A new proposal in Florida could lead to Palm Beach International Airport being renamed after former U.S. President Donald Trump, according to recent media reports. The proposal has reportedly sparked public discussion, with supporters describing it as recognition of Trump’s political influence and connection to Palm Beach, while critics argue that renaming major public infrastructure can be politically divisive. If approved, the change would require administrative and legislative steps before the airport’s official name could be updated. At this stage, no final decision has been made, and the proposal remains under review. Also Read: Florida’s Abortion Rights Under Scrutiny as…

The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) scrambled fighter jets after Russian military aircraft were detected operating near Alaska, according to a new report. Officials said the Russian bombers were tracked in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), an area where aircraft are identified for national security purposes but which remains outside sovereign U.S. and Canadian airspace. Military officials emphasized that the aircraft did not enter U.S. or Canadian territory, and the interception was carried out as part of routine air defense operations. NORAD regularly monitors and responds to activity in the region, where Russian long-range aviation flights are…

An Alaska Air National Guard rescue team successfully evacuated an injured cross-country skier after responding to an emergency call in challenging winter conditions, according to officials. The operation highlights the critical role the Guard plays in search-and-rescue missions across Alaska’s vast and often remote terrain. The rescue involved highly trained pararescue specialists and aircrew who were dispatched after authorities received reports of a skier suffering injuries that prevented them from safely continuing. Working alongside local emergency responders, the Guard team coordinated a rapid response to reach the individual, stabilize the injuries, and safely transport the skier to medical care. Officials…