Author: The Tundra Drums Staff

A Russian cargo ship that mysteriously sank off the coast of Spain after multiple explosions may have been carrying nuclear reactor components potentially destined for North Korea. The vessel, Ursa Major, sank in the Mediterranean Sea near Spain’s southeastern coast in December 2024 after reporting explosions onboard. The incident has drawn renewed international attention following reports suggesting the ship may have been involved in a covert transfer of sensitive nuclear-related cargo. Explosions Reported Before Ship Sank Spanish maritime rescue services responded after the Russian-flagged cargo ship issued a distress signal while drifting south of Cartagena. Crew members reportedly told rescuers…

The Fairbanks North Star Borough School District plans to take the State of Alaska to court following a contentious dispute over the approval of a new charter school, escalating a battle that could shape education authority across Alaska. District officials confirmed that they will appeal the Alaska Board of Education’s decision to approve the proposed Pearl Creek STEAM Charter School, following the local school board’s unanimous rejection of the application last year. Charter School Fight Heads to Superior Court The dispute centers on whether state officials can override decisions made by locally elected school boards regarding charter school approvals. The…

A pilot injured in a fiery plane crash near Knik Glacier earlier this month remains hospitalized in Seattle with severe burns as investigators continue examining the cause of the accident. The pilot, identified as Matthew Punt, was seriously injured after his small aircraft crashed and caught fire near a remote airstrip by Knik Glacier on May 5. Witnesses and off-duty medical personnel who were already in the area rushed to rescue him from the burning wreckage before emergency responders arrived. Crash Happened Near Remote Glacier Airstrip According to Alaska State Troopers, the crash occurred near the Picnic Table Airstrip area…

Residents of Utqiagvik, Alaska’s northernmost city, have officially entered the annual period of the “midnight sun,” when the sun no longer sets below the horizon and daylight continues around the clock. The phenomenon began this week and will continue through early August, giving the Arctic community more than two months of continuous daylight. What Is the Midnight Sun? The midnight sun occurs in locations above the Arctic Circle during summer, when Earth’s axial tilt keeps the sun visible even at midnight. In Utqiagvik: The city typically experiences nonstop daylight from mid-May until early August each year. Life Under Endless Daylight…

Former U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola has unveiled a new “affordability” campaign platform as she intensifies her challenge against incumbent Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan in Alaska’s closely watched 2026 U.S. Senate race. The campaign rollout focuses heavily on lowering costs for Alaskans, with Peltola proposing tax relief and measures aimed at addressing the high cost of living across the state. Peltola Puts Cost of Living at Center of Campaign Peltola announced a proposal that would eliminate federal income taxes for Alaskans earning below the state’s median household income, framing the idea as part of a broader effort to help working families…

A massive landslide-triggered tsunami in Alaska is drawing renewed attention from scientists, who warn that climate change is increasing the risk of similar extreme events across the Arctic. The event, which occurred in August 2025 in Southeast Alaska’s Tracy Arm fjord, generated a towering wave that reached approximately 481 meters (1,578 feet), making it one of the largest tsunamis ever recorded. A Rare but Powerful Natural Event Researchers say the tsunami was caused by a sudden landslide in which tens of millions of cubic meters of rock collapsed into the fjord within minutes. The impact displaced enormous volumes of water,…

Alaska —Here’s your seismic update from across the state for the week of May 6, brought to you by the Alaska Earthquake Center, where we monitor ground shaking 24-7. Over the past week, we recorded about 500 earthquakes. The largest was a magnitude 5.6 on May 6 in the westernmost Aleutian Islands, and five earthquakes were reported felt. Two Earthquake Center researchers were authors on a paper published this week in the journal Science, summarizing what they learned from the massive August 2025 Tracy Arm landslide and tsunami in Southeast Alaska. Ezgi Karasözen does landslide monitoring research at the Earthquake Center. …

The Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute has been awarded more than $10 million in federal grant funding to expand international marketing efforts and strengthen global demand for Alaska seafood. The funding, provided through multiple U.S. Department of Agriculture programs, will support initiatives aimed at promoting Alaska’s seafood industry in overseas markets at a time when global competition and economic pressures continue to challenge producers. Major Investment in International Marketing The new funding will be used primarily for international promotions, trade development, and consumer outreach, helping Alaska seafood compete in key global markets. Federal grants awarded to ASMI typically require matching contributions…

The long-awaited spring breakup of the Tanana River has officially arrived after the iconic tripod used in the Nenana Ice Classic toppled Monday evening, signaling the end of one of Alaska’s most well-known traditions. Organizers confirmed the tripod fell at 6:58 p.m. on May 4, marking the official winning time for the 2026 contest. A Century-Old Alaska Tradition Continues The Nenana Ice Classic is an annual event in which participants try to predict the exact moment the river ice breaks and shifts enough to tip a wooden tripod anchored in the ice. The contest, which dates back more than a…

Alaska officials and communities are observing Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Awareness Day on May 5, highlighting the ongoing crisis of violence disproportionately affecting Alaska Native communities. Gov. Mike Dunleavy issued a proclamation recognizing the day, emphasizing that all Alaskans deserve safety and justice while acknowledging that missing and murdered Indigenous persons represent a serious and ongoing concern in the state. Acknowledging a Statewide Crisis The proclamation notes that Indigenous people, particularly women, are overrepresented among victims of violence in Alaska, reflecting a broader national issue affecting Native communities. Across the United States, Native Americans and Alaska Natives experience significantly…

Alaska lawmakers narrowly failed to override Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s veto of a sweeping election reform bill, falling just two votes short during a joint session of the Legislature on Monday. The override effort required 40 votes, but lawmakers secured only 38, allowing the governor’s veto to stand and halting the proposed changes to Alaska’s election system. Close Vote Ends Override Attempt The election bill had previously passed the Legislature with bipartisan support, reflecting years of work to update Alaska’s voting system. However, under Alaska law, overriding a gubernatorial veto requires a two-thirds majority of the full Legislature, a threshold lawmakers…

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon will be extended by three weeks, as diplomatic efforts intensify to prevent renewed conflict in the region. The extension follows high-level talks at the White House involving Israeli and Lebanese representatives, with U.S. officials aiming to create more time for negotiations toward a longer-term agreement. Ceasefire Extended After Diplomatic Talks Trump confirmed the extension after hosting envoys from both countries, stating that the truce originally set for 10 days would now continue for an additional three weeks. The ceasefire was first implemented on April 16 as part…