Author: The Tundra Drums Staff

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…

As the world watches athletes compete in the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Italy, Alaska has its own spirited representatives right at home, two 3.8-gram ermines at Alaska Zoo who are unofficially representing the state as tiny mascots of the Games. Milli and Noob Noob, diminutive but fierce carnivores native to Alaska, have captured local attention for their energetic personalities and Olympic “spirit.” Despite weighing less than a nickel, ermines are skilled predators with keen speed and sharp incisors — traits zookeepers say make them a fitting symbol of the determination and agility shown by Olympic athletes. Zookeeper Annie Snow…

A small earthquake was recorded near Talkeetna on February 17, 2026, according to data from the Alaska Earthquake Center. The seismic event was measured at a magnitude of 2.0 and occurred at a depth of nearly 20 miles beneath the surface. The quake’s epicenter was located approximately 27 miles east of Talkeetna, placing it within a broad region of Alaska that experiences frequent low-magnitude seismic activity. The event was not large enough to cause damage and may not have been felt by residents in surrounding areas. Alaska is one of the most seismically active states in the U.S., regularly experiencing…

A Soldotna mother and her three children, including two minors, were taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents this week, prompting concern from religious leaders, immigration advocates, and state lawmakers over the handling of the case. The family, identified as Sonia Espinosa Arriaga and her children ages 5, 16, and 18, were reportedly detained Tuesday morning after arriving at their home in Soldotna. According to family attorney Lara Nations, the mother and two minors were held at an Anchorage hotel by immigration agents and were “not free to leave” before being flown out of Alaska and deported…

Wildlife enthusiasts hoping to witness Alaska’s iconic brown bears in their natural habitat have only days left to enter the lottery for guided bear viewing permits at the world-famous McNeil River State Game Sanctuary. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) reminds applicants that lottery entries must be submitted before midnight on March 1 through the ADF&G Online Store. Each year, a limited number of permits are issued, allowing small groups to participate in guided bear viewing sessions at one of the most renowned bear-viewing locations in the world. Located along the west side of Cook Inlet, McNeil River…