Author: The Tundra Drums Staff

South African authorities have confirmed that at least two of the country’s citizens were killed fighting for Russia in the war in Ukraine, the country’s foreign minister said Thursday, marking the first official acknowledgment of such deaths tied to alleged recruitment schemes. Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola told reporters that the two individuals died after being misled into traveling to Russia under false promises of employment or training, only to end up involved in the conflict. He did not disclose their identities or the specific circumstances of their deaths. Lamola’s remarks came as he visited families of 11 South Africans who…

The community of Sand Point is in shock as emergency responders continue searching for a teen who went missing after falling out of a canoe in rough waters earlier this week, officials said Thursday. The incident occurred Wednesday evening when a group of family members and friends were paddling near Sand Point Harbor. According to local authorities, a 16-year-old youth lost balance and fell from the canoe into the cold, choppy waters. Despite quick rescue efforts, the teen was not located and is currently listed as missing. The Aleutians East Borough Search and Rescue Team, along with the U.S. Coast…

Two brothers from Nome, Alaska, have reached another major milestone in their mountaineering journey by summiting Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, carrying an Alaska flag to the peak, their third significant summit across different continents. Wilson and Oliver Hoogendorn completed their seven-day climb up Africa’s highest mountain, planting an Alaska flag at about 19,000 feet above sea level to mark the achievement and represent their home state at the iconic summit. Weather conditions on the peak hovered near freezing but did not deter the brothers, who are no strangers to extreme environments. For this expedition, the pair were supported by a…

The long-running war between Russia and Ukraine has resulted in mounting casualties on both sides, with leaders in Moscow and Kyiv offering updated death and injury figures as the conflict continues into its third year. According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, Russian military officials reported thousands of troops killed and wounded in fighting across multiple fronts, including recent offensives in the eastern Donetsk region. Moscow acknowledged losses that underscore the ongoing intensity of the war and the challenges facing Russian forces. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also provided updated figures, stating that Ukrainian military personnel and civilians have suffered heavy casualties…

The Anchorage School Board approved a severe budget plan this week that will result in hundreds of staff layoffs and the closure of three schools for the upcoming academic year, district officials announced Wednesday. Faced with steep financial shortfalls driven by declining enrollment and reduced state funding, the board voted to implement deep cuts to balance the district’s budget. The plan calls for laying off dozens of teachers, support staff, and administrators, affecting schools across the district. In addition to staffing reductions, the budget overhaul includes the closure of three district schools, a move school board members described as “difficult…

The Southeast Alaska Subsistence Regional Advisory Council will meet March 10–13 at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall in Juneau to consider proposed changes to federal subsistence fish and shellfish regulations and discuss key issues affecting rural users across the Southeast Region. The meeting will begin daily at 9:00 a.m. (AKST) and is scheduled to conclude by 11:00 a.m. on March 13. Council members will review proposals that could modify federal subsistence regulations, while also addressing several agenda items that were originally scheduled for the fall 2025 meeting. The advisory council plays a critical role in shaping federal subsistence policy in Alaska. It…

Snow removal crews continued overnight operations across the Fairbanks area following recent winter storms, with officials reporting progress on several key routes but warning that hazardous conditions remain. According to the latest update, Priority 1 routes were plowed again overnight to maintain access on major roads. Crews also cleared sections of Chena Hot Springs Road (mileposts 8–56), Chena Pump Road and Ridge areas, and Airport Frontage Road between Noble Street and Geraghty Avenue. Sidewalk clearing has begun along Davis Road, while a contracted team completed work on Priority 3 and 4 routes shortly before midnight. Transportation officials said Wednesday’s plan…

The United States has implemented new global tariffs on imports, with a 10 percent rate now in effect, the White House confirmed as markets reacted to the policy change. The move comes after earlier statements by the administration suggesting higher tariff levels might be imposed. Officials said the tariffs, which are part of a trade policy aimed at addressing longstanding trade imbalances and protecting U.S. industries, were formally enacted on Tuesday through executive authority. The initial announcement had outlined potential increases of up to 15 percent, but the final effective rate is set at 10 percent across a range of…

A small earthquake of magnitude 2.1 was recorded early Tuesday southwest of Iliamna Volcano on the Alaska Peninsula, according to data from the Alaska Earthquake Center. The seismic event occurred at 4:01 a.m. Alaska Standard Time at a depth of about 86 miles (139 km) below the surface, indicating it originated deep within the Earth’s crust. The quake’s location was roughly 8 miles southwest of Iliamna Volcano, a well-monitored volcanic and seismic area in southwest Alaska. At this level of magnitude, such earthquakes are typically too weak to cause damage and often go unnoticed by residents in nearby communities. Deep-focus…

The state of Alaska plans to replace the Black Veterans Memorial Bridge on the Alaska Highway while preserving a portion of the structure as a tribute to the workers who helped build the road more than eight decades ago, officials announced. The existing bridge, which was completed in 1943 as part of the Alaska Highway construction effort during World War II, has deteriorated over time and no longer meets modern safety and traffic requirements, Alaska Department of Transportation engineers said. The replacement project is intended to improve travel reliability and accommodate increasing commercial and military vehicle traffic along the vital…

An Alaska mother who has become a prominent advocate against the fentanyl crisis will attend the State of the Union address in Washington, D.C., after being invited by U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, officials confirmed. Sandy Snodgrass, whose advocacy stems from the 2021 fentanyl overdose death of her son Bruce, will be present at the Capitol as President Donald Trump delivers his annual address to Congress on Tuesday. Snodgrass’ work has drawn national attention as she travels across the state and country promoting awareness and prevention efforts related to illicit fentanyl use. “I thought if I were to ever get a…

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…