Author: The Tundra Drums Staff

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…

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…