Author: The Tundra Drums Staff

The Seattle Seahawks Alaska camp brought NFL energy to Wasilla this week, delivering drills and encouragement to Alaska’s young athletes. The camp, held Friday at the Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports Center, was dedicated exclusively to developing high school girls’ flag football skills. The Seahawks teamed up with local high school coaches to lead hands-on sessions on speed catching and footwork skills. Seattle’s correct tackle, Abraham Lucas, joined the effort, lending his pro insight to the dozens of eager attendees. Former Seahawks safety Lofa Tatupu also participated, sharing motivational words while helping young players develop both on and off the…

President Donald Trump announced on Friday that EU-Mexico tariffs will take effect on August 1, triggering global trade anxiety. The White House confirmed the decision after Trump sent formal letters to the European Union and Mexico leaders. The White House confirmed the decision after Trump sent formal letters to leaders in the European Union and Mexico. He stated that these tariffs respond to long-standing trade deficits and unequal treatment under current international trade agreements. Trump emphasized that the US could double tariffs beyond 30% if either partner responds with retaliatory measures. Trump criticized the EU’s restrictive tariff and non-tariff policies…

Health care continues draining Alaska’s wallets. New research confirms that Alaska health care costs far exceeded national urban averages in 2024. State economist Sam Tappen analyzed spending data and confirmed that the state’s three largest cities again topped the nation for medical expenses. Fairbanks posted the steepest costs, which were 51.5% higher than average, followed closely by Juneau at 50.9% and Anchorage at 47.5%, according to the report. Tappen’s research highlights how urban Alaskans consistently pay more for medical services, a trend that’s continued over the past 15 years. Medical expenses in 2023 jumped 7.8%, outpacing overall inflation in Alaska,…

Starting in late July, contractors will begin the Richardson Highway bridge replacement, causing occasional one-lane closures until mid-October. Workers will install abutment piling on both ends of the future bridge using large equipment like cranes and a drill rig. Crews will perform dirt work in the highway medians while preparing piles to ensure a solid foundation before winter arrives. They plan to pour concrete by mid-October, right before the season shutdowns pause most outdoor operations to stay on schedule. Motorists can expect to see construction signage and workers along the route throughout the active construction season. Although construction is progressing…

The State Department begins terminating more than 1,3000 employees this Friday under a sweeping reorganization sparked by Trump administration priorities. As part of its radical reorganization, the US State Department sent layoff notices to 1,107 civil servants and 246 domestically assigned foreign service officers. According to an internal memo, foreign service officers will be given 120 days of administrative leave before losing their jobs, and civil servants will receive 60-day separation notices. The reductions are intended to simplify operations and concentrate on essential diplomatic responsibilities. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and White House officials have praised the reorganization for targeting…

Scientists and Native communities have discovered dangerous algal toxins in whales, revealing alarming signs of climate-driven changes in Arctic ecosystems. A long-term study has revealed alarming levels of algal toxins in Alaskan bowhead whales, pointing to a direct link between warming oceans and Arctic food chain disruption. Over 19 years, researchers collected fecal samples from 205 bowhead whales hunted by Alaska Native communities for subsistence. A recent study found that at least half of the whales sampled carried saxitoxin, a neurotoxin from harmful algal blooms.  These toxins, which can cause deadly selfish poisoning in humans, are now present even in…

Agencies encourage Alaskans to comment on updated environmental protection strategies before the fast-approaching deadline. The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the US Coast Guard are asking the public to weigh in on the updated Prince William Sound oil spill response plan. The comment period opened on July 2 and will close at 11:59 pm AKDT on August 2025. Officials say the plan helps regional and federal teams prepare for and respond to oil or hazardous substance releases. It includes updated strategies that reflect current environmental risks, modern equipment capabilities, and regional priorities. The DEC US Environmental Protection Agency…

Dr Barbara Knox resigned from a key role at the University of Florida after investigators confirmed severe staff mistreatment. She resigned from her position at the University of Florida following an internal report detailing a toxic and abusive environment. The university’s March investigation revealed that her leadership style created a hostile workplace, causing staff resignations and harming the clinic’s mission. Knox served as chief of forensic pediatrics and child protection, where she oversaw sensitive child abuse evaluations and supervised a specialized care team. According to investigators, she repeatedly asked subordinates to perform personal errands, such as driving her children or…

President Donald Trump signed the sweeping tax and budget bill into law on July 4, which included a critical extension. The legislation revives and strengthens the Aleutian nuclear test compensation program, allowing more time for victims to apply. Initially passed in 1990, the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) provides one-time payments to people harmed by US nuclear testing. While most tests occurred in Nevada, the act also includes three underground atomic detonations on Amchitka Island in Alaska. Those occurred in 1965, 1969, and 1971, with the final test, Cannikin, remaining the most controversial in US nuclear history. It involved a…

Researchers from Yale University discovered a fungus called Pestalotiopsis microspora, which can break down polyurethane, a durable plastic widely used. This fungus does not require other nutrients and can survive on plastic as its only carbon source, even in places without oxygen. That’s significant because plastic waste mostly ends up in landfills where oxygen is scarce and decomposition nearly impossible. The fungus’s ability to convert plastic into harmless organic compounds makes this finding even more impressive.  Digesting polyurethane, it secretes enzymes that break the plastic’s tough molecular bonds. This process, known as bioremediation, opens new possibilities for sustainable plastic disposal…

Alaska wildfire pilot car safety has become a top priority as agencies respond to growing fire activity and shifting emergency zones statewide. Officials from the Department of Natural Resources Public Safety and Transportation are working together to guide traffic through dangerous wildfire areas. They emphasize that these are not ordinary construction zones; drivers must remain alert, follow directions and avoid making risky decisions behind the wheel. Pilots’ cars lead vehicles safely through active wildfire zones where smoke, flames, and emergency crews can appear without warning at any moment. Responders from DNR, DPS, and DOT&PF work together to monitor fires and…

Ukraine experienced the biggest-ever aerial attack on Ukraine as 728 drones and 13 missiles struck cities across the country in coordinated waves. President Volodymyr Zelensky called the overnight assault a telling attack and said Russia is rejecting all peace efforts outright. Zelensky emphasized that the barrage conceded with global talks for a ceasefire and criticized Russia for continuing the violence without restraint. The attack came just hours after President Donald Trump reversed a suspension on aid and pledged more weapons for Kyiv. During a press briefing, Trump expressed apparent frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin, accusing him of manipulative and…