Author: The Tundra Drums Staff
The Eastern Interior Alaska Subsistence Regional Advisory Council has announced its upcoming public meeting, set for March 3–5 at Pike’s Waterfront Lodge. The council will convene each day beginning at 9:00 a.m. (AKST) to review a range of issues affecting subsistence users in the Eastern Interior Region. Key agenda items include developing proposals to change Federal subsistence fish and shellfish regulations and reconsidering Federal wildlife proposal WP25-75 with newly proposed modifications. Council members will also discuss additional matters related to subsistence harvest, wildlife management, and regulatory priorities in the region. The meeting is open to the public, and officials encourage…
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio made a high-profile visit to Hungary this week, publicly affirming U.S. support for Prime Minister Viktor Orbán just weeks before the country’s parliamentary elections scheduled for April 12, 2026. The visit underscores the close ties between the United States and Hungary, particularly through the leadership of former President Donald Trump. At a joint press conference in Budapest, Rubio praised Orbán’s long tenure and leadership, describing U.S.-Hungary relations as entering a “golden era” and emphasizing that Trump is “deeply committed” to Orbán’s success in the April vote. Rubio also highlighted new bilateral agreements, including a…
Anchorage’s expanding mobile health initiatives are helping ease the demand on police, firefighters, and emergency medical crews by providing targeted care for non-emergency situations, according to recent local coverage. The programs, including mobile crisis teams and community outreach units, are designed to meet residents where they are with specialized support for mental health, substance use, and other health-related concerns that don’t require a traditional 911 response. These units pair clinicians and trained professionals with first responders to address issues more effectively and keep emergency crews free for true emergencies. One such effort being highlighted includes a pilot project by the…
In a new opinion published by The Washington Post, an Alaska native argues that the state’s economy and population trends have been hindered by federal environmental regulations that delay or block resource development projects critical to local jobs and infrastructure. Written by energy policy analyst Sarah Montalbano, the piece recounts her personal decision to leave her hometown of Wasilla for opportunity elsewhere, noting that regulatory “green tape” and prolonged permitting battles have discouraged investment in Alaska’s natural resource sectors. Montalbano highlights long-sought projects such as the Ambler Road, which would provide access to mineral reserves in Alaska’s Northwest Arctic Borough,…
Alaska House Republicans sharply criticized the majority’s decision to temporarily set the Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) at zero in the latest draft of the state operating budget, escalating tensions in the Legislature’s budget negotiations. The draft budget, released by House Finance Committee leaders, currently contains no funding for the 2026 PFD, a longtime annual payment many Alaskans rely on. Republicans argue that zeroing out the dividend, even temporarily, undermines stability and fails to respect the spirit of the state’s fiscal framework. Republican members of the House Majority Coalition raised concerns that excluding the dividend from the initial budget draft sends…
A group of European nations says Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was killed by poisoning with a rare and highly lethal toxin derived from South American poison dart frogs, holding the Russia state responsible for his death. In a joint statement released at the Munich Security Conference, the foreign ministries of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Sweden, and Netherlands said tests on samples from Navalny’s body “conclusively confirmed the presence of epibatidine,” a neurotoxin found in poison dart frog skin. The toxin does not occur naturally in Russia, they noted, and has been linked to his death while imprisoned in…
Lawmakers released 25 graphic photos this week showing deteriorating and “deplorable” conditions inside Mt. Edgecumbe High School, raising concerns about student safety, infrastructure decay, and maintenance failures at the state-run boarding school. The images were presented Thursday during an Alaska State Senate Finance Committee hearing, where legislators scrutinized hallways crammed with boxes, ceiling stains, exposed electrical wiring, and even a rat hole nicknamed “Tip Toes” by students. Lawmakers described crowded stairways, brown stains dripping from ceilings, and other signs of neglected infrastructure that they say contribute to an environment unfit for students. Some lawmakers highlighted reports that students complained the…
Alaska House Republicans are sharply criticizing the majority’s recent decision to temporarily set the Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) at zero in the latest draft of the state operating budget, fueling tensions over fiscal priorities as lawmakers work through the state’s 2026 budget process. The change came as part of a committee substitute version of the operating budget, which currently contains no appropriation for the Permanent Fund Dividend, a longstanding annual payment many Alaskans rely on. Republican lawmakers argued the move was both abrupt and lacking transparency. “Advancing a proposed budget that effectively zeroes out the dividend without full deliberation is…
A graduate student studying Arctic research has filed a lawsuit against the University of Alaska Fairbanks, alleging the university failed to properly address claims of discrimination and retaliation during their time in the program. According to court documents, the student, identified only by initials in some filings, claims that despite reporting discriminatory treatment by faculty and staff, the university’s response was inadequate, leaving them subjected to a hostile academic environment that hindered their educational progress. The lawsuit asserts that the student repeatedly sought help through internal complaint procedures, alleging bias that they say was based on protected characteristics, but that…
Alaska snowboarder Nathan Paré, a native of Bethel, was disqualified in the quarterfinal round of the Olympic snowboard cross competition after drawing strong attention with a spirited run. Paré, who earned acclaim for advancing through the early rounds at the Winter Olympics, was competing among the world’s top snowboard cross athletes when officials ruled that he violated a racing rule during Wednesday’s quarterfinal heat. The disqualification came after video review and consultation by the race jury. Snowboard cross, a high-speed head-to-head racing discipline where competitors navigate jumps, rollers, and banked turns, demands precision and timing. In the quarterfinal, Paré appeared…
Procedural objections almost stopped the Alaska Legislature from extending the state’s ongoing disaster declaration during a contentious session this week. Lawmakers debated whether to continue the disaster emergency order, which has been in effect for months following severe weather and flooding events that impacted communities across the state. Supporters argued that extending the declaration was necessary to maintain access to federal funding and emergency response authority. However, procedural challenges from some legislators nearly derailed the effort, with objections raised over how the extension measure was brought to the floor. Critics said they were concerned about the scope and duration of…
A new state drug enforcement report shows that most illegal drugs seized in Alaska last year entered the state through Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. According to the Alaska Department of Public Safety, hundreds of pounds of narcotics were intercepted at the airport in 2025, including significant amounts of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and heroin. Officials say Anchorage’s role as a major cargo and passenger hub makes it a key entry point for drug trafficking into Alaska. Law enforcement agencies have increased interdiction efforts at the airport and through mail shipments, working alongside federal partners to slow the flow of illicit substances…