Author: The Tundra Drums Staff

Microsoft has introduced a powerful new tool, the AI Diagnostic Orchestrator, which outperforms experienced physicians in diagnosing complex medical cases. Tested on 304 challenging real-world scenarios from the New England Journal of Medicine, the AI system reached correct diagnoses in 85% of cases, four times the accuracy rate of human doctors. The system mimics how real doctors work by analyzing symptoms step by step, asking diagnostic questions, and ordering virtual tests as needed. For instance, if a patient presents with a cough and fever, the AI may request a blood test and X-ray before diagnosing pneumonia. Each step incurs a…

On Thursday, South Korea’s National Assembly approved sweeping changes to martial law rules, responding to December’s unprecedented presidential emergency declaration. The new legislation forbids the military or police from entering the National Assembly without advance consent from the parliamentary Speaker’s office. It also clarifies that no official may stop lawmakers from entering the Assembly chambers under martial law conditions. This reform follows last December’s political shock when President Yoon Suk Yeol abruptly invoked martial law without consulting parliament first.  Military vehicles surrounded the Assembly that night, and some lawmakers called its outer fences to access the main chamber. Parliamentarians successfully…

Wildfire activity forced officials to close many Parks Highway between Milepost 315 and Milepost 341 Tuesday night. At 6:50 pm on July 2, fire officials confirmed new fire activity along the highway near MP 332, prompting an immediate closure. By 10 pm, the Alaska Department of Transportation had extended the closure north to MP 341 due to changing conditions in the area. Though crews briefly opened the highway at 10:30 pm, they allowed only a few vehicles to pass using pilot escorts. Flaggers and pilot cars helped guide travelers through dangerous areas as fire crews monitored flames near the roadside.…

US Senator Lisa Murkowski defended her yes vote on Tuesday’s sweeping federal budget bill during a 25-minute phone press conference with Alaska reporters. The bill, dubbed the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” narrowly passed the US Senate 51-50, with Vice President JD Vance casting the tie-breaking vote.  Murkowski said her vote was secured after lengthy negotiations ensured protections for vulnerable Alaskans, increased rural hospital funding, and retained key tax benefits. “I’ve been focused on making sure that the most vulnerable in our communities are not made more vulnerable by the provisions in this bill,” she said, adding that she hadn’t slept…

Fairbanks residents are turning green thumbs into greenbacks through the gardening classes 2025 by the Soil and Water Conservation District. These summer classes are part of the Alternative Fairbanks Farm and Educational Cooperative Training, also known as AFFECT. Now in its fourth year, the program teaches aspiring growers how to transform their gardening skills into small business ventures. The program focuses on market gardening, a scale of growing that allows individuals to sell at local farmers’ markets. The program accepted 15 students this summer, selected through an application and interview process based on interest and experience. Limited class sizes make…

Families grapple with deep losses and daunting futures as the Bear Creek fire destroys homes across Alaska’s rugged landscape. The fire, which continues to burn through remote communities, has already consumed dozens of structures, including years of sweat and craftsmanship.  Nick Clegg Sr and his wife Kathleen spent nearly two decades building their dream cabin by hand. They carefully selected trees for the timber and added the final touches only a year ago. When the fire spread, they evacuated quickly, hoping the cabin would be spared. At first, it survived, but the bad news came that the home was gone.…

Facing severe school district deficits and a partial funding veto, Alaska lawmakers launched the school funding task force. The bipartisan group created through House Bill 57 aims to study education funding and offer solutions by January 2027. Governor Mike Dunleavy reduced the per-student funding hike from $700 to $500, vetoing over $50 million in education funds. Legislative leaders have vowed to vote on overriding that veto during the first five days of the 2026 session.  Lawmakers had already overridden a separate veto involving a permanent $700 increase in state law. However, the increase still requires implementation through the state’s annual…

President Donald Trump threatened Elon Musk with a renewed audit from DOGE, the Department of Government Efficiency, reigniting tensions between the two influential figures. Trump suggested DOGE reexamine Musk’s government subsidies, claiming big money could be saved by eliminating federal support for his companies.  Trump’s social media post targeted Musk, stating that billionaires may get more subsidies than anyone in history. He added that without these funds, Musk might have been forced to close his shop and return to South Africa. To which Musk’s reply follows a series of criticisms against Trump’s big beautiful bill which would add $3.3 trillion…

Thirty-five men held on immigration violations were released Monday from the Anchorage Correctional Complex and transferred to Homeland Security. The Alaska Department of Corrections confirmed the status of the Anchorage immigration detainees transferred in a statement highlighting cooperation with the federal government. The detainees had been arrested outside of Alaska by US immigration authorities and then moved to the Anchorage facility earlier in June. Seven men had already left the facility, including two shortly after arriving, and five later transferred to detention centers in Washington state. Alaska has an agreement with the US Marshals Service to house certain federal detainees…

Senators continued heated debate on Monday over the Big Beautiful Bill Senate vote with Alaska caught in the crossfire. Senator Lisa Murkowski remains a pivotal vote as the bill approaches a final decision, possibly late Monday evening.  With only 50 votes needed, GOP holdouts Rand Paul and Tom Tillis have already announced opposition. If Murkowski joins them, Vice President JD Vance could cast the tie-breaking vote. However, one more no could doom the legislation entirely. Republicans want to pass the bill before the Fourth of July. The bill seeks to pay for earlier Trump-era tax cuts by slashing Medicaid and…

Wildfire surges across Alaska as warmer, drier conditions grip the state, prompting heightened alerts and disaster declarations. Officials warn that increased fire behavior and potential new wildfires are likely as temperatures climb.  The Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection announced Monday that the state remains at Preparedness Level 4, with nearly 1,500 firefighters deployed statewide. That level could rise further in the coming days. In Denali Borough, at least 18 structures have been confirmed lost in the Bear Creek Fire, nearly Healy, including six primary residences, nine outbuildings, and three liveable space structures. Mayor Chris Noel said more losses…

More than 50,000 people fled their homes in western Turkey on Sunday as wildfires spread rapidly across Izmir and nearby settlements. The wildfire evacuation operation began after strong winds fueled massive flames near the districts of Seferihisar and Menderes in Izmir province. Agriculture and Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli said the wind speed reached up to 120 km/h, accelerating the spread of the fire. Authorities mobilized over 1,000 personnel, 14 helicopters, four planes, and more than 100 fire trucks to contain the growing blaze. AFAD, the country’s disaster agency, confirmed that 42,300 people were evacuated from Seferihisar alone, located 50 kilometers…