Author: The Tundra Drums Staff

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (Oct. 29, 2025) — The Alaska Democratic Party has launched a community food drive to help families affected by the ongoing government shutdown and reduced access to food assistance programs. The initiative runs from October 29 through November 17, with donation drop-offs open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the party’s headquarters located at 1500 W 33rd Avenue, Suite 210, Anchorage, AK 99503. According to organizers, the food drive aims to support Alaska’s military families, families of federal workers, and those impacted by recent SNAP funding cuts. The collected items will be distributed through the…

Residents of the Delta Junction area are gathering tonight at 5:30 p.m. for a Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) meeting, where they will review the final draft of the region’s wildfire preparedness and response strategy. The meeting, held at the Delta Community Center, brings together community members, local leaders, and emergency management officials to discuss updates, share input, and strengthen Delta Junction’s resilience to wildfire threats. According to the Alaska Wildfire Resilience Initiative, the CWPP is a community-driven effort designed to enhance coordination between residents and land management agencies. The plan focuses on reducing wildfire risks, protecting homes and infrastructure,…

More than 20 residents gathered Monday to discuss ongoing recovery efforts following the devastating impacts of Typhoon Halong, which caused widespread damage across Western Alaska earlier this month. Representatives from the City of Napaskiak, Village Council, AVCP, Naps Inc., and the Alaska Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Division of Forestry & Fire Protection (DOF) joined local leaders to share updates and plan the next steps in the community’s rebuilding process. Jon Cox, Task Force Lead with the Division of Forestry & Fire Protection, reported that 21 homes have been assessed so far, with 10 showing significant water damage. Crews have…

President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that he has instructed the Department of Defense to “immediately” resume testing nuclear weapons, marking the first U.S. return to live nuclear testing in more than three decades. The announcement came on Truth Social, where Trump wrote, “Because of other countries’ testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis. That process will begin immediately.” The statement came just hours before Trump’s highly anticipated meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea, suggesting the move could carry diplomatic and strategic significance as global nuclear…

The spirit of Alaskans helping Alaskans is alive and strong as members of the Alaska Organized Militia, assigned to Task Force Bethel, continue their vital work supporting post-storm recovery across Western Alaska as part of Operation Halong Response. Since the operation began, the coordinated efforts of the Alaska Air and Army National Guard, Alaska Naval Militia, and Alaska State Defense Force have made a measurable impact across communities affected by the severe storm system that struck the region earlier this year. According to official updates, the response achievements to date include: These statistics represent not only the scale of the…

Boise residents had an unexpected wake-up call early this morning when dozens of cows, possibly around 100, wandered into the city shortly after 1 a.m., creating a scene straight out of a country movie. The herd was first spotted near the intersection of Bogus Basin and Cartwright Road, before making its way downtown. Witnesses reported cows trotting through several neighborhoods, including 18th and Sherman, 18th and Eastman, 15th and Harrison, and Dewey Street. Local residents shared videos on social media showing the cows calmly roaming through quiet streets, pausing at intersections, and grazing on lawns. “It was surreal,” one Boise…

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) has ramped up recovery and repair operations across Western Alaska, with crews and contractors working swiftly to restore damaged infrastructure and support affected communities. In Kotzebue, significant progress has been made along Ted Stevens Way, where crews are repairing slopes and guardrails at and between the bridges. Additional work on Sewage Lagoon Cell 3 is scheduled to begin this week. With the completion of major work phases, the Brice Construction man camp was officially closed Friday, and all surplus food was donated to the local food pantry. In Deering, DOT&PF staff…

sitors to the Kenai Peninsula will soon enjoy improved amenities at the Eveline State Recreation Site (SRS), as Alaska State Parks begins construction to replace the site’s aging pit latrine with a modern vaulted toilet facility. According to Alaska State Parks, the upgrade began on October 30 and is expected to be completed by November 10, with construction lasting approximately 4–5 days. The project aims to enhance visitor comfort and sanitation standards while maintaining the site’s natural charm. During construction, the small parking area and trailhead at Eveline SRS will be temporarily closed to ensure public safety while contractors complete…

Jamaica is bracing for impact as a monster hurricane barrels toward the island, described by meteorologists as one of the most powerful storms ever recorded in the Caribbean. The system, now a Category 5 hurricane, has been dubbed “a satellite spectacle” due to its massive structure and near-perfect eye formation captured by orbiting weather satellites. Forecasters from the National Hurricane Center (NHC) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) warn that the storm’s sustained winds exceed 165 mph (265 km/h), with gusts strong enough to cause catastrophic damage. Satellite imagery shows an expansive storm system stretching hundreds of miles,…

Efforts to restore power in Western Alaska are gaining momentum as replacement transformers are on their way to Kipnuk, a community hit hard by recent electric grid failures. This progress highlights the power of collaboration between state agencies, contractors, and Alaska’s utility companies. According to the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF), the situation in Kipnuk was especially challenging because the community uses pole-mounted transformers, a type not typically available through regular suppliers such as Lowe’s, Home Depot, or even commercial electrical warehouses. When it became clear that local suppliers couldn’t meet the need, DOT&PF reached out to…

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) has confirmed that the Elliott Highway at Milepost 38 is now open to traffic following a temporary closure earlier today. The section, located north of Fairbanks, was briefly closed due to maintenance and safety concerns caused by roadway conditions. Crews worked through the morning to ensure the route was safe for travel before reopening it to the public. Drivers are encouraged to continue exercising caution, as road surfaces in the interior region can change rapidly due to shifting temperatures and early winter conditions. The DOT&PF recommends checking 511.alaska.gov for real-time travel…

The world is mourning the loss of Sudan, the last male northern white rhinoceros. His death marks a heartbreaking milestone in conservation history, leaving the species functionally extinct with only two surviving females. Sudan lived his final years under the care of Kenya’s Ol Pejeta Conservancy, where he received round-the-clock armed protection. Conservationists worked tirelessly to preserve his genetic material and explore scientific solutions that could save his kind from complete extinction. Researchers are now relying on advanced reproductive methods such as in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and stem-cell techniques to revive the species. Teams of scientists across the globe are collaborating…