Author: The Tundra Drums Staff
The Tundra Drums Staff
The Tundra Drums Staff is a team of writers and editors who are passionate about bringing you the latest and most reliable news from Alaska and around the world. We make sure each story is easy to understand, clear, and based on trustworthy sources. Our goal is to keep you informed with news that matters and helps you stay connected to the world.
The US Department of Defense secretly launched a missile from Alaska’s state-owned Pacific Spaceport Complex on Kodiak Island last Thursday. The launch occurred around 10 p.m., surprising residents across the Kodiak Archipelago and reaching visibility as far south as Seward. KMXT-FM public radio and the Kodiak Daily Mirror first confirmed the event, reporting road closures and navigational warnings before the launch. Experts noted that the launch resembled an Alaska hypersonic missile test designed to travel at five times the speed of sound. Unlike traditional ballistic missiles, hypersonic weapons can manoeuvre mid-flight, making interception by modern defence systems far more challenging…
Following a special legislative session that overrode the governor´s second veto on education funding, a group of lawmakers convened Monday in Anchorage to launch a task force to tackle the ongoing education funding crisis. This newly formed committee, begins a 16-month timeline to develop recommendations for the next legislature to consider. The task force includes six members and is co-chaired by Sen. Löki Tobin (D-Anchorage) and Rep. Rebecca Himschoot (N/A-Sitka). The other members are Rep. Andi Story (D-Juneau), Rep. Justin Ruffridge, R-Soldotna, Sen. Mike Cronk (R-Tok/Northway), and Sen. Jesse Kiehl (D-Juneau). Several additional legislators from across the state also attended…
Dale Marshall of Anchorage once again claimed victory at the Alaska Midnight Sun Great Pumpkin Weigh Off, securing his 14th overall and 8th consecutive title on Monday at the Alaska State Fair. Marshall’s winning entry weighed 18,20 pounds, a massive pumpkin by any standard. However, it was still short of his personal and state record of 2,147 pounds, which he set in 2022. Last year’s prizewinner weighed at 2,035 pounds. For this year’s win, Marshall received a $1,000 prize. He also brought a second entry weighing 1,746 pounds, though contest rules allow only one pumpkin per entrant to place. Marshall…
The meeting between the two presidents begins in Washington. South Korean President Lee Jae-myung is holding his first high-stakes talks with US President Donald Trump. After meeting Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Lee arrived in Washington aiming to finalize July’s tariff deal and secure investment commitments. The US had lowered tariffs to 15% with Seoul pledging to purchase $100 billion in American energy and invest $350 billion. Major South Korean conglomerates Samsung, Hyundai, LG and SK contribute $91.2 billion in direct US investments, strengthening economic cooperation. Analysts warn, however, that Trump could unpredictably reshape the deal, leaving investment details vague…
Officials are urging residents to steer clear of the area around Point Higgins Elementary School in Ketchikan following a recent fuel spill. The Ketchikan Gateway Borough confirmed the incident occurred late last week, leading to immediate notifications to state and federal environmental authorities. Officials stated the US Coast Guard and Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation were contacted to coordinate containment and cleanup operations. Through a social media post, Borough officials announced that remediation efforts had already begun at the affected site to limit environmental damage. Crews worked actively throughout the weekend, cutting brush, pumping contaminated material, and installing containment systems…
The Alaska Solar for All termination program has ignited controversy after the Trump administration canceled $125 million in solar energy grants statewide. The Environmental Protection Agency confirmed it would end the Solar for All program earlier this month due to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The $7 billion initiative created through the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act aimed to expand solar power nationwide and reduce household energy costs. The Alaska Energy Authority and the Tanana Chiefs’ Conference each secured $62.5 million to deliver solar systems across dozens of communities. Both groups expected the funding to lower reliance on costly diesel…
The Alaska Bar Association disbarment recommendation against former U.S. District Judge Joshua Kindred followed a board vote without dissent Thursday afternoon. Kindred, once appointed by Donald Trump to Alaska’s federal bench, resigned last year after investigators uncovered serious misconduct and workplace improprieties. The investigation revealed Kindred maintained a sexualized relationship with a law clerk, lied to investigators, and fostered hostility within his chambers. Additional improprieties linked to the U.S. attorney’s office surfaced later, further intensifying scrutiny and damaging confidence in Alaska’s judicial institutions. Bar association president Rebecca Patterson confirmed Kindred refused participation during the inquiry, despite repeated requests for response…
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba hosted Lee Jae Myung in Tokyo on Saturday, welcoming the South Korean president for his official visit. The meeting at the prime minister’s residence emphasized cooperation under a trilateral pact with Washington and highlighted shared security concerns facing both governments today. Ishiba said relations between Tokyo and Seoul remain essential, stressing trilateral ties with Washington as regional threats from North Korea increase. Both leaders pledged to resume shuttle diplomacy, promote working holiday programs, and expand collaboration on defense, artificial intelligence, and economic security sectors. They also vowed closer coordination against Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile threats,…
Donald Trump renewed the sanctions threat on Russia, warning of severe consequences if peace efforts in Ukraine failed to make progress. Trump told reporters he would decide between massive sanctions, heavy tariffs, or doing nothing, depending on Moscow’s actions. His frustration followed a Russian strike on an American-owned Ukrainian factory that injured workers and sparked anger within Washington’s leadership circle. After discussing peace initiatives with Putin in Alaska, Trump previously announced he was arranging a meeting between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Zelenskyy continued urging Putin to meet, describing direct talks as the only viable path toward negotiating an end…
Alaskan nights grow dark quickly, making pedestrians and cyclists nearly invisible to drivers, but reflective gear can change those dangerous odds. Reflective material allows drivers to see pedestrians from 1,200 feet away, more than 1000 feet farther than light-colored clothing. Alaska DOT&PF created a campaign featuring Bigfoot wearing reflective gear, reminding everyone that being seen at night is legendary safety. The Partners in Safety program addresses crash patterns across Alaska, focusing on pedestrian fatalities and driver behaviour in urban areas like Anchorage. On July 31, at the Tanana Valley State Fair, DOT&PF distributed reflective gear and offered road safety education…
Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney announced on Friday an important tariff decision easing retaliatory duties on US products but maintaining critical sector tariffs. Carney stated that Canada will remove 25% levies on US consumer goods in accordance with the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement, effective September 1. The government intends to establish free trade for most goods while continuing to defend key industries. He emphasized that tariffs will remain on US steel, aluminum, and autos, reflecting their economic importance. Talks with Washington continued as Carney spoke with President Donald Trump by phone on Thursday, their first conversation since missing a trade deadline. Trump…
On Thursday, Anchorage residents witnessed a significant law enforcement operation as federal agents and police surrounded the Chelsea Inn in Spenard. The Chelsea Inn FBI investigation involved Anchorage Police Department officers, FBI agents, and additional agencies working under a federal narcotics search warrant. FBI spokesperson Chloe Martin confirmed that specialized law enforcement units, including multiple SWAT teams, executed the operation alongside Anchorage police partners. Martin said the evidence response team was on scene collecting materials as the operation continued throughout the morning. She clarified that there was no indication of immediate danger to residents and that the investigation posed no…
