Author: The Tundra Drums Staff

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…

The Alaska Supreme Court workers’ compensation ruling on June 27 placed Travelers fully liable after a key mailing certificate went missing. Travelers Property Casualty Company of America had issued Keluco and their insurance agent, Gretchen Santerre. However, Keluco reported never receiving the notice and believed coverage ended. More importantly, travelers failed to obtain a USPS certificate of mailing, which Alaska law requires. According to state law, insurers must send written non-renewal notices through first-class mail and obtain a certificate confirming that mailing. The original insurance policy included an endorsement that made these legal steps part of the contract. Without that…

The Alaska Highland Games welcomed their first professional thrower from the state this weekend, drawing hundreds to the Palmer fairgrounds. Danny Autery of Kenai stepped into the arena Sunday, representing Alaska at the 44th annual event with pride and strength. Autery, who competed across the country, called it an unforgettable experience to perform in front of local fans. During the professional throwing competition, athletes hurled stones, heavy weights, sandbags, and towing cabers to earn top scores. The competitors received points for distance and height, and each event tested their strength and technique. Amateur and junior throwers showcased their skills on…

Alaska’s top political leaders are divided over a massive federal budget bill that could deepen the  Medicaid and SNAP crisis. Bipartisan legislative leaders warn that the bill’s cuts will hurt thousands of residents, while Governor Mike Dunleavy supports it for its long-term oil and gas provisions. State House Speaker Bryce Edgmon and Senate Majority Leader Cathy Giessel published an op-ed calling the bill catastrophic. They said the proposed Medicaid and food assistance cuts would devastate public health and force the state into more profound economic distress. They also cited the bill’s rollback of renewable energy credits as a direct threat…

Thousands of people gathered in Tehran on Saturday for the funeral honoring 60 victims of the recent conflict. Iranian state media broadcast images of coffins draped in national flags moving slowly past crowds near Enghelab and Azadi squares. Authorities provided free buses and metro rides, urging citizens to attend and closing all government offices for the national event. Among the dead were top Iranian officials, including General Mohammad Bagheri and nuclear scientist Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi. Bagheri’s wife and daughter, also killed in an Israeli airstrike, were buried alongside him during the emotionally charged ceremony. Commander Hossein Salami and missile program…

In response to growing food insecurity, Anchorage officials introduced a tax break to encourage local gardening and farming efforts across the city. Assembly Member George Martinez proposed AO 2025-62, an ordinance that offers property tax exemptions to residents growing and selling food locally. Martinez said Anchorage imports 95% of its food and experiences some of the worst food insecurity in the United States. He explained that residents deserve a way to feed their families without depending entirely on imports. Growing up in a food desert inspired his dedication to food justice. The proposed urban agriculture tax break would apply to…

Governor Mike Dunleavy vetoed a bill that would have capped payday loan interest rates at 36%, drawing widespread criticism. The legislation, Senate Bill 39, aimed to remove a longstanding exemption allowing payday lenders to bypass lending laws in Alaska. It passed both the House and Senate with bipartisan support earlier this session. Supporters of the bill argued that it would protect consumers from predatory loans with interest rates as high as 521%. They emphasized how borrowers, often in financial distress, fall into cycles of debt due to exorbitant fees and short repayment windows. The bill’s lead sponsor, Rep. Ted Eischeid…