Author: The Tundra Drums Staff
Dashcam video shared online shows the moment a small plane descended onto Interstate 95 amid heavy afternoon traffic, crushing a Toyota Camry before coming to a stop on the busy highway. The driver of the car was reported to have survived the incident with minor injuries. The footage, recorded by a motorist traveling on the interstate, appears to show the aircraft descending between vehicles before making contact with the Camry. Emergency responders were called to the scene, and the driver of the Camry was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Highway patrol officers closed affected lanes of I-95 while crews worked to…
Dec. 10, 2025DR-4893-AK NR-007FEMA News Desk: (425) 487-4610 ANCHORAGE, Alaska – A Bethel Assistance Hub will be open weekdays, Dec. 11-19, to assist Alaskans who suffered losses in areas affected by severe storms, flooding, and the remnants of Typhoon Halong from Oct. 8-13, 2025. The deadline to apply for FEMA assistance is Dec. 22. FEMA staff there will help survivors apply for disaster assistance, answer questions, and upload needed documents. The center is open 10 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m. Monday-Friday. Also Read: FEMA Deadline for Disaster Assistance is Two Weeks Away Location AVCP Tugkar Building570 3rd Ave.Bethel, AK 99559 Other…
A federal judge has approved a request to unseal previously confidential grand jury records related to the investigation of Jeffrey Epstein, marking a significant development in the long-running legal effort to make documents from the case publicly accessible. The decision follows petitions from media organizations and transparency advocates who argued that the records contain information of substantial public interest. The court agreed that portions of the material could be released without compromising protected grand jury procedures or the privacy of individuals not charged with crimes. The unsealed records are expected to shed additional light on the early stages of Epstein’s…
Alaska State Parks has closed Diamond Creek Road from the upper parking area to the beach trail due to icy conditions that have made the route unsafe for vehicle travel. The closure affects users of the Diamond Creek State Recreation Site (SRS), a popular access point for hiking, beach trails, and coastal viewing near Homer. Officials report that the steep, shaded portions of the road have become slick, and travel will remain restricted until conditions improve. Foot access to the area remains open, but visitors are advised to use caution when navigating icy surfaces. Alaska State Parks will continue to…
Here is your weekly earthquake update from the Alaska Earthquake Center for the week of December 10, where ground shaking is monitored around the clock. This week brought about 1,500 earthquakes across Alaska, and nearly two-thirds of them were aftershocks from the powerful magnitude 7.0 Hubbard Glacier earthquake that struck on December 6. The earthquake happened about 60 miles north of Yakutat and was widely felt across both Alaska and western Canada. Within the first 10 minutes after the main quake, two more earthquakes! Both magnitude 5 earthquakes were recorded. The aftershock sequence has been highly active, producing almost 300…
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) will host a sport fishing course for military personnel and their families on December 16. The session will take place at the Military and Family Readiness Center, located at Building 4986, Zuckert Avenue, Joint Base Elmendorf–Richardson (JBER), from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The program is designed to introduce participants to Alaska’s sport fishing opportunities, regulations, and basic skills. According to organizers, everyone who attends will receive a coupon for a free rental from the Outdoor Recreation Center at JBER. Also Read: JBER Soldiers Jump Into Action After Car Skids Out of…
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is requesting public feedback on proposed changes to aircraft access and permitting at the McNeil River State Game Sanctuary. The department has opened a stakeholder survey to gather input on potential operational adjustments related to visitor access. The survey, available through January 23, 2026, invites stakeholders to comment on whether the use of wheeled airplanes should be allowed at the sanctuary’s bear viewing program. ADF&G is evaluating whether expanded aircraft access could help accommodate low tide conditions and improve entry options for permit holders. According to the department, considerations include: McNeil River…
The Klondike Highway has reopened as of 11:00 a.m. on December 9 after avalanche mitigation efforts were completed by Yukon Highways and Public Works. The roadway had been closed earlier in the day to allow crews to conduct controlled avalanche mitigation in an area prone to winter slide activity. Officials temporarily restricted travel to ensure the safety of motorists while work was underway. Transportation authorities in both Alaska and Yukon continue to monitor conditions along the route, which frequently experiences winter hazards due to terrain and weather patterns. Also Read: Rescuers Attempt to Reach Site of Deadly Heli-Skiing Avalanche Residents…
As temperatures drop across the region, local officials are advising residents to take preventative measures to reduce the risk of frozen or burst water pipes during the winter season. Homeowners and businesses are encouraged to keep a small, steady flow of water running from indoor faucets to maintain circulation. Closing crawl space vents, ensuring proper pipe insulation, and confirming that heat tapes are plugged in and functioning are also recommended. Outdoor hose bibs should be turned off, hoses disconnected, and exposed areas properly insulated. According to the City and Borough of Juneau, these small steps can prevent significant water damage…
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is reminding the public that the first presentation of the 2025–2026 Winter Wildlife Series will take place this Thursday at 7 p.m. The virtual lecture series, hosted by the Division of Wildlife Conservation, is free to attend and open to residents across the state. The opening session, scheduled for December 11, 2025, will focus on Alaska’s Wild Wood Bison. Wood Bison Biologist Tom Seaton will present updated information on wood bison herds in Alaska and discuss plans for future releases in other regions of the state. The talk is part of ADF&G’s…
A traffic signal outage is affecting the intersection of Egan Drive and Vanderbilt Hill Road on Tuesday, prompting officials to remind drivers to follow all-way stop procedures until repairs are complete. City crews have been dispatched to troubleshoot the malfunctioning signal. While the light remains dark, motorists are required to treat the intersection as an all-way stop under Alaska traffic regulations. Drivers approaching the intersection should: Also Read: Airport & Lathrop Signal Hit, Intersection in Flash Mode Until Next Week Officials are asking the public to remain patient and give roadway crews adequate space as they work at the site.…
The start of the bushfire season in southern Australia has been marked by the deaths of two firefighters and the destruction of an estimated 40 homes, according to emergency authorities monitoring multiple active fire zones across the region. The fatalities occurred as crews responded to rapidly moving fires intensified by hot, dry, and windy conditions. State emergency agencies reported that the loss of homes and the scale of early-season activity reflect a heightened threat level heading into the summer months. In response, Australia’s national aerial firefighting fleet is now fully engaged. The National Aerial Firefighting Centre (NAFC) confirmed that 161…