Author: The Tundra Drums Staff

The first cruise ship of the 2026 tourism season is set to arrive in Juneau on Monday, marking the official start of another busy summer for Alaska’s capital. The MS Eurodam, operated by Holland America Line, is scheduled to dock Monday afternoon, bringing the first wave of visitors to a city that depends heavily on seasonal tourism. What to Expect This Season City officials say the 2026 cruise season is expected to bring approximately 1.69 million visitors to Juneau, a slight increase from last year but not a dramatic surge. Alix Pierce, the city’s visitor industry director, noted that while…

A Willow woman has been arrested and charged with multiple counts of animal cruelty after authorities discovered dozens of dead sled dogs on a property in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, officials confirmed Tuesday. Alaska State Troopers said 25 dogs were found dead earlier this month at a private property in the Caswell Lakes area, located between Willow and Talkeetna. The woman, identified as 35-year-old Misty Rehder, was taken into custody without incident and faces 26 counts of animal cruelty. Investigation Follows Months of Complaints The discovery came after months of concern from local residents and members of Alaska’s mushing community, who…

Federal immigration agents have arrested at least 47 people in Alaska so far in 2026, including a case involving a pregnant woman, raising concerns among lawmakers and advocacy groups about enforcement practices in the state. The arrests, carried out by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, are part of ongoing immigration enforcement actions across Alaska, where activity has drawn increasing scrutiny in recent months. Arrest Numbers Rise in 2026 Data shows that immigration-related arrests in Alaska remain relatively limited compared to other states but have still impacted dozens of individuals this year. As of early 2026, at least 47 people have…

Alaska Air Group is expanding its long-standing partnership with Bank of America in a move aimed at strengthening its credit card portfolio and enhancing customer rewards across its growing airline network. The airline announced a multi-year extension of its co-branded credit card agreement, deepening a relationship that has spanned more than three decades. Focus on Loyalty and Customer Benefits Under the expanded agreement, Alaska Airlines plans to invest more heavily in its Atmos Rewards loyalty program, including new credit card offerings and upgrades to existing ones. The companies said the partnership will: The goal is to deliver greater value and…

Some airline routes are being suspended ahead of the busy summer travel season as carriers struggle with sharply rising jet fuel costs, adding new challenges for travelers. According to Airlines, including Air Canada, fuel prices have nearly doubled in recent months, forcing companies to cut less profitable routes and adjust schedules to manage rising operational expenses. Routes Suspended Across North America One of the airlines affected, Air Canada, announced it will suspend six routes starting in early June due to the surge in fuel costs. The changes include: Passengers will still be able to reach major destinations, such as New…

Japanese authorities have warned of a slightly increased risk of a major “megaquake” following a powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck off the country’s northern coast on Monday. The offshore quake, centered near the Sanriku region, triggered tsunami alerts and evacuation advisories across multiple coastal areas, though no major damage or widespread casualties were immediately reported. Quake Triggers Alerts and Evacuations The earthquake struck at a shallow depth of around 19 kilometers, causing strong shaking across northern Japan and prompting authorities to issue tsunami warnings. Officials later downgraded the tsunami warning after the threat subsided. Megaquake Risk Slightly Elevated Japan’s…

A Wasilla resident was killed in a vehicle crash at the busy interchange connecting the Parks Highway and Glenn Highway yesterday. Emergency responders were called to the scene following reports of a serious collision at the intersection, a major junction linking traffic between the Mat-Su Valley and Anchorage. The victim, identified as a Wasilla resident, died from injuries sustained in the crash. Crash Details Still Under Investigation Investigators said the crash involved multiple vehicles, though the exact cause of the collision has not yet been released. The Parks Glenn Highway interchange is known for heavy traffic and complex turning patterns,…

Lisa Murkowski is warning that declining fuel prices across the U.S. could have unintended and potentially devastating consequences for rural Alaska communities that rely heavily on imported fuel. Speaking at the Arctic Encounter Summit in Anchorage, Murkowski said recent global developments, including shifts in oil supply routes, have lowered national fuel prices, but rural Alaska may not benefit from the drop. Rural Alaska Faces Unique Fuel Challenges Unlike most of the country, many communities in Alaska are not connected by roads and depend on seasonal fuel deliveries. Murkowski highlighted that around 82% of Alaska’s communities are off the road system,…

The U.S. government has scheduled a new oil and gas lease sale in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) for June 5, even as ongoing lawsuits and opposition from Indigenous groups continue to challenge drilling in the region.The lease sale, announced by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), marks the third attempt to auction drilling rights in the refuge, following earlier efforts that failed to attract major oil companies Key Details of the Lease Sale Federal officials confirmed the upcoming auction will cover parts of the refuge’s coastal plain, a 1.56-million-acre region believed to hold significant oil reserves. The sale…

Two soldiers were injured during a bear encounter while participating in a training exercise at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. Details The incident occurred during a land navigation training exercise, when the soldiers encountered a bear in a wooded training area on base. According to 673d Air Base Wing: Authorities said medical care was provided, and the incident remains under investigation. Importance Encounters with wildlife are a known risk in Alaska, especially in remote training environments like JBER, where both black and brown bears are common. It emphasize that: The incident highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing training operations with natural wildlife…

U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan is highlighting the creation of a new federal Office of Seafood within the U.S. Department of Agriculture, calling it a major step forward for Alaska’s fishing industry and coastal communities. Details Federal officials of seafood announced the launch of the first-ever USDA Office of Seafood, designed to improve access to federal programs for fishermen, seafood producers, and processors across the country. The office will act as a coordinating hub within the U.S. Department of Agriculture, helping integrate the seafood industry into existing support systems traditionally used by farmers. Sullivan, who has advocated for the initiative for…

The Alaska Nanooks women’s basketball have announced the addition of standout guard Brandi Stanford, strengthening their roster for the upcoming 2026–27 season. Details The Nanooks confirmed the signing of Brandi Stanford, a 5-foot-6 point guard from Lacey, Washington, who joins the program from River Ridge High School. Stanford is Alaska’s third signing for the 2026–27 recruiting class, with more additions expected in the coming months. Head coach Michael Ricks praised the new addition, highlighting her versatility and competitive style of play. Importance Stanford brings an impressive high school résumé that could immediately impact the program. Her career highlights include: Her…