Author: The Tundra Drums Staff
Too much moose and unsecured antlers caused Mary Peltola’s husband’s plane crash in September 2023, investigators confirmed Tuesday. When the overloaded plane fell, Eugene Buzzy Peltola Jr, 57, was flying a Piper PA-18 alone near St Mary’s, Alaska. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released a report detailing how the aircraft exceeded its maximum weight by 117 pounds. The NTSB said that Peltola had flown hunters and their moose meat from a remote area earlier that day without any incident. After that first trip, he returned for a final load that proved fatal when he added too much cargo. Investigators…
Prime Ministers Keir Starmer and Narendra Modi signed a major UK-India trade deal Monday, ending three years of negotiations. The agreement lowers tariffs on key exports like whisky, textiles, and cars, delivering a multi-billion-pound boost to both economies. Announced at Chequers, Starmer called it “the most economically significant” agreement Britain has signed since leaving the European Union. The deal immediately cuts whisky tariffs from 150% to 75%, dropping to 40% by 2035, opening India’s massive spirits market. Reduced duties will also benefit UK exports of aerospace parts, lamb, chocolate, and cosmetics, improving global competitiveness. India will gain easier access to…
Three Alaska school districts; Anchorage, Fairbanks North Star Borough, and Kuspuk, have filed lawsuits against the Trump administration over a $6 billion education funding freeze. The Districts are all losing vital resources. On Monday, these districts joined others nationwide to sue the US Department of Education and the Office of Management and Budget. The lawsuit in Rhode Island aims to force the agencies to release frozen federal funds supporting vulnerable student groups. Programs affected include services for migratory students, English learners, foster children, and homeless youth in Alaska’s education system. The Anchorage School District, which serves 43,000 students, reportedly lost…
Perplexity has officially launched its new Comet browser, rolling it out in limited access to Perplexity Max subscribers this week. Built on Chromium, this browser will replace traditional search engines like Google with AI assistance for direct conversational results. Instead of cluttered search pages, Comet gives summarized answers, complete with source links and product options when relevant. An integrated ad blocker and a summarize button make browsing cleaner, while an “Ask” button adds live context to tabs. Users can connect Gmail to Comet, allowing AI-powered queries across their inbox, calendar, and upcoming events or tasks. According to CEO Aravind Srinivas,…
Authorities responded swiftly Wednesday morning after reports of possible explosives at Mile 115 on the Richardson Highway. The incident triggered a joint response from Alaska State Troopers, the FBI Anchorage Field Office, and military explosive disposal teams. Investigators discovered approximately 50 pounds of antiqued dynamite stored inside a privately owned bus. The FBI confirmed the dynamite was outdated but still dangerous, requiring urgent disposal to eliminate any threat. At around 11 a.m., law enforcement began clearing the area and periodically closed the Richardson Highway for safety. Crews used specialized equipment to remove and destroy the explosive materials safely. No one…
Before heading out on Alaska’s water this weekend, officials urge everyone to follow critical boating safety tips to stay safe. The Alaska Department of Natural Resources advises checking weather tide charts and local conditions before launching your boat. After assessing conditions, boaters should make a firm go or no-go decision based on real risk, not just plans or pressure. If they decide to go, officials recommend filing a float plan with a friend or relative who can contact help if needed. This float plan should list your boat details, route passenger names, expected return time, and emergency contact instructions. Alaska’s…
President Donald Trump unveiled a sweeping agreement with Japan this week, calling it the biggest trade deal ever signed. This deal reduces US tariffs on Japanese goods to 15%, down from the 25% previously threatened by Trump. In return, Japan has pledged to invest $550 billion in the US economy, boosting manufacturing and job creation nationwide. During a White House event, Trump declared the deal a victory for both countries after weeks of intensive negotiations in Washington. Trump emphasized that Japan will now open access for US cars, trucks, rice, and other agricultural products previously restricted. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba…
On Tuesday, a state judge ruled in favor of former Representative David Eastman in the high-profile lawsuit against Dunleavy. Eastman, a Republican from Wasilla, filed the lawsuit after lawmakers passed Senate Bill 189 using multiple unrelated provisions during the final legislative hours. Though Governor Mike Dunleavy had no part in crafting the bill, he allowed it to become law without a signature, prompting Eastman’s challenge. He argued the legislation violated Article II, Section 13 of the Alaska Constitution, which limits bills to a single subject only. Superior Court Judge Larry Woolford agreed and declared Senate Bill 189 unconstitutional, voiding the…
A brown bear attack in Alaska left a woman injured Tuesday afternoon while she hiked along the basher Trail in the Chugach Mountains. Around 3 p.m., the woman called 911 and reported being mauled approximately two miles into the trail. Police officials confirmed. After the bear fled the area, she told dispatchers she couldn’t walk and needed urgent assistance. Anchorage Police spokesperson Christopher Barraza said officials used drones to locate her exact position during an hour-long phone call. She continued updating responders as they worked to reach her through the remote terrain. Alaska State Troopers dispatched a helicopter that successfully…
The Gaza malnutrition crisis claimed at least 33 Palestinian lives, including 12 children, within just 48 hours, officials confirmed Wednesday. The Hamas-run health ministry reported 11 adults and four children died in one day alone from hunger-related complications. At al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, doctors identified Ahmed al-Hasanat as among the latest to die from extreme malnutrition in Deir al-Balah. Meanwhile, in Khan Younis, 13-year-old Abdul Hamid al-Ghalban’s body was wrapped in a white shroud before burial at Nasser Hospital. In Gaza City, a six-week-old boy, Yousef al-Safadi, died at al-Shifa Hospital due to starvation and lack of medical care. UN Secretary-General…
Alaska officials are reminding anglers to stop chopping and throw fish remains properly to reduce danger from bears. Bears actively seek fish waste, making discarded entrails and carcasses along riverbanks or in dumpsters dangerous for everyone nearby. Authorities advise cleaning the fish only at designated stations or homes where waste can be stored securely until garbage collection day. If filleting near water, anglers should chop carcasses into pieces and toss them into deep, fast-moving currents far from shorelines. Leaving fish remains in shallow water, bushes, or trash can attract bears even in developed towns and residential neighbourhoods. People should freeze…
The OpenAI UK government deal set the stage for deploying artificial intelligence across multiple public service sectors, including justice and education. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and UK Technology Secretary Peter Kyle formalized the agreement as part of efforts to modernize the public sector. The agreement outlines plans to explore AI use in civil service operations, to improve productivity and citizen access to services. It also includes developing an information sharing program and creating safeguards that protect democratic values and public interest in AI use. OpenAI will work closely with government departments to test and implement large language models in justice,…