Author: The Tundra Drums Staff

Under a new federal law signed by President Trump on July 4, states are now required to verify Medicaid enrollees’ work or education status each month by the end of 2026. The law mandates that residents in 40 states and Washington, D.C., must prove they are either employed, volunteering at least 80 hours per month, or enrolled in school part-time to maintain their coverage. The law grants states $200 million for system upgrades, but experts warn the funding is insufficient for such a major rollout. Harvard health economist Dr. Benjamin Sommers said states won’t meet the deadline using a single…

Alaska public broadcasting funding cuts have sparked a sharp divide between the state’s two Republican senators during a critical Senate vote. On Wednesday night, the Senate narrowly approved a $9 billion rescission bill, reversing previously approved federal spending, mainly in foreign aid.  The measure includes $1.1 billion in cuts to public broadcasting over two years, which affects more than $20 million set aside for Alaska’s 27 public stations. Senator Dan Sullivan favored the package while Senator Lisa Murkowski opposed it.  Sullivan’s spokesperson, Amanda Coyne, said he had long warned NPR and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting that biased reporting could…

The REGULATORY COMMISSION OF ALASKA (Commission) gives notice that Aniak Light & Power Company, Inc. (ALPC) filed TA243-5, its proposed cost of power adjustment (COPA), power cost equalization (PCE), and small facility power purchase rate (SFPPR) update for the period beginning July 1, 2025. With TA243-5, ALPC also proposes to change its COPA methodology by removing the COPA cost element for the balancing account balance (BAB) surcharge approved in Letter Order L2300254, issued July 28, 2023, in TA230-5. The total balance approved for recovery through the BAB surcharge, which was amortized over 24 months, was fully recovered by the end…

The South Korean Supreme Court ruled Thursday to uphold the Lee Jae-yong fraud acquittal, closing a major legal chapter for Samsung. The court dismissed all appeals and reaffirmed earlier rulings that cleared Lee of fraud, stock manipulation, and accounting crimes. Prosecutors accused Lee of manipulating stock prices during a $8 billion merger between Samsung C&T and Cheil Industries in 2015. They alleged Lee used fraudulent accounting at Samsung Biologics to increase his control over the Samsung group after his father’s death. They alleged Lee used fraudulent accounting at Samsung Biologics to increase his control over the Samsung group after his…

Alaska’s school districts scrambled after the education grant freeze blocked $46 million in federal funds this summer. The Anchorage School District had already factored $14 million of the funding into its planned budget for the coming school year. As a result, the district eliminated 34.5 full-time staff positions, though most educators were reassigned to different jobs within ASD. However, five educators were laid off outright, and schools now face service gaps with limited time to adjust. The freeze disrupted summer assignments and planning, leaving teachers uncertain about their fall classroom roles and responsibilities. Corey Aist, president of the Anchorage Education…

A powerful 7.3 earthquake struck south of Sand Point Wednesday afternoon, prompting emergency evacuations across a 700-mile coastal stretch. The quake hit at 1:37 p.m. local time, shaking communities near Anchorage nearly 600 miles northeast of the epicenter. Officials quickly issued a tsunami warning from Homer to Unimak Pass, urging coastal residents to move to higher ground immediately. Communities like Kodiak, Cold Bay, and King Cove activated alerts as waves were forecast to hit within the next two hours. The National Tsunami Warning Center downgraded the warning to an advisory by 1:50 p.m. and canceled it entirely by 2:45 p.m.…

In a significant trade breakthrough, Trump and Prabowo finalized a trade deal that reduced US tariffs on Indonesian goods to 19%. This agreement follows Trump’s earlier threat of imposing a steep 32% tariff on Indonesian imports, which started on August 1.  After a direct phone call with President Prabowo, Trump agreed to lower the proposed rate in exchange for greater US access. Indonesia will now allow duty-free entry for US goods, including agriculture and manufactured products previously restricted by high tariffs. Additionally, Indonesia committed to buying $15 billion in American energy and $4.5 billion worth of US agricultural commodities. The…

Fire managers removed all pilot car escorts this evening as part of the region’s latest fire update. Though flames have moved away from the highway, suppression teams between Mileposts 318 and 338 remain hard at work.  The 45 MPH speed limit through the Bear Creek area has officially ended, returning the normal highway speed to 65 MPH. However, the pilot cars will continue operating 24/7 between MP 319 and MP 322 due to active road construction.  Officials advise drivers to remain cautious, expect delays, and watch for heavy equipment and firefighters along the route. The recent fire update highlights containment…

Alaska wildlife officials have reactivated the bear culling program, arguing it is essential to protect the Mulchatna caribou population. On Tuesday, the Alaska Board of Game Department resumed predator control measures near caribou calving grounds. The decision follows two previous court rulings that blocked the program due to legal and procedural flaws. Wildlife officials said predator control helped raise herd numbers slightly from under 13,000 to nearly 15,000 animals. The goal remains to grow the herd to at least 30,000 so that hunting in Western Alaska can resume. Board Vice Chair Stosh Hoffman of Bethel said the board’s responsibility is…

Alaska Senator Lis Murkowski broke with her party this week, opposing a statewide bill that endangers public broadcasting funding. The bill aims to rescind $9 billion in previously approved federal spending, including millions for rural public radio across Alaska. Murkowski joined Republican Senators Susan Collins and Mitch McConnell in voting against the measure, which still advanced in the Senate. Vice President JD Vance cast the tie-breaking vote after the Senate split 50-50 along largely partisan lines during Tuesday’s vote. Senator Dan Sullivan voted in favor despite warnings that the bill could devastate Alaska’s local reporting and emergency alert systems. Sullivan’s…

Federal funding for Alaska’s 27 public media stations may vanish this week as the US Senate debates a massive rescission request. Former President Donald Trump pushed Congress to cancel billions in already approved spending, including $1 billion for public broadcasting. The House approved the package with support from Alaska’s Republican Representative Nick Begich, who voted to move the rescission forward. Unless the Senate votes by Friday, the proposal will expire, preserving Alaska’s vital funding for public media. Senator Lisa Murkowski has repeatedly defended public broadcasting’s value, especially in communities that rely on it for emergency updates. Senator Dan Sullivan acknowledged…

Traffic along the Parks Highway continues to be affected by recent firefighting efforts and road construction between Nenana and Fairbanks. From 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., pilot cars manage traffic between mileposts (MP) 335.5 and 318.5 with delays of up to one hour.  At night, construction work shifts pilot cars are used to MP 319-322, with 20-30 minutes of wait time. This recent construction update focuses on improving a deteriorated stretch built initially in the 1950s and last upgraded in 1985. The road´s steep grades, sharp curves, and limited sightlines have caused numerous crashes, including two fatalities in the past…