Author: The Tundra Drums Staff
High school juniors and seniors across Alaska are reminded that the application deadline for the 2026 United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) is fast approaching. Students must submit their completed applications by Monday, October 20, 2025, at 5 p.m.The prestigious national program brings together two student leaders from each state for a weeklong leadership and government education experience in Washington, D.C. Selected delegates will engage with U.S. senators, congressional staff, and officials from the executive and judicial branches.The program also awards a $10,000 college scholarship to each delegate, encouraging future studies in political science, public administration, or related fields.Alaska students…
On October 16, 2025, YouTube experienced a widespread outage affecting its main platform, YouTube Music, and YouTube TV. At the peak of the disruption, more than 366,000 users in the U.S. reported issues through outage tracker Downdetector. According to a statement on X, YouTube confirmed that the issue has since been resolved, and the platform is operating normally once again. YouTube did not offer a detailed explanation for the cause of the outage. What Users Reported During the Outage Current Status What to Do If You Still Can’t Access YouTube
Welcome to your seismic update from across the state for the week of Oct. 15, brought to you by the Alaska Earthquake Center, where we monitor ground shaking 24-7.Over the past week, we recorded about 340 seismic events. The largest was a magnitude 4.3 on October 11 in the western Aleutians. Five events were reported as felt. This week, we’ll focus on Alaska’s annual earthquake emergency drill, the Great Alaska ShakeOut. Across the state on October 16 at 10:16 a.m., people and organizations will test their readiness for a large, damaging earthquake. The ShakeOut is the perfect chance to discuss and…
The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) is set to hold a Tribal Team Engagement Session during the Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN) Convention this week, aiming to deepen collaboration and shape a more community-led Tribal transportation policy. The session will take place Friday, October 17, from 9 to 11 a.m., at the Dena’ina Civic and Convention Center, Room 4 (2nd Floor).Commissioner Ryan Anderson and members of the DOT&PF Tribal Team will lead the discussion, inviting input from Tribal leaders, transportation professionals, and community members from across Alaska. The open forum will focus on what meaningful consultation and…
Local angler Nick Borash has landed an impressive catch from the Tanana River, reeling in a 41.5-inch, 15.55-pound burbot, earning recognition through the ADF&G Trophy Fish Program. Borash’s catch highlights the strong fall fishing season across Interior Alaska, where anglers are taking advantage of cooling temperatures and clear river conditions before freeze-up. The burbot a native freshwater species often called “lush fish”, is known for its elusive nature and powerful fight. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) congratulated Borash for his trophy catch, reminding other anglers to report large or record-worthy fish to the Trophy Fish Program. The…
A powerful storm, the remnants of a former typhoon, swept through western Alaska over the weekend, leaving one person dead, dozens rescued, and nearly 1,000 residents displaced across several coastal communities. Emergency supplies began arriving Monday as crews continued search and rescue efforts, particularly in Kwigillingok, where two individuals remain unaccounted for. Flooding has inundated low-lying areas, washing away debris and damaging critical infrastructure including homes, power lines, and village roads. Local leaders say the destruction rivals some of the worst storms in recent memory. “The water came fast, higher than anyone expected,” one resident shared. “People had to move…
Michael Eugene Archer, better known by his stage name D’Angelo, has died at the age of 51 after a protracted fight with cancer, his family confirmed today.A pioneer of the neo-soul movement, D’Angelo rose to fame in the mid-1990s with his debut album Brown Sugar, which included hits like “Lady” and the title track. He followed that with the acclaimed Voodoo in 2000, featuring the deeply influential track “Untitled (How Does It Feel).” After years away from the spotlight, D’Angelo made a celebrated return in 2014 with the album Black Messiah, combining soulful expression with social and political commentary. His…
In a major upset at the 2025 Shanghai Masters, world-No. 4 Novak Djokovic was defeated in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4, by qualifier Valentin Vacherot, ranked No. 204. The match took place in the semifinals on October 11. Vacherot made history with the win, becoming the lowest-ranked player ever to reach an ATP Masters 1000 final since the series began in 1990. He disrupted Djokovic with deft drop shots and long rallies, while Djokovic appeared to struggle physically during the match. Earlier in the same tournament, Djokovic had to battle through tough conditions and once-hot favorites dropping early. Still, many expected…
Fire officials are conducting a planned pile burn today near McKinley Village as part of the ongoing FireWise fuels reduction project aimed at minimizing wildfire risks in the area. The Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection is partnering with the McKinley Volunteer Fire Department to carry out the controlled burn safely and effectively. According to officials, this initiative marks the third consecutive year of the fuels reduction project, which plays a crucial role in protecting communities within the wildland-urban interface. Today’s operation includes the burning of 67 debris piles located south of the Denali Park entrance. Weather conditions are…
Alaska State Parks has announced that the Monashka Cabin at Fort Abercrombie State Historical Park is now open for reservations following a full renovation. The newly refreshed cabin is ready to welcome visitors seeking a cozy Kodiak getaway with breathtaking ocean and mountain views. Located beside the beloved Spruce Cabin, the Monashka Cabin combines rustic charm with modern comfort. It’s designed for both short weekend retreats and extended stays, offering an ideal base for recreation and relaxation within one of Kodiak’s most scenic parks. Cabin features include: The cabin’s upgrades are part of Alaska State Parks’ continued efforts to improve…
The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) is inviting Ketchikan residents to an open house to discuss major proposed improvements along Tongass Avenue and Water Street. The event will be held on Wednesday, October 15, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Ketchikan Public Library. Officials say community feedback will play a crucial role as the project is still in its early development stages. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet the project team, review proposed plans, and share their input directly with engineers and planners. The Tongass Avenue and Water Street Viaducts Project aims to: “We’re still…
The Lady Braves Volleyball team is bringing their energy and determination to Anchorage this weekend as they compete in a series of matches hosted at Grace Christian School. The action kicks off tonight at 8 p.m., with the Lady Braves taking on Grace Christian School in a best-of-five match. Fans in Anchorage are encouraged to come out and cheer on the team as they open their weekend of competition. On Friday and Saturday, the Lady Braves will return to Grace Christian School for tournament play. Pool play begins at 11:10 a.m. on Friday, with several matches scheduled throughout the day.…