Author: The Tundra Drums Staff

Dec. 8, 2025DR-4893-AK NR-006FEMA News Desk: (425) 487-4610fema-r10-newsdesk@fema.dhs.gov ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The deadline to apply for federal help is rapidly approaching for Alaskans who suffered losses in areas affected by the severe storms, flooding, and remnants of Typhoon Halong, Oct. 8-13, 2025. You have until Dec. 22 to apply for help from FEMA. That is just two weeks away. Ways to apply: Survivors are encouraged to register for both State and FEMA Individual Assistance programs to maximize their recovery benefits. Also Read: State & FEMA Assistance Teams to Visit Fairbanks Dec. 1–3 for Storm Recovery Support To apply for state…

The U.S. Supreme Court’s conservative majority appears ready to support former President Trump’s controversial firing of an FTC commissioner, in a decision that could reshape presidential power over independent federal agencies. On December 8, the Court heard arguments in the case, Trump v. Slaughter, challenging the legality of Trump’s March 2025 dismissal of Rebecca Kelly Slaughter, a Democratic-appointed FTC commissioner, before her term was scheduled to end. Lower courts had ruled the dismissal unlawful under longstanding law that limits removal of independent-agency commissioners. The case centers on a 1935 precedent, Humphrey’s Executor v. United States, which bars the president from…

The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has issued a coastal weather reminder as heavy snow is expected to impact communities across the region. The agency is urging boat owners to monitor snow accumulation on vessels and ensure that bilge pumps are functioning properly to prevent significant damage. According to DEC, consistent monitoring can reduce the risk of vessels sinking at the dock, a situation the agency refers to as “Sunk At Dock” or SAD. Snow load and unchecked water buildup remain common factors in wintertime vessel incidents throughout Alaska. Officials noted that when a vessel sinks, the owner is…

Residents across the region are invited to participate in virtual public open houses this month as part of the ongoing update to the Southeast Alaska Transportation Plan (SEATP). The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities is seeking community input to guide long-term transportation priorities in the region. Two virtual meetings will be held on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at the following times: Access to both sessions will be available through Zoom, with meeting links posted on the official project website: The open houses are designed to allow attendees to join at any point during the scheduled hours. Participants will…

The local café Hello Darlin’ announced that it is closed today as high winds continue to impact the Matanuska-Susitna region. In a public notice issued Tuesday, the business stated that the decision was made out of caution for both staff and customers as the area experiences unsafe wind conditions. The message read: “Hello Darlin’ is CLOSED today due to the extreme winds. Stay safe, Mat-Su, we’ll see you tomorrow!” According to the National Weather Service, parts of the Mat-Su Borough are currently under a high wind advisory, with strong gusts creating hazardous travel conditions and intermittent service disruptions across the…

A volunteer search organization in Alaska says it continues to face challenges when communities request help locating missing people, citing gaps in the state’s assistance system that often delay or prevent an official response. According to the group, villages and rural communities contact them several times a year seeking help with searches. However, volunteers must direct families and local leaders to go through official channels before they can deploy. This process is necessary to secure transportation support, reimbursement for operational costs, and coverage for personnel and equipment. But in many cases, communities later report that assistance has still not arrived,…

For Immediate ReleaseDecember 2025DR-7266-AK NR-004 FEMA News Desk: 425-487-4610Email: fema-r10-newsdesk@fema.dhs.gov ANCHORAGE, Alaska — After a disaster, scammers often try to take advantage of survivors who are stressed and vulnerable. FEMA is urging Alaskans to stay alert and protect their personal information while applying for disaster recovery assistance. FEMA staff and inspectors will never ask you to pay a fee, never promise faster approval for money, and will never ask for banking details by phone or text.If something feels suspicious, trust your instincts. Also Read: State & FEMA Assistance Teams to Visit Fairbanks Dec. 1–3 for Storm Recovery Support How to…

Here is your weekly seismic update from the Alaska Earthquake Center, where ground shaking is monitored around the clock. This week, about 550 earthquakes were recorded across the state. The strongest happened on Thanksgiving morning, November 27, when a magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck near Susitna at a depth of 45 miles. People felt the shaking from Fairbanks all the way down to Homer, and reports lasted from a few seconds to nearly a minute. Only minor damage was reported. Why was this earthquake so widely felt? This event was not an aftershock of the 2018 Anchorage earthquake, but both happened…

The Pentagon has announced that U.S. forces conducted another strike on a small vessel in the Pacific, killing four men who officials say were linked to ongoing threats against American personnel and assets in the region. According to a Defense Department statement, the strike targeted a boat assessed to be part of a network involved in hostile activity near strategic maritime routes. The Pentagon said the action was taken after intelligence indicated the individuals posed an imminent threat. Few operational details were released, but officials confirmed that no U.S. forces were injured and that the strike did not involve American…

A set of playful “Alaska Day puppies” is getting attention online after their owners shared photos celebrating the spirit of raising dogs in Alaska’s rugged environment. The images, which show the puppies exploring the outdoors with a harvested Alaska Day animal, sparked curiosity on social media. The family clarified that the puppies were not used for hunting and did not participate in harvesting the animal. Instead, the photos highlight a long-standing Alaska tradition: raising dogs to be comfortable around wildlife, outdoor activities, seasonal harvests, and the realities of rural life. According to the family, the goal is to help the…

While thousands of commercial driver training programs across the United States face potential shutdown under a new federal crackdown, Alaska’s CDL schools remain unaffected, according to state officials. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recently announced that nearly 7,500 training providers nationwide could lose certification for failing to meet updated compliance and reporting requirements. The federal review targets programs that did not properly submit student records, training documentation, or proof of instruction into the national Training Provider Registry. However, Alaska’s commercial driving schools have met federal standards and are not included in the list of programs facing removal. State…

The Anchorage School District (ASD) announced that all schools and support facilities will be closed on Thursday after hazardous overnight weather created unsafe road conditions across the city. District officials said freezing temperatures, accumulated snow, and untreated side streets contributed to poor driving conditions early Thursday morning. The combination made bus routes and student travel unsafe, prompting a full-system closure. ASD noted that crews have been working to clear major roads, but secondary streets and neighborhood routes remain difficult to navigate. The closure applies to all schools, administrative offices, and support facilities. Also Read: Fairbanks School Consolidation Plan Affects Five…