Author: The Tundra Drums Staff
The 44th Annual Alaska Governor’s Safety and Health Conference is seeking session speakers to present technical expertise, real-world experience, and innovative approaches to workplace safety and health across Alaska’s frontline industries. The conference will take place April 7–8, 2026, at the William A. Egan Civic and Convention Center in Anchorage. Organizers are inviting proposals for sessions aligned with the following speaker tracks: oil and gas, construction, healthcare, and general industry. The application deadline is March 6, 2026. Interested speakers can apply through the official submission form. For additional information, prospective applicants may contact organizers by email or visit the conference…
Patients arriving in Anchorage can save time and enter a weekly giveaway by using the Airport Liaison Desk at Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC), officials announced. Patients who pre-check in at the ANTHC Airport Liaison Desk inside Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport will be entered to win a set of Apple AirPods Pro. One set will be given away each week through Wednesday, Jan. 28, for patients who use the new kiosk to check in. The Airport Liaison Desk kiosk is located on the baggage claim level near Door 6. ANTHC said the pre-check-in option is designed to streamline…
Route 36 is now open west of Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park, according to a Tuesday morning update. Motorists should expect delays of up to 30 minutes as crews continue cleanup and monitoring operations in the area. Earlier, the highway was fully closed due to the Grizzly Slide, where crews have been working to remove slide material from the roadway. Officials said work has required slow, careful operations, with frequent pauses to allow additional material to come down safely. Several large stumps remain suspended above the slide area, and intermittent slide activity has been reported. Clearing the catchment berm has…
An online public update on the Nelchina caribou herd will be held Thursday, Jan. 8, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. AKST. The session will be led by Heidi Hatcher, the Glennallen Area Wildlife Biologist, who has worked with the Nelchina herd since 2015. The presentation will cover the herd’s history, management and monitoring efforts, current status, and expectations as the population continues to recover. The event will be hosted online via Microsoft Teams. Registration is required and available through the official event link. Also Read: Western Arctic Caribou Herd Designated “Critical and Declining” Following 2025 Count The update is…
Anchorage People Mover has issued a rider notice informing passengers that buses will continue operating Tuesday, Jan. 6, but detours and service delays are expected across the system. According to the notice, riders should plan for potential disruptions and allow extra travel time. While no routes were reported as fully suspended, transit officials emphasized that conditions may affect schedules throughout the day. To help passengers stay informed, Anchorage People Mover encouraged riders to track their buses in real time using the Transit App or the mStop app. Riders may also receive arrival updates by texting their bus stop ID to…
JAN. 6, 2026 DR-4893-AK NR-010 FEMA NEWS DESK: (425) 487-4610 EMAIL: FEMA-R10-NEWSDESK@FEMA.DHS.GOV ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Due to inclement weather, the reopening of the Bethel Assistance Hub, which assists Alaskans affected by the severe storms, flooding, and remnants of Typhoon Halong Oct. 8-13, 2025, has been delayed. The deadline to apply for state and FEMA Individual Assistance is Feb. 20, 2026. Location AVCP Tugkar Building 570 3rd Ave. Bethel, AK 99559 Other ways to apply for FEMA Individual Assistance: To apply for state Individual Assistance, visit www.ready.alaska.gov/ia or call 1-844-445-7131. The U.S. Small Business Administration offers low-interest disaster loans to homeowners,…
The Juneau Police Department announced that its non-emergency services are closed today due to inclement weather and additional City and Borough of Juneau facility closures. Officials emphasized that emergency services remain fully operational. Residents are reminded that 9-1-1 services are always available for emergencies, regardless of weather conditions. For non-emergency matters, police reports can be submitted online through the Juneau Police Department’s official website at juneau.org/police. Due to staffing limitations and higher-priority service demands, officials noted that if follow-up contact from police is required, residents should allow up to seven days for reports to be reviewed and processed. Also Read:…
Schools in the Juneau School District will be closed on Monday, Jan. 5, the district announced. District officials did not provide additional details in the initial notice. Families and staff are encouraged to monitor official district communications for updates regarding reopening plans or further schedule changes. Also Read: ASD Shuts Down All Schools Thursday After Overnight Weather Creates Unsafe Roads The closure affects all Juneau School District schools.
The Alaska Department of Law has joined its Alaska HIDTA law enforcement partners in the statewide “Catch and Detain” campaign aimed at disrupting and prosecuting drug trafficking activity. Officials said prosecution of drug trafficking crimes remains a top priority, with the campaign focusing on identifying traffickers, stopping distribution networks, and strengthening coordinated enforcement across Alaska. Authorities are encouraging the public to assist by reporting suspected drug trafficking. Tips can be submitted directly to the Federal Bureau of Investigation at https://tips.fbi.gov/home. Residents can also provide information through the AKTips app or online at akhidta.org. Officials note that tips can be submitted…
Alaska public safety officials are urging residents and travelers to immediately report any signs of suspected human trafficking. Authorities say indicators may include individuals who do not have control over their travel documents, appear restricted in their movement or communication, struggle to explain travel plans, or are involved in non-genuine relationships, particularly those involving a parent or guardian. Also Read: What Is Public Interest Law And Why It Is Important? All You Need To Know About Officials stress that the public should not attempt to intervene. Instead, anyone who observes concerning behavior should contact authorities right away. For immediate assistance,…
The Alaska State Council on the Arts and the Alaska Arts & Culture Foundation have announced plans to host the Alaska Statewide Arts and Culture Convergence in Anchorage on April 16–17, 2026. The two-day gathering will bring together artists, cultural leaders, educators, nonprofit organizations, and community advocates from across the state to share ideas, strengthen collaboration, and highlight initiatives shaping Alaska’s arts and culture sector. Organizers say the event is designed to support statewide connection and knowledge-sharing while addressing both urban and rural perspectives. As part of the conference program, submissions are now open for the Spotlight Series, a featured…
Severe winter weather has led to multiple large vessels sinking in the Juneau harbor, highlighting the growing impact of extreme cold, heavy snow, and ice accumulation across Southeast Alaska. Harbor officials confirmed that prolonged freezing temperatures, combined with snow loading and ice buildup, have contributed to vessels taking on water and sinking at their moorings. The incidents occurred as the region continues to experience harsh winter conditions that have strained marine infrastructure and increased safety risks for boat owners. Authorities are working to assess damage and monitor affected areas within the harbor. Officials have not released full details on all…