Author: The Tundra Drums Staff

Anchorage health officials are reminding residents that it is not too late to get vaccinated against influenza, emphasizing that the flu shot remains one of the most effective ways to prevent severe illness, hospitalization, and death. Medical experts note that even as influenza viruses evolve and new variants circulate each season, vaccination continues to provide meaningful protection. According to McLaughlin, people who receive the flu vaccine often retain partial immunity against infection and, more importantly, are significantly less likely to experience serious complications. “Historically, even when there are new variants of influenza that are circulating, people who are vaccinated tend…

Outdoor users in the Hatcher Pass area are being urged to use extra caution after a conibear trap was reported set close to a parking area in the western portion of the pass. According to information shared by a local trapper and bird hunter, a hunter recently encountered a conibear trap located approximately 30 feet from a parking pullout between the Grubstake Gulch and Lucky Shot Mine. During the encounter, a dog approached the trap but was called back before coming into contact with it. The trap is believed to be legally set, as trapping season is currently underway. However,…

The The Alaska Center has announced it is hiring for two positions as it works to advance clean air and water, healthy communities, and a just, clean energy future for Alaska. The organization is currently seeking a Climate & Clean Energy Program Manager, a leadership role focused on guiding advocacy efforts and community-driven campaigns that promote equitable climate and clean energy solutions statewide. The position is hybrid and based in Anchorage, Eagle River, or the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, with required in-person work. The salary range for the role is $60,000–$65,000, depending on experience, and includes competitive benefits. The Alaska Center is…

The Alaska Occupational Safety and Health is reminding employers that exposure to freezing conditions can quickly lead to hypothermia, frostbite, and other cold-related health hazards if proper precautions are not taken. To reduce risk, employers are encouraged to move tasks indoors whenever possible and limit outdoor exposure during the coldest periods. When outdoor work is unavoidable, officials recommend providing warm, sheltered break areas and scheduling frequent warming breaks to help workers maintain safe body temperatures. Special attention is being urged for youth workers, who may be more vulnerable to cold stress. Employers are advised to ensure younger employees receive adequate…

The first major meteor shower of the year, the Quadrantids, is set to reach its peak activity, offering skywatchers a dramatic but challenging start to the 2026 stargazing season. The Quadrantids are known for their short-lived yet intense peak, with ideal conditions sometimes producing up to 120 meteors per hour. These meteors are often fast, bright, and capable of creating colorful fireballs that streak across the sky. This year, however, viewing conditions come with a notable challenge. The shower’s peak coincides with the first full moon of 2026, a supermoon, whose brightness is expected to wash out many of the…

A widespread Extreme Cold Warning and Cold Weather Advisory is in effect through the weekend for a large portion of Alaska, as dangerously cold air settles across the state and pushes windchill values to life-threatening levels. According to the National Weather Service, many communities are expected to experience windchills ranging from 40 to 70 degrees below zero, particularly across Interior and northern regions. Prolonged exposure to these conditions can lead to frostbite in minutes and significantly increase the risk of hypothermia. Meteorologists say the extreme cold is being driven by a strong Arctic high-pressure system, allowing dense, frigid air to…

The Chesapeake Police Department is asking for the public’s help in locating Janiyah Levita Ann Mumford, a 14-year-old girl who has been reported missing from Chesapeake. According to police, Janiyah was last seen on December 30, 2025. Authorities say every hour is critical as officers continue active efforts to determine her whereabouts. Janiyah is described as a 14-year-old female. She was last seen wearing a pink and black cheetah-print bonnet, a black coat with a brown fur hood, green joggers, and black shoes. Police noted that her hair is red and black. Anyone who has information about Janiyah’s location is…

The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation has issued a Stage 2 Air Quality Alert for the North Pole Zone, citing conditions that could lead to unhealthy levels of air pollution. The alert is effective from Thursday, January 1, at 12:00 p.m. through Friday, January 2, at 2:00 p.m. During this period, burning is prohibited unless a NOASH (No Other Adequate Source of Heat) exemption is in place. Stage 2 alerts are typically issued during winter temperature inversions, when cold air traps smoke and other pollutants near the ground. These conditions can significantly reduce air quality, especially in Interior Alaska communities…

The application period for the Permanent Fund Dividend is now officially open, marking the return of Pick.Click.Give, a program that allows Alaskans to donate a portion of their dividend to charitable causes across the state. When applying for a PFD, residents can choose to support organizations they care about, including the Food Bank of Alaska, which helps address food insecurity in communities statewide. According to the Food Bank of Alaska, every $25 donated helps provide approximately 50 meals to neighbors in need. Program organizers say Pick.Click.Give offers a simple and flexible way for Alaskans to give back while completing their…

Skywatchers will have a striking celestial event to welcome the new year, as the first full moon of 2026 rises on the night of January 3. Known as the Super Wolf Moon, the lunar display will appear larger and brighter than an average full moon as it reaches its closest point to Earth during its orbit. Astronomy observers say the supermoon will dominate the night sky, offering excellent viewing conditions for anyone stepping outside after sunset. Clear skies will provide the best opportunity to see the Moon’s enhanced size and brightness without any special equipment. Adding to the spectacle, a…

Officials are advising residents that the Fox Well is currently closed due to freezing conditions. Facilities crews are on site actively working to thaw the well and restore service as safely and quickly as possible. The closure is precautionary, as freezing temperatures can impact well operations and equipment reliability. Also Read: Heads Up: Fox Well Temporarily Closed for Maintenance An update will be shared once the well has reopened and conditions allow normal operation to resume. In the meantime, residents are thanked for their patience and understanding as crews address the issue during extreme winter conditions.

Crews are continuing efforts to reopen the Klondike Highway after two avalanches came down onto the roadway, blocking travel and creating hazardous conditions. According to transportation officials, avalanche debris remains on the highway, and clearing operations are complex due to ongoing safety concerns in the area. Officials said the work is expected to take several days, and there is no estimated time of reopening at this point. Avalanche response and cleanup require careful monitoring of surrounding slopes to ensure conditions are safe for crews to operate heavy equipment. As a result, progress may be slow as teams balance roadway access…