Author: The Tundra Drums Staff

A deadly shooting erupted Monday afternoon at Or Tor Kor Market in Bangkok, killing six people, including the gunman, police confirmed. Royal Thai Police said the gunman opened fire inside the busy food market before taking his own life at the scene. Authorities identified five victims, four security guards and one woman, according to the Erawan Emergency Medical Center that oversees Bangkok hospitals. Photos from the market show emergency responders and police securing the area known for fresh produce and seafood. Witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots followed by people running and hiding behind vendor stalls during the chaotic attack. The…

Federal investigators continue examining the fatal plane crash that killed wildlife biologist John Landsiedel at the Dillingham Airport Last Friday morning. At 9:15 a.m., Alaska State Troopers arrived to find a Piper J3C-65 CUB crashed on the runway.  Landsiedel 33, the pilot and sole occupant, was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after authorities arrived at the airport. The National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration teams are now leading the ongoing crash investigation. NTSB Alaska Chief Clint Johnson confirmed investigators are analyzing flight data and conducting witness interviews to determine what went wrong. Preliminary statements suggest a potential…

The Anchorage Police Department’s drone program expands as the department embraces technology to improve public safety and modern policing efforts. Officials confirmed eleven trained officers are certified drone pilots operating indoor and outdoor drones across various police operations. The initiative allows officers to gather critical information during high-risk situations while remaining at a safer distance. Anchorage Police Chief Sean Case emphasized the importance of using modern tools to reduce risk and improve operational outcomes. Police have used drones during tense incidents where aerial views helped them assess threats and deploy teams more effectively. Chris Barraza, the Department’s Public Information Officer,…

Alaska State Parks issued its weekend update ahead of Saturday’s “Families to Parks Day” event at Independence Mine in Hatcher Pass. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and includes birdwatching, snacks, nature activities, and a treasure hunt hosted by Revel Treks & Tours. Trail conditions vary across regions, with Gold Mint, Gold Cord Lake, and Reed Lakes trails in Hatcher Pass reported as muddy or slick. Officials noted active bear sightings near Reed Lakes and advised visitors to stay alert and carry bear spray when hiking. In Denali State Park, most trails remain open, though mud persists…

Fighting erupted for a third consecutive day along the Thailand-Cambodian border, leaving at least 32 people dead and thousands displaced. Cambodia’s UN Ambassador Chhea Keo urged an immediate, unconditional ceasefire on Friday as violence escalated between the two Southeast Asian neighbors.  He emphasized Cambodia’s desire for a peaceful resolution and denied accusations that it had initiated the latest round of hostilities. Meanwhile, Thailand’s acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai accused Cambodia of possible war crimes due to civilian deaths and damage to infrastructure. He said Thai forces acted with patience and restraint despite provocations, including the wounding of five soldiers by…

On Wednesday, an accidental message startled many Alaskans when a routine test unexpectedly triggered a cellphone emergency alert across the state. Mark Roberts oversees Alaska’s Emergency Alert System, which usually sends only alerts through television and radio. However, instead of selecting just the traditional test, the worker mistakenly clicked the Wireless Emergency Alert option during the process. That mobile-based system, controlled by federal guidelines, pushes critical emergency updates to every cellphone in a targeted geographic region. Though unintentional, the message did not indicate a live threat and clearly labeled itself as a test when it appeared on screens. Only Alaskans…

A small plane crashed Friday morning at the Dillingham, Alaska airport, resulting in the death of the pilot, who was the only person on board. Alaska State Troopers confirmed that John Landsiedel, 33, of Dillingham, was flying a Piper J3C-65 Cub when it went down. According to a statement released by state troopers online, the crash occurred sometime before 9:15 a.m. on the airport runway. Troopers said responders found Landsiedel dead at the scene and that no one else was involved in the tragic accident. Landsiedel worked as a wildlife biologist with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game but…

The Thailand-Cambodia border conflict escalated sharply this week with deadly clashes spreading across 12 border points and displacing thousands. Thailand´s Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai warned that the escalating violence could move towards war if the fighting continues. Heavy weapons, including rockets and artillery, have devastated villages and forced Thai authorities to evacuate communities within the impact zones. Cambodia accused Thailand of using internationally banned cluster munitions during the last round of fighting along their shared border. Thailand denied the use of such munitions but confirmed Cambodia fired into civilian areas, prompting large-scale evacuations. In Oddar Meanchey province, Cambodian officials…

The Alaska Bar Association will hold a disbarment vote next month following findings of serious judicial misconduct. Former US District Judge Joshua Kindred resigned in 2024 after investigators uncovered a sexualized relationship with a law clerk. The clerk later became a prosecutor and allegedly lied about the relationship to a senior judge and federal investigators. Kindred failed to appear in his state disciplinary hearing in June after a complaint was filed with the bar association in January. The hearing committee unanimously agreed that disbarment was the appropriate consequence for his actions. Kindred, appointed by President Donald Trump, maintained what officials…

Too much moose and unsecured antlers caused Mary Peltola’s husband’s plane crash in September 2023, investigators confirmed Tuesday. When the overloaded plane fell, Eugene Buzzy Peltola Jr, 57, was flying a Piper PA-18 alone near St Mary’s, Alaska. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released a report detailing how the aircraft exceeded its maximum weight by 117 pounds. The NTSB said that Peltola had flown hunters and their moose meat from a remote area earlier that day without any incident. After that first trip, he returned for a final load that proved fatal when he added too much cargo. Investigators…

Prime Ministers Keir Starmer and Narendra Modi signed a major UK-India trade deal Monday, ending three years of negotiations. The agreement lowers tariffs on key exports like whisky, textiles, and cars, delivering a multi-billion-pound boost to both economies. Announced at Chequers, Starmer called it “the most economically significant” agreement Britain has signed since leaving the European Union. The deal immediately cuts whisky tariffs from 150% to 75%, dropping to 40% by 2035, opening India’s massive spirits market. Reduced duties will also benefit UK exports of aerospace parts, lamb, chocolate, and cosmetics, improving global competitiveness. India will gain easier access to…

Three Alaska school districts; Anchorage, Fairbanks North Star Borough, and Kuspuk, have filed lawsuits against the Trump administration over a $6 billion education funding freeze. The Districts are all losing vital resources.  On Monday, these districts joined others nationwide to sue the US Department of Education and the Office of Management and Budget. The lawsuit in Rhode Island aims to force the agencies to release frozen federal funds supporting vulnerable student groups. Programs affected include services for migratory students, English learners, foster children, and homeless youth in Alaska’s education system. The Anchorage School District, which serves 43,000 students, reportedly lost…