News

Kodiak Electric Association’s impending rate increase partially due to lower energy sales to fish processors

For the first time in 30 years, electric rates are going up in Kodiak. The Kodiak Electric Association (KEA) announced a proposed 12.5% rate hike for all customers in an open letter published on the company’s website Friday, Feb. 23.  That means the average resident will see a monthly bill that costs about $12 more, according to the local utility. …

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Midday Report – February 26, 2024

The M/V Kennicott leaving Wrangell on Jan. 8, 2021 (Sage Smiley/KSTK)

On today’s Midday Report with host Terry Haines: Alaska Congresswoman Mary Peltola ranks second-highest in staff turnover for the U.S. House of Representatives. One of Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s 12 executive orders would bring big changes to a board tasked with overseeing Alaska’s ferry system. And federal grants are now available to help reduce rural energy costs. The M/V Kennicott leaving …

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Midday Report – February 23, 2024

On today’s Midday Report with host Brian Venua: Kodiak Electric Association suspects eagles for recent power outages. An avalanche in Chignik caused a loss of power and phone service. The Alaska House passed a wide-ranging, bipartisan education bill. The American Library Association is taking a direct look at Alaska libraries. And Anchorage is getting a $25,000 grant to aid the …

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Kodiak eagles disrupting city’s electrical grid, potentially caused recent power outages in town

At least 2,000 Kodiak residents lost electricity around 3:30 p.m. Thursday afternoon for about an hour, as a power outage swept across some neighborhoods within city limits and the Monashka Bay area, just north of the city. According to the Kodiak Electric Association’s outage map, 40% of residents in town were experiencing a loss of power. In Monashka Bay, all …

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Midday Report – February 21, 2024

On today’s Midday Report with host Brian Venua: The U.S. Department of Agriculture will buy millions of pounds of Alaska seafood like salmon and pollock. Dan Sullivan spoke to the Alaska State Legislature about issues with Iran’s Navy. Updates continue to flow about Kotzebue’s water issues. And the Chocolate Lover’s Fling and Art Auctions raised thousands to boost tourism to …

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Alaska Fisheries Report 22 February 2024

North Pacific Right Whales seen in Barnabas Trough, 25 miles south of Kodiak Island, in 2021 (NOAA Fisheries)

This week on the Alaska Fisheries Report with Terry Haines: Davis Hovey reports on expansion of critical habitat for North Pacific Right Whales for KMXT, Jeremy Hsieh on Eklutna Lake restoration wrangling for Alaska Public Radio, and KDLL’s Riley Board reports that the EPA has charged a Soldotna man with damaging salmon habitat. North Pacific Right Whales seen in Barnabas …

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Chocolate Lovers Fling and Art Auction raises over $14,000 to boost tourism

Chocolate confections and local art came together on Feb. 17 for Discover Kodiak’s annual fundraising event. As KMXT’s Brian Venua reports, the local visitor bureau’s auction was raising money to support tourism to the island.  Attendees tasted several local chocolatey goods pictured here as they bid on photos and paintings from local artists. (Brian Venua/KMXT) Brock Simmons, the executive director …

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Legislators running out of time to stop overhaul of Alaska Marine Highway Operations Board, discussing executive order this week

Alaska lawmakers have less than a month, until March 16, to vote down any of the dozen executive orders introduced by Gov. Mike Dunleavy at the start of the legislative session. One of those would replace the existing makeup of the Alaska Marine Highway Operations Board with the governor’s appointees. Legislators have begun discussing and will take public comment on …

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Midday Report – February 21, 2024

On today’s Midday Report with host Brian Venua: Kodiak scientists dissected and studied a Cuvier’s Beaked whale on Fossil Beach over the weekend. New ways to survey pollock populations will soon be under way. Dr. Anne Zink, the state’s chief medical officer during the pandemic, will leave her position in April. And Alaska Public Media’s Wesley Early and Tim Rockey …

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