KMXT 100.1 FM Public Radio in Kodiak, Alaska

Principal Beth Cole addresses the Peterson Elementary student body before classes began on Friday. Brianna Gibbs/KMXT photo Brianna Gibbs/KMXT Eager young elementary students filed into classrooms for the first day of school last Friday. KMXT’s Brianna Gibbs took a trip out to her alma mater, Peterson Elementary School, to capture the first day excitement. Grades 1 through 6 started last …

Jay Barrett/KMXT As we mentioned last week on KMXT news, the Kodiak salmon season has been winding down since the pink salmon peak on August 10th. Before the season started, Fish and Game management biologist James Jackson predicted the runs to be about average, and he was spot on. "You know, averages are one of those funny things," he said. …

Brianna Gibbs/KMXT The Alaska Housing Finance Corporation will say goodbye to long-time employee Sandra Amox this month. She is retiring after more than 22 years working for the corporation at the Pacific Terrace affordable housing office in Kodiak. She will retire as the supervisor for the entire office, but said she first encountered Pacific Terrace as a low-income tenant. "I …

Kodiak City Councilmen John Whiddon, left, and Gabriel Saravia, right, pose with representatives of the Kodiak seafood processing workforce at Thursday night’s council meeting. Brianna Gibbs/KMXT photo Brianna Gibbs/KMXT The Kodiak City Council held a regular meeting last night and took the opportunity to thank the various seafood processing workers who’ve come from all over the world. Councilman Mark Vizcocho …

Jay Barrett/KMXT Since there are no contested races affecting Kodiak on Tuesday’s primary election ballot, there might not be much interest in voting. But there are also two ballot initiatives to be decided. Ballot Measure One has to do with property tax exemptions, and Measure Two attempts to reestablish a coastal management program in Alaska. Kodiak Island Borough Mayor Jerome …

A U.S. Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew medevacs a crewmember from the cargo ship APL China, Aug. 22, 2012, in the Gulf of Alaska. The crewmember was taken to land where he will be transferred to a HC-130 Hercules airplane that will take him for advanced medical care. The Coast Guard responded to the medical emergency by diverting multiple …

Coming up this week: radiation is still being found in high levels in fish around the Fukushima nuclear plant in Japan; environmentalists are asking NOAA to protect more coral gardens in Alaska waters, and why you rarely hear the word "fisher" on this radio show about people fishing. We had help this week from KDLL’s Shaylon Cochran in Kenai, KDLG’s …

Brianna Gibbs/KMXT For the second year in a row the Kodiak Island Borough School District has received funds specifically to help boost art activities throughout the district. The Art in Schools Grant totals $13,000 and will help bring artists into schools as part of the artist in residence program. Superintendent Stewart McDonald said it’s an affordable way to encourage high …