Today on the midday report with host Brian Venua: Alaska’s Board of Game made some new decisions regarding trapping, we hear from the Bristol Bay Sustainability Summit, and new reports suggest the Alaska Legislature is short $680 million from its initial budget plan. The Board of Game meets at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Tuesday, March 21, 2023. (Riley …

Kodiak residents experienced a power outage Monday night that left thousands in the dark for about two hours. According to a press release from the Kodiak Electric Association, a critical piece of substation equipment called a circuit switcher failed, shutting down the whole system.  The power went out at Safeway and left customers to either purchase their groceries with cash …

The salmon shark dissection was a fan favorite event at Kodiak’s commercial fishing trade show, ComFish. It started before that at Kodiak’s Whale Fest when it was led by longtime Kodiak resident Gil Bane. This year, the dissection returned after a pandemic-induced hiatus. No sharks were available for last weekend’s event, so organizers used an inky alternative instead. The crowd …

Petro Marine Services, the parent company of the gas station chain Petro Express, has released more information on issues with contaminated fuel that was reported over this past month at its Kodiak location near Safeway.  The Petro Express near Safeway in Kodiak. This was the location affected by the strange liquid. March 21, 2023. Brian Venua/KMXT The company’s general manager, …

Kodiak’s state legislators are concerned about Alaska’s shrinking budget and shared their priorities at ComFish last week. There wasn’t much talk about fish at the state legislative update on Friday, but Rep. Stutes did provide one big update for fisheries; the commissioner of Fish and Game is creating a new board to tackle bycatch.  A screen capture of Rep. Louise Stutes’ …

Doug Vincent-Lang is the commissioner of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. He opened his presentation sharing concerns about Chinook and chum salmon stocks across the state.  Salmon populations across most areas of the state have been struggling, with particular concerns for Chinook. Vincent-Lang says preservation is the priority amidst struggling fisheries around the state. Attendees exploring booths on …

Contaminated fuel with the strange fluid sinking to the bottom. Via Pat Anderson Kodiak drivers have reported filling up with contaminated fuel from Petro Express, near Safeway on Mill Bay Road. The incident has involved nearly a dozen drivers over a four day period in early March.  According to drivers and local mechanics, the fuel issues began on Saturday, March …

Two long-term substitutes have finally arrived in the village of Ouzinkie, on the Kodiak Archipelago, after staffing shortages left the school there without a consistent teacher all year. It’s another chance for students to get the consistency they need as hiring struggles ripple to rural areas of the state.  The school in the village of Ouzinkie, seen here from the …

Kodiak’s Island Trails Network manages several trail systems and organizes marine debris cleanup around the archipelago. The organization recently named a new executive director for the first time since the nonprofit’s inception.  Travis Cooper (right) and his daughter (left) on March 2, 2023. Brian Venua/KMXT Travis Cooper previously served as the non-profit’s trails program coordinator. His former position was more …

Education funding has been a big part of discussions in the Alaska Legislature this session – and the uncertainty has forced tough conversations in school districts across the state. The Kodiak Island Borough School District is bracing for a flat base student allocation.  A long exposure of Kodiak High School as a car drives by. March 02, 2023. Brian Venua/KMXT …