Kodiak High School. (Photo by Kayla Desroches / KMXT) Listen to this story; The first day of school for Kodiak students is next week. And teachers in the Kodiak Island Borough School District are busily preparing for the upcoming year –  including a group of newly arrived teachers from the Philippines. Nori De Asis has wanted to be a teacher …

Kodiak is feeling many of the same challenges to its economy as other parts of the United States, including high housing prices and a need for workers. The Kodiak Economic Development Corporation was set up during the pandemic to evaluate COVID-19’s impact on local businesses and distribute funds. Today, KEDC examines long term challenges to Kodiak’s economy and considers solutions. …

Isle Bells during a performance. Listen to this story; Kodiak’s handbell choir, the Isle Bells, is about to begin their fall practice. It’s their first regularly scheduled concert season since the pandemic. The group’s first performance is just around the corner. Ella Katelnikov is the director of Isle Bells. She says the seeds for the Isle Bells group were sown …

The Kodiak landfill. Listen to this story; Contractors will be boring holes into some areas around the landfill and filling them with powerful explosives, which will be detonated electronically. The goal is to free up an enormous amount of gravel to be used by the landfill. The borough has two options for acquiring gravel. It can either spend millions of …

A “vote here” sign outside of the Kodiak Harbormaster’s Office. Listen to this story; State Senator Gary Stevens and Representative Louise Stutes – both longtime Kodiak residents – hold significant leads from yesterday’s primary with over 20% of the ballots counted in both races as of Wednesday afternoon. Both candidates have received just over 60% of the vote from the …

Dr. Cyndy Mika has had a busy season. She took over as superintendent for Kodiak Island Borough School District just over a month ago, and has since then been preparing for the upcoming school year — which begins Monday, Aug. 29. Mika joins KMXT’s Dylan Simard to discuss solutions to hiring difficulties, challenges and opportunities for the school district, and …

Nick Begich during his August 2022 campaign stop in Kodiak. Listen to this story; Editor’s Note: KMXT will interview congressional candidates when they campaign in Kodiak. You can find more information about the special election and the Congressional candidates here. You can also find local election information here. With about 48 hours before Alaskans start voting for their next representative …

“Dancing in the Rain” designed and painted by Bonnie Dillard and Marina Thomas. Listen to this story; A new mural is on display in downtown Kodiak. Two local artists recently completed the project near the Kodiak Ferry Terminal lot. Bonnie Dillard is one of the artists who designed the painting along with Marina Thomas. She says the piece, titled “Dancing …

Hospice and Palliative Care of Kodiak, or HPCK, takes care of people who are severely ill and near death, and helps their friends and families to process that reality. But after death, friends and families of the deceased still need help to grieve. HPCK is planning a curriculum of events this year to offer people a chance to grieve through …

Greyson Foreman with his dog Chester. They placed 4th at the 2022 4-H dog show. Listen to this story; Kodiak 4-H held its annual dog show over the weekend. Members trained their family pets, and brought them out for the event at the Kodiak Baptist Mission following the farmers market.  On a cool Saturday morning at the Kodiak Baptist Mission, …