KMXT 100.1 FM Public Radio in Kodiak, Alaska

Jay Barrett/KMXT More land is being cleared atop Signal Hill to make way for the new Kodiak public library. Land is being cleared now to the south of the old barn on the site, with several large spruce marked for falling. In addition to dozens of dump truck loads of spruce boughs being hauled from the site, numerous flatbed trailers …

Maggie Wall and Jay Barrett/KMXT The Kodiak Island Borough is expected to take another step forward tonight toward finding a replacement for former Borough Manager Rick Gifford. The assembly is scheduled to meet in executive session during tonight’s regular meeting to review applications from prospective replacements for the manager position. Gifford’s last day was the 13th. He tendered his resignation …

Maggie Wall/KMXT The Kodiak City Council will hold a special meeting tonight in the borough conference room to approve next year’s budget. While there are no public hearings slated, there is a public comment period scheduled just before the budget vote. In her report to the council, City Manager Aimee Kniaziowski said the proposed budget for the coming fiscal year …

Jay Barrett/KMXT It looks like a long-standing Kodiak tradition might truly be fizzling away. For the second year in a row there will be no public fireworks display in the city on the 4th of July. Last year a replacement could not be found in time to conduct the show after the long time pyrotechnic experts retired. This year, according …

Jay Barrett/KMXT The Kodiak National Refuge Visitor Center is offering two extra programs for the public during the summertime. On Thursdays, sit down with some coffee with a ranger, and on Saturdays, enjoy hikes suitable for kids of all ages – including the grown up ones. Coffee with a Ranger is led by Caryn Hacker, who is an interpretive park …

Jay Barrett/KMXT Perhaps it was too good to be true. Or perhaps the state frowns on this sort of thing. Whatever the case, the free beer promotion on Era Alaska flights has been modified, and no longer includes free beer. Under the old promotion the first sample of Denali Brewing Company’s "Single Engine Red," was free, but each additional 6-ounce …

Jay Barrett/KMXT Legislators, educators and aerospace industry representatives will be in Anchorage this week for a hearing on the future of Alaska’s role in space. Kodiak Senator Gary Stevens, the Senate President, says he called the summit to take a closer look at the challenges facing Alaska’s commercial space industry and how the state and the university might help advance …

Jay Barrett/KMXT Work from two local artists will soon grace the new Kodiak swimming pool. At last night’s meeting work was approved by the school board. Superintendent Stuart McDonald introduced the pieces, saying he was very pleased to present them. The work is funded through the state of Alaska’s One Percent for Art program, which requires state-funded projects to set …