KMXT 100.1 FM Public Radio in Kodiak, Alaska

Maggie Wall/KMXT The Aurora Borealis makes an appearance over Monashka Mountain. Pam Foreman photo If skies are clear around Kodiak residents could be in for a real treat. A major auroral display is expected thanks to strong solar flare activity early Wednesday. The University of Alaska Geophysical Institute’s aurora forecast says debris from yesterday’s large solar activity should reach Earth …

Associated Press The Coast Guard Ice Breaker Healy makes a path for the Russian tanker Renda to deliver fuel to Nome. Photo courtesy of U.S. Coast Guard U.S. Sen. Mark Begich says the Coast Guard is including $860 million in its five-year budget plan for a new heavy polar icebreaker. The Alaska Democrat says in a release that news of …

Jay Barrett/KMXT Even though you’re listening to public radio KMXT right now, we understand if your radio dial strays once in a while. If it happens to stray up the dial one notch to KRXX, you’ll find a new music format. Gone is "Jack FM," which has been replaced by "Hot 101.1."

Ed Ronco/KCAW The U.S. Coast Guard dropped its charges against Lt. Lance Leone Monday. The Sitka-based Coast Guard aviator was facing charges of negligent homicide and destruction of government property in connection with a 2010 helicopter crash. More details here .

Associated Press Mitt Romney has won Alaska’s presidential preference poll. The former Massachusetts governor was followed closely by Rick Santorum. Ron Paul finished third and Newt Gingrich, fourth. Twenty-four delegates were up for grabs in Tuesday’s contest, with allocation of those delegates proportional. Only registered Republicans, or Alaskans who registered as Republicans on site, could participate. Kodiak Results Ron Paul …

Jennifer Canfield/KMXT This week’s guest is Terry Haines. He’s on the Kodiak City Council and is involved with the Alaska Municipal League and the Crewman’s Association. He’s been active in the push to get the state to start collecting data on crewman. The information would be valuable to fishing communities, but the practicalities of gathering the data are, so far, …

Jennifer Canfield/KMXT This week’s guest is Terry Haines. He’s on the Kodiak City Council and is involved with the Alaska Municipal League and the Crewman’s Association. He’s been active in the push to get the state to start collecting data on crewman. The information would be valuable to fishing communities, but the practicalities of gathering the data are, so far, …

Jay Barrett/KMXT The U.S. State Department program that allows foreign college students to come to America and work for the summer is in danger of going away suddenly, leaving seafood processing operations in Kodiak and elsewhere around Alaska in a lurch.