KMXT 100.1 FM Public Radio in Kodiak, Alaska

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) A tire expert says it’s unlikely that a nail found in the tire of the man charged in a Kodiak double homicide was picked up on a roadway. Gary Bolden says the long nail likely was perpendicular to the tread and probably inserted mechanically. Bolden testified Monday in the trial of James Wells, who’s charged with murder …

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — A Coast Guard investigator says James Wells had time to drive to a Coast Guard communications station, gun down two co-workers and head for home during a 34-minute period when a security camera recorded his truck along a Kodiak road. Joe Sturgis testified Monday in the trial of Wells, who’s charged with murder in the deaths …

Brianna Gibbs/KMXT The Kodiak Island Borough Assembly doesn’t often meet on Tuesdays, but tomorrow night they will gather for a work session to discuss concerns with the employee classification and compensation plan, among other things. Last year Fox Lawson and Associates conducted an employee compensation and classification study to help make sure borough jobs were competitive with the statewide and …

Later this week independent candidate for governor Bill Walker will be in town on a campaign swing during ComFish, but last week, his running mate, Craig Fleener talked with KMXT’s Jay Barrett about some of the issues facing Alaskans from his perspective as an independent.

Jay Barrett/KMXT As part of the State of Alaska’s effort to better track king salmon, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game is requiring off-shore anglers to keep the head and tail on any kings they catch until they get back to Kodiak. Donn Tracy, the Kodiak Area Sportsfish Management Biologist, explains the emergency order to retain the head and …

Brianna Gibbs/KMXT The race for House District 32 is shaping out to be a competitive one. This week Kodiak City Councilman Rich Walker announced his plans to run for the seat, which is currently held by Representative Alan Austerman. Austerman has not hinted at plans for a re-election, but last month his daughter, Borough Assemblywoman Carol Austerman, announced her intent …

Brianna Gibbs/KMXT It was one of the Kodiak City Council’s quicker meetings of the year last night. Council members breezed through the agenda, which included a resolution to change the city’s per diem payment policy. City Manager Aimee Kniaziowski said the current per diem rate of $45 a day to anyone traveling on city business is an outdated amount. “It’s …

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — A Coast Guard investigator says murder suspect James Wells had time to leave the Kodiak communications station, switch cars and drive home after shooting two co-workers. Special Agent Aaron Woods testified Thursday that he recreated the scenario himself by driving from the communications station to Wells’ home within the time allotted. The case is being tried …