In this newscast: ComFish Alaska 2020 is rescheduled to Sept. 17-19 due to coronavirus concerns. Kodiak City Council meets tonight at 7:30. Will consider online sales tax and edible marijuana sales in city. The Kodiak Island Borough School District released students early on Wednesday, and again Thursday so staff and teachers can train in how to teach remotely, should the schools need to close because of coronavirus. Alaska Legislature approves $4 million for coronavirus preparations. State will also get $9 million from the federal government. A federal judge rules in favor of green groups challenging the largest Tongass timber sales.   Judge did not throw case out, but will allow the Forest Service to file an additional brief. The state I soliciting for housing units to serve as quarantine areas for monitoring COVID-19 patients. Washington state has done similar housing areas. All that, plus Fish Radio and the Island Messenger community bulletin. Fish Radio is provided by Laine Welch at alaskafishradio.com.

KMXT News

Newscast — Thursday, March 12, 2020

In this newscast: The medical union representing Kodiak nurses, physical therapists and other health care workers issues 10-day notice to strike Providence Kodiak Island Medical Center, hoping to preserve earned sick leave and vacation benefits. School District Superintendent Larry LeDoux outlines what parents and the community can expect if the coronavirus spreads to Kodiak. Kodiak Island Borough School District is also releasing students early Wednesday and Thursday to train staff in remote teaching, should schools need to close down as a result of the virus. The Alaska Division of Insurance is barring companies it regulates from charging people from necessary COVID-19-related testing. Kodiak's middle and high school drama team ranks number two in Alaska after state championships. The Alaska Legislature passes a citation honoring Kodiak's Coach Joe Floyd. Iditarod mushers get a pleasant surprise entering the tiny town of Nikolai on Tuesday. All that, plus Fish Radio and the Island Messenger community bulletin. Fish Radio is provided by Laine Welch at alaskafishradio.com.

Newscast — Wednesday, March 11, 2020

In this newscast: The committee tasked with exploring reconfiguration of Kodiak elementary schools opted against the stratification plan, which would have grouped specific grade levels at each of the elementary schools. The summer ferry schedule released last week shows fewer "chain runs" to Dutch Harbor, slightly more trips to Ouzinkie and Port Lions, no trips to Old Harbor and a new, dynamic pricing model. U.S. Department of State and federal health experts are advising against cruise ship travel in response to coronavirus spread. Alaska lawmakers are considering ending the session early if the coronavirus arrives in Juneau. The state instituted a freeze on hiring new state workers and suspended all out-of-state travel for state workers. Iditarod teams arriving at a checkpoint 153 miles into the race describe the trail as largely uneventful thus far. All that, plus Fish Radio and the Island Messenger community bulletin. Fish Radio is provided by Laine Welch at alaskafishradio.com.

Newscast — Tuesday, March 10, 2020

In this newscast: Kodiak Island Borough Assembly gets a brief education on the coronavirus, COVID-19 and measures to protect local residents. State public health officials moved Friday to calm Alaskans' anxiety about coronavirus testing, saying the state has the resources it needs. Organizers are cancelling the Arctic Winter Games in Whitehorse due to coronavirus fears. After 10 years of certification, Gulf of Alaska cod will have its blue-sticker sustainability label suspended starting next month. An audio postcard from a "trailgate" party in Anchorage, at the ceremonial start of the Iditarod Sled Dog Race. All that, plus Fish Radio and the Island Messenger community bulletin. Fish Radio is provided by Laine Welch at alaskafishradio.com.

Newscast — Monday, March 9, 2020

In this newscast: The city of Kodiak puts together an incident management team to prepare the community for a potential spread of the coronavirus The Borough Assembly authorizes two design contracts, hears a report from Bayside Fire Department and awards one borough staffer Employee of the Year and Employee of the Quarter awards. Saturday is tax free day in Kodiak -- participating businesses will not be collecting the city's 7 percent sales tax on March 7. Former Republican legislator and cruise industry frontman John Binkley is putting together an action group to help Gov. Mike Dunleavy keep his job in the midst of the recall fight. Anchorage School District administrators say a pilot program that extended lunch and recess time has largely been a success, but some schools are struggling to balance the schedule. All that, plus Fish Radio, the Island Messenger community bulletin and Island Byways. Fish Radio is provided by Laine Welch at alaskafishradio.com and Byways is produced by KMXT'S Pam Foreman.

Newscast — Friday, March 6, 2020

In this newscast: Kodiak Island Borough Assembly will hold a public hearing on disposing two land parcels and consider contracts for building renovation and culvert replacements. Despite scheduling and ferry uncertainty, the Chamber of Commerce secured Golden Wheel Amusement rides again for this year's Crab Fest. State officials are leading preparations for the anticipated arrival of the coronavirus. Meanwhile in Anchorage, coronavirus fears are spurring what critics call "panic buying" at certain retailers. Emergency managers are asking residents to be prepared, but not panicked. The Alaska House majority introduced a bill that would set permanent fund dividends at roughly $900. Dutch Harbor was surpassed by Naknek in NOAA's ranking of the nation's most valuable fishing ports. All that, plus Fish Radio and the Island Messenger community bulletin. Fish Radio is provided by Laine Welch at alaskafishradio.com.

Newscast — Thursday, March 5, 2020

In this newscast: Kodiak College Interim Director Betty Walters says the school will continue to serve the community despite budget woes in the University of Alaska system. The Alaska House passed the state budget on Tuesday along caucus lines. After touring ferry headquarters in Ketchikan, Kodiak Rep. Louise Stutes says the Alaska Marine Highway System is in poor shape. A Kaktovik man was sentenced to three months in prison for wasting a polar bear he shot outside his house. Kaktovik is seeing more visits from bears as the climate warms and their sea ice habitat melts away. All that, plus Fish Radio and the Island Messenger community bulletin. Fish Radio is provided by Laine Welch at alaskafishradio.com.

Newscast — Wednesday, March 4, 2020

In this newscast: Astra's DARPA challenge launch scrapped, ending the company's efforts to complete the challenge and secure the multimillion dollar prize. Alaska Supreme Court Chief Justice Joel Bolger has recused himself from the ongoing case to determine the legality of the campaign to recall Gov. Mike Dunleavy. The first day of the 2020 Norton Sound commercial crab fishery was a dud, with only one commercial crabber officially registered to fish and no way to sell potential crab. A cruise ship that was turned away from multiple ports in Asia due to fear of spreading coronavirus will arrive in Juneau later this month. A traveling exhibit will explore Alaska's unique journey towards women's suffrage, granted nationwide 100 years ago with the passage of the 19th amendment. Alaska women, in fact, were able to cast ballots seven years prior to the amendment. All that, plus Fish Radio and the Island Messenger community bulletin. Fish Radio is provided by Laine Welch at alaskafishradio.com.

Newscast — Tuesday, March 3, 2020

In this newscast: The Alutiiq Museum is preparing to help people digitize their photos of Alutiiq life and people. If you have old family photos, or even more recent ones, the museum would like to see them. They will digitize photos to preserve them and make them easier to share. And, with your permission, they will include some in the Museum's photo archive. The Sitka Sac Roe Herring Fishery is not expected to open this year because of weak markets and smaller-than-average fish. Anchorage Schools cancelled all school-sponsored international travel in March and April due to concerns over the spread of coronavirus. Alaska Airlines says it will allow passengers to change or cancel travel reservations through March 12 because of concerns of coronavirus, and to receive a full credit good for up to one year. University of Alaska President Jim Johnsen announced this week that the university is proposing to delete, suspend, or revise more than two dozen academic programs in order to make up for budget shortfalls. All that, plus Fish Radio, the Island Messenger community bulletin. Fish Radio is provided by Laine Welch at alaskafishradio.com.

Newscast — Monday, March 2, 2020

In this newscast: Kodiak City Council advanced to public hearing a controversial ordinance which would allow sales of edible marijuana products. Kodiak City Mayor and City Council remember Dr. Bob Johnson and Coach Joe Floyd, who died within the last month. Endangered Cook Inlet beluga whales are continuing to drop in number and scientists aren't certain why. Private sector barges have benefitted from the near shutdown of the Alaska Marine Highway System, but it's costing state and private citizens a lot more to ship vehicles. The Anchorage Assembly is trying to figure out what to do with thousands of racially discriminatory covenants —  now illegal — that remain on the deeds of thousands homes across the city. All that, plus Fish Radio, the Island Messenger community bulletin and Island Byways. Fish Radio is provided by Laine Welch at alaskafishradio.com and Byways is produced by KMXT'S Pam Foreman.

Newscast — Friday, Feb. 28, 2020

In this newscast: An update on 2016 Pink Salmon Disaster funds, At tonight's meeting, Kodiak City Council will consider allowing sales of marijuana edibles, and next steps to collect sales taxes for online purchases. Remote Southeast town of Pelican gets a bit of good news — they'll get at least one ferry visit in the spring, after being left off the draft summer schedule. Without ferry delivery, one Southeast school district appealed to the Coast Guard for assistance with a delivery of school cafeteria food. The Coast Guard declined. J.P. Morgan Chase announced on Tuesday that it will stop financing new oil and gas projects in the Arctic. All that, plus Fish Radio and the Island Messenger community bulletin. Fish Radio is provided by Laine Welch at alaskafishradio.com.

Newscast — Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020

In this newscast: The second "Blob" marine heat wave may have disappeared, but Alaska scientists warn, things aren't back to normal yet. Several cruise ships canceled stops in Kodiak this summer amid the spread of the coronavirus. Alaska State Legislature honors Kodiak's Dr. Bob Johnson with a memorial citation. Towns in Southeast Alaska are struggling without ferries. One issue in particular is the question of how to handle sanitation. A three-line bill would prohibit the state from selling, transferring or disposing of a state ferry without express approval by lawmakers. Pebble Partnership is proposing to offset its impact on wetlands by repairing sewer systems in three communities close to the mine site. All that, plus Fish Radio and the Island Messenger community bulletin. Fish Radio is provided by Laine Welch at alaskafishradio.com.

Newscast — Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020

In this newscast: Remembering Joe Floyd, a beloved coach and mentor in Kodiak who started many of the high school’s athletic programs. Floyd died this past weekend. After years of receiving corporate donations from oil and gas giant BP, Alaska non-profits will have to adjust to a new kind of giving program under Hilcorp. Arctic Ocean temperatures are rising at rates faster than previously thought by the scientific community. Sen. Lisa Murkowski talks with KRBD’s Eric Stone about breaking with her Republican colleagues in voting for a resolution to limit the president’s power. All that, plus Fish Radio and the Island Messenger community bulletin. Fish Radio is provided by Laine Welch at alaskafishradio.com.

Newscast — Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020

In this newscast: A fire decimated an outbuilding next to a residence on Sargent Drive on Sunday morning, just below Near Island Bridge. Kodiak Fire Department had the blaze out in an hour, despite difficulties due to the cold weather. Tribal officials are frustrated with the lack of movement from the state about getting rural Alaskans REAL IDs. Signature gathering for the campaign to recall Gov. Mike Dunleavy has officially started. The campaign needs 71,000 signatures to hold a recall election. Five Italian tourists were rescued near the infamous Fairbanks city bus in which adventurer Christopher McCandless lived and starved to death in 1992. The National Archives and Records Administration facility in Seattle, which houses federal records pertaining to Alaska, is slated to close. Alaska's records could be moved to California, or even further away. All that, plus Fish Radio and the Island Messenger community bulletin. Fish Radio is provided by Laine Welch at alaskafishradio.com.

Newscast — Monday, Feb. 24, 2020

In this newscast: The second "Blob," a massive marine heat wave across the north Pacific, appear to be subsiding for now, Ketchikan city council is skeptical that a cruise-industry backed monitoring program can replace the scrapped Ocean Rangers program, The M/V Matanuska won't be returning to service in early March. Repairs have yet to begin on the broken down ferry. All that, plus Fish Radio, the Island Messenger community bulletin, and Island Byways. Fish Radio is provided by Laine Welch at alaskafishradio.com and Island Byways is produced by KMXT's Pam Foreman.

Newscast -- Friday, Feb. 20, 2020

Daily local and statewide news update from the KMXT news team in Kodiak, Alaska.

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KMXT News

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