Brian Venua

Alaska school districts are ramping up international hiring. For some, that means sending their own recruiters to the Philippines. In Part 2 of Mabuhay sa Alaska, KMXT’s Brian Venua reports that the process can be pretty complicated, and it’s only getting more stressful.

Schools across the United States are facing a challenging teacher shortage as fewer people join the profession compared to the number of folks who retire or leave. To keep schools running smoothly, many districts are looking abroad — namely to the Philippines. In Part 1 of Mabuhay sa Alaska, KMXT’s Brian Venua reports that schools in Alaska are more desperate than most.

This week we hear about harmful algal blooms around Kodiak, the City Council picked its next clerk, halibut populations are at some of the lowest levels in a century, the Alaska Legislature is winding down its 2025 session, Ouzinkie is declared tsunami ready, and Kodiak Middle School's Kaci Martin, Jasper Ignacio, Neal Skonberg, Ryker Christiansen, and Cole Martin give us a preview of CrabFest. That story is featured in KMXT's Weekly Wrap thanks to a collaboration between KMS' journalism class and KMXT News staff.

KIBSD plans to drain its savings, Kodiak had its first cruise ship of the season arrive this week, a handful of earthquakes rocked the island, residents held its fourth protest of the federal government in as many months, and REAL IDs will be needed for commercial flights soon.

About 60 people stood around "the Y" once again to share their frustration with President Donald Trump and his administration. Attendance has varied, but organizers say they want to keep going.

The school system's financial situation is only getting more dire, as politicians in Juneau scramble to figure out how to increase funding for schools. It’s submitting a draft budget to local government for approval this week.

Kodiak’s St. Herman Harbor is in dire need of replacement. City officials took Alaska’s senior senator to tour its waterfront infrastructure on a recent stop to the island.

Commercial fishing is inherently competitive. But there’s one event at Kodiak’s annual commercial fishing trade show where the competition is friendly – the Fisherman’s Showcase. It’s sort of a pentathlon race where captains and crew show off their skills this year.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, commonly known as ICE, arrested a Philippine national in Kodiak this week, according to a post on X on April 16. The arrest comes as the Trump administration has ramped up deportation activities.

Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan as well as Rep. Nick Begich III all gave speeches at ComFish, Kodiak's annual commercial fishing trade show. The three-day event kicked off on April 15.