Brian Venua
Senior ReporterBorn and raised in Dillingham, Brian Venua attended Gonzaga University before graduating and ultimately returning to Alaska. He moved to Kodiak and joined KMXT in 2022. Venua has since won awards for the newsroom as both a writer and photojournalist, with work focused on strengthening community, breaking down complex topics, and sharing stories of and for the people of the Kodiak Archipelago.
Contact him at brian@kmxt.org
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The Star of Kodiak plant in its namesake town is the last plant to sell after Trident Seafoods announced its plan to sell a third of its Alaska facilities in December 2023. Pacific Seafood already has a plant in Kodiak though — its CEO called the purchase an opportunity to expand their operations on the island. -
The ship responded to Russian military ships in U.S. waters as part of spending over two months patrolling the Bering Sea from the edges of the Aleutian Chain to the edges of ice in the Arctic. -
It's National Fire Prevention and Safety Week, so on this week's Talk of the Rock, Host Brian Venua speaks with Bayside Fire Chief Scott Ellis about best practices for fire safety for homes, offices, and while outside. -
This week we hear the unofficial results of the 2024 municipal election, the Trusty Tusty is having maintenance issues, Kodiak's fall herring fishery has low participation, restaurants in city limits are not able to get new beer and wine licenses, and Teen Court will have a statewide conference hosted on the island. -
“Our theme for the conference this year is ‘Beyond the Bench,’ and we really wanted to focus on ways that we can better ourselves as attorneys and not just in the courtroom,” said Payton Callahan, a senior at Kodiak High School, the president of the local teen court’s Board of Directors, and a Teen Court judge. -
It's the latest cancellations of the year for the aging boat. The oldest ferry in the Alaska Marine Highway System and is showing its age — it had to be brought to a shipyard in Seward for repairs. Kodiak ferry terminal staff also warned there may be additional cancellations later. -
“Since I assumed my post in 2021, I made it a priority to service our Kababayans in Alaska,” said Philippine Consulate General Neil Frank Rivera Ferrer. He and his team helped hundreds swear in for dual citizenship, renew passports, and register for overseas voting. -
Buskin Lake and River are the only place in the state reported to have signal crayfish, an invasive species. In an effort to keep the population low, a Louisiana tradition is prospering in Alaska. -
“The driver heard small explosions, pops coming from the load – once we arrived on scene we could hear the same thing,” said City Fire Chief Frank Dorner. No injuries were reported. -
This week we hear early voting open for municipal elections, the PFD amount, a fire on Mill Bay Road, a construction update for the arterial, a request to Kodiak City Council for land for a "sweat equity" program, and events for National Suicide Prevention Month.
