Zachariah Hughes, Alaska Public Media
Zachariah Hughes reports on city & state politics, arts & culture, drugs, and military affairs in Anchorage and South Central Alaska.
@ZachHughesAK About Zachariah
@ZachHughesAK About Zachariah
LISTEN: Healthy Futures: Physical Activity And Children’s Health
An important part of helping kids develop these critical attitudes of mind is helping them develop the habit of engaging in daily physical activity
LISTEN: In a holiday season like no other, gratitude in the medical field
With COVID-19 continuing to ravage the country, we'll be speaking with medical professionals about what they are grateful for as we head into the holiday season.
LISTEN: What’s it like to have COVID-19? Doctors and callers explain.
As COVID-19 spreads freely through the state, more Alaskans have either had it or know someone who has. We want to know what your experience has been.
LISTEN: ‘It Will Never Happen To Me’:Growing Up with Addiction
Growing up to become an addict is never part of anyone's plan. Yet despite witnessing firsthand, children who grow up around substance abuse often go on to experience addiction as adults themselves. What can be done to break this cycle?
LISTEN: PTSD and Veteran Mental Health Care Resources
Over a million veteran’s a year receive mental health services. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is one of the most common reasons. What are the symptoms? Causes? How is it treated? Can it be prevented?...
LISTEN: What do you want to know about animals?
On Election Day this year, we're focusing on something completely different: animals in Alaska. What questions or stories do you have about wildlife in the state?
LISTEN: Election Anxiety, Conflict, Social Division, And Reasons To Hope
Americans are experiencing more stress than ever from a combination of factors: the coronavirus, social unrest, and a contentious election season. What are strategies for diminishing and controlling anxiety we can use to help us manage uncertain times?
LISTEN: What’s behind dry, irritated eyes, and can it be fixed?
Do you have red eyes, itching, burning, or irritation of the eyes, a gritty feeling in the eyes, or contact lens discomfort? You may be experiencing dry eyes. Dry eyes is an actual medical condition which is caused by a deficiency in one or more areas of the tear film. There are multiple treatment options available, but can this be prevented?
How did politics around reopening Anchorage get so heated?
The politics around reopening Alaska’s economy are getting contentious. But blame isn’t spread uniformly. And in Anchorage, a vocal contingent is faulting the mayor over policies that are largely in lockstep with the governors.
Assembly demands more aggressive camp clearing in Anchorage
Residents in the area say there has been increased “drug use, excessive litter, violence and neighborhood vandalism," as well as inadequate measures to curb coronavirus spread.
Mayor outlines plans for re-opening Anchorage businesses this Monday
The move represents a shift in the city's plan to go from a "hunkering down" phase to an "easing" period on the road toward recovery.
Amid some confusion, Anchorage is putting protocols in place that will allow businesses to open
A discrepancy between the state and local timelines for allowing previously shuttered businesses to begin opening up is creating some confusion.
New mobile prototype kills virus with heat to extend the life of critical gear
A medical group in Anchorage wants to make sure it has surge capacity if there are shortages in essential equipment like masks. So they built a large, anti-viral sauna in a trailer.
Anchorage releases gradual roadmap for reopening of the economy
The document is not a timetable, but a series of public health conditions officials say they need to see in order to ease current restrictions.
Experts warn of a “dark cloud” for kids’ mental health amid pandemic
During a press conference in Anchorage, mental health professionals offered advice for families on how to mitigate distress and long-term problems created by the unique social situation.
Anchorage emergency declaration extended to June, some measures to relax in coming weeks
The move allows the administration to keep using special powers to more swiftly respond to the coronavirus, but does not mean that all of the current “hunker down” orders will remain in place that long.
Yoga by Zoom. Facebook fitness classes. Local gyms sprint to stay open online
A month into closures, gyms and fitness facilities are getting creative try retain clients. But many worry their businesses will shrink and remain hobbled into the foreseeable future.
Mayor says emergency orders could last til May, as city tries to help businesses get relief
Anchorage might not begin relaxing its emergency orders until May. And in the meantime, it may task municipal workers with assisting their state counterparts processing the deluge of unemployment and small business claims pouring...
Anchorage votes down on-site pot consumption, taxes alcohol and keeps most of the Assembly
A majority of incumbents appear to have kept their seats, with a tax on alcohol voted down last year on track to pass.
Anchorage officials say COVID measures are helping stem disease transmissions
Incident Commander Bill Falsey spoke at a weekly briefing from the city’s Emergency Operation Center, saying that according to municipal and third-party figures, residents are complying with orders to hunker down.