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
Iditarod clears Dallas Seavey in 2017 doping controversy
The Iditarod Trail Committee released a statement Tuesday clearing four-time champion Dallas Seavey of any wrong-doing in a doping incident
Focus shifts to childcare needs in wake of earthquake
Childcare options in Anchorage are limited for families facing a week with no school.
Earthquake updates: roads under repair, utilities back, brace for weather
Officials in Anchorage say the response to Friday’s earthquake is shifting from an assessment phase to repairing damage. That task is about to get more complicated, with winter weather headed towards the area.
Jury finds napkin contract binding; former ADN owner obliged to pay over $850K to Dispatch founder
In a case that hinged over whether a promise scratched out on a cocktail napkin counts as a binding contract, the jury said yes, siding with Dispatch founder Tony Hopfinger.
What’s behind a wave of threats in Anchorage schools?
For weeks, Anchorage schools have been grappling with a wave of violent threats made by individuals with no apparent coordination. Why?
State asks for new housing units to help Alaskans in recovery
$2 million in federal funds could spread up to 10 new recovery residences around the state to assist Alaskans re-entering community.
Dunleavy asks for resignations from broadened group of state workers
In a press release Friday afternoon, the Dunleavy transition team wrote that the governor-elect wants to broaden the scope of which employees will be asked to offer leaving their jobs.
A changing military brings fewer Alaska Natives into the force
Changes in military structure, in particular the National Guard, have diminished the rate of service among Alaska Natives below past highs.
Bloomberg philanthropy gives $1M to Anchorage for new project
The money is set for a design lab run in partnership with the Anchorage Museum that will focus on art, civic engagement, and solutions to climate change. Listen now
As Alaska’s elections come down to wire, ads test limits of campaign finance laws
In the last few days before an election, it’s pretty common for political groups to start playing fast and loose with Alaska’s campaign finance laws — and the state’s cash-strapped campaign finance regulators say they’d need a larger staff to monitor all the ads in the last-minute barrage. Listen now
Despite progress, Alaska lacks resources to handle rape kit backlog
An audit and change in collection practices identified 2,568 kits from police departments all around the state that had not been submitted previously and remain untested for DNA matches.
Hillary Clinton urges support for Begich in Alaska gubernatorial race
Former secretary of state and presidential candidate Hillary Clinton is wading into Alaska’s governor’s race.
Anchorage Assembly approves police move into former LIO building
The Anchorage Police Department is moving headquarters, taking over an embattled downtown building that has been vacant since it was abandoned by state lawmakers. Listen now
Alaska senators address AFN on convention’s final day
The 52nd annual Alaska Federation of Natives convention concluded Oct. 20 in Anchorage with high-level addresses from Alaska’s senators, and AFN delegates still reeling from the news that Gov. Bill Walker is suspending his re-election campaign. Listen now
Defending Native women from violence remains hot topic at AFN
This year’s theme is Innovation in the past, present and future. The issue of violence against women is at the forefront of the conference. Listen now
Apology from Gov. Walker over historical trauma highlights day one of annual AFN convention
The first day of the Alaska Federation of Natives Convention in Anchorage saw protests and a high-level apology. Listen now
35th Elders and Youth conference wraps up
The conference passed eight resolutions that will be presented to AFN in the coming days. Listen now
Keynote tells Elders and Youth to move traditional knowledge forward
20-year-old Tristan Yaadoh Jovan Madros focused on his traditional upbringing in Kaltag, telling the crowd that indigenous practices need to be at the center of young people's formal education in Alaska.
‘Our ancestors are our fire’: Elders and Youth conference kicks off in Anchorage
The annual conference precedes the Alaska Federation of Natives convention each fall, designed to strengthen inter-generational connections and share indigenous knowledge around the state. Listen now
Amid a shortage of hospital beds, psychiatric patients put in jails
A small number of Alaskans experiencing psychiatric crises are being diverted from healthcare facilities to custody within the Department of Corrections. Listen now