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
Japanese naval band drums for Anchorage middle-schoolers
In a first, Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force brought its prestigious band to perform for Anchorage students. Listen now
Alaska National Guard members deploying to fight ISIS
Dozens of helicopter pilots and maintenance personnel from Alaska's Air National Guard are heading overseas to combat the Islamic State. Listen now
Keynote speakers announced for Elders and Youth
A long-time subsistence rights activist from the Kenai Peninsula and teenage hunter from Gambell named as keynote speakers. Listen now
Significant layoffs hit ADN, with more changes ahead
As it struggles to emerge from bankruptcy under new owners, the state's largest newspaper has started making deep staff cuts. Listen now
Amid evolving Afghan mission, Alaska soldiers ready to deploy
As the United States approaches the 16th anniversary of military operations in Afghanistan, thousands more troops are readying to deploy. One of the units heading there is the airborne infantry brigade based at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage. Listen now
Critical drugs in short supply for AFD and hospitals
The nation-wide problem with shortages in basic medicines is almost a decade old. As it worsens, first responders and hospitals in Anchorage are spending more resources just trying to keep up. Listen now
PFD amount announced: $1,100
The State of Alaska has announced the dollar figure for this year's Permanent Fund Dividend. Listen now
As demand for opioid remedy skyrockets, police train for overdose treatment with Naloxone
Naloxone -- a medication that rapidly reverses the effects of an opioid overdose -- has long been used by emergency medics, but now it's being deployed to police departments and non-profits at the front line of the state's opioid crisis. Even with millions of new federal dollars being spent, the demand in outpacing the supply. Listen now
Alaska airborne/infantry unit begins Afghanistan deployment
The Army in Alaska is sending more than two thousand troops to Afghanistan. And they’ve already started deploying. Listen now
Illegal pot, heroin and opium among drugs seized most by Anchorage police
Police officers in Anchorage are seizing more heroin than almost any other drug. Listen now
First large wind storm of season moving through Southcentral
The season's first serious fall storm is descending on Southcentral Alaska, bringing rain and strong winds to the Gulf of Alaska all the way up to the Mat-Su Borough. Listen now
Syringe exchange struggles to keep up with demand
The state's main syringe exchange can't keep up with demand for clean needles among injection drug users.
Berkowitz files to run for re-election in 2018
As filings trickle out, no serious challenger has yet emerged in Anchorage's 2018 mayor's race.
Hunters troll PETA in selfie campaign, but did it backfire?
All across the country, the slogan "shoot selfies, not animals" was co-opted by people putting up social media posts featuring trophy photos of game taken in the field. But PETA is still counting it a success.
Alaska soldiers to deploy for Afghanistan within week
Over the course of the coming month the Army is sending approximately 1,200 members of the 4th Brigade Combat Team 25th Infantry Division from Anchorage's Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.
Alaska National Guard members helping with Harvey rescues
13 members of Alaska's Air National Guard left on Monday to help with air and water rescues amid historic Texas flooding. Listen now
Secretary Chao announces infrastructure changes for Alaska
Alaskans got news that one of the most trafficked roads in the state is a step closer to improvements that have been 40 years in the making. Listen now
New F-22 proposal could mean more noise for Mt. View
The Air Force is weighing a plan that could bring more noise to at least one Anchorage neighborhood. Listen now
Meet the machine handling Anchorage’s next election
Though still a few months away, Anchorage is getting ready for its first election to be conducted by mail. In April, as residents pick a mayor and weigh in on a controversial public bathroom measure, they'll be sending envelopes to a sorting machine that arrived at the city's election center Monday morning. Listen now
Anchorage partners with DHS on human trafficking
Officials in Anchorage are trying to get a better handle on human trafficking. And to do that, they're partnering with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Listen now