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
Prominent musher Joee Redington passes away at 74
Alaska's dog mushing community lost a prominent member today. Joee Redington passed away at a hospital in Fairbanks at age 74. Listen now
ADN declares bankruptcy and new owners emerge
The state’s largest newspaper is filing for bankruptcy protection -- and may soon have new owners. Listen now
Lawsuit to evict ADN over unpaid bills threatens paper’s future
The state's largest newspaper is in serious financial trouble, according to a lawsuit brought by GCI over $1.4 million in unpaid bills, and more in additional claims. It's one of several lawsuits against the paper. Listen now
City employees to see new health clinic in Anchorage
In an effort to curb skyrocketing healthcare costs, Anchorage is testing a new clinic specifically for city employees. Listen now
State budget cuts hitting Interior’s main public media company
KUAC, which brings public radio and television programming to Fairbanks, the Interior, and communities across rural Alaska, is scaling back its operations. Listen now
Controversial Anchorage bathroom bill will go on April ballot
Anchorage voters will decide next spring how public bathrooms are going to be regulated. A controversial citizens' initiative has gathered enough signatures from supporters to go before voters in 2018. Listen now
Top VA official in Alaska talks privatization, staffing challenges
Amid this summer's push by the Veterans Administration in Alaska to hold town hall meetings in across the state, Alaska's VA Healthcare Director offered an update on the organization's progress and remaining challenges in connecting veterans to benefits. Listen now
Initiative to regulate bathrooms likely to appear on Anchorage ballot
The measure seeks to regulate bathrooms, locker-rooms, and other intimate spaces on the basis of biological sex rather than gender identity. Listen now
On-site consumption back on the table for Alaska pot businesses
Alaska is on course to be the first state in the country to allow customers to use cannabis inside regulated businesses. Listen now
Anchorage officials look into connections between drug addiction and property crime
Officials in Anchorage want to know if drug addiction is driving a rise in property crime. Listen now
Assembly covers Sullivan Arena deficit, supports on-site consumption
Anchorage is scrambling to cover hefty financial loses at the Sullivan Arena that are only expected to get worse. Listen now
Former head of Alaska railroad workers union sentenced for felony embezzlement
The former head of Alaska's railroad workers union has been sentenced to a year in jail for felony embezzlement. Listen now
Frauds, scams, and schemes cost Alaskans millions last year
Federal Trade Commission data show that last year, 3,031 complaints were filed in Alaska, about a third of them in Anchorage. The information was shared as part of a national push to show how minority and immigrant communities are targeted. Listen now
Anchorage exhibit highlights ‘unseen’ exploits of combat medics
A photography exhibit takes a look at a world most of us hope to avoid -- the world of combat medics and search and rescue missions. Listen now
Alaskans greet DPRK missile test with a shrug not a shriek
The news yesterday of a successful intercontinental ballistic missile test by North Korea has world leaders calling for restraint. It's a development that puts all of Alaska within range of an ICBM. But the response in Alaska was muted. Listen now
Alaska’s largest needle exchange is rushing to keep up with demand
The number of syringes exchanged at one Anchorage non-profit doubled in just two years to almost half-a-million. This year they're on track to outpace that. Listen now
Wave of addiction costs is hitting Alaska’s healthcare system
One side effect of the state's growing opioid and heroin problem is a massive increase diseases connected to drug injection, raising concerns about a potential tidal wave of healthcare costs facing Alaska. Listen now
Assembly approves granting immunity to sex workers who aid police
On Tuesday night, the Anchorage Assembly approved a measure that gives immunity to sex workers who tell police when more serious crimes have occurred. Listen now
New measure gives immunity to sex workers reporting crimes
During its Tuesday meeting, the Anchorage Assembly approved a measure that gives immunity to sex workers who tell police when more serious crimes have occurred.
Anchorage seeks proposals for Transit Center overhaul
Officials are reaching out to developers and the business community for ideas on how to re-invent the troubled property. Listen now