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
Downtown Assembly member kneels for pledge
Citing concerns from constituents over national promises not met, downtown representative Patrick Flynn made a brief symbolic statement during a routine assembly meeting. Listen Now
Lance Mackey withdraws from 2017 Iditarod
The Iditarod Trail Committee announced Monday that former champion Lance Mackey has withdrawn from the race, citing health reasons. Listen Now
After 42 hours, barricade suspect found dead inside home
A standoff between a SWAT team and 69 year old veteran Robert Musser ended with Musser's death early Friday morning after 42 hours.
Anchorage expecting $24M budget shortfall from drop in state funds
The bleak financial outlook for Alaska's largest city is likely to be replicated in communities all across the state in the months ahead.
South Anchorage standoff over, suspect dead (Updated)
A standoff in Anchorage lasting more than 36 hours came to an end Friday morning. The Anchorage Police Department says 69-year-old Robert Musser, who was barricaded in his home, is confirmed to be deceased.
Providence directs nearly $1M to homeless causes in Anchorage
A representative from the hospital explained how they'd decided to strategically direct $975,000 toward various charity and social service programs targeting homelessness.
Reporter discusses allegations of mismanagement at Alaska Blood Bank
A recent complaint filed with the Food and Drug Administration alleges that mismanagement and financial impropriety at the Blood Bank of Alaska have led to dangerously short supplies of blood this summer. The story has been followed closely by the Alaska Journal of Commerce.
Will paperwork kill traditional tattooing?
Advocates for traditional tattooing in Alaska see the beginning of a widespread revival. But revitalization efforts are being threatened by an unanticipated barrier: state bureaucracy.
Suspect admits to guilt over Facebook Live after Anchorage homicide
Suspect appears to have posted a video to social media just after the homicide at a busy intersection near downtown Anchorage.
Police offer $10K for info on suspect in homicide case
Police in Anchorage have hit a wall in an active murder investigation. But with help from the FBI, they’re hoping to find a person who may have been involved. Based on a single sketch.
Boos and cheers as residents question officials on crime
A large crowd of Anchorage residents gathered in a popular park that recently saw a double murder to question the mayor and police chief about crime.
Alaska’s first commercial retail cannabis businesses receive state approval
The state approved its first licenses for commercial cannabis businesses Thursday, a major step for prospective retailers hoping to open shop before year's end. Officially, the state's first shop to be approved was Fairbanks' Frozen Budz. The first for Anchorage is called Enlighten Alaska, located in Spenard.
APD bought ‘stingray’ surveillance device in 2009, used minimally
APD says the KingFish cell tower imitator was used only around a dozen times, and discontinued more than a year ago.Listen now
Alaskans protest North Dakota pipeline construction
Authorities in North Dakota are sending officers from across the state to the site of a protest about an oil pipeline in anticipation of a court ruling on the issue.
Violence broke out at the protest site on Saturday. Democracy Now reports protesters were attacked by private security forces with dogs and pepper spray.
The Standing Rock Sioux asked a US District Court to temporarily stop construction on the Dakota Access pipeline. A ruling is expected on Friday.
Pioneering musher and husky breeder Natalie Norris dead at 94
Natalie Norris moved to Alaska in the 40s, and along with her husband, Earl, helped establish the oldest kennel for Siberian Huskies in the world.
Two men found dead at Valley of the Moon park, police say homicide
In Anchorage, two men are dead in what appears to be a double homicide over the weekend at a popular park. Listen now
Department of Defense strives to provide better, smarter military healthcare
The Department of Defense is in the middle of a massive makeover in how it provides healthcare to soldiers and their families. The top official in charge of the new Defense Health Agency came to Alaska for her first visit. She spoke about how the military wants to provide care that's not only better, but smarter. Listen now
Three incumbents to lose seats in Alaska election aftermath
With the vast majority of precincts statewide now counted, a clear picture emerged in Tuesday’s election returns — and the short version is, a lot of incumbents will be unseated.
What’s causing Anchorage’s wave of homicides?
24 people have been killed so far in the municipality this year, making 2016 one of the deadliest year in decades, prompting many to ask whether something fundamental has changed to make Anchorage more dangerous.
30-count indictment rains down on accused car theft ring
Police say the individuals charged are responsible for a large share of this spring's wave of car thefts.