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
Police To Assemble Task Force In Wake of Week’s Fourth Murder
Crime analysts report the number of confirmed shootings more than doubled compared to last year, with much of the violence attributed to the illegal drug trade at a press conference held by the department.
Legislators Agree to Overhaul Marijuana Bill With Controversial “Defense” Provision
The provision offered a legal defense for anyone brought to court for possessing an ounce after decriminalization, which critics testified was confusing, cumbersome, and went against the will of voters.
Anchorage Assembly Bans Marijuana From Public Use
The new rules treat marijuana almost identically to alcohol, replacing arrest and criminal charges for public consumption with a civil citation.
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Anchorage Organizing to Stave Off Army Cuts
The draw-down is part of a national reduction in the size of the armed forces, eliminating 120,000 positions from active duty. A maximum of 11,100 troops could be removed from Alaska.
Double Homicide in East Anchorage Latest in String of Gun Incidents
The incident comes within a day of police taking a 14-year-old into custody in connection with the shooting death at a Midtown parking-lot.
Anchorage Police Take 14-Year-Old Into Custody After Sunday Shooting Death
Suspect in custody has been referred to the Department of Juvenile Justice.
Alaska Military Bases Could Lose 11,100 Troops Amid National Drawdown
Municipal Manager George Vakalis briefed members of the Anchorage Assembly on news that Army downsizing, and ongoing efforts to coordinate with stakeholders.
Joint Session to Address Marijuana Decriminalization As Municipalities Scramble to Regulate
Republican Senator Lesil McGuire of Anchorage has introduced the first large-scale bill regulating marijuana like alcohol in Alaska. The measure includes fine points that lawmakers, police, and the public need to adapt November's Ballot Measure 2 into a legal framework.
Alaska’s Kink Community Readies its New Home After Years of Unique Hurdles
Alaska has a tightening community made up of people living alternative lifestyles that range from discomfort with mainstream society to unconventional sex practices. But they have struggled to find spaces in which to gather. Now, after a lengthy tenant dispute and thousands of dollars worth of property damage, the Alaska Center for Alternative Lifestyles is ready to open it's doors.
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State Prosecutors Target Range of Child Sex Abuse Offenses in Round of Convictions
Four cases ended Friday with convictions for three men, part of the state's efforts to go after more offenders for a wider range of abuses.
Wave of Morning Car Thefts Hits Anchorage
Colder overnight temperatures lead owners to idle vehicles for longer, raising the risk of theft.
Lawmakers Prepare For 29th Legislative Session
As the 29th legislative session looms closer, legislators are busy prefiling legislation they hope will become law over the course of the session. From the legalization of pot, to the proposed LNG pipeline, to the state’s uncertain budgetary future, legislators have a lot to address this session.
KSKA: Friday, 1/16 at 2:00 p.m. and Saturday, 1/17 at 6:00 p.m.
KAKM: Friday, 1/16 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, 1/17 at 4:30 p.m.
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Anchorage Democrats Push Bills Combating Sexual Assault, Retaliation in National Guard
Anchorage Democrats Chris Tuck and Bill Wielechowski introduced a packet of legislative measures revising reporting procedures, revamping the Guard's internal protocols, and creating a mechanism for private companies to give veterans hiring preference.
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Anchorage Measure Will Tax Alcohol to Pay For Treatment and Services
In a surprising addition to the agenda, Assembly Chair Dick Traini introduces a plan short on specifics but with broad ambitions.
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Halcro Announces Candidacy for Mayor of Anchorage
Anchorage Chamber of Commerce president announces he will leave his position in order to run for mayor of Alaska's largest city.
APD Investigating Two Attacks on Dogs as Class C Felonies
A Search and Rescue dog in Anchorage was poisoned with anti-freeze days before a pitbull puppy was found in Mid-town with multiple gunshot wounds.
Sculptors Bring Cubism, Chainsaws to Chunks of Ice in Anchorage
Artists wielding sanders and drills spent three days this weekend carving blocks of ice into salmon and sea-dragons in downtown Anchorage, showcasing all you can create out of a one-and-a-half ton block of frozen water.
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Legacy of Bar Break Violence Haunting Downtown Business Development
The Anchorage Assembly is casting an unusual amount of scrutiny on a pending liquor license transfer that's raising questions about how businesses that sell liquor should develop downtown.
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Anchorage Forms New Committee To Navigate Pot Legalization
Just a week after a vote shooting down a controversial proposal to ban commercialization of marijuana within Anchorage, the city Assembly is forming a new committee to handle local implementation in the months ahead.
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Proposed Anchorage Ban on Commercial Pot Fails in Assembly
Nearly a hundred people came to the meeting, many of them to share their feelings on the marijuana ordinance. The majority of those who spoke during public testimony opposed the ban.
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