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
Assembly Approves $750,000 for Another SAP Audit
Assembly members say too much money has already been spent on implementing the new automation software to skimp on what are, hopefully, some of the last steps in the process.
USCG Responds To Grounded Barge Near Kodiak Over The Weekend
Over the weekend the Coast Guard responded to a grounded fuel barge near Kodiak. Coast Guard personal at Sector Anchorage sent a C-130 Hercules Airplane and the cutter Spar to respond to the incident early Saturday morning.
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Economists Say It’s Too Early To Determine Effects Of Current Low Oil Prices
Crude oil prices are hovering in the $80 range, and in Alaska that brings with it worries over the budget. But economists from either side of the political spectrum have roughly the same take on what’s playing out: it’s too early to tell.
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“CEO of the City” Campaigns to Bring Anchorage Business Acumen to Governor’s Cabinet
Sullivan aims to bring his focus on fiscal issues to the governor's cabinet. Money has been the major theme of his time as mayor, and that’s how he’s framing his so-far low-key candidacy.
Fish & Game Revising Wildlife Habitat Management Plans
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is revising management plans for some of the most exceptional areas of wildlife habitat in the state. But critics say that even after an outcry about what's been called a massive erosion in environmental protection by both the public and the Legislature, little to nothing has been fixed.
A Year In, Battle for Dude Creek Still Being Quietly Waged
After vigorous debate in the Legislature and public,, little to nothing has changed—even as the next step in the process is just weeks away.
Teacher’s Pet: A Four-Legged Educator Retires
The Anchorage School District recently said goodbye to one of its longest-serving and most unusual educators. What’s more, the departure leaves the district with a gap not likely to be soon filled.
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How Does Climate Change Affect Public Health?
A series of reports that seek to define the potential changes to public health in rural Alaska communities based on the impacts of Alaska's rapidly changing climate. But, why are the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium and the North Slope Borough looking at the issue through the lens of climate change?
KSKA: Friday, October 17 at 2:00 p.m. and Saturday, October 18 at 6:00 p.m.
KAKM: Friday, October 17 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, October 18 at 4:30 p.m.
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Community-Based Solutions For Coastal Erosion Discussed In Anchorage
As climate change brings new threats to subsistence communities across Alaska’s coastlines, a conference held in Anchorage is advocating community-based solutions, and not waiting any longer for government assistance.
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New Exhibit Puts An Alaska Twist On A Familiar Building Block
Legos—the small, colorful plastic blocks—have grown into the most common place toy in the world, with more than 5.2 million manufactured every hour. And they are not purely for toy-stores and playroom carpets anymore. A new exhibit at the Anchorage Museum focuses on Lego fine arts, and how the building blocks fit in with Alaska's own artistic traditions.
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A Big Comeback For Kotzebue’s Commercial Fishery
Kotzebue is in the midst of one of its best commercial chum seasons ever. That's due to an exceptionally strong run size. Dockside economics are playing a role, as well.
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As Project Chariot Clean-Up Ends, Legacy Lingers for Point Hope
During the Cold War, the U.S. Atomic Energy Agency made plans to detonate nuclear bombs a few dozen miles from Point Hope. The idea–part of Operation Ploughshares–was to make an Arctic deep draft port by harnessing war-time technology for civil engineering projects with strategic value. Strong opposition from Point Hope halted those plans, but not before secretive experiments were conducted.
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Human Remains Found Believed to be Missing Brevig Mission Man
Alaska State Troopers say human remains found in western Alaska are believed to be those of a missing 21-year-old Brevig Mission man.
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Gold Miners Push Back Against Nome Over ‘Negative Social Impacts’
A vocal show of frustration from Nome’s mining community took center stage at this week’s City Council meeting. The miners were angry about a letter the city sent to the State Department of Natural Resources complaining about impacts from the recent gold mining boom.
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Report Finds Beaufort Sea Oil Spill Response Inadequate
A report released today by the World Wildlife Fund in Canada finds the capacity for oil spill response in the Beaufort Sea is woefully inadequate, even as Canadian regulators consider relaxing safety standards for offshore exploration.
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Commercial Chum Bustling, But Causing Anger on the Yukon
With chum salmon surging through much of Western Alaska, commercial openings are having dramatically different effects from a price spike in Kotzebue, to frustration towards managers in the upper Yukon.
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Oil Spill Drill Conducted Near Teller
Even as marine traffic increases past the Bering Strait, no one knows how well an oil spill could be cleaned up in the case of an accident. Stakeholders traveled to the region last week to conduct the region’s first spill response exercise, and learn more about the challenges posed.
Musk Ox Killed After Attacking Sled Dog
Living with wildlife isn’t always easy, as a recent incident with a musk ox attack in Kotzebue makes clear.
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World Eskimo Indian Olympics Start Wednesday
The World Eskimo-Indian Olympics start Wednesday in Fairbanks, with qualifiers for events like one-armed reach and the Race of the Torch ahead of opening ceremonies at 6 p.m. inside the Carlson Center.
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Preliminary Figures Show Dismal Walrus Harvest From Poor Weather
For the second year in a row, the number of walrus harvested for subsistence on St. Lawrence Island is far below normal.
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