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
DEA uncovers a flood of painkillers reaching rural Alaska by mail
An operation by the Drug Enforcement Administration has turned up a previously undocumented drug problem with a mild opioid that is spread across Alaska.
Justice Department to send millions to rural Alaska law enforcement
Tribal agencies are set to receive $5 million for equipment and hiring, with another $6 million is set for infrastructure and hiring in rural communities.
District finds pattern of bias in judge who DQ’ed teen swimmer
After a 17-year-old athlete was disqualified at a swim meet over a uniform infraction, and uproar and investigation lead ASD to call for a volunteer judge's dismissal.
This Anchorage ‘refillery’ aims to eliminate packaging waste. Here’s how it works
Just as Anchorage is preparing to ban plastic bags from local retail, the new venture is trying to go a step further: eliminate packaging waste all together.
The Anchorage Bag Ban is coming: here’s what you need to know
In advance of the Sept. 15 policy change in Anchorage, we assembled answers to some common questions about what the plastic bag ban will mean for residents.
On eve of plastic bag ban, is Anchorage ready?
On Sept. 15, the Municipality of Anchorage will bar retailers from giving disposable bags to customers in an effort to reduce plastic waste in the municipality.
Alaska losing $102M in military construction for border wall
The Defense Department has finalized a list of military projects it will defer, using the funds instead to pay for construction of President Donald Trump's proposed border wall. Of the 127 projects at both...
Lost hiking couple found safe near Hatcher Pass
Less than a day after being reported missing, two Anchorage residents and their dog were found in good health by searchers.
Troopers announce arrest in 41-year-old Anchorage cold case
For the second time since the start of the year, state law enforcement has found a suspect in a long-stalled investigation using the new technique known as genetic genealogy.
‘We feel the struggle.’ Non-profits shrink to keep homeless sheltered
Now that the dust is settling in the budget battle between the governor's administration and legislators, homeless service providers are starting to understand the long-term effects from delayed and reduced public funds.
After SCOTUS ruling, AG urges Dunleavy to limit public employees’ unions
In a legal opinion published Tuesday, Alaska's Attorney General took a strict interpretation of the Supreme Court's Janus decision, signaling potential conflict with unions.
‘Do they know that it’s that bad?’ Drivers describe ‘hellfire’ on Sterling Highway Sunday
As managers try to balance fire hazards with residents' transit needs, drivers describe an unexpected inferno along the Sterling Highway overnight.
51 homes burned from McKinley fire, 3 businesses, 80 outbuildings
Officials dealing with the McKinley fire burning between Willow and Talkeetna released an assessment Friday of damage since the blaze ignited last weekend.
Veto to debt reimbursement could raise your tax bill
Halving the amount of money for school bond debt reimbursements could mean local governments look to property taxes to close gaps.
In a trickle of information, fire evacuees learn fate of homes
Residents displaced by the McKinley fire are gradually finding out about their homes and property, as state begins an assessment that will take days.
Fires burn from Homer to Mat-Su, stalling traffic, as evacuees wait for news
Fire crews and additional resources are pouring in to Alaska to help contain multiple blazes burning on and off the road system. And while cooler, calmer weather has helped, there's still no rain forecast for the days ahead.
Southcentral fires burn, traffic at a crawl on highways, evacuees tell of heavy smoke and flames
"That was an experience coming down that highway," she said. " Trees just ablaze. Smoke so heavy you could only follow the tail lights of the truck or car ahead of you."
Dunleavy reverses potential cuts to senior benefits
Dunleavy told a room of people he was moved to change course on the Senior Benefits Program after hearing input from beneficiaries and their families.
Capital budget vetoes to hit homelessness, addiction treatment
In Anchorage, there are worries that vetoes to addiction treatment facilities and a homeless assistance program could exacerbate a problem that's already worsening.
Anchorage police officer faces two counts of child sexual abuse
APD says it immediately investigated information into a case that led to a patrol officer's arrest days later.