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
Distraction or advantage? Mushers disagree on Iditarod’s new communication-device rule
As mushers speed toward Nome, a controversial new Iditarod rule is in effect for the first time. After a vote by the Board of Directors last fall, mushers are now allowed to carry two-way communication devices, like cell and satellite phones. But many competitors both young and old think the presence of technology goes against the spirit of the race. Listen now
After a bruising 2016, Martin Buser upbeat for 2017
Last year, Martin Buser had a tough Iditarod. He finished in 37th place, his lowest position on the leader-board in a decades-long career. But this year, as the four-time champion charges through the race’s early checkpoints, a lot of things are going better.
Iditapod: Nicolas Petit leads mushers to the Yukon
In Episode 8, we talk about Nicolas Petit being the first to the Yukon, Martin Buser's recovery from last year's injury, Yukon Quest v. Iditarod, and veteran dog teams.
Proper packing becomes more important as mushers kick off from Fairbanks
Mushers are on the rivers heading out of Fairbanks right now, as the 45th Iditarod starts in earnest. This is the second time in three races that the restart has been in Fairbanks. And a lot of the mushers have vivid memories of the 2015 race, so this year, they’re trying to pack accordingly. Listen now
Iditapod: The 2017 Iditarod’s Fairbanks Restart
In Episode 6, we talk about: The 2017 Iditarod's restart in Fairbanks, weather and trail conditions in the Interior, and race strategies.
Murkowski joins several Democrats in challenging proposed pot enforcements
A group of U.S. senators - including one Alaskan - is asking the Justice Department to keep existing guidance on marijuana laws. Listen now
Anchorage Assembly passes measure to make healthcare pricing more transparent
The Anchorage Assembly passed a measure that could have an impact on healthcare for anyone getting care in Alaska’s largest city. Listen now
‘I Am Inuit’ goes from Instagram to Anchorage Museum
Who lives in the Arctic? And what are their stories? Those are questions posed by a new photography exhibit more than a year in the making. The "I Am Inuit" show is a body of images from artist Brian Adams that premiered last week at the Anchorage Museum. The project has built an audience online for much longer. Listen now
Fish and Game experiments with new moose counting method
Alaska's Department of Fish and Game is trying out a new way to count moose within Anchorage city limits. Listen now
New Iditarod two-way communication rules for safety, not advantage
During last year's Iditarod, an intoxicated snowmachiner struck Jeff King and Aliy Zirkle's teams on a section of the trail heading into Nulato. And the implications of that event are shaping aspects of this year's Iditarod.
Iditapod: Last Year’s Iditarod
In this episode we take a look back at the 2016 Iditarod, including: The Seavey dynasty, Jeff King and Aliy Zirkle's dangerous encounter with a snowmachine near Nulato, and Brent Sass withdraws from the 2017 Iditarod.
Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office hires new director
The state announced Tuesday (Feb. 21) a new head for the office in charge of regulating alcohol and marijuana. Listen now
1 dead, 7 in hospital after home carbon monoxide poisoning
One person is dead and seven hospitalized after an apparent carbon monoxide poisoning in a home in Anchorage. Listen now
Brent Sass withdraws mushing team from Iditarod
Just days after a surprising scratch on the Yukon Quest trail, Eureka musher Brent Sass withdrew his team from the 2017 Iditarod. Listen now
Adventure is the profit: the economics of dog handling
Across Alaska, handlers play a pivotal role in competitive mushing. They manage sprawling kennels and help train sled-dogs for competition. It's a system that thrives on an unconventional economic arrangement. Listen now
22 candidates in election that could shakeup Anchorage Assembly
The Assembly's ideological persuasion has major implications for both local and state politics, yet turnout in municipal elections tends to be extremely low. Listen now
The Iditarod is moving to Fairbanks
Once again, the Iditarod start is moving to Fairbanks. Listen now
City data on crime, property, health brought online
New website is a one-stop-shop for public data, part of the city's broader effort toward open data. Listen now
Now that it’s legal, what’s it like to buy pot in Alaska?
Over the last few weeks, many Alaskans have been trying something new: walking into a store to buy pot. Listen now
New measure puts Uber back before Anchorage Assembly
Anchorage Assembly member Bill Evans wrote the ordinance, which seeks to regulate what are called Transportation Network Companies, or TNCs. Listen now