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
Broad Donor Rolls and Deep Pockets in Anchorage Mayor’s Race
Candidates Dan Coffey and Andrew Halcro have raised the most money in the Anchorage mayor's race. However, financial disclosures paint a more nuanced picture of what those numbers mean.
Legislators Hear Hours of Disapproval Over Sweeping Changes to Marijuana Bill
Dozens of Alaskans criticize overhaul of Senate Bill 30 that leaves marijuana on the list of controlled substances, bringing felony offenses and severe restrictions on transport.
In A Campaign Over Public Safety, Anchorage Police Union Plays It Safe On Endorsement
As shootings in Anchorage cause worries over public safety, the union representing APD officers is staying strategically neutral in the mayor's race. At least for now.
Iditarod Mushers Prepare For New Route Through Interior Alaska
The Ceremonial start of the 43rd Iditarod filled Downtown Anchorage with dogs, fans, and snow trucked in from Goose Lake. Unusually warm weather has hampered Southcentral Alaska's winter snowpack and led officials to move the race start to Fairbanks for only the second time ever. The new route through the Interior will challenge even the most tenured seasoned racers as long-held strategies are scrambled.
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Developing State Regulations on Marijuana Mirror Alcohol, Cap Personal-Use Plants at 12
The majority of House Bill 75 spells out regulations for marijuana that mirror measures in place already for alcohol, granting local communities leeway with registering protests and setting civil fines.
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3,000 Pounds of Auctioned Antlers Highlight State’s Role Managing Trafficked Wildlife
The unprecedented tonnage of caribou antlers were the result of a trafficking case stretching from Juneau to the Northwest Arctic community of Selawik.
Crowded Anchorage Mayoral Race Heats Up
Today we’re discussing the race for mayor in Alaska’s largest city. Anchorage’s city politics have ripples across the state, whether in terms of funding coming from the Legislature, or launching political careers into higher office. The election is on April 7th, but recently we’ve seen the race start to take off. It’s a crowded field, with 11 candidates, hundreds of thousands of dollars pouring in from donations, and expectations of an eventual run off.
KSKA: Friday, 2/27 at 2:00pm and Saturday, 2/28 at 6:00pm
KAKM: Friday, 2/27 at 7:30pm and Saturday, 2/28 at 4:30pm
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Head of Continental Defense Lays Out Threats Facing U.S. Amid Rising Importance of Arctic
Head of NORAD and NORTHCOM discusses the significant increase of Russian long-range aviation, Arctic advocacy in the Defense Department, and position of Alaska in global and Pacific operations.
State Lags Behind Municipalities Adapting to New Marijuana Law
New marijuana rule change is a long way from the full legal market that voters passed. And as state entities work to develop comprehensive new laws municipalities are rushing to find shorter-term public safety solutions.
With Troop Cuts Looming, Anchorage Officials Turn Out Crowd
Several hundred people turned out to show support for the military in Alaska and speak against potential troop reductions at an event Monday night.
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Anchorage Rallies Against Potential Troop Cuts As Walker Meets with Head of Army
City and business leaders prepare tour for visiting officials ahead of a rally and public listening sessions in the hopes of insulating Alaska from an overall force reduction of 120,000 troops by 2018.
Marijuana Legalization In Alaska; And Sally Jewell’s Arctic Visit
First, we're discussing what the legalization of marijuana coming up next Tuesday means for state residents in real terms. And also a rare visit from Interior Secretary Sally Jewell to Kotzebue in the Northwest Arctic Borough and the large group of lawmakers who were also in the Arctic.
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International Experts on Arctic Warfare Gather For First Time At Remote Alaska Training Site
Anchorage Assembly Approves New Start for Former Platinum Jaxx Building Downtown
A controversial effort in the Anchorage Assembly to block a liquor license transfer failed during Tuesday night’s Assembly meeting.
“Stagnant” Anchorage Software Project To Move Forward After Two Separate Audit Reports
Internal and external audits of the SAP software implementation find poor management, lack of accountability, and problems with scheduling, but conclude it's too late to start over.
How Could Potential Military Drawdowns Impact Alaska’s Economy?
Today we’re discussing possible troop drawdowns in Alaska, part of the military’s broader reduction in overall size. Later this month, officials from the Defense Department and U.S. Army are visiting Anchorage and Fairbanks for listening sessions, to get a sense of what Forts Richardson and Wainwright mean to nearby communities. As well as how they fit into the broader mission of the American Armed Forces.
KSKA: Friday, 2/13 at 2:00pm and Saturday, 2/14 at 6:00pm
KAKM: Friday, 2/13 at 7:30pm and Saturday, 2/14 at 4:30pm
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Economic Group Sees Affordable Housing Shortage As Barrier To Growth For Anchorage
The Anchorage housing market is one of the most expensive in the country. A recent grant application by AEDC is trying to bring data on homelessness and affordability to the forefront of the conversation on the city's economic future.
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Combating Anchorage’s Violent Crime Spike
A recent uptick in deadly shooting incidents and assaults in Anchorage have police and public safety advocates sprinting to organize a response to curb the violent trend. The Anchorage Police Department is organizing a task-force to tackle the problem, but what can communities do to help remedy the problem?
KSKA: Friday, 2/6 at 2:00pm and Saturday, 2/7 at 6:00pm
KAKM: Friday, 2/6 at 7:30pm and Saturday, 2/7 at 4:30pm
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Tax On Alcohol to Treat Anchorage’s Worsening Substance Abuse Issues Fails
The Assembly ordinance would have put a 5.5% tax on sales in package stores, setting the money aside for housing units, beds in detox centers, and other treatment options. The plan was the latest proposed solution to the city's costly issues managing chronic inebriates.
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Col. Laurie Hummel Named New Adjutant General for the Alaska National Guard
Retired Colonel Laurie Hummel is the first woman to lead the Guard and serve as Commissioner for the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. Bob Doehl will join as her deputy .