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
Amid a midtown Anchorage mall’s rebirth, is downtown retail in decline?
After surviving a tumultuous few years, the commercial complex formerly (and sometime still) called the Sear's Mall is at the heart of a business boom in the city's midtown district.
Alaska’s rate of sexual assault is four times national average, according to latest FBI numbers
Though reports of crime nationally are generally on the decline, by most measures Alaska is bucking that trend.
US Dept. of Transportation awards $25M for Port of Alaska upgrades
The money will help pay for upgrades to the petroleum and cement terminal in the first phase of the project.
Dunleavy administration disputes public defender caseloads, but recommends reforms
A new entity called the Oversight and Review Unit under the Department of Administration analyzed the caseloads of public defenders in Alaska.
‘They carve to have a place to sleep.’ He’s made a place for struggling ivory carvers in Anchorage
A former inmate is transforming a downtown gallery and workshop into a nonprofit geared toward giving opportunities to artists with few options.
Nestled in massive utility sale, $15M for substance abuse treatment
After hearing feedback and concerns from regulators, a refined version of the ML&P sale came before the Assembly for approval.
Premera promises $5.7M to rural Alaska health care programs
The health insurance company wants to invest in upgrades to rural health care and wellness, and plans on expanding training programs for nursing, along with other initiatives.
Pushed by young people, AFN declares a climate emergency
The convention's final day saw a lot of attention on climate change, as well as shortcomings in public safety, and remarks by both U.S. senators.
Recall moves to the fore the second day of the AFN convention in Fairbanks
Groups that do not usually wade into contentious state political battles are taking a stance on recall effort.
Protest, policy critiques mark first day of Fairbanks AFN
As the year’s Alaska Federation of Natives Convention began Thursday in Fairbanks, this year’s theme — “Good Government, Alaskan Driven” — loomed large.
LISTEN: How dangerous are PFAS chemicals and what’s being done to clean them up?
Found in everything from firefighting foam to household cleaning products and even food containers, PFAS are persistent and bio accumulate over time. How dangerous are they to human health and what’s being done to clean them up?
APD officer charged with assault after video recorded incident
The confrontation was uploaded to YouTube by the victim, an online activist with a record of strong anti-police sentiment. It led to an internal investigation, and the officer is on administrative leave.
Voters could re-shape Anchorage’s Assembly, shifting political power
A ballot measure in Anchorage could add a new seat and redistrict the body's current political boundaries. Supporters say it's about fairness in representation for some of the city's poorest neighborhoods.
Should people smoke and eat edibles at pot cafes? Anchorage voters will decide
The move will put regulations for on-site consumption before voters on the April 2020 ballot.
Court blocks Dunleavy union rule change. For now.
The Alaska Superior Court issued a temporary restraining order in favor of union groups opposing a controversial change in membership rules.
23 Alaska paratroopers injured in Mississippi training exercise
After being blown toward a stand of trees, nearly two dozen soldiers were brought to a nearby hospital. Four remain, though none of the injuries are life-threatening, according to the military.
Amid a big fight for cod in the Bering Sea, can remote Adak survive?
A fish plant is at the center of a dispute pitting two small Aleutian Island communities against large out of state fishing interests. And the implications could stretch to other coastal fishing towns in Alaska.
Anchorage settles case on transgender access to women’s shelter
The municipality will pay $100,000 to cover legal expenses associated with litigation over whether the Downtown Hope Center's shelter policy was discriminatory.
As Arctic ice melts, will the Navy return to Adak?
For the first time in more than 30 years, the Navy staged a joint training exercise on the far-western Aleutian island. Some are hoping it portends a permanent future in the region.
Extensive new report details cancer-causing PFAS toxins across Alaska
A group of environmental advocacy organizations says the extent of contamination and emerging research around PFAS constitutes a significant health concern for Alaskans.