What a year it’s been. Thank you for trusting Alaska Public Media to bring you the news.
2025 was full of big stories — from the threat of Mount Spurr erupting to Presidents Trump and Putin meeting in Anchorage to the devastating Western Alaska storm that displaced hundreds. Through it all, our newsroom aimed to keep you informed while centering voices of the Alaskans most affected.
We also launched several new projects, based on listener and reader feedback:
- The Alaska Desk, which just completed its first year of reporting on critical state issues.
- The Anchorage Weekender, your weekly guide to local events.
- Alaska Survival Kit, tips from Alaskans, for Alaskans, to thrive in the 49th state.
- News & Brews trivia, another fun way to connect with you in person.
One of my favorite parts of the year was welcoming the next generation of reporters. We trained two paid college interns and a high school student in reporting and radio production — and learned so much from them, too. I loved seeing Anchorage through their eyes.
At the same time, 2025 underscored just how fragile local journalism can be. For the first time, Congress eliminated all federal funding for public media — cutting about 20% of our budget.
Thanks to the Alaskans who stepped in to support us, we could keep delivering the local news you rely on, including the top stories listed below.
Looking ahead, member support is what will allow us to keep doing all of this work. If you can, please consider becoming a sustaining member. You can do so by clicking here.
To get our top stories delivered directly to your inbox each weekday, subscribe to our free Daily Digest newsletter.
Thank you for valuing our reporting,
- Tegan Hanlon/news editor
Here are 10 of the stories our readers spent the most time with in 2025:
1. ‘We got hope’: The few who remain in storm-ravaged Kipnuk race to rebuild
Eric Stone traveled to Kipnuk to bring us the stories of the Alaskans who stayed through the winter to rebuild. Read more.
2. 10 ways Trump has changed Alaska in 100 days
For this story, four reporters partnered to learn as much as they could about how Donald Trump changed Alaska in his first 100 days as president. Read more.
3. No survivors in Bering Air plane crash near Nome with 10 on board
A tragic story out of Nome. Public media reporters worked together to cover the crash and its aftermath, including how families and loved ones honored those lost. Read more.
4. What to know about Mount Spurr’s likely eruption
For months, scientists warned an eruption was likely — but by summer’s end, that “likely” had turned to unlikely. Read more.
5. 'Pure chaos out of nowhere': Mega-landslide and tsunami rip through Tracy Arm south of Juneau
Eric Stone tracked down the kayakers who were camping on an uninhabited island when a colossal wave ripped through the area. Read more.
6. 'It's unreal': Jessie Holmes wins his first Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race
We had a team of journalists covering the Iditarod this year, including trail reporters Ava White of AKPM and Shelby Herbert with the Alaska Desk at KUAC. Read more.
7. As an Anchorage encampment is cleared, 2 friends say they’ll choose community over housing
Hannah Flor spent a lot of time in encampments this summer. She brought us stories of the Alaskans living there, and why they didn’t want to leave. Read more.
8. From simmering rage to psilocybin, Alaskans share thoughts on Trump-Putin visit
Our public radio network covered many stories on this historic meeting, but one of my favorites was by Hannah Flor and summer intern Eliza Dunn. They spent the day talking with Alaskans, capturing the wide range of thoughts and feelings that day. Read more.
9. Anchorage bar owner says security guard killed shooter who fired on crowd
The shooting outside the Gaslight raised many questions. We reviewed security footage and other details to make sense of the chaotic night. Read more.
10. An Alaska whale expert's message in a bottle washed up in Scotland, years after his death
Alena Naiden with the Alaska Desk and KNBA tells the story of how a message in a bottle traveled across the ocean — and touched both the couple who found it and the family of the man who wrote it. Read more.
