adn.com

November 18, 2025

Here’s a detailed look at Anchorage Daily News (ADN) and its website, adn.com — what it is, how it works, and why it matters.

What is ADN and adn.com

ADN (Anchorage Daily News) is a major newspaper and digital news outlet based in Anchorage, Alaska. (Wikipedia)
The website adn.com serves as the online presence for the paper — covering local Alaska news, politics, business, sports, opinion pieces, and more. (Anchorage Daily News)
Although the newspaper has changed names and ownership over time, adn.com remains recognized as the site of the Anchorage Daily News. (Wikipedia)

History & evolution

ADN began as a print newspaper in 1946. (Wikipedia)
The domain adn.com was used by the online version of the paper (and its predecessors) to serve statewide Alaska coverage.
In 2016, the website underwent a redesign to improve user experience and adopt new publishing tools (specifically the Arc publishing system used by The Washington Post). (Anchorage Daily News)
Ownership: Currently published by Anchorage Daily News, LLC (owned by Binkley Co.). (Anchorage Daily News)

What you’ll find on adn.com

The site is organized into multiple sections. Here are some of the major ones:

Alaska News: Covers state-wide issues including Anchorage, Mat-Su region, rural Alaska, education, crime & courts, etc. (Anchorage Daily News)
Politics: Deals with Alaska legislative matters, statewide governance, etc. (Anchorage Daily News)
Opinion: Editorials, letters to the editor, guest commentary. (Anchorage Daily News)
Sports: Local high school sports, university athletics, etc. (Anchorage Daily News)
Business/Economy: Especially relevant given Alaska’s resource-based economy. (Anchorage Daily News)
e-Edition: A digital replica of the print newspaper, allowing readers to view the full layout, search, and save articles/ads. (Anchorage Daily News)

Why ADN and adn.com matter

Largest news outlet in Alaska: ADN claims to be the most-read newspaper and news website in the state. (Anchorage Daily News)
Pulitzer recognition: The print newspaper has won the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service several times: in 1976, 1989, and 2020. (Wikipedia)
Local relevance: Given Alaska’s unique geography, economy (fishing, oil, indigenous communities, rural access) and politics, having a dedicated outlet like ADN helps fill a niche.
Digital transition: The redesign in 2016 reflects a broader newspaper trend of moving more heavily into digital platforms and improving reader experience. (Anchorage Daily News)

Strengths & limitations

Strengths

Comprehensive coverage of Alaska-specific issues (not just national news).
Established reputation (print + online) with significant awards.
Offers both free content and subscriber services (e-edition, archives).

Limitations / Challenges

Like many newspapers, print circulation is under pressure and digital monetization is tough. (For example, ADN announced reducing print editions in recent years.) (Wikipedia)
While it covers Alaska well, if you’re outside Alaska the relevance may be limited (unless you’re interested in that region).
Some content is subscriber-only, so full access may require payment/subscription.

Practical use / Tips

If you’re doing research or wanting to follow Alaska policy, environment, indigenous issues, or fisheries: adn.com is a strong resource.
Use the e-edition function if you prefer the print layout or want to browse full sections as published.
Sign up for newsletters if you want curated updates instead of browsing the full site.
Be aware of paywall/subscriber restrictions. Consider whether you need full access or just the free articles.
For commentary or letters: ADN invites submissions but has guidelines. (Anchorage Daily News)

Key Takeaways

ADN (Anchorage Daily News) is a major Alaskan news outlet; adn.com is its digital website.
The site offers wide coverage of Alaska-specific news, politics, business, sports, opinion, etc.
It has strong heritage (founded 1946) and award history (Pulitzers).
Digital features include a full e-edition, searchable archives, mobile access.
Best used if you need insight into Alaska region; less general national/global coverage focus.

FAQ

Q: Is adn.com free to access?
A: Some content is freely accessible, but full access (especially for premium content, archives, e-edition) may require a subscription.

Q: Does ADN cover national or global news, or only Alaska?
A: While its strength is Alaska and regional coverage, it does include national/world news items. But its unique value is local expertise. (Anchorage Daily News)

Q: Can I access the print newspaper via the website?
A: Yes — there’s an e-edition version where you can view the layout, search articles/ads, save/print them. (Anchorage Daily News)

Q: Where is ADN headquartered?
A: At 300 W. 31st Ave., Anchorage, Alaska 99503. (Anchorage Daily News)

Q: Who owns ADN?
A: It’s published by Anchorage Daily News, LLC, which is owned by the Binkley Company (Binkley Co.). (Wikipedia)