2025 in pictures, captured by ADN photographers
Protests and politics. Wilderness and wildlife. Historic disasters and everyday joys. In 2025, Anchorage Daily News photographers captured much of what makes Alaska unique.
‘There are hard days’: Behind the scenes with the Alaska SeaLife Center’s animal care team
Three full-time staffers work at the state’s only facility authorized to rehabilitate stranded or injured otters, seals, birds, even a rare walrus — lovable creatures only briefly in their hands.
Watch: Scenes from Áak’w Rock
The three-day music festival in Juneau brought together Native artists across genres from around the world.
Tiny, mighty, sometimes ugly: An ode to some of the Alaska State Fair’s overlooked crops
The summer’s lack of sunshine and abundance of rain made for smaller entries in contests that might not be giant pumpkins or cabbages but still managed to produce a 10 1/2-foot-long gourd and a 3-pound tomato.
Photos: Alaska State Fair’s opening day
Sunshine welcomed crowds as they walked, ate and rode their way around the State Fair in Palmer. The fair runs until Sept. 4.
Photos: An afternoon at the Alaska Zoo
Kids and adults enjoyed their day of viewing everything from bears to raptors to otters.
‘It was like a freight train’: Surfers catch wave in Turnagain Arm
See our favorite photos from Thursday evening’s bore tide.
Come on, Barbie, let’s go to fish camp
An Anchorage mother-daughter duo made a doll set for an Alaska Native Heritage Center fundraising auction.
Photos: Hundreds flock to Hilltop as Summer Concert Series wraps up
Thursday’s show was the last outdoor summer concert hosted by the Anchorage Concert Association. Anchorage musicians Rosie Rush and Medium Build performed.
Salmon and summer sunshine: Photos from an evening of dipnetting on the Kenai
Hundreds of Alaskans gathered at the mouth of the Kenai River over the weekend for their share of the sockeye run.
Photos: Alyeska Resort’s newest attraction suspends you a half-mile high
Visitors can walk over two bridges that span 600 feet.
Photos: Reveling in a welcome dose of Alaska summer sunshine
Recent rain gave way to blue skies and warm sunshine from Anchorage up to Fairbanks on Thursday.
Photos: Anchorage celebrates Fourth of July
Hundreds, including many representing local clubs and organizations, participated in the parade that weaved down West Ninth Avenue near downtown.
Photos: Rollerskiers take to Anchorage’s Moose Loop to raise awareness for the sport
June 1 is recognized as Rollerski Awareness Day in Anchorage. Thursday’s event was to educate people about the sport, and about safety on roads and trails for skiers in training.
Photos: Hundreds gather in Anchorage for Alaska Heart Run & Walk
Participants in this year’s event hosted by the American Heart Association raised nearly $250,000 for heart disease research, training and advocacy.
Alaska Airlines unveils new plane design honoring salmon by Juneau artist Crystal Worl
The aircraft is named Xáat Kwáani — a Tlingit phrase that translates to “Salmon People.”
Photos: Inlet View Elementary’s Salmon Run and carnival turns South Addition into a block party
More than 1,000 people participated in the annual run, which featured 2K, 5K and 10K races. A carnival with hair dyeing, cotton candy, food trucks and bubbles followed.
U.S. Army chief of staff visits Alaska to kick off Indo-Pacific tour
Gen. James C. McConville presented awards and the oath of reenlistment for 11th Airborne Division soldiers Friday at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage.
At grocery stores and sled dog races, Alaska’s Girl Scouts mark arrival of spring with cookie sales
The state’s favorite cookies are a tie between Samoas and Thin Mints, according to Girl Scouts of Alaska CEO Leslie Ridle.
21 of our favorite photos from the 2023 Iditarod in Nome
Twenty-nine mushers completed the race from Willow to Nome.
Photos: Top Iditarod finishers race into Nome
Cheering crowds, sunshine and a well-deserved break awaited mushers as they crossed the Iditarod finish line.
Our favorite photos from the Iditarod ceremonial start in Anchorage
Under bluebird skies, the mushers competing in the 2023 Iditarod waved to spectators and were cheered on by fans during their 11-mile tour through Anchorage.
An Anchorage dance class aims to bring twerking back to its roots
The move evolved from a West African dance used as a form of celebration and worship. Participants in a class that started during the pandemic say twerking gives them a sense of freedom and personal expression.