Introduction to Alaska News Media
Alaska is the state in the US located in the North-West extremity of West Coast of the US. As of 2020, It is the largest among the US states and the third least populous state in the country. Alaska was once an integral part of Russia as they were among the first group to occupy the region at the beginning of the 18th century. Over the years, Russia sold Alaska to the US in 1867 for USD 7.2million. Alaska was officially recognized as the 49th state of the US on January 3rd, 1959.
The history of newspapers in Alaska dates back to 1866. It was in 1866, a handwritten monthly periodical was circulated in the present region of Alaska. Though it was very different from the newspapers as we see today, it did serve its purpose. The periodical was named ‘Esquimeaux’ and was first published on 14th October 1886. Esquimeaux was published to cater to the men who were working in Alaska laying a telegraph line connecting Alaska with Siberia. Esquimeaux remained in circulation until August 1867 and was relocated to San Francisco.
The first printed newspaper to be published in Alaska was “The Alaska Times” which first entered circulation on March 1st 1868. It is important to note that though The Alaska Times was the first newspaper to be published in Alaska, it was not printed there. Rather it was printed in San Francisco. The first newspaper to be fully printed and published in Alaska was “The Nome Nugget” which was first published in the year 1897.
As of 2020, there are about 20 newspapers that are in circulation in Alaska with a cumulative circulation of 20573 copies.
Alaska Newspapers & News Websites
In this section, we will have an in-depth look at the prominent newspapers and news websites in Alaska.
Anchorage Daily News
Anchorage daily news is a daily newspaper in Alaska which is owned by Binkley Co and published by Andy Pennington. The newspaper was founded in the year 1946 and it first hit the newsstands on January 13th of the same year.
When first launched, Anchorage daily news was named ‘Anchorage News’ and was a weekly newspaper. It was in the year 1948, Anchorage News became an afternoon daily and began publishing 6 days a week except on Sundays.
Over the years the popularity and the circulation of the newspaper increased exponentially and on April 13th of 1964 it was converted into a morning newspaper. It is important to note that, Anchorage Daily News is the only newspaper in Alaska to win the Pulitzer Prize three times in the Public Service category.
Anchorage Daily News mainly focuses on reporting all facets of news and updates concerning the state of Alaska. Apart from the printed edition of the newspaper, they also own an online news portal. There are dedicated sections on their website for Alaska news, political news, real estate, editorials, and other entertainment section.
Anchorage daily news also has a strong presence in various social media platforms. Readers can choose to follow these pages for prompt updates.
Anchorage Daily News Android App
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner is a daily newspaper in Alaska, catering to a reader base in Fairbanks, North Star Borough, Denali Borough and the Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area. The newspaper was founded in the year 1903 and is currently owned by the Helen E. Snedden Foundation.
When first launched in 1903, the newspaper was named the Weekly Fairbanks News and was a weekly newspaper. It was in 1909 when the newspaper became a daily it was renamed to Fairbanks Daily News-Miner.
The newspaper mainly focuses on reporting regional news and important national news. Apart from the printed edition, they also have an online news portal.
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner Online
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner Android App
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner iOS App
Juneau Empire
Juneau Empire is a daily newspaper in Alaska catering to the city and Borough of Juneau. The newspaper was founded in the years 1912 and first hit the newsstands on November 2nd of the same year. As of 2020 the newspaper is owned by the Sound Publications and is published by Jeff Hayden.
Juneau Empire is circulated 5 days a week except on Mondays and Saturdays.
Being based on city and Borough of Juneau, the newspaper mainly focuses on covering the regional news and news concerning the state of Alaska. Apart from the printed edition, the newspaper also has an online news portal.
The Peninsula Clarion
The Peninsula Clarion is a daily newspaper published in Kenai, Alaska and was first launched in the year 1970. The newspaper mainly caters to the population of the Kenai Peninsula. Of Alaska. Being a regional newspaper, The Peninsula Clarion mainly focuses on reporting news and updates concerning the Kenai Peninsula.
Apart from the printed edition of the newspaper, they also own and online news portal. There are dedicated sections on the website for news, sports, outdoor & recreation, arts and entertainment, and so on. Most contents on the website are available to the users for free but there are some premium contents on the website too.
Anchorage Press
Anchorage Press is a weekly newspaper based out of Anchorage, Alaska that is published every Thursday. The newspaper is owned by the Wick Communications and first entered circulation in 1992. As per the latest readership survey, Anchorage news had a circulation of about 25,000 copies. The newspaper mainly focuses on covering the regional news and news concerning the state of Alaska.
Apart from the printed edition, Anchorage Press also has an online news portal which the readers can access for free. There are dedicated sections on the website for news, arts & entertainment, music, weather updates, and many more.
Kiny Radio
Kiny Radio is a broadcast radio station in Juneau, Alaska, serving Alaska Panhandle. The radio station was founded in the year 1935 and is currently owned by the Alaska Broadcast Communication. It mainly covers all facets of news and updates concerning Alaska and important national news.
Apart from the radio station, they also own an online news portal. The website is regularly updated with the latest news and updates. There are dedicated sections on the website for news, weather, local news, and contests & quizzes. Users can also choose to listen to their live programs from this website.
Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman
Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman is a tri-weekly newspaper, that is based out of Matanuska-Susitna Valley of Alaska. The newspaper is published on every Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday and is owned by the Wick Communications. Being based out of Matanuska-Susitna Valley, the newspaper mainly reports news and updates concerning the valley and the regions surrounding it.
Apart from the printed edition of the newspaper, they also have an online news portal with dedicated sections for news, local news, classifieds, sports, obituaries, opinions, and many more. Though most contents on the website are available to the users for free, some contents are exclusively available only for the paid subscribers.
Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman Online
Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman Android App
Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman iOS App
Homer News
Homer News is a weekly newspaper in Alaska that was founded in 1964 and is currently owned by the Sound Publications. As the name suggests, the newspaper is based out of Horme and is mainly focussed on reporting the regional news concerning the region. Apart from the printed edition, they also have an online news portal.
Anchorage Alaska Journal of Commerce
Anchorage Alaska Journal of Commerce is an online publication based out of Anchorage, Alaska and is owned by the Binkley Co. The journal mainly covers news and updates on various industries such as oil & gas, construction and real estate, transportation, technology, and so on.
Anchorage Alaska Journal of Commerce Online
Delta Discovery
Delta Discovery is a weekly newspaper based out of and published in Bethel, Alaska. The newspaper mainly covers news and updates concerning the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta of Alaska. Apart from the printed edition, the newspaper also owns an online news portal and covers all facets of local news, sports news, obituaries, crime news, and so on.
The Nome Nugget
The Nome Nugget is a weekly newspaper that is published on Thursdays in Alaska. The newspaper was founded in the year 1899 and is currently owned by the Nugget Publishing Corp. Nome Nugget mainly caters to the readers in the Northwest region of Alaska. Apart from the printed edition they also own an online news portal.
North of 60 Mining News
North of 60 Mining News is not a newspaper rather it is a weekly online trade publication based out of Alaska. The publication provides to its readers’ complete information and news & updates on the mining sector of Alaska and northern Canada.
North of 60 Mining News Online
Delta Wind
Delta Wind is a weekly newspaper in Alaska covering all the news and updates concerning the Delta junction, Deltana, Big Delta, and Fort Greely. The newspaper was founded in the year 1987 and has since been published on Thursdays. Apart from the printed edition, they also own an online news portal.
Kodiak Mirror
Kodiak Mirror is a daily newspaper in Alaska that was founded in the year 1940. The newspaper is published by Richard Harris and is owned by the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner Inc. Kodiak Mirror also owns an online news portal and has dedicated sections for classifieds, local news, sports news, community news, and many more.
The Northern Light
The Northern Light is a weekly student’s newspaper in Alaska published by the University of Alaska Anchorage. The newspaper was founded in the year 1988 with the merger of the University of Alaska Anchorage and Anchorage Community College. The newspaper is circulated among the students of the university and the surrounding region in Anchorage.
Northern Light (University of Alaska-Anchorage) Online
Northern Light (University of Alaska-Anchorage) ePaper
Daily Sitka Sentinel
Daily Sitka Sentinel is an Independent newspaper in Sitka, Alaska. The newspaper was founded by Harold Veatch in 1939. Daily Sitka Sentinel covers all facets of local, regional, national and international news, and sports news. Apart from the printed edition, they also own an online news portal.
Conclusion
Digital revolution has been happening at full swing across the world and the demand for digital news mediums are at an all time high. With most people resorting to mobile applications and E Papers, the circulation of newspapers are declining sharply across the globe.
The same is the case with newspapers in Alaska too. Owing to which, most prominent newspapers have become weekly, bi-weekly or tri-weekly newspapers. Apart from which, most newspapers are investing more on digital publications and on improving their digital footprint.
While the Media industry knows no bounds, we at MediaBuzz are working hard to provide encyclopaedic coverage of all the news sources. We are a team of professional writers with a knack for the trends in the world of journalism.
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- What are the top three newspapers in Alaska?
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