State fire officials will begin requiring burn permits in much of Southcentral and Southeast Alaska as of March 17 under an order issued Thursday declaring an early start to fire season.

A January hearing in Juneau was a snapshot of how pretrial delays have affected Alaska courts: victims, witnesses and defendants are often waiting years for a resolution, and their lives are put on hold in the meantime.

Board Chair Ralph Seekins said the regents acted to promote “equal opportunity,” while many faculty, students and lawmakers expressed concern, and said the “doublespeak” targets minority groups and cr

Persistent warmth and rains have wreaked havoc with ski races and other events in the Anchorage area. Organizers are adjusting and considering changes in the future.

The Iditarod has begun and promises to be like none before. Mushers began the world’s most famous sled dog race Monday, but not from the Anchorage area.

Minnesotans were in a group of skiers who are believed to be dead after an avalanche south of Anchorage this week, authorities have confirmed.