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.

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.

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

The Iditarod began with a festive ceremonial start in Anchorage on Saturday, March 1, at 10 a.m. Teams then drove 350 miles north to Fairbanks for the official race start at 11 a.m. at Pike's Waterfront Lodge.

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