Alaskans are growing increasingly concerned about the state budget crisis that threatens jobs, government services and Permanent Fund dividends, a new Rasmuson Foundation poll says.
Lisa Demer
Several rank-and-file lawmakers said this week that they oppose the $32.5 million purchase offer made by legislative leaders to the landlords of the Legislature’s Anchorage office building — calling into question whether the deal can be sealed.
Nathaniel Herz
Prospective cannabusiness owners are getting letters saying that their applications are incomplete until a key provision is addressed by the Legislature. A marijuana attorney says the issue is a "red herring." 
Laurel Andrews
A House committee has introduced a bill that proposes big changes to the state’s oil production tax system, including taxing Cook Inlet oil for the first time in years and ending a generous deal for so-called “new oil."
Alex DeMarban
Officials said there are still more than 5,000 ballots to be counted in Anchorage's Tuesday city election, a situation that could affect several tight races. 
Devin Kelly,Tegan Hanlon
Anchorage Mayor Ethan Berkowitz needs to send a thank-you to John-Henry Heckendorn and his partners. They gift-wrapped the Assembly.CommentaryCharles Wohlforth
On the right day, Anchorage’s dog pound seems like an abandoned hotel. No barking. No animals. Just a quiet facility void of adoptable pets. What’s going on?VoicesJill Burke
Alaska's congressman talks Donald Trump, the quality of Interior Alaska's cannabis, how he'd stop the spread of hard drugs, and dating as an octogenarian. PoliticsErica Martinson
You have to hand it to Williwaw: There aren't a ton of downtown restaurants with the bandwidth to do breakfast, lunch and dinner. And have a coffee shop. And put on shows. And provide a full bar. And run an elegant speakeasy. And unveil a seasonal rooftop garden bar.Food & DrinkKatie Pesznecker

News & Politics

Snowmachiners at Arctic Man are already triggering avalanches, prompting warnings

Avalanche forecasters at this week’s Arctic Man event near Paxson are warning snowmachiners of especially dangerous conditions and telling them to avoid maneuvers that could prove fatal.Chris Klint

Have a news tip? Let us know at newstips@alaskadispatch.com


Popular columnists
Jeff Lowenfels  •  Dermot Cole  •  Charles Wohlforth  •  Heather Lende  •   Jill Burke  •  Shannyn Moore  •  Paul Jenkins  
Elise Patkotak   •   Mike Dingman  •  Steven Haycox  •   Alan Boraas  •  Michael Carey  •  Rick Sinnott  •  Laureli Ivanoff

Adventure

Speed demons on skis, boards, snowmachines ready to light their hair on fire at Arctic Man

Some of Alaska’s finest snowmachiners, along with skiers and snowboarders from across the country, will gather for the competition, the spectacle and the good times in the Hoodoo Mountains of Interior Alaska.Mike Campbell

Nation/World

  • After his most convincing victory yet over Donald Trump in Wisconsin, Ted Cruz sought on Wednesday to shed his reputation as a divisive bomb-thrower and position himself as the candidate who can bring the Republican Party together.

  • Her current effort upstate, which advisers say is critical not just to winning the New York primary on April 19 but to swaying voters nationwide to Clinton’s style of pragmatic problem solving, comes as she looks to rebound after losing six of the last seven primary elections to Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont.

We Alaskans

With 84 Alaska species to check out, butterflying is gaining a foothold in the Arctic. Even avid birders are jumping in. 
Alaska Dispatch News

In case you missed it

Could a ‘trans-Alaska trail’ parallel the pipeline? A state lawmaker hopes so

Rep. Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins wants to create a multiuse, multiseason “trans-Alaska trail” paralleling the trans-Alaska pipeline, but the system's operators have big concerns about safety surrounding the project.Suzanna Caldwell

Sponsored Content

What's in your WIC-approved cart?

SPONSORED: The federally funded Women, Infants and Children program delivers nutritious food to the moms and kids who need it most.Presented by Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium