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Good afternoon. It’s Thursday, April 23.

In today's newsletter:

In the Alaska Legislature, Senate budgeters have reduced the proposed PFD amount to $1,000; the House has passed a bill to address the state's chronically late grant payments to nonprofits; and a Senate panel is fast-tracking one-time education funding measures.
Animal cruelty charges filed against a Mat-Su woman described dire conditions at the property where more than two dozen emaciated sled dogs were found dead last week. The borough is planning to hire an outside investigator to review animal enforcement actions in the case.
Voting and civil rights groups sued Alaska elections officials, alleging that their sharing of the state’s full voter registration list with the U.S. Department of Justice violates the state constitution.

The last weekend of April is turning out to be a busy one, with some flagship spring events on tap. The Slush Cup and Spring Carnival at Alyeska Resort in Girdwood are sure to draw a crowd (dummy downhill, anyone?). In Anchorage, Arctic Comic Con spotlights all things comics, gaming, cosplay and nerd culture. Check out more weekend events in our roundup.

Anchorage weather
It's mostly cloudy today with a high around 47 degrees. On Friday, we can expect a chance of rain, followed by partly sunny skies through the weekend as daytime highs remain in the upper 40s.

Here’s what else is making headlines in Alaska today.

— Vicky Ho, vho@adn.com

Alaska Senate budgeters shrink PFD to $1,000, add $150 energy relief payment →

The Senate’s proposed dividend will cost the state $300 million less than the outlay approved by the House, eliminating the deficit in the spending plan for the fiscal year that begins in July.

House passes bill to address state’s chronically late grant payments to nonprofits →

Nonprofits that rely on state grants are regularly paid months late, hampering their ability to provide services. A bill that passed the Alaska House on Wednesday seeks to change that by requiring the state to pay out grants within 30 days — or else incur penalties.

Animal cruelty charges filed against Mat-Su woman describe dire conditions in sled dogs’ deaths →

The investigation was prompted by the April 15 discovery of 25 dead sled dogs — and another that appeared to be alive but starving — at the kennel the woman operated north of Willow, according to a criminal complaint. Troopers said they found widespread signs of neglect when they searched the property.

Mat-Su to hire outside investigator for animal control probe after deaths of 25 dogs →

The investigation will focus in part on the actions of Mat-Su animal enforcement officials and an animal regulation officer in response to residents’ complaints about conditions at the kennel, borough Manager Mike Brown said. (via Mat-Su Sentinel)

Groups sue Alaska election officials, allege the sharing of voter data with DOJ was unconstitutional →

The lawsuit also alleges that an agreement between the state and federal government violates due process by allowing the Justice Department to flag voters for removal “without any apparent notice or process for impacted voters to challenge those decisions.”

Feds select Alaska for $115M to improve and build port facilities across much of the state →

The U.S. Department of Transportation grants include $4.7 million to plan for future replacement of an aging petroleum terminal at the Don Young Port of Alaska in Anchorage.