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Good afternoon. It’s Thursday, June 5.

In today's newsletter:

The head of the EPA said that he’s working with Alaska leaders to review tens of millions of dollars’ worth of grants that have been canceled in the state, such as those for renewable energy projects.
The Alaska State Board of Education voted to pause controversial emergency regulations that were set to limit local funding for public schools, in order to allow time for public comment.
The helicopter that crashed on the North Slope yesterday, killing the pilot and sole passenger, received a special weather clearance before taking off, federal officials say.

We're fully into summer now — the season of longer days, fishing and getting outdoors to enjoy all Alaska has to offer. It's also the season of Alaska's prolific schedule of fairs and festivals across the state. Be sure to leave room in your June itinerary for concerts, Juneteenth celebrations and myriad solstice festivals. You can check out our full summer fairs and festivals listing here.

Anchorage weather

It's mostly cloudy and rainy today today with a high around 55 degrees. The forecast calls for sunny skies on Friday before the rain returns over the weekend and into next week. Daytime temperatures will hover in the high 50s for the next few days.

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

— Megan Pacer, mpacer@adn.com

EPA chief says canceled Alaska energy projects, many in rural communities, have ‘fixable’ issues →

Earlier this year, EPA and other federal agencies froze billions of dollars in grants. Some of the affected grant-funded projects, which included wind, solar and battery power, were designed to cut utility bills and create jobs and income in rural Alaska.

After outrage and legal threats, Alaska education board pauses new limits on local funding for public schools →

The fast-tracked rulemaking process sparked widespread outrage from school administrators who said the regulations would be damaging and that no emergency exists to justify them.

NTSB: Helicopter in crash that killed 2 near Deadhorse received weather clearance →

An NTSB official said the pilot had received what’s known as a Special Visual Flight Rules clearance. It's commonly used, especially in rural Alaska, to land in low ceilings or visibility.

Proposed Alaska bitcoin mine would use as much power as the state’s largest coal plant produces →

The startup planning the operation near the North Slope oil fields would power its computers not with coal but with another fossil fuel: natural gas that’s currently going unused. (via the Northern Journal)

Alaska priest kidnapped in Nigeria, Fairbanks diocese says →

The Rev. Alphonsus Afina, a Nigerian priest who served in Fairbanks and villages across the Seward Peninsula, was abducted by Boko Haram, according to the Diocese of Fairbanks.

Alaska’s David Norris wins his first national mountain running title →

The five-time Mount Marathon winner surprised himself with the result and punched his ticket to the world championships in the process.

From the editor: A brief introduction →

In this next era of the Anchorage Daily News, I see endless opportunities for our newsroom to evolve and thrive. I hope you, our readers, will take this step forward with us.

More from the ADN

Body of ski mountaineer who fell to his death on Denali’s West Buttress has been recovered →

Palmer Job Corps Center closure paused for now →

Trump’s travel ban on 12 countries triggers fear and uncertainty →

The Beach Boys, with one founding member, set to perform at Alaska State Fair →

Supreme Court makes it easier to claim ‘reverse discrimination’ in employment →

Cook Inlet Conference champions ride momentum into baseball and softball state tournaments →

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