Wind knocks out power to thousands in Anchorage and Mat-Su

And: Breweries and wineries sue Alaska alcohol board, alleging that restrictions amount to unfair treatment ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ Email not displaying correctly? [View the web version]( Good afternoon. It’s Thursday, February 22. In today's newsletter: - Windy weather that began late Wednesday[knocked out power]( to thousands of residents and businesses around Southcentral Alaska before transitioning to snow this morning. - A group of Alaska breweries and wineries [filed a lawsuit]( against the state Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, alleging that entertainment restrictions they face put them at an unconstitutional disadvantage against other establishments. - An Anchorage man on trial for murder in the deaths of two Alaska Native women [texted another man]( in the hours after one of the women was tortured and killed in a hotel room, jurors were told this week. America's system of national parks is a point of pride and an opportunity for adventure for many. Alaska boasts eight of them, drawing millions of visitors each year. Most visitors hold high praise for national parks, but a small number of them are less than inspired. With critiques like "disappointingly pointless" and "a giant litter box," here are the Washington Post's [favorite 1-star reviews]( for national parks, from Florida to Alaska. Anchorage weather It's mostly cloudy today with a high near 34 degrees, wind gusts of up to 35mph and a slight chance of snow. Friday brings another chance of snow showers which will last into the weekend. Daytime temperatures will drop from the low 30s to the low 20s over the next several days. Here’s what else is making headlines in Alaska today. — Megan Pacer, mpacer@adn.com [Strong winds knock out power to thousands in Anchorage and Mat-Su →]( The system spun up south of Cook Inlet and moved into the Susitna Valley by this morning, leading to gusts over 90 mph at Arctic Valley, over 80 mph on the Anchorage Hillside, and close to 60 mph in the Anchorage Bowl, according to the National Weather Service. ADVERTISEMENT [Breweries and wineries sue Alaska alcohol board, alleging that restrictions amount to unfair treatment →]( [The lawsuit comes after some restrictions for taprooms were loosenedÂ]( the start of the year. [‘I have something to show you’: Smith texted Anchorage man in hours after hotel room killing, met him at Hillside park →]( The evidence phase of Brian Smith’s trial has ended, with both the prosecution and defense resting their cases. The defense called no witnesses and Smith chose not to testify in his defense. Closing statements are expected today. [House Republicans’ education bill rejected as lawmakers continue work toward bipartisan deal →]( The Alaska House is striving for a bipartisan education deal after a sweeping Republican-backed package failed to garner enough votes to be debated on the floor. [Mat-Su school board removes romance novel ‘It Ends With Us’ from libraries following challenge →]( The school board for the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District voted to permanently remove the romance novel “It Ends With Us” from library shelves, marking the first decision in a broad review of 56 challenged books. [In latest Anchorage mayoral candidate forum, Bronson opponents lean into their differences →]( The candidates were asked about their stances on homelessness, Eklutna dam mitigation, curbing outmigration and other issues. ADVERTISEMENT More from the ADN [Gov. Dunleavy proposes crackdown on unpermitted public protests →]( [Borough election ballots in Mat-Su will include political parties, a first for Alaska →]( [State will not file charges against former APD officer accused of drunken driving →]( [Mount Everest has a poop problem. Now climbers are required to bag it. →]( [In annual speech to Legislature, U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan calls on Biden administration to get more aggressive with Iran →]( [Tax records reveal the lucrative world of covid misinformation →]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [Click here to unsubscribe and manage your email subscriptions.]( Anchorage Daily News, 300 W 31st Ave, Anchorage, AK 99503, United States