Bronson and LaFrance campaigns are gearing up for a runoff

And: Mat-Su creates new challenged-book committee nominated by borough mayor ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ Email not displaying correctly? [View the web version]( Good afternoon. It’s Thursday, April 4. In today's newsletter: - Incumbent Mayor Dave Bronson and former Assembly Chair Suzanne LaFrance continue to hold wide leads over other mayoral candidates, remaining poised for what many expect to be [a highly competitive runoff.]( - A [new citizen committee]( will take over the review of challenged books in Matanuska-Susitna Borough library collections after the suspension of a prior committee amid chaotic public hearings. - An Anchorage man was [sentenced to 75 years in prison]( this week in the torture and murder of a 30-year-old woman at his home in 2016. After a long, intense winter that seems not quite willing to make way for spring, many of you may be looking out at a yard full of snow and wondering what will appear once it's all melted. In his latest column, Jeff Lowenfels has [some advice on what to expect]( and how to get ready for spring. Anchorage weather It's overcast today with a high near 40 degrees, and snow will continue through this afternoon. Snow mixed with rain showers is likely tonight, and precipitation will last into Friday. Daytime temperatures will hover in the high 30s and low 40s for the next few days. Here’s what else is making headlines in Alaska today. — Megan Pacer, mpacer@adn.com [As latest vote count arrives in Anchorage mayor’s race, Bronson and LaFrance gear up for a runoff →]( By Wednesday afternoon, the [latest vote count]( gave Suzanne LaFrance 36%, and Mayor Dave Bronson just under 35%. With about six weeks to sway voters, the Bronson and LaFrance campaigns are anticipating a competitive and expensive contest. ADVERTISEMENT [Mat-Su creates new challenged-book committee nominated by borough mayor →]( The new committee will be made up of residents nominated by Borough Mayor Edna DeVries and approved by the Assembly. No members of the new committee are required to be librarians or have expertise in literature or books. [Anchorage man sentenced to 75 years in torture and murder of woman in 2016 →]( In an interview after the hearing, the woman's grandmother said she felt relieved to have closure after waiting nearly eight years for the case to conclude. [Funding for Alyeska Reading Institute removed from Alaska House’s draft budget →]( The House Finance Committee voted to remove $5 million requested by Gov. Mike Dunleavy for a reading institute that lawmakers say has an unclear mission. [Alaska school year could start in September under new proposal →]( The proposal's sponsor said the later start date would allow Alaska families to spend more time engaging in subsistence activities and working in construction or tourism jobs. (via Alaska Beacon) ADVERTISEMENT More from the ADN [Boeing pays Alaska Airlines $160 million in compensation for midair panel blowout →]( [Lawmakers consider requiring opioid overdose reversal drug in Alaska schools →]( [Biden tells Israel’s Netanyahu future US support for war depends on new steps to protect civilians →]( [UAA basketball legend and former NFL player highlight Alaska High School Hall of Fame Class of 2024 →]( [America has legislated itself into competing red and blue versions of education →]( [Colony boys soccer sets out on title defense with ‘new season, new team’ mindset →]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [Click here to unsubscribe and manage your email subscriptions.]( Anchorage Daily News, 300 W 31st Ave, Anchorage, AK 99503, United States