Bronson and LaFrance trade barbs in mayoral debate ahead of runoff election

And: Some Alaska lawmakers signal opposition to governor’s pick for education board ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ Email not displaying correctly? [View the web version]( Good afternoon. It’s Tuesday, April 30. In today's newsletter: - With Anchorage’s runoff election for mayor rapidly approaching, incumbent Dave Bronson and challenger Suzanne LaFrance [clashed over their differences]( during a debate and traded sharp jabs. - Some Alaska senators [signaled they would oppose the re-confirmation]( of a state board of education member over his positions on public education, including his support for spending state funds on private schools. - The Senate Judiciary Committee [unveiled a crime bill]( that combines various criminal justice reform proposals into a single package, including tougher penalties for drug offenses. Most weeks, you can count on historian David Reamer to bring you a new story or analysis from somewhere in Anchorage or Alaska's past. This week, he wants to know how much you've been paying attention. [Take his quiz]( to see how well you know your Anchorage history. Anchorage weather It's mostly sunny today with a high near 50 degrees, though clouds will increase this evening and there will be a slight chance of rain showers overnight. The forecast calls clouds and a slight chance of rain on Wednesday as well. Daytime temperatures will hover in the low- to mid-50s over the next few days. Here’s what else is making headlines in Alaska today. — Megan Pacer, mpacer@adn.com [Bronson, LaFrance trade barbs in mayoral debate as Anchorage runoff election nears →]( In campaign messaging to voters and during debates, Suzanne LaFrance and incumbent Dave Bronson have promised to lead the city in starkly different ways. Ballots for the runoff election were mailed to voters today. You can hear from the candidates in [another debate this week]( co-hosted by the ADN and Alaska Public Media. ADVERTISEMENT [Need a dog date? A new Mat-Su Borough program loans out four-legged trail friends →]( A new Mat-Su Animal Shelter program set to start in mid-May is aimed at pairing adoptable shelter dogs with people who want to borrow them for a short day hike. [Some Alaska lawmakers signal opposition to governor’s pick for education board →]( Bob Griffin was first appointed to the Alaska Board of Education and Early Development in 2019 by Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy. He [told lawmakers he supported the governor's veto of an education funding bill earlier this year.]( [Alaska Senate panel unveils crime package with tougher drug penalties and grand jury changes →]( The bill includes changes to what evidence is admissible in grand juries, which is intended to protect victims of crime. There are also provisions to close a loophole with the state’s sex offender registry. [Head prison doctor named as Alaska’s new chief medical officer →]( Dr. Robert Lawrence, the longtime leader of Alaska’s correctional medical system, has been named the state’s new chief medical officer, replacing Dr. Anne Zink. [Iconic burled arch at Iditarod finish line in Nome collapses →]( The famed arch that towers over the finish line of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Nome has collapsed. The town's mayor said that rotted wood was the likely cause. ADVERTISEMENT More from the ADN [Mat-Su Borough offers online landfill coupons for the first time →]( [$49-a-day standby cruise offer that includes Whittier sailings could be a dream, or a nightmare →]( [Anchorage man dies in 4-wheeler rollover in Knik River Valley →]( [DEA will move to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug — though not yet legal →]( [Book review: In the novel ‘Cold to the Touch,’ Alaska provides a dark setting for a series of killings →]( [Taming a firebrand: Employer and employee battle over political outspokenness →]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [Click here to unsubscribe and manage your email subscriptions.]( Anchorage Daily News, 300 W 31st Ave, Anchorage, AK 99503, United States