On the studded-tire debate — plus a shifting, snowy Anchorage forecast

Also: We break down preliminary Mat-Su Borough election results, and the Anchorage police PAC and firefighters union have issued endorsements in the mayor's race. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ Email not displaying correctly? [View the web version]( Today's sponsor: [Today's sponsor: Sylvan Learning]( Support independent reporting on what Alaskans care about most. [Subscribe today.]( Good afternoon. It’s Wednesday, Nov. 8. In today's newsletter: - We wade into the age-old debate for Alaska drivers: [Which is better, studded or studless winter tires?]( - The Anchorage Police Department Employees Association’s political action committee and the Anchorage firefighters union [have endorsed candidates]( in the mayoral race. - [Early results in the Mat-Su Borough election]( show an assembly member from Big Lake apparently losing their reelection bid, and school board seats remaining unchanged. This morning, three giant pandas from the Smithsonian’s National Zoo embarked on a 19-hour, 9,000-mile journey to China on a FedEx cargo jet. The animals' trip home, with a refueling stop in Alaska, [ends a half-century chapter]( that left an enduring black-and-white imprint on the D.C. region. (China owns and leases all giant pandas in U.S. zoos, and the National Zoo's current lease expires in December.) Anchorage weather Today's snow is accompanied by a high around 37 degrees. The National Weather Service is calling for more snow tonight and tomorrow, with the potential for gusting winds, but some of that could change as the forecast updates. Here’s what else is making headlines in Alaska today. — Vicky Ho, vho@adn.com [What’s better for Alaska drivers: studded or studless snow tires? →]( Ask Alaskans about their preference on winter tires, studded or non-studded, and you'll hear all kinds of hot takes on what works best. Research has found that Blizzaks and other non-studded tires have advantages in many winter road conditions, but studded tires perform better on glare ice. Still, which kind of tire works best for you might boil down to what kind of driver you are. ADVERTISEMENT [Police PAC, fire union endorse candidates in Anchorage mayor's race →]( All four major mayoral candidates — incumbent Dave Bronson, former Assembly chair Suzanne LaFrance, longtime economic development official Bill Popp and former Alaska House Majority Leader Chris Tuck — sought endorsements from the fire department’s union and the Anchorage Police Department Employees Association’s political action committee. [Shifting storm forecast now includes potential for heavy snow in Anchora]( → This storm system has been challenging to forecast, meteorologists said. Roads may be slick and slushy late today and Thursday in the Anchorage Bowl. [Preliminary Mat-Su voting results show apparent new Big Lake assembly member; school board seats unchanged →]( Two school board members appear to have won reelection in the Mat-Su Borough election, which also saw an incumbent assembly member from Big Lake facing an apparent loss and a road funding package receiving wide support, according to preliminary results. [To help prevent domestic violence, rural Alaska schools teach healthy relationships →]( The Lower Kuskokwim School District’s itinerant social workers are a model for how curriculum and mentorship can reach even the most remote schools. (via Alaska Beacon) ADVERTISEMENT More from the ADN [Federal judge rules against state of Alaska in lawsuit challenging COVID emergency hunt →]( [Salmon returns to Alaska’s Bristol Bay expected to drop to more normal levels next year →]( [House Republicans subpoena Hunter and James Biden as impeachment inquiry ramps back up →]( [Hundreds of earthquakes recorded under a ‘recharging’ Mount St. Helens volcano →]( [5 things to watch for in the third Republican debate tonight →]( [What to know about Zepbound, the newest weight-loss drug →]( The ADN relies on readers like you. [Get digital access to the ADN for as low as $1.99 for the first month]( and help us cover the news that matters most here in Alaska. [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [Click here to unsubscribe and manage your email subscriptions.]( Anchorage Daily News, 300 W 31st Ave, Anchorage, AK 99503, United States