Thursday Morning Read: Vernon, Hart gear up for mayoral runoff; Iowa City district drops small rooms, but not seclusion; new overflow shelter for Cedar Rapids

TODAY'S WEATHER — Mostly sunny, colder. High 34, low 17.

VERNON, HART GEAR UP FOR MAYORAL RUNOFF — Brad Hart and Monica Vernon went to sleep Tuesday night as the big winners in the Cedar Rapids mayoral race, but woke up Wednesday morning starting from scratch with less than a month until a Dec. 5 runoff election decides the contest. Read more: https://www.thegazette.com/campaigns-elections/monica-vernon-and-brad-hart-back-to-square-one-in-race-for-cedar-rapids-mayor/

IOWA CITY DISTRICT DROPS SMALL ROOMS, BUT NOT SECLUSION — The Iowa City school district is getting rid of closet-like student seclusion rooms that have been lightning rods for criticism from parents and school board members. However, the district of 14,200 students will maintain its practice of restraining or isolating agitated students in danger of harming themselves or others. Read more: https://www.thegazette.com/news/iowa-city-schools-to-maintain-student-seclusion-but-not-designated-rooms/

NEW OVERFLOW SHELTER FOR CEDAR RAPIDS — A group of Linn County human services agencies has settled on the building that will serve this winter as an overflow shelter for those who are homeless. The space, a vacant office building located at 505 33rd Ave. SW, has been offered for use by a local businessman who wishes to remain anonymous. Read more: https://www.thegazette.com/government-politics/overflow-homeless-shelter-finds-a-home-in-southwest-cedar-rapids/

NATE STANLEY QUIETLY PILING UP NUMBERS — You see a quarterback perform at the level Nate Stanley has in big games for the Hawkeyes this year and you wonder how that happened. You automatically assume his life has been football 24/7, 365. Stanley doesn't come from that planet. Read more: https://www.thegazette.com/sports/not-a-lot-of-bling-with-iowa-quarterback-nate-stanley/

QUOTABLE — 'That's enthusiasm for the president. There's no problem running as the party of Donald Trump.' Ronna McDaniel, chairwoman of the Republican National Committee, speaking in Iowa on the GOP's record fundraising this year. Read more: https://www.thegazette.com/campaigns-elections/in-iowa-national-gop-chair-says-shes-unfazed-by-democratic-victories/