After shootings, Anchorage leaders seek police reforms as union head expresses dismay

Also: An Anchorage man is accused of threatening and firing a shotgun at people in a Midtown Anchorage homeless camp. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ Email not displaying correctly? [View the web version]( Good afternoon. It’s Friday, August 16. In today's newsletter: - Anchorage leaders [are promising]( a series of investigations and reforms amid rising scrutiny and anguish over the shooting death of a 16-year-old girl by police. Meanwhile, the head of the police union [expressed dismay]( at city leaders' response, saying they were "calling for action without knowing the facts." - An Anchorage man [is accused of]( threatening and firing a shotgun at people in a Midtown homeless encampment. - Alaska teens are more likely to be depressed and have suicidal thoughts than were teens a decade ago, but they're also less frequently using harmful substances, [according to]( the state’s most recent Youth Risk Behavior Survey. We have a packed lineup of events to look forward to this weekend in Southcentral Alaska. Aside from [the opening of the Alaska State Fair]( in Palmer — funnel cakes and Ferris wheel rides, anyone? — the Anchorage Greek Festival runs through Sunday, the high school football season kicks off, and footrace fiends will hit the pavement for Anchorage RunFest. [Here's a look]( at those events and other highlights. Anchorage weather It's mostly cloudy today with a high around 64 and a slight chance of rain. Looking ahead, we can expect similar conditions Saturday and a higher likelihood of rain Sunday and Monday, before mostly sunny skies return to the forecast Tuesday. Here’s what else is making headlines in Alaska today. — Vicky Ho, vho@adn.com [Anchorage mayor, police chief announce reforms amid mounting scrutiny and anguish over girl’s shooting death by police →]( Their promises include a third-party examination of what has led to a record spate of killings of citizens by Anchorage police officers, a growing crisis that [reached a breaking point]( Tuesday night when a 16-year-old girl holding a knife was killed in her family’s East Anchorage apartment. “To the family of Easter Leafa, I am so incredibly sorry for your loss,” Mayor Suzanne LaFrance said. [Anchorage police union ‘dismayed’ at city’s response to string of shootings →]( The president of the Anchorage Police Department Employees Association said the union acknowledged “the pain Easter Leafa’s family is enduring” and noted that the fatal encounter placed “immeasurable weight” on officers at the department. He also said he was “dismayed by what city leaders have said and implied over the past few days.” ADVERTISEMENT [Anchorage man threatened homeless people and fired shotgun in Midtown camp, charges say →]( The man faces six felony charges, including four counts of misconduct involving weapons and two counts of assault, along with three misdemeanor charges stemming from the Tuesday night incident. Police said no one was injured. [Survey of Alaska youths reveals more mental health challenges, but also some positive trends →]( The latest Youth Risk Behavior Survey found more anxiety and suicidal thoughts than earlier surveys, but also less use of harmful substances like tobacco and alcohol. (via Alaska Beacon) [Sandhill cranes make stopover in Southcentral Alaska before fall migration takes flight →]( Alaska provides breeding grounds for two populations of sandhill cranes in North America. As migration season nears, they’re being spotted around local farms, streets and backyards. [New brotherhood but ‘One Eagle’: West Anchorage football is ready to embark on state title defense →]( After losing a heavy-hitting senior class this past spring, this year’s West High football team has gigantic shoes to fill — but they and their coaches believe they're up to the challenge. ADVERTISEMENT More from the ADN [Prosecutors accuse 2 Western Alaska officials of multiple city election-related felonies →]( [Alaska gardening: How to fortify your garden against extended rainy weather →]( [What’s happening with U.S. grocery prices? →]( [U.S. proposes final Gaza cease-fire plan, seeking agreement by next week →]( [Trump calls civilian medal he bestowed on GOP donor ‘much better’ than military medal for bravery →]( [Why no president has slowed the nation's oil boom →]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [Click here to unsubscribe and manage your email subscriptions.]( Anchorage Daily News, 300 W 31st Ave, Anchorage, AK 99503, United States