Former Anchorage employee sues city claiming discrimination, retaliation

Plus: Federal judge throws out family’s wrongful death suit against Anchorage officers and municipality ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ Email not displaying correctly? [View the web version]( Today's sponsor: [Today's Sponsor: Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities]( Support independent reporting on what Alaskans care about most. [Subscribe today.]( Good afternoon. It’s Thursday, May 11. In today's newsletter: - A former Anchorage library and fire department employee is suing the city, accusing the municipality of discrimination and retaliation. - A federal judge has dismissed a wrongful death lawsuit filed against the Municipality of Anchorage and three police officers by the family of a man the officers shot to death in 2019. - The Alaska Legislature is considering a bill that would increase penalties for distributing drugs that directly lead to someone’s death, in an effort to address the state's sharp rise in fentanyl deaths. Spring seems to be trying to make an arrival — however faltering it may be — in Anchorage. While we might be watching above-ground signs that warmer weather is here to stay, gardening columnist [Jeff Lowenfels stresses that it's what's underground]( that matters most for plant health: the soil. The right soil temperature triggers germination, and there are ways to prepare plants and seedlings for when the time is right. Anchorage weather It's partly sunny today with a high near 57 degrees, though there's a small chance of isolated rain showers this afternoon. The forecast calls for a slight chance of scattered showers on Friday, but this weekend should treat us to partly and mostly sunny skies. The daytime high temperatures will hover in the high 50s over the next few days. Here’s what else is making headlines in Alaska today. — Megan Pacer, mpacer@adn.com [Federal judge throws out family’s wrongful death suit against Anchorage officers and municipality]( Bishar Hassan was shot to death by three police officers responding to what they said was a report of a man “waving around” a gun. The weapon turned out to be a BB gun. The judge ruled that their conduct was reasonable because they believed Hassan posed a threat. [Read More]( ADVERTISEMENT [Former Anchorage library and fire worker sues city over discrimination, retaliation claims]( The lawsuit filed by a former Anchorage city employee includes claims of bullying and discrimination under former library deputy director Judy Eledge and makes allegations of race and sex discrimination at the Anchorage Fire Department. [Read More]( [Alaska House debates bill imposing harsher penalties for opioid-related crimes amid spike in fentanyl deaths]( Conservative Republicans were more in favor of long sentences for a broader range of opioids. Moderate Republicans, independents and Democrats were more likely to want penalties tailored specifically to fentanyl, and expressed desire to devote more resources to drug treatment and rehabilitation. [Read More]( [Anchorage’s chief fiscal officer resigns]( CFO Grant Yutrzenka is resigning after less than one year on the job. Since the mayor took office, the Bronson administration has seen a spate of departures and firings of top officials and high vacancy numbers in several city departments, including in the Finance Department. [Read More]( [Photos: Port of Alaska sees first ship at new dock]( The Port of Alaska saw the first ship to dock at the new Petroleum and Cement Terminal this week. The new pile-supported dock marks the first stage of a major modernization program. [Read More]( [SPONSORED: Alaska’s suicide prevention hotline and 24/7 crisis call center provide immediate care for mental health emergencies]( Presented by the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority: Alaska’s local 988 suicide prevention hotline is supporting Alaskans in crisis, one phone call at a time. [Read More]( ADVERTISEMENT More from the ADN [➡ As esports grow, Alaska players face off for first in-person high school state title]( [➡ EPA proposes strictest-ever limits on greenhouse gas emissions from power plants]( [➡ Polaris recalls select snowmachines due to risk of fire]( [➡ ‘Now or never’: Migrants rush to US border as pandemic-related restrictions come to an end]( [➡ Analysis: CNN’s Kaitlan Collins tried, and tried, to rebut Trump’s election lies]( 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