Biden administration moves to block Alaska mining road and restrict oil drilling

And: 2023 was Alaska’s deadliest year for opioid overdoses — and the state saw the highest increase in deaths in the nation ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ Email not displaying correctly? [View the web version]( Good afternoon. It’s Friday, April 19. In today's newsletter: - The Biden administration moved to [block a proposed road to valuable mineral deposits]( in Alaska and said it would increase protections to halt oil and gas development in much of the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska. - Alaska broke a grim record last year: More people in the state [died from an opioid overdose in 2023]( than any previous year, the Alaska Department of Health reported. - The majority of students [scored below grade level proficiency]( in statewide math, science and language arts assessments taken last spring — even after the state lowered the standard for what is considered proficient. There are plenty of things to do this weekend in Anchorage, including a book fair and a spring festival. [Here's a look]( at some of the highlights. Planning to stay home? It could be the perfect time to try out Julia O'Malley's [Alaskan twist on the classic Filet-O-Fish]( from McDonald’s. Alaskan cod makes this sandwich is as good as its drive-thru cousin, she writes. Anchorage weather It's partly sunny today with a high near 51 degrees. Saturday should be sunny with a high of 53, before some clouds return on Sunday and daytime temperatures drop back down into the 40s early next week. Here’s what else is making headlines in Alaska today. — Megan Pacer, mpacer@adn.com [Biden administration moves to block Ambler Road and announces sweeping restrictions on NPR-A drilling →]( President Joe Biden said in a statement that Alaska’s “natural wonders” support subsistence hunting and fishing for Alaska Native communities and should be protected. [Members of Alaska’s congressional delegation and trade associations blasted the move as harmful to the state's economy.]( ADVERTISEMENT [2023 was Alaska’s deadliest year for opioid overdoses — and the state saw the highest increase in deaths in the nation →]( Alaska’s spike in overdose deaths between November 2022 and November 2023 was the highest year-to-year increase in the nation, according to preliminary data from the CDC. [Most Alaska students are behind in math, science and language arts, latest statewide assessments show →]( The scores showed slight improvements in student achievement from the previous year, though an administrator cautioned that the latest results did not allow for an apples-to-apples comparison to the earlier results because the proficiency metrics had been lowered. [Anchorage Assembly rejects proposed rules for homeless camps and criminal charge for camping violations →]( The Assembly voted down three of five measures relating to homelessness issues, including one that would have put new size limits on encampments and allowed the city more power to tear down camps. [Alaska Republicans to choose new state party chair in 4-way race →]( The Alaska Republican Party will elect a new chairperson during its convention today and Saturday, in a race that includes four candidates and no incumbent. ADVERTISEMENT More from the ADN [Man and woman found dead in Anchorage residence →]( [Kenai Peninsula contractor charged with COVID-19 relief fraud →]( [Federal prosecutors seek revocation of Anchorage convicted killer’s U.S. citizenship →]( [Full jury plus alternates seated in Trump’s hush money trial in New York →]( [Taylor Swift releases 15 extra songs on surprise double album. Here’s what to know. →]( [Aid for Ukraine and Israel advances in rare House vote as Democrats help Republicans push it forward →]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [Click here to unsubscribe and manage your email subscriptions.]( Anchorage Daily News, 300 W 31st Ave, Anchorage, AK 99503, United States