Fentanyl has surpassed heroin in Alaska’s illicit drug supply

And: Alaska libraries promised full state funding after ‘drastic’ cuts were announced ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ Email not displaying correctly? [View the web version]( Today's sponsor: [Today's sponsor: Northrim Bank]( Good afternoon. It’s Monday, September 9. In today's newsletter: - In just a few years, the powerful synthetic painkiller fentanyl has almost entirely replaced heroin as the dominant opioid in Alaska's illicit drug supply. [This is how]( it happened. - The Alaska Department of Education has [pledged to fully fund libraries]( across the state after hearing widespread outrage at a surprise 73% funding cut announced last month. - Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy will [soon make a historic decision]( that could restore water to the long-dammed Eklutna River. In this edition of Alaska science from writer Ned Rozell, learn how an Alaska caterpillar uses false eyes to ward off potential predators. The insect mimics a snake and even though there aren’t snakes in Alaska, birds are still wary due to lessons learned during migration. Read more [here.]( Anchorage weather It's overcast and rainy today with a high near 56 degrees. The forecast calls for continued rain through most of this week, with a chance of partly sunny skies by Friday. Daytime temperatures will hover in the high 50s and low 60s this week. Here’s what else is making headlines in Alaska today. — Megan Pacer, mpacer@adn.com [Fentanyl has eclipsed heroin in Alaska’s drug supply, decreasing prices and raising risks →]( Though quantifying trends in the illegal drug supply is difficult, data from law enforcement, nonprofit services and drug users themselves all paint a similar picture. The shift mirrors national trends and has major implications for public health and safety, especially among street drug users. ADVERTISEMENT [Alaska libraries promised full state funding after ‘drastic’ cuts announced →]( [Librarians across Alaska were shocked at the 73% cut in state grants, and some remained unconvinced that the funding will be restored.]( [Anchorage and tribe push for more studies on Eklutna River restoration as governor moves toward decision →]( In a meeting last week, the Anchorage Assembly and Eklutna tribal government unanimously passed what they say is a first-of-its-kind [government-to-government resolution](. The city and tribe want water returned to the full river, according to the joint resolution. [Pedestrian fatally struck by minivan on Seward Highway near Rainbow Trailhead →]( A woman died this morning after she was struck by a minivan on the Seward Highway near a popular trailhead, Anchorage police said. Her death comes of the heels of [two other pedestrians who died]( after they were struck by pickup trucks in two separate incidents over the weekend. [New cases of whooping cough confirmed at Anchorage schools →]( [Students at Goldenview Middle School, Rabbit Creek Elementary and Aquarian Charter School have been diagnosed with whooping cough. Three more cases are suspected in the school district.]( ADVERTISEMENT More from the ADN [Arguments are today in lawsuit that could upend Alaska’s U.S. House ballot →]( [Louisiana man dies when helicopter with 5 aboard crashes into river in King Salmon →]( [Dimond High defeats West Anchorage and secures homecoming victory for first time in a decade →]( [Mat-Su Assembly member Rob Yundt resigns, says he is moving out of his district →]( [A remote tribe is reeling from widespread illness and cancer. What role did the US government play? →]( [Travel: Ketchikan continues to evolve with excellent options for visitors →]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [Click here to unsubscribe and manage your email subscriptions.]( Anchorage Daily News, 300 W 31st Ave, Anchorage, AK 99503, United States