Can't edit Safari website settings to enable 'allow' on all websites;

I am using Safari version 16.6 on my iMac running OS Ventura. After recent update, I am now unable to alter permissions on the 'WEBSITES' tab of Safari settings. Specifically, I can not alter permissions from 'None' to 'Ask'. All options are at the default 'Ask' setting. I then click the dropdown menu and attempt to change to Ask. The options immediately reset to 'Ask'. For example, now when I tried to download from a website, I have to select 'Allow' manually for every item I want to download.

I can make changes on all other tabs in Safari 'Settings'.