ALASKA'S NEWSPAPER

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Health

Swine flu scare hits Diomede

The Alaska Army National Guard transported a medical team by helicopter to the remote, western Alaska village of Diomede on Thursday to administer doses of swine flu vaccine and deliver enough medicine to treat every resident if necessary. About 130 people live in Diomede, with many reporting flu-like symptoms.

A doctor and nurse flown by helicopter to one of the state's most hard-to-reach villages gave swine flu shots until 2 a.m. Friday as health officials scrambled to inoculate an entire Alaska community for the first time since the flu scare started.

Anchorage cancels swine flu shot clinic

The city, still short of swine flu vaccine, is cancelling a planned mass swine flu vaccination clinic next Saturday at UAA. Instead, it will make more vaccine available next week to private providers, Anchorage Neighborhood Health Clinic, and pharmacies in town, an official said.

School H1N1 vaccinations set

The Anchorage School District has scheduled swine flu vaccination clinics for children at 17 elementary schools this week.

Fairbanks woman dies from swine flu

A sixth Alaskan, a middle-aged woman from Fairbanks with underlying health problems, died Oct. 27 from swine flu, while a state medical team was sent to Little Diomede Island to deal with a suspected outbreak.

School H1N1 vaccinations set

Center takes on a sobering task as it opens for chronic homeless

An experiment at the Clitheroe Center, one of the biggest and oldest substance-abuse treatment centers in Anchorage, will try to help hard-core homeless alcoholics -- even though they don't want help.

What's killing the homeless in Anchorage?

Swine flu vaccination clinics set for several schools in next 2 days

The Anchorage School District has scheduled swine flu vaccination clinics for children at 17 elementary schools this week.

Veterans caught in dispute over medicines

Military veterans living in the state-run Alaska Pioneer Homes are losing out on free or low-cost prescription benefits they are entitled to for serving their country because two medical bureaucracies can't seem to figure out how to get VA drugs to them.

Swine flu clinics at 17 schools this week

The Anchorage School District scheduled swine flu vaccination clinics for children at 17 elementary schools this week.

Swine flu vaccine clinics scheduled in Valley

Three swine flu vaccine shot clinics for Mat-Su Borough school students are scheduled over the next six weeks, and Alaska Public Health officials plan to hold two more clinics for the general public.

Elementary students shudder, then take their flu shots

The Anchorage School District on Monday started assembly-line clinics to protect students from swine flu, with vaccines given at four elementary schools.

Practice shuts its office; Juneau no longer has urologist

An Anchorage-based urological practice is closing its Juneau office, leaving the capital without a practicing urologist.

Volunteers needed for mass swine flu clinics

City health officials are seeking volunteers to help with the planned H1N1 mass vaccination clinics in November and December. They estimate they need 11,000 hours of volunteer time to ensure the clinics can handle demand for the vaccination, they said.

Swine flu vaccine shortage delays clinic

With swine flu vaccine in short supply, the city on Friday postponed a mass vaccination clinic that had been planned for the general public on Nov. 7 at UAA.

Vaccinations limited to younger students because of short supply

The Anchorage School District, scheduled to begin mass swine flu vaccinations for students in schools beginning Monday, will start with a less ambitious program than initially planned, due to insufficient vaccine supplies.

Soldotna hospital scraps today's flu shot clinic

Central Peninsula Hospital canceled a drive-through flu shot clinic that had been scheduled for today.

Alaska policy on medical marijuana remains intact

Prosecutions for medical marijuana have never been much of an issue in Alaska, where voters in 1998 passed a ballot measure that allows people who obtain permission from a doctor to possess and use marijuana for medicinal purposes.

Obama says swine flu a national emergency

President Barack Obama declared the swine flu outbreak a national emergency, giving his health chief the power to let hospitals move emergency rooms offsite to speed treatment and protect noninfected patients.

Pharmacies expected to have swine flu vaccine next week

The state received the first swine flu vaccine that it is targeting for the general public. It is sending about 8,500 doses to major pharmacies and community health centers, where it should be available around Oct. 29.

Alaskans can toke up for medical reasons, say feds

The Justice Department said Monday it will mellow out on prosecuting medical marijuana users in 14 states, including Alaska, in which therapeutic pot smoking is allowed.

Everyday chemicals gather in most people

As a volunteer for Alaska Community Action on Toxics and one who cares deeply about public health issues, Roxanne Chan didn't hesitate taking part in a project that would inventory the foreign chemicals lurking in her body. But she has to admit, the results were unnerving.

Borough advised to audit Soldotna hospital

The Kenai Peninsula Borough has been asked to conduct an operational audit of a Soldotna hospital where a fatal shooting occurred last year.

READER PHOTOS

Bazaar crafts

Check out local artists' photos of the artwork they'll be displaying in this year's holiday craft fairs.

PHOTOS

Frankenstein play

Images of the dress rehearsal of the Alaska Theatre of Youth's production of Frankenstein.

PLAY

Wayne & Wanda

Offering clarity on the mixed-up world of relationships.

BLOG

ArtSnob

Check out our art blog for fast postings of Daily News reviews, local art happenings and reader feedback.

VIDEO

Mural painting

Watch time lapse video of Ziggy Zeigler and Vance Cook create a sea mammal mural on a downtown building.

READER PHOTOS

Pet costume contest

It's time for our annual Howwwwl-oween costume contest, your chance to make your Scary Scottie, Ghoulish Greyhound or Princess Pug famous.

SLIDE SHOW

Performance art

An Alaskan artist with Yu'pik heritage is now garnering attention from the Lower 48.

SECTION

2009 Alaska State Fair

Photos, schedules and an up-close look at the giant food entries for the state fair.

SLIDE SHOW

Beach Boys concert

The Beach Boys put on a free outdoor concert for hundreds of people in Mountain View.

Pupils with lice won't go home early

Demand for flu vaccines in Alaska outpaces supply

State orders more swine flu vaccine

Pediatric clinics get first swine flu doses

Kelly voices concern of federal health care

State places first order for swine flu vaccines

Women's deaths bring swine flu toll in Alaska up to five

Free kidney disease health screening

Hot line opened for swine flu information

Pneumonia vaccine guidelines changed

Alaskans speak out on health care

KGH pulls out of involuntary commitment process

Premera Blue Cross waives H1N1 shot fees

Consensus on health care still elusive in Congress

Anchorage schools will offer swine flu vaccine to students

Alaska senators' response mixed on health legislation

Sufferers can spread swine flu long after fever stops

Early flu season: What you need to know

Anaktuvuk Pass closes school due to sick kids

Alaska delegation agrees on goal, but not details

Fairbanks boy dead from swine flu likely had second infection

Highlights of Obama's health care plan

Study finds good, bad news on health care bill

Transcript: President Obama's speech on health care

Obama to Congress: 'Time for bickering is over'

Begich schedules 2 more health-care talks

Swine flu claims 3rd victim in Alaska

Officials confirm Fairbanks boy died of swine flu

Native group hopes to reopen detox center

Swine flu suspected in Alaska child's death

Democrats to support health care

Group unites boy suffering brain tumors with his favorite doctor

Flu puts dent in attendance

Flu hits Fairbanks schools; district offers vaccinations

Hospital nabs beauty award

Medicaid ban lifted partially for emergencies

Senator plans 2 more health care meetings

First case of swine flu reported in Fairbanks schools

Murkowski blasts health care plan at Anchorage forum

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