Huge drug cost disparities seen in health overhaul

WASHINGTON (AP) — Cancer patients could face high costs for medications under President Barack Obama’s health care law, industry analysts and advocates warn.

RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR, ASSOCIATED PRESS

Is Walmart serious about transforming health care?

“Why is Walmart speaking at a health care summit?” the company’s vice president for health and wellness, Marcus Osborne, rhetorically offered up at a conference back in January.

California Healthline

Proposed housing facility at ANMC will cut Medicaid costs

Anchorage could see another major construction project in the near future if the Gov. Sean Parnell approves a plan to add a residential housing facility at the Alaska Native Medical Center.

MOLLY DISCHNER, ALASKA JOURNAL OF COMMERCE

Heart clinic uses technology, fundraising to help patients

Armed with some of the best equipment on the market, the folks at the Alaska Heart Institute in Anchorage truly take their jobs to heart.

Elwood Brehmer, Alaska Journal of Commerce

Pentagon struggles with health care costs

WASHINGTON (AP) — The loud, insistent calls in Washington to rein in the rising costs of Social Security and Medicare ignore a major and expensive entitlement program — the military’s health care system.

Donna Cassata, Associated Press

COMMENTARY: Legislature must protect Alaska’s most valuable resource

On the door of a kindergarten classroom in Juneau, I saw a sign that read “Graduating Class of 2025.” What will 2025 be like? I don’t know. But as a school board member, I consider it a sacred public trust to prepare our kids for it.

Sue Hull Guest commentary

Teacher "pink slip" bill passes House

School districts would be allowed to wait almost two additional months to notify tenured teachers if they're going to be laid off.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

UAF wins grant for linguistics programs

The University of Alaska Fairbanks has won a $1.9 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to support Alaska Native language programs.

$33M upgrade expands training, adds housing

The $15.25 million Career and Tech Center at Kenai Peninsula College in Soldotna is under construction and on schedule to open in time for 2013 fall classes. The project, which also includes the first student housing on campus, will allow KPC to expand training for Alaska’s high-demand jobs in the resource industries.

Elwood Brehmer, Alaska Journal of Commerce

UA Board of Regents releases operating, capital budgets

The University of Alaska Board of Regents released its budget proposals and performance report at a Nov. 7 meeting in Anchorage.

Elwood Brehmer, Alaska Journal of Commerce

Alaskans set record in PFD charitable giving

Alaskans contributed a record-setting $2.4 million to charity through Pick. Click. Give.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Stable economy keeps arts thriving

For the size of its communities, Alaska’s arts scene is thriving. Anchorage and Fairbanks have their long-established and local symphony orchestras, youth symphonies, opera associations and local theater companies, all with supporters who are intensely loyal.

Tim Bradner, Alaska Journal of Commerce

Annual Day of Caring draws 800 volunteers

United Way of Anchorage gathered more than 800 volunteers for its 19th annual Day of Caring in September, a day devoted to giving Anchorage corporations an avenue to give back to their community, Christine Gire, communications manager for the non-profit, said.

Elwood Brehmer, Alaska Journal of Commerce

AFN addresses challenges, marks 100 years for Grand Camp

The 2012 Alaska Federation of Natives convention will be held Oct. 18 to Oct. 20 at the Dena’ina Convention Center in Anchorage with the theme “Success Beyond Barriers."

Elwood Brehmer, Alaska Journal of Commerce

2012 AFN Annual Convention Agenda

Fresh Copper River salmon lands in Seattle

The first planeload of Copper River salmon from Cordova, Alaska, landed Friday morning at Sea-Tac Airport and the Alaska Airlines pilots carried a 40-pound king to waiting chefs.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Unemployment falls in 40 US states, rises in 3

Solid hiring helped lower unemployment rates in 40 U.S. states last month, the most since November. The declines show the job market is improving throughout most of the country.

CHRISTOPHER S. RUGABER, AP Economics Writer

Huge drug cost disparities seen in health overhaul

WASHINGTON (AP) — Cancer patients could face high costs for medications under President Barack Obama’s health care law, industry analysts and advocates warn.

RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR, ASSOCIATED PRESS

Is Walmart serious about transforming health care?

“Why is Walmart speaking at a health care summit?” the company’s vice president for health and wellness, Marcus Osborne, rhetorically offered up at a conference back in January.

California Healthline

Statewide Lemonade Day draws record participation

If you were driving around in an Alaska town on May 11, chances were you passed at least one lemonade stand.

MOLLY DISCHNER, ALASKA JOURNAL OF COMMERCE