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A chart shows the number and type of Alaska residents receiving Medicaid coverage based on either 2022 Alaska Medicaid Claims data (yellow) or 2021 U.S. Census data (orange). More than 260,000 residents are currently enrolled, about 30,000 more than 2020, due to a federal provision that kept states from removing people during the COVID-19 pandemic. That provision ended April 1 and Alaska officials are scheduled review eligibility of all residents enrolled during the next 12 months. (Alaska Division of Public Assistance)

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Department of Health to reevaluate every Medicaid beneficiary

The state has to begin redetermination for everyone receiving benefits by March 31

The Alaska Department of Health And Social Services building is photographed in Juneau in 2021. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

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Health officials say Alaska falling behind on key cancer screenings

Screenings for breast and cervical cancer in Alaska have been on a downward trend for several years, Anne…

This March 10 photo shows fentanyl pills seized by police. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

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State health alert issued for fentanyl mixture

Xylazine is not approved for human use and naloxone will not be able to reverse its effect

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

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COVID-19: Sharp decline in statewide hospitalizations

COVID-19 hospitalizations fell sharply statewide and remained low in the Kenai Peninsula Borough this week, according to data…

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

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COVID-19: Local cases remain low

In the Kenai Peninsula Borough, 13 cases were reported this week

A map shows the location of the Willow oil field project in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, where more than 200 drills are scheduled to be drilled during a 30-year period if approved. (The Associated Press)

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Oil plan foes lose 1st fight over Willow project

The court’s decision means ConocoPhillips Alaska can forge ahead with cold-weather construction work

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Alaska House votes for temporary boost to public school funding

This week, the House is considering amendments to a state budget proposal that contains a deficit of about…

This photo shows the Alaska State Capitol. (Clarise Larson/Juneau Empire File)

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School staff eye retirement reform

S.B. 88, sponsored by Sen. Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, would establish a new defined benefit system

Jonathan Parducho, a pharmacist, removes a tray of vials of of the Jynneos vaccine for monkeypox from a box containing 20 doses, in the vaccine hub at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital on Friday, July 29, 2022, in San Francisco. (Lea Suzuki/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)

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Only 5 cases of mpox detected in Alaska

An epidemiology bulletin released by the State Department of Health on Wednesday provides a summary of Alaska’s public…

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

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COVID-19: Borough cases hit low not seen in years

Only 12 cases were reported this week, down from 22 last week

The Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation building is seen in Juneau, Alaska, in March 2022. The deadline for the permanent fund dividend is coming up fast, landing on March 31, 2023. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

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PFD application deadline is next week; state revenue forecasts lower than expected

Alaska North Slope crude oil was estimated to be about $71.62 per barrel on Monday

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

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COVID-19: Cases jump in Kenai Peninsula Borough

COVID-19 cases jumped up in the Kenai Peninsula Borough this week, according to state data updated Tuesday.

The cover of the March 20 State of Alaska Epidemiology Bulletin, “AKVDRS Homicide Victims Update — Alaska, 2011-2020” (Screenshot)

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Department of Health: Homicides increased last decade

Homicides accounted for 19% of the violent deaths in Alaska from 2011-2020