Did the idea of catching swine flu (H1N1) have you down and hiding from both public spaces and children last spring? (We told ya you'd be fine.) Well, now researchers at Seattle's Group Health Cooperative have introduced an experimental swine flu vaccine in preparation for a possible resurgence of the H1N1 flu come fall. Oh, great. Seattle--selected as one of the few cities for the H1N1 trial--is set to begin the experimental vaccinations on brave volunteers today at Seattle Children's Hospital and the University of Washington. But if you're allergic to eggs, this shot is not for you. more ›

• It was just another case of the slow-going Mondays when a power line pole--and a live wire--came down early this morning after a garbage truck slammed into it. Power was shut down and Aurora Ave. was closed while crews cleaned up the busted pole strewn across the corner of Northeast 84th Street and Aurora Ave North.
• This weekend's street closures were for a just cause, as 2,513 dedicated people walked, jogged, and pedaled their way throughout Seattle in the LIVESTRONG Challenge, which raised over $1 million to fight cancer.

• We got us some more swine flu. One case turned deadly in Washington. While the CDC reported that more cases were confirmed, bringing us to a grand total of 83. Oh joy, King County now has a total of 56 confirmed cases.
• A slew of freak accidents: Small helicopter crash near Tacoma, bumps and bruises for the two aboard; Farm tractor starts up unexpectedly killing a Deer Park man as it drove over his chest; A Navy SEAL died in training near Keyport, Wash.
• In the forever-long Amanda Knox case, a footprint expert (those exist?) confirmed that the bloody footprint on a bathroom rug belonged to her ex-boyfriend.

Health officials from the CDC confirmed this morning there are now nine confirmed cases of swine flu in Washington with seven in King County. Washington had been awaiting the results for a few days, since 45 suspected worried warts cases were reported. Even with several confirmed cases, the threat of the virus continues to diminish as health officials see the swine flu (H1N1) as manageable. "This virus is certain no worse than seasonal influenza," said Dr. Tony Marfin, State Epidemiologist for Communicable Diseases. Even local schools who freaked out and shut down, have re-opened this a.m. See, no need for dramatics, just wash your hands and stay home when you're sick. more ›

• There are some crankypants smokers who have been forced to quit because of the federal tax hike. Watch out as some become even crankier because their non-smoking daily commute has doubled in time, thanks to the I-90 bridge closures.
• All schools that closed due to swine flu will re-open tomorrow. Ha.
• The government says they won't be able to save the newspaper industry, but Amazon says they can help save the newspaper industry with their new e-reader.

Over the past week, a sharp increase of one-off swine flu cases in students raised a few eyebrows, as King County health officials decided to shut classroom doors for seven days. Now they are kicking themselves and second-guessing future decisions. With no confirmed cases in Washington and the end of the school year in sight, King County won't be closing any more schools that have a student or two with suspect symptoms. Now they say simply, teachers and children should just stay home if they are sick. more ›

Kids must be smarter than we give them credit--those little stinkers might be pulling a "Oh, I'm sick, I have swine flu and can't go to school" after hearing Madrona K-8 closed for an entire week. Currently, seven of King County's ten suspected cases of Swine flu H1N1 flu have infected children and teens. More local schools where a "suspected case" has attended classes are now closed as a precaution. Schools include: Madrona (Seattle) K-8, Aki Kurose Middle School (Seattle), and Stevens Elementary (Seattle) are all currently closed and set to re-open May 8; Woodmont K-8 (Des Moines) closed through May 11; Lakes High School (Tacoma) closed Friday, only pending three case results; Odyssey Elementary (Everett) closed only on Friday.
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Students and teachers of Madrona Elementary School in Seattle were told this morning they will have week off from school (what, no snow day?), as a precautionary measure against spreading swine flu. An 11-year-old boy from the K-8 school was hospitalized and is considered one of the six "suspected" cases (meaning he tested positive for type A Influenza, which is generally found in swine flu) to be infected with the piggy swine flu. King County Public Health Official, Dr. Jeff Duchin shared in a press conference this a.m. that the CDC won't have "suspected" case results for a couple of days. So until then, do what your mother always told you: cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough and always wash your hands. more ›

SWINE FLU!!! It's in Seattle, however, don't worry because our local government is on the case. more ›

Public officials in the U.S. and around the world are issuing warnings about an ongoing outbreak of swine flu that has pandemic potential. Centered in Mexico, this outbreak has already spread to the United States and Canada. Forty cases have been reported in U.S. in New York, California, Texas, Kansas, and Ohio. more ›