Nation

COMBINED NEWS SERVICES

NATIONWIDE / Swine flu on the decline

The odds of a third wave of pandemic H1N1 influenza hitting this spring seem to be declining, but authorities are concerned that the virus is still spreading - albeit at a reduced rate from its peak - and is not disappearing as would be expected in a normal influenza outbreak, federal officials said Friday. "I think the most likely scenario now . . . is ongoing transmission of the virus, which continues to circulate," said Dr. Anne Schuchat, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. Still, with continued circulation, "vaccination remains a good idea," Schuchat said. For the third week in a row, flu activity has remained below normal levels for this time of year, with no states reporting widespread activity.

ALABAMA / Ninth-grader fatally shot at school

A ninth-grader was shot to death by another student during a class change Friday at a north Alabama middle school, authorities said. Todd Brown, 14, was shot about 1:45 p.m. and taken by ambulance from Discovery Middle School to Huntsville Hospital, where he died, said hospital spokeswoman Kristen Bishop. She wouldn't release any other details. The suspected shooter was arrested inside in the school, where police are regularly stationed. Police did not release the name of the alleged shooter, also a ninth-grader, citing their ongoing investigation. No one else was injured and it wasn't immediately clear what prompted the gunfire. Police Chief Larry Muncey said the student has been charged with murder. He also referred to rumors that something posted on the Internet may have been connected to the shooting.

RHODE ISLAND / Illegal pet operation charges

A Rhode Island man who says he couldn't afford veterinary care for his dog has been charged with illegally operating on the pet. Alan MacQuattie recently removed a cyst from the leg of his 14-year-old Labrador mix. The dog was operated on again by professionals to deal with an infection from the first surgery. MacQuattie, 63, who says he is disabled and living on Social Security, said Friday he used local anesthetic to operate on the cyst and removed it on his own since he doesn't have money for a veterinarian.E.J. Finocchio, a veterinarian and president of the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, called the surgery a "heinous crime." He said the procedure was medically unnecessary since the cyst was benign and did not appear to be hurting the dog, though MacQuattie said she was irritated by it. Court records show MacQuattie pleaded no contest last week to misdemeanor charges of animal cruelty and unauthorized practice of veterinary medicine. He was also ordered to make restitution but was allowed to keep the dog. He said he doesn't believe he did anything wrong.