THOUSANDS OF UNVACCINATED CHILDREN ENTER SCHOOLS

VAX-EXEMPT (Bowman, SHNS) -- Hundreds of thousands of children are entering schools around the country this fall incompletely vaccinated against childhood diseases. Public-health officials say the growing trend of parents opting out of vaccines due to safety worries, coupled with obstacles of cost and access, has already brought about a resurgence of some diseases, with much bigger outbreaks threatening, 1,200. With photos: SH08H137VAXEXEMPT, SH08H138VAXEXEMPT, SH08H139VAXEXEMPT. With graphics and map: SH08H140VAXEXEMPT, SH08H141VAXEXEMPT, SH08H142VAXEXEMPT.

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SH08H137 The Lacek family of Monroeville had a near-tragic encounter with a disease most American doctors have never seen when Matthew, 5, contracted the bacterial infection haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib). Kelly and Daniel Lacek decided to stop vaccinating their children, Ashley, 11, and Stephen, 8, before Matthew was born due to concerns about possible adverse reactions. But since their youngest nearly died from the infection, they're now staunch advocates for childhood vaccination. (SHNS photo by J. Monroe Butler II/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

VAX-FEARS (Bowman, SHNS) -- The concerns that are driving many parents to seek exemption from vaccine requirements in schools. 600.

VAX-COST (Bowman, SHNS) -- The numbers and costs of childhood vaccines have skyrocketed in recent years -- factors, experts say, that are also making it more difficult to get all kids immunized. 500. With graphic: SH08H136VAXCOST.

VAX-POLL (Hargrove, SHNS) -- Most Americans think the benefits of childhood vaccines still outweigh the risks, but a majority also say parents should have the right to seek exemptions. 450.

VAX-POLLSIDE (SHNS) -- Specific questions. 400.

VAX-INFO (SHNS) -- Info box with background on vaccines and Web resources. 500.

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GOP-NATGUARD (Bryson, Anchorage Daily News) -- ANCHORAGE, Alaska: Though, as governor, she's in charge of the Alaska National Guard, Sarah Palin's actual experience as a commander is minimal. 700.

GOP-ONLYBLACK (Mascaro, Las Vegas Sun) -- ST. PAUL, Minn.: Lorraine Marshall is one of only 36 African-American delegates at the Republican National Convention and the only black in the Nevada delegation. She's proud of Barack Obama's accomplishment, but votes her conscience. 550.

GOP-ANARCHISTS (Pheifer, Minneapolis Star Tribune) -- ST. PAUL, Minn.: Almost a year to the day before the Republican National Convention began, members of a self-described anarchist group gathered to talk about ways to disrupt it, including kidnapping delegates, sabotaging air vents at the Xcel Energy Center, blocking bridges and "capturing federal buildings" in Minneapolis and St. Paul. 650.

GOP-LITTWIN04 (Littwin, SHNS -- Column) -- Now you've seen Sarah Palin, and now, I'm guessing, a lot of you are more confused than ever. 700.

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PALIN-JOKES-TV (Ward, Minneapolis Star Tribune) -- The best late-night TV joke Wednesday might have been delivered by Sarah Palin. Certainly it brought more raucous cheers than were mustered by any of the talk-show hosts, who were handcuffed because they taped their programs before Palin delivered her speech. 550.

TVHILIGHTS-TV (Morrow, SHNS -- Column) -- The players of "Entourage" -- usually the boys of summer -- are back for an atypical fall berth (10 p.m. EDT Sunday, HBO). A look at it and other TV highlights for the week beginning Sunday. 550. With photos: SH08I043TVHILIGHTS, SH08I044TVHILIGHTS.

FALL-DVD (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) -- A look at the major movies coming to DVD this fall. 650.

POLITICALBUTTONS (Kersten, Minneapolis Star Tribune) -- Paul Bengston was different from other boys in the neighborhood. At age 10, while his pals collected comic books or baseball cards, Bengston searched for pins from Franklin D. Roosevelt's campaigns. Today, he looks for rare treasures to add to his vast collection of political memorabilia, which includes about 30,000 items from 1820 to the present. 650. With photos: SH08I041POLITICALBUTTONS, SH08I042POLITICALBUTTONS.

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FBCCOLLCAPS04 (Lindsay, SHNS) -- Capsule previews of this weekend's top college games, including Miami-Florida, West Virginia-East Carolina, San Diego State-Notre Dame and more. 2,000.

FBCTUCKER (Tucker, New Hampshire Union Leader -- Column) -- THE UNBALANCED LINE: College football's opening weekend, as usual, delivered some surprising confidence boosters and busters. And, some expected statements from the power elite. 800.

KNAPP (Knapp, San Francisco Chronicle -- Column) -- Is it time for Cubs fans to panic? Hardly. 700.

BRUNT (Brunt, Toronto Globe and Mail -- Column) -- New book reveals growing problem of match fixing at the highest levels of international soccer. 800.