Stories for Sept. 9, 2008

Chop, chop

Tue, Sep 9, 11 p.m.

As Mayor Greg Nickels moves to close a tree-cutting "loophole," it's time for a complete rethink of Seattle's rules and regulations regarding trees. And we better act fast.

Will the anti-conglomerate Blethens sell newspapers to a conglomerate?

Tue, Sep 9, 10 p.m.

By Bill Richards

Brunswick News, part of the Irving family's vast industrial holdings in Canada, is kicking the tires of Blethen Maine Newspapers, which is owned by the Seattle Times Co. The Irvings own most of the newspapers in the province of New Brunswick plus companies that do business in adjoining Maine.

Dino Rossi, ladies' man

Tue, Sep 9, 2 p.m.

By Clark Fredricksen

It looks like Republican Sen. John McCain is not the only one getting a boost in the polls, thanks to his selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin to be the Republican vice presidential nominee. According to SurveyUSA's latest poll, Republican gubernatorial challenger Dino Rossi leads Democratic Gov. Chris Gregoire for the first time, 48 percent to 47 percent. But don't get too excited, Rossi fans. That's the exact same percentage of people who said they would vote for Rossi in SurveyUSA's poll on Aug. 18. On the other hand, Gregoire has fallen three percentage points among likely voters since August.

Sausage Links, assisted suicide edition

Tue, Sep 9, noon

By Clark Fredricksen

Geov at Horse's Ass is making his case for Initiative 1000, or the "death with dignity" measure. It is powerful stuff. He was diagnosed with a terminal disease in 1991, and through various surgeries and transplants he has managed to stay alive, though one or both of his non-native organs could fail any day.

Regence reverses its position on autism devices

Tue, Sep 9, 3:38 a.m.

By Michele Solis

Regence Blue Shield has recently changed its policy to cover speech-generating devices (SGDs), which allow non-verbal people — such as those with autism — to communicate. In the past, Regence denied coverage for these devices for those with autism or mental retardation, citing that SGD use by people with these diagnoses was "investigational."