Stories for Aug. 9, 2011

Whatcom doctors say they are worried about coal trains' effects

Tue, Aug 9, 3 p.m.

A group of physicians predict a potentially harmful increase in pollutants if a coal port is constructed near Bellingham. A shipping company suggests that the doctors are missing out on larger air issues as well as changing federal requirements.

Standard & Poor's poor show

Tue, Aug 9, 10:06 a.m.

By Ted Van Dyk

Sorting through the blame game on the morning after Black Monday. The reaction has been an over-reaction, which is standard when emotion rules the markets.

How the Feds failed Washington's great white worm

Tue, Aug 9, 2 a.m.

By Knute Berger

The Feds deal a blow to the Giant Palouse Earthworm's endangered species status, partly because it appears to live on in far-flung habitats. Still, the mysteries of this ice-age survivor endure, and deepen.

Education reform: the whole child left behind

Tue, Aug 9, 2 a.m.

By Kent Kammerer

Too much of our focus on education reform misses a point: children aren't numbers. And the first step in dealing with the dropout issue is to connect with them.