As the quality and diversity of cancer care soars, it's unsurprising that the cost of the treatments goes with it. But even with incredible medical advancements, making critical decisions regarding cancer care can be nearly impossible--especially when factoring in the cost of the care itself is enough to literally put survivors into bankruptcy, according to a study released today by local researchers, cancer care is driving many patients to bankruptcy. more ›

Seattlest's MvB happens to be in Iceland on vacation, as the country is struggling with an intense economic crisis. Which he had no part in instigating, despite the great deals he's getting with the exchange rate. This is his post on what's going on in Reykjavik, which is Icelandic for "smoky bay." He looked that up. more ›

We were downtown at Pacific Place for lunch (salmon chowder). It was a little less peopled--a quiet Monday--but what was a little odd was how subdued everyone was, like queasy rollercoaster riders. No one was laughing. No one was regaling buddies with a loud, "What I did last weekend" story or arguing sports. They spoke softly. Out on the street, a single unbalanced woman was screaming at no one in particular: "Fuck you, fuck all of you!" The traffic was quiet. There was a single horn as a driver tried to drive straight through a green left-turn signal. Way across the country, the Dow closed below 10,000, at 9,955. more ›