It's a downright scary hassle when your wallet is stolen--the wrongdoer now has access to your ID, credit cards, family photos, and more. We've heard the identity theft spiel a thousand times over, but now hospitals and insurance companies are fearing the worst--a rise in medical ID theft. A reported 3,000-6,000 medical ID theft cases a year are showing up, with mysterious charges of medical procedures billed to the unassuming insured. With a spike soon to come--thanks to the rising number of the unemployed and uninsured--local hospitals and clinics will be requiring photo ID in an effort to step up ID theft prevention. more ›

This man neglected to pay his Bellevue storage unit fees, and when the owner tried to auction off his belongings, the cops found out about his precious hidden illegal crates of military weapons. Whoops! Ronald Struve pled guilty to all five federal charges in court this morning. His lawyer says Struve has "unusual political beliefs" (no!) and, with regards to the guns, was "apparently keeping them anticipation of Armageddon." This man needs more sunshine, puppies, and donuts in his life, all stuff he'll get zero amounts of in prison, which is where he's likely to end up. more ›

Thanks to dramatic state budget deficits, the Washington state Department of Health has decided to discontinue three of its programs: colorectal screenings (poor people don't get cancer), water-contaminant testing, and the state's prescription drug monitoring system. The colorectal screening program--targeted towards low-income communities--and the prescription drug monitoring system were not yet in full swing, and by axing them both, the department will save $14,000. If there's one department we don't want to see make any more cuts, it's this one. Bill and Melinda Gates, have you considered donating to the state of Washington this year? more ›

Tibetan Hayagriva mask with Padmasambhava mask in background by Wonderlane more ›

Tipster Matt sent us to this politically oriented, print-your-own Halloween mask site. There's a whole collection you can download, including your choice of John McCain, Cindy McCain, Sarah Palin, RNC Chair Mike Duncan, Sean Hannity, Henry Kissinger, Joe Lieberman, Greta Van Susteren, Laura Bush and Charles Krauthammer. A late entry, provided separately, is McCain strategist Steve Schmidt, a veteran Karl Rove operative. We warn you, though: These things are scary, and probably not good for children. more ›

The Arctic ice is apparently all gone, or may well be soon, according to the (UK). "The disappearance of the Arctic sea ice," writes science editor Steve Connor, "making it possible to reach the Pole sailing in a boat through open water, would be one of the most dramatic – and worrying – examples of the impact of global warming on the planet. Scientists say the ice at 90 degrees north may well have melted away by the summer." It turns out that currently, 70% of the polar ice cap is "first year" ice. The ice cap shrinks and expands yearly, but last year it shrunk to one of the smallest levels yet known, to within 700 miles of the pole. This year, scientists predict it could completely disappear for the first time in known human history. more ›