en-us Copyright Sightline Daily - all rights reserved newsfeeds@sightline.org newsfeeds@sightline.org Most recent United States headlines from Sightline Daily, the Northwest news that matters http://daily.sightline.org Plone http://daily.sightline.org/logo.gif 427 69 The public is way ahead of politicians on the need for change. Polls consistently show Americans favor expanded health-insurance coverage for all - by huge margins. The punch line has always been that their genuine enthusiasm for change is diminished by expectations of higher costs and reduced benefits for themselves. Turns out higher costs and degraded benefits are precisely what they are getting now. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2008159343_lance05.html?syndication=rss Human Health Policy Solutions United States Washington 09/05/2008 Seattle Times Ethanol's wild ride has brought it quickly from political golden child to scapegoat for everything from soaring food prices and world hunger to pork-barrel spending. This week, the Republican Party in its national platform called for an end to ethanol mandates in just the latest shot at a fuel alternative that, in some circles, has grown more targeted than treasured. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008158610_apethanolsluster.html?syndication=rss Energy Sprawl & Transportation United States 09/04/2008 Seattle Times Gasoline-powered lawnmowers blamed for summertime air pollution will have to be cleaner under new rules from the Environmental Protection Agency. The regulation issued Thursday requires a 35% reduction in emissions from new lawn and garden equipment powered by engines under 25 horsepower. It takes effect in 2011 and is expected to save approximately 190 million gallons of gasoline each year. http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2008-09-04-epa-lawnmowers_N.htm?csp=34 Climate Environment Policy Pollution & Toxics United States 09/04/2008 USA Today The U.S. unemployment rate zoomed to a five-year high of 6.1 per cent in August as employers slashed 84,000 jobs, dramatic proof of the mounting damage a deeply troubled economy is inflicting on workers and businesses alike. The Labor Department's report, released Friday, showed the increasing toll the housing, credit and financial crises are taking on the economy. http://www.reportonbusiness.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080905.wusjobs0905/BNStory/Business/?page=rss&id=RTGAM.20080905.wusjobs0905 Economy United States 09/05/2008 Toronto Globe and Mail While politicians of all stripes are vying to be seen as saviors in the energy crisis, Congress isn't giving renewable energy investors the one thing they say would help the most - long-term tax credits. Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle want the nation to move away from fossil fuels and become more energy independent. http://money.cnn.com/2008/09/05/news/economy/renewable_tax_credit/index.htm Economy Energy United States 09/05/2008 Fortune Get ready for another hike in copays and deductibles. A survey being released Thursday by the Mercer consulting firm found 59 percent of companies intend to keep down rising health care costs in 2009 by raising workers' deductibles, copays or out-of-pocket spending limits. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008157361_appricierhealthcare.html?syndication=rss Economy Human Health United States 09/04/2008 Seattle Times Malaise has made a comeback. At the root of such pessimism is the failure of the nation's social contract - the policies and institutions that support Americans as they pursue their economic and personal goals - to keep pace with the dizzying changes of the past two decades. http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0904/p09s02-coop.html Economy Human Health Population United States 09/03/2008 Christian Science Monitor A new study finds that young children have high levels of chemical fire retardants in their blood. Toddlers and preschoolers had levels of the chemicals that were on average three times higher than their mothers', according to a study of 20 families by the Environmental Working Group, which has campaigned against the chemicals for several years. http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2008-09-03-fire-retardants-children_N.htm?csp=34 Human Health Pollution & Toxics United States 09/03/2008 USA Today Democratic leaders in the U.S. Senate will push a bipartisan energy proposal that would allow for some expansion of offshore drilling. The proposal also would lift a ban on drilling off the Gulf coast of Florida, invest $20 billion on developing petroleum-free motor vehicles and extend expiring tax credits for renewable energy. http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/energy/2008-09-04-oildrilling_N.htm?csp=34 Energy Policy United States 09/04/2008 USA Today