• State's highest court backs lying in politics -- Seattle PI -- In a 5-4 ruling Thursday, the state Supreme Court struck down a 1999 law that banned political candidates from intentionally lying about their opponents. The high court majority said the law was an affront to free speech. [read another version in the Seattle Times: Split court says candidates can lie ] [and more in the Spokesman Review ]
  

• Boeing must step it up to meet goal -- Everett Herald -- The Boeing Co. needs its most productive quarter since 2001 if the company hopes to hit its goal of delivering 440 to 445 commercial jets this year.

• Opportunity knocks in a so-so economy -- Everett Herald -- The economy will continue to struggle in some areas, but a recession doesn't seem to be on the near horizon

• Boeing plane deliveries up 9 percent from a year ago -- Everett Herald -- Boeing Co. says it delivered 9 percent more commercial airplanes in the third quarter than a year ago, with the single-aisle 737 model accounting for three-quarters of the total.

• This president's veto deserves an override --Seattle Times Editorial -- President Bush painted himself into a lonely corner on this issue. The States Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) is universally supported for providing health coverage for children...

• Insurers dropping millions to stop R-67 -- Seattle PI -- Joe Connelly on the Opinion Page --   $1.608 million to the anti-67 effort. Farmers Insurance is out to get state law back to where it belongs. It's put up $1.524 million."

• Voters urged to keep election booklets -- Olympian -- Hang on to those voters pamphlets. That's the recommendation of Thurston County elections officials as the statewide guides are mailed out this week. County pamphlets won't be sent out for a week or so, and mail-in ballots won't come out until Oct. 19.

World News:

• Behind the picket line -- BBC-- Royal Mail workers have begun industrial action in a protest over pay and fears of job cuts.

War News:

• List of casualties with Washington state ties -- Seattle PI --Since the U.S. launched its war on terrorism, dozens of men in uniform with connections to Washington state have died while serving in Afghanistan, Kuwait and Iraq. The first death occurred just months after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, and they continue today. Click to view a list of those who have died both as a result of combat and accidents

Water Cooler News :

• Exposed: the poisons around us -- SF Chron -- The Toxic Chemistry of Everyday Products and What's at Stake for American Power

• CAN WE TRUST WHAT WE EAT? Our faulty food system -- SF Chron Open Forum

• Don’t count on others to guard your pension -- Tacoma News Tribune -- Many troubling questions persist as the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission winds through its investigation of the pension-consulting industry.