Slate's "Today's Papers"

A scientist commits sucide just as he was about to face charges on anthrax attacks. - By Daniel Politi - Slate Magazine:

The Los Angeles Times leads with word that a government scientist who was about to face charges for the 2001 anthrax attacks apparently committed suicide. Bruce Ivins, 62, a "skilled microbiologist," worked at the government's biodefense labs at Fort Detrick, Md., for the last 18 years and, according to people who knew him, had been informed of his impending prosecution. Ivins helped the government investigate the anthrax mail attacks that killed five people shortly after Sept. 11, 2001. The New York Times leads with word that U.S. intelligence officials have concluded that members of Pakistan's intelligence service helped militants plan the bombing of the Indian Embassy in Afghanistan last month, an attack that killed more than 50 people. The link had long been suspected, but intercepted communications finally brought confirmation.

The Washington Post leads with news that five American troops died in combat in Iraq last month. When noncombatant deaths are added, the number increases to 13, which is the lowest American death toll in any single month since the war began in 2003. The Wall Street Journal also leads its world-wide newsbox with Iraq and highlights that President Bush praised the "durability" of the security gains even as he took pains to emphasize that "the progress is still reversible." Bush suggested that the decrease in violence could lead to further U.S. troop withdrawals before he leaves office. USA Today leads with new figures that show state and local governments have been on a spending binge lately. State and local governments increased spending 7.8 percent in the second quarter of this year compared with the same period last year, while revenue rose a mere 2.5 percent. Some states are taking drastic measures to reduce spending, and some predict there will be deep cuts in 2009 as governments begin to feel the effects of a weakening economy.