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If history is a guide, bet on a double-dip recession for the nation, since four of the last six recessions have had two downturns. And new government numbers, revealing that the 2001 recession was deeper and longer than first thought and that the recovery may be stalling, appear to have raised the odds. [READ MORE]

If you are wondering what is up, the answer is not much. Led by another decline in help-wanted ads, the Puget Sound leading index continues to plunge. [READ MORE]

The Economist, the highly respected British magazine, has written many favorable words about the greater Seattle area over the years. But rarely has such praise been more deserving than now: the economy is simply hard to beat. [READ MORE]

One trait of a pessimist is the ability to worry during good times. Up to a point, this may be practical. Taken too far, it can lead to missed opportunities. [READ MORE]

Forecasting turning points is difficult. Thus, in February, when we called for the Puget Sound economy to break out of its five-year sluggish state, we crossed a couple of fingers. [READ MORE]