LEAD: Representative James J. Florio, a candidate once derided as stiff if not robotic, is campaigning for governor these days with the fluid ease and growing self-confidence of a man who feels he is finally in synch with his times.

Florio Runs With Method to His Meekness

LEAD: Trying to guard against any transmission of the AIDS virus through sperm banks, the New York State Health Department has drawn up new rules requiring donors to undergo at least two AIDS tests before their sperm is used.

New York, in Move to Bar AIDS, Puts New Limits on Sperm Banks

LEAD: Negotiators for many private hospitals in New York City and the union representing 50,000 hospital workers bargained into the early morning hours to avert a strike, but remained far apart at 1 A.M. Several hospitals facing serious fiscal problems reached separate agreements with the union.  Articles, page B1 and B2.

Union and Hospitals Bargain in New York

LEAD: In a major shift in policy, a Federal panel of experts has recommended that less prenatal care be provided to the 1.6 million pregnant women whose fetuses are at no apparent risk of health problems and that more be given to women whose fetuses are at risk.

Less Prenatal Care Urged For Most Healthy Women

LEAD: Opening a new front in its battle for the Lin Broadcasting Corporation, McCaw Cellular Communications Inc. said yesterday that it had signed an agreement to acquire Metromedia Inc.'s stake in the New York cellular market for $1.9 billion.

New York Acquisition By McCaw

LEAD: AS might be expected, Andy Rooney, the curmudgeon whose commentaries on CBS News's ''60 Minutes'' assail everything from manners to mufflers, has strong opinions on food and dining. At a recent dinner in a restaurant near his weekend home in upstate New York, he served forth more than a few of them, including these:

With Every Course, an Opinion

LEAD: WHEN Stephen Schecter looks out over his vineyards here, he recalls his childhood in Queens, shakes his head in disbelief and says, ''When my father talked about red or white, he meant horseradish.''

Grower's Commute: Scardsdale to France

LEAD: Thirty-two intermediaries representing the last vestiges of big money in the New York City mayoral election have funneled $685,000 into Rudolph W. Giuliani's campaign in the last four months, making him the biggest single beneficiary of a process known as bundling.

Bundling Campaign Money: Giuliani Is the Big Beneficiary

LEAD:  Choice for Rockefeller U.  Dr. David Baltimore, a Nobel laureate who has figured in a controversy over possible scientific fraud, has been offered the presidency of Rockefeller University. Page A18.  A's Top Blue Jays in Opener  Oakland used strong hitting, pitching and base-running to win the first game of the American League playoffs from Toronto, 7-3.

INSIDE

LEAD: The saga of Crazy Eddie Inc., the consumer electronics retailer known for its boisterous advertising, appears to have ended today.

Crazy Eddie to Liquidate, Ending Move to Reorganize

LEAD: With a strike deadline hours away, four New York City area hospitals, including Beth Israel Medical Center, broke ranks with industry negotiators and reached separate union agreements late last night, officials involved in the negotiations said.

Four Hospitals Break Ranks And Set Pacts

LEAD: The Senate Finance Committee approved early today a Democratic plan that would restore tax deductions for contributions to individual retirement accounts for all taxpayers, after a Republican measure to reduce the capital gains tax rate for individual and corporate taxpayers lost on a tie vote.

Senate Unit Approves I.R.A. Plan

LEAD: Dissident Panamanian officers tried to overthrow Gen. Manuel Antonio Noriega today but failed when troops loyal to the Panamanian leader recaptured a central military headquarters the rebels had seized.

U.S. KNEW OF PLOT

LEAD: Razor makers have always scratched their chins over what men want. Do they want platinum chromium coatings on their blades? Razors that open like missile silos? Or maybe blades in high-tech injector cartridges?

Gillette Challenge to the Disposables

LEAD: After months of debate, the European Community adopted a compromise plan of nonbinding rules today that urge European television stations to devote a majority of their air time to shows made in Europe.

Europe Reaches TV Compromise; U.S. Officials Fear Protectionism

LEAD: In the latest sign of closer ties between the United States and Mexico, Presidents Bush and Carlos Salinas de Gortari signed an agreement today intended to enlarge trade and investment between the two nations.

MEXICAN-U.S. PACT REACHED ON TRADE AND INVESTMENTS

LEAD: In a boisterous Senate session, Republican as well as Democratic senators came forward tonight with a host of amendments to remold President Bush's anti-drug strategy into a bigger, bolder plan.

Senators in a Rush to Declare A Bigger War Against Drugs

LEAD: Sunday morning was one of those rare occasions when time stands still and the world doesn't seem like such a bad place after all. Golden sun, a gentle breeze and birds heading south for no obvious reason. A day to go fishing.

About New York; Lessons of Life, At the Wet End Of a Fishing Line

BUSINESS DIGEST

LEAD: In a rare crackdown on high prices, Government investigators here searched the offices of Apple Computer Japan and a unit of Canon Inc. today, seeking evidence that importers selling Macintosh computers at deep discounts are being driven out of the market.

Japan Acts On Apple And Canon

LEAD: The Seagram Building on Park Avenue and the Four Seasons restaurant within it -which have long been seen as pinnacles of the cool, sleek, International style of architecture that dominated American cities after World War II - became official New York City landmarks yesterday.

Four Seasons Is Designated A Landmark

LEAD: In an attempt to stop an exodus of its citizens that had turned chaotic, East Germany said Tuesday that it would allow refugees already in Czechoslovakia to head west. Then it closed its borders.

REFUGEES IN PRAGUE TO LEAVE FOR WEST

LEAD: The stock market climbed to another historic high yesterday as investors focused on the underlying strength of several blue-chip issues, a firm bond market and a strong United States dollar.

Dow at Record 2,754.56 After Advancing 40.84

LEAD: GLENN BERNBAUM, owner of Mortimer's Restaurant, gave a party last night. He had 75th Street between Lexington and Third Avenues cleared, put up six contiguous tents and charged 1,000 guests $250 each to sip donated champagne and nibble chili con carne in pastry shells. He called his party Fete de Famille IV.

Assembling A Charity Event, Piece by Piece

LEAD: Over the last two years, two American Administrations have elevated the leader of Panama, Gen. Manuel Antonio Noriega, to the top of the list of world figures they wanted to see removed from action. Only Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi of Libya came as close to getting under Washington's political skin.

Once Again, A Survivor; Ruthlessness Keeps Noriega in Command

Dakota Mayi Johnson is an American actress. Her accolades include an Independent Spirit Award and a nomination for a British Academy Film Award.

Dakota Johnson, American actress

Dakota_Johnson

Graham Chapman was a British actor, comedian and writer. He was one of the six members of the surrealist comedy group Monty Python. He portrayed authority figures such as The Colonel and the lead role in two Python films, Holy Grail (1975) and Life of Brian (1979).

October 4, 1989

Headlines from October 4, 1989

Florio Runs With Method to His Meekness

New York, in Move to Bar AIDS, Puts New Limits on Sperm Banks

Union and Hospitals Bargain in New York

Less Prenatal Care Urged For Most Healthy Women

New York Acquisition By McCaw

Billboard 200

Forever Your Girl

Girl You Know It's True

Steel Wheels

Hangin' Tough

Dr. Feelgood

Notable Births

Notable Deaths

Historical Context for October 4, 1989