July 14, 1993

For 14 days now, through thunderstorms, sweltering heat, swarms of mosquitoes and never-ending mud, the people here have been working side by side around the clock in a war against the elements. The troops are the National Guard, prison inmates, the county sheriff, local radio broadcasters, farmers, college students, construction workers, retirees, housewives and even the Boy Scouts. Everyone but the National Guard is a volunteer in the battle against the Mississippi River.

The Economy Producer prices fell three-tenths of 1 percent in June, the biggest monthly decline in more than two years. The decrease probably means the Fed will not raise interest rates soon to combat inflation, which had surged early in the year. [ Page D1. ] The economic impact of the Mississippi flood is likely to be small. Although shipments of many products have been interrupted, most obstacles have been overcome or bypassed. [ A17. ]

Shooting in Bronx Leaves One Dead And 4 Injured A man with a 9-millimeter pistol opened fire in front of a South Bronx bodega, killing the young man with whom he had been arguing and wounding four bystanders. Page B1. The Voices of Japan With elections on Sunday, seven diverse Japanese reflect the nation's anger at the old politicians and skepticism about the new. Page A8. Work Near Yankee Stadium New York City plans to renovate the Bronx Terminal Market to reverse blight around Yankee Stadium. The plan could lead to more parking for the ballpark. Page B1. U.N. Presses On in Somalia The United Nations said it would not back down in its fight to disarm Mogadishu in spite of criticism that followed the deaths of four journalists in a retaliatory attack. Page A6. Producer Prices Decline Producer prices fell three-tenths of 1 percent in June, the biggest drop in two years. The inflation news is likely to keep interest rates low. Page D1. A.L. Stars Make It 6 in Row Sparked by home runs from Kirby Puckett and Roberto Alomar, the American League won its sixth straight All-Star Game, 9-3. Page B9.

Torrential rains drenched the Iowa capital early today, swelling already bloated rivers and slowing the effort to clear out the contaminated water system that has brought the city to a virtual halt. The whole state was declared a Federal disaster area today, and President Clinton cut short a visit to Hawaii to tour devastated areas on Wednesday.

A man wielding a 9-millimeter pistol opened fire in front of a South Bronx bodega yesterday, killing the young man with whom he had been arguing and wounding four bystanders, the police said. The police said they knew little about the dead man, 22-year-old Jose Rivera. But several people who said they knew him, including a correction officer, said he was a crack dealer who had complained only the night before that other dealers would not let him sell drugs in the area.