November 9, 1995

The most interesting feature of Michael B. Laudor's resume can only be glimpsed between the lines. Sprinkled among the stellar nuggets of his life, from graduating summa cum laude from Yale University in three years to being awarded a coveted postdoctoral associateship at Yale Law School, are references to his work as a mental-health advocate and a consultant on ethics in psychiatric research. Mr. Laudor, 32 and by all accounts a genius, is a schizophrenic who emerged from eight months in a psychiatric unit at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center to go to Yale Law School. His success is about many things: the efficacy of new drugs in treating mental illness, the support of family, friends and colleagues and the steely refusal of a young man who became very sick at age 24 to be capsized by his disease.

Ruling that the planned fare increases for the region's mass transit system appeared to discriminate against black and Hispanic riders in New York City, a Federal judge yesterday blocked a 25-cent increase in subway and bus fares that was scheduled to take effect Sunday. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority quickly appealed the ruling, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit granted an emergency hearing, to be held today, on whether to reverse the order.

Who is handing out free newspapers and coffee in the morning and free cider in the afternoon? And crayons for children or restaurant discounts for adults? The answer is Newark International Airport. The gifts will be given out today in Parking Lot G from 7 to 10 A.M. and from 3 to 6 P.M. as part of Customer Appreciation Day. SUSAN JO KELLER

The Pataki administration has ordered homeless shelters across the state to charge rent to some homeless people and to eject those who do not follow a strict code of conduct. When the State Department of Social Services first proposed the regulations in March, there was a storm of protest from homeless advocates, opening a long period of public comment. But on Friday, with no public notice, the administration short-circuited the public review process and issued an emergency regulation putting the new policy into effect immediately.

Dow Surges 55.64 to Peak On Budget Optimism Blue-chip stocks surged into record territory as traders expressed optimism that the budget impasse between Congress and the Clinton Administration would be resolved.