October 24, 1996

New York State Supreme Court Justice Marilyn G Diamond, in strongly worded opinion, upholds new zoning ordinance in New York City aimed at restricting X-rated businesses; denies request from store owners to block law; rules law is constitutional since it does not restrict free speech and is intended to improve city's quality of life; says it provides more than enough alternative sites for existing sex-related businesses; store owners plan appeal; ruling clears way for city to begin shutdown of estimated 150 peep shows, topless bars and X-rated video parlors it says will be in violation of law; map (M)

US Sen Strom Thurmond, running for eighth term at age 93, is revered and loved by vast majority of South Carolinians, despite misgivings about his age; has built reservoir of good will throughout career, with gestures large and small; polls show him 10 percentage points ahead of Democratic challenger, Elliott S Close, who has made Thurmond's age and competence election issue; photo (M)

New Jersey Supreme Court appoints Richard S Cohen special master to study data compiled by court's administrative staff showing that race is likely to be factor in death penalty verdict (New Jersey Daily Briefing) (S)

Article discusses controversy over report by scientists at Rutgers University that calls for major shift in battle against beach erosion in New Jersey; study calls for shift from defending and rebuilding coastal beaches and property in high-hazard areas to removing store-damaged buildings in those places and letting nature reclaim beach; opposition to plan from environmentalists, businessmen and politicians discussed; photo; map (M)

Bob Dole, in dramatic gesture, urges third-party candidate Ross Perot to abandon Presidential bid and to support him; campaign manager Scott Reed meets with Perot; Dole's plea underscores his difficulties as even many Republicans say they have all but given up on him; advisers say move is aimed at shaking up race and chipping into Pres Clinton's ample lead in polls; Dole barnstorms across South, territory that has long been safely Republican but where he is trailing Clinton state after state; is embarking on new strategy in effort to gain ground on Clinton by virtually dropping attacks on President's character; photos (M)