March 20, 1997

Tentative Deal Reached In American Airlines Talks American Airlines and negotiators from its pilots' union reached an agreement in principle on terms of a new contract, making another strike by the pilots somewhat less likely. But two significant hurdles remain to reaching a final agreement, and those uncertainties may give pause to travelers making plans to fly on American in late April, when a strike can still occur. The agreement remains subject to votes by the board of the union and then by its members. $(Page A1.$) Plan for Cut in Power Rates Gov. George E. Pataki of New York announced details of a plan to cut Long Island's high electric rates by as much as 23 percent through a partial state takeover of Long Island Lighting. Wall Street applauded the deal, which would entail the largest municipal bond issue in history. $(A1.$)

New Jersey agriculture officials say that state's dandelion season is already at its height, about three weeks ahead of schedule (New Jersey Daily Briefing) (S)

Willem de Kooning, artist who radically altered shape of American art after World War II, dies at age 92; photos (L)

Growing number of midlife Manhattanites are taking in roommates as rents skyrocket; Nancy Packes, president of Feathered Nest, real estate agency that regularly surveys trends in Manhattan's rental market, says she suspects that as many as 30 percent of tenants whose rents are under $2,500 are sharing; several roommates comment; (L)

New Jersey State Sen James S Cafiero, arguing that New Jersey must update its laws to reflect problem of AIDS, introduces bill that would make it a felony for anyone who has a sexually transmitted disease to engage in an act of sexual penetration (New Jersey Daily Briefing) (S)