February 28, 1998

Nebraska is on all-out quest for smart people, hoping to reverse talent drain that helped produce state unemployment rate of 1.6 percent, lowest of any state; Gov Ben Nelson is pushing bill that would pay up to half of undergraduate or graduate school costs for smart students who agree to stay on after college and work for three years in state; Nebraska businesses are offering job applicants wages and benefits too good to turn down; Nebraska's desperate search for highly skilled workers is reflection of revved-up national economy squeezing region that for years has watched many of its youngest, best and brightest go elsewhere; photos (L)

William C Rhoden's Sports of The Times column on New Jersey Nets; says new $3 million training facility in East Rutherford, NJ, is next major step in what Nets' coach John Calipari calls changing team's culture; photo (L)

New York Knicks player Larry Johnson is sidelined with sprained right thumb and may not be able to play against Los Angeles Lakers (M)

Court Sets Veto Arguments Announcing an accelerated schedule for hearing the Administration's appeal of a ruling striking down the line item veto, the Supreme Court set April 27 for arguments. Page A7.

Discovery Enterprises Worldwide, unit of Discovery Comnmunications, is typical of new group of stores that are giving up floor space for extensive interactive displays and educational offerings that are moving retailing into more inviting environment; some Discovery Enterprises products noted; other stores that offer such real-use purchasing experiences are Bass Pro Shops, Springfield, Mass, where shoppers can cast into test pool before buying flyfishing rod, MARS: The Musician's Planet, giant music supply shop that allows musicians to try instruments, and Color Me Mine store in Santa Monica, Calif, where customers sit at tables and paint pottery selected from dozens of different shapes; one store executive says what these stores do is appeal to emotional part of why people buy; photos of some retail displays (M)