January 20, 2001

Power crisis begins to take toll on businesses, workers and consumers across California, costing state estimated $1.7 billion in lost wages, sales and productivity in last week alone; examples include layoffs at Miller brewery and California Steel Industries, largest steel plant on West Coast, and Valero Energy's inability to ship fuel because blackouts have shut down its pipelines; photo; executives warn lawmakers to resolve crisis or watch buoyant California economy run aground (M)

Federal Communications Commission deals sharp setback to US broadcasters, denying them the right to force cable companies to transmit both their digital and analog signals as they slowly convert to high-definition television; decision was parting shot at broadcasters from departing FCC chairman, William E Kennard; photo (M)

Mixing pomp and partying with a little bit of substance, George W. Bush sprinted across this city today and proclaimed himself ready to take over the nation's government. Republicans crowded the capital to celebrate Mr. Bush's impending ascension -- and the imminent departure of President Clinton from the White House. In a soaked and bone-chilling day that led inauguration planners to prepare for the possibility of moving Saturday's celebration indoors, Mr. Bush made final preparations for his new job between appearances at festivities marking the transition in government.

Former Carolina Panthers football player Rae Carruth is convicted of conspiring to kill his pregnant girlfriend, Cherica Adams, who was shot in Nov 1999 and died month later; is acquitted of first-degree murder; is also found guilty of shooting into occupied vehicle and using gun with intent to kill unborn child; his lawyer says he will ask judge to vacate conspiracy conviction; photo (M)

Pres Clinton, on last full day in office, agrees to settlement in which he will avoid possibility of indictment in exchange for admitting he gave false testimony under oath and agreeing to surrender his law license for five years; deal with special prosecutor Robert W Ray is stunning end to long melodrama and pitched legal battles over Clinton's relationship with Monica Lewinsky; also ends any criminal liability in Whitewater case and concludes $60-million investigation that plagued Clintons for much of their time in White House; Clinton explicitly admits that 'certain of my responses' were false when he gave 1998 deposition about Lewinsky in Paula Jones sexual misconduct suit; will pay $25,000 fine to Arkansas Bar Assn and promises not to seek reimbursement of legal fees from federal court, as he would be entitled to do as person investigated but not indicted; statement ending weeks of negotiationsis read at White House; Clinton is described as relieved but unhappy that last day in office is marked again by scandal; attorney David Kendall says president is glad to have 'closure'; photos; Ray reportedly did not want to leave issue, and pardon question, to incoming president George W Bush (M)