September 8, 2001

Nassau County Executive primary campaign between Thomas P DiNapoli and Thomas R Suuozzi discussed; it is difficult to draw sharp distinctions between two men who share similar core beliefs, so personality and experience are likely to play large role in determining winner of primary; photos (M)

Bureau of Labor Statistics reports nation's unemployment rate jumped sharply in August to 4.9 percent, from 4.5 percent in July; jump is biggest one-month rise since spring of 1995, dashing hopes of economic rebound; jobles rate is highest since mid-1997, as businesses eliminated more than 100,000 jobs in month; Pres Bush moves to reassure public; says he is aware of human toll job losses are taking; calls for growth plan to reverse downturn; graphs (M)

Federal Appeals Court, Washington, DC, strongly signals intention to strike down two regulations that for decades have prevented nation's biggest broadcasters, cable companies and media conglomerates from expanding by taking over local television stations; three-judge panel expresses concern over alleged failure of regulators to justify adequately rule that prevents television network from owning stations that reach more than 35 percent of nation's households; raise concerns about second rule that prevents cable companies from owning television station in same community (M)

Unemployment Up to 4.9%, Its Highest Level Since '97 The nation's unemployment rate jumped sharply in August to 4.9 percent from 4.5 percent in July, the biggest one-month rise since 1995 and its highest level since 1997, dashing hopes that the bleak economic climate was starting to improve. In August, according to the government's Bureau of Labor Statistics, businesses eliminated more than 100,000 jobs, suggesting that the economy remained at risk of falling into a recession. And companies, in an effort to halt profit declines, made further cuts this summer in the number of hours worked by their employees. A month ago, the Labor Department offered some reason for optimism, finding that manufacturers in July made the fewest number of job cuts in almost a year and reporting a rise in the number of people in the labor force -- those with a job or actively looking for one. But the August numbers erased nearly all of the hopeful signs. [Page A1.]

William C Rhoden Sports of The Times column discusses success Richard Williams has had in coaching his daughters Serena and Venus; photo (M)

Columbia Business School dean, Meyer Feldberg, sends formal letters of apology to 240 restaurants across New York City that were victims of prank by member of faculty studying organizational behavior; culinary chaos ensued among owners, managers and chefs after Prof Frank Flynn sent fabricated letters claiming food poisoning after eating wedding anniversary dinner; prank was part of study to determine how restaurants respond to complaints; Flynn also sends letters apologizing for 'horrible mistake;' photos (M)

Hewlett-Packard and Compaq Computer executives say they have no intention of shelving their intended merger despite investors' devaluation of deal from its initial $25 billion; Hewlett stock has lost 22 percent and Compaq stock 14 percent in week since merger was announced on Sept 3; market analysts criticize deal as bringing two struggling companies together into one giant with doubled problems; companies claim they will save $2.5 billion annually in costs and increase their more profitable services businesses (M)

WOMEN AND POWER A special photography issue of The Times Magazine explores the postfeminist world. PLUS A Harvest of Arts: The critics offer a guide to what's coming in music, theater, film, dance, art, architecture and television. The New Season: a three-part special issue of Arts & Leisure.

New York Yankees defeat Boston Red Sox, 3-2; photo (M)

Royal Ahold, Dutch parent company of Stop & Shop and many other supermarkets, pursues bruising pace of acquisitions; its purchase of stores from thrice-bankrupt Grand Union presents new challenge; food industry analysts express confusion trying to decipher Ahold's balance sheets; stock market analysts hold differing opinions regarding company's prospects; photos (M)

11 current and former Miami police officers are charged with planting evidence and covering up actions in string of police shootings that killed three people, including 73-yer-old man who died in 1996 in barrage of 123 bullets; federal grand jury indictment charges officers with multiple counts of misconduct in cases dating back to mid-1990's, including stealing evidence, placing guns at crime scenes and lying to avoid prosecution; Mayor Joe Carollo and Police Chief Raul Martinez welcome federal intervention; Martinez calls indictments sad day for city and asks Justice Dept to review city's practices and procedures related to shootings; photo (M)

RICHARD WILLIAMS held court late yesterday afternoon. With the sun setting and stadium cleanup crews fanning out, Williams was surrounded by well-wishers in an all-but-empty Arthur Ashe Stadium. This, he said, was the happiest day of his life. His daughters had barreled into the women's final of the United States Open with frightening ease. Venus, the older of the two, had rumbled past Jennifer Capriati, 6-4, 6-2, and Serena had crushed Martina Hingis, 6-3, 6-2.