May 24, 2003

New Jersey Division of Youth and Family Services records show state continued to place teenagers in two shelters run by Newark Transitional Supervised Living Corp even though its inspectors meticulously catalogued failure to correct ills such as rotting food, unsanitary bathrooms and dearth of adult supervision; supervision became so lax that teenagers set own rules, state documents and interviews show, having sex with each other and occasionally beating weaker or younger children; Children's Rights Inc, advocacy group that sued state and got records, says shelters got more abuse and neglect complaints than all but one other foster institution in state; state officials and social workers say shelters were not closed because of lack of alternative placements for troubled teens; sampling of incidents; photo (M)

New York City Police Department's Internal Affairs Division and Manhattan District Attorney's office are investigating fatal shooting of African immigrant Ousmane Zongo by police officer; Zongo was unarmed and had no criminal record, but was shot four times during raid of CD counterfeiting ring in Manhattan warehouse; photos (M)

Citigroup dismisses eight research analysts and temporarily withdraws coverage of 117 companies; move is part of cost-reduction effort by Sallie Krawcheck, chief executive of company's Smith Barney unit; those dismissed include Michelle Applebaum, Raymond Niles, Thomas Robillard, Michael Millman and Deborah Lawson; photo of Krawcheck (M)

BMW's revamped Mini Cooper car is becoming increasingly popular in New York City, as crowded streets and rare parking spots are making car's smaller frame very appealing; photos (M)

In just 23 years, Whole Foods Market has grown from a single store in Austin, Tex., to the largest natural foods chain in the nation. It is widely praised for its folksy style and high-quality goods, offering more than 20 kinds of granola, well-stocked wine shelves, attentive service and a hearty bow to Mother Earth. John Mackey, the chairman and chief executive, founded the company on the principles of open communication and empowered employees. Whole Foods workers here have found, however, that the principles do not include embracing labor unions.