October 7, 2003

Seventeen children and two adults contract whooping cough or pertussis, all in Westchester (NY), primarily due to number of parents who consciously refused to have their children vaccinated against illness (M)

Article on Christopher Paolini, 19, author of best-selling children's book Eragon, who lives with his parents and younger sister on edge of Yellowstone River in Paradise Valley, Mont; Paolini, who was home-schooled, comments on what inspired him to write fantasy novel and invent three languages used in book; photos (M)

New York Yankees prepare to face Boston Red Sox in American League Championship Series, hoping that Yankees solid pitching, led by Andy Pettitte and Mike Mussina, will be able to control or even negate strong Red Sox offense (M)

Federal court issues ruling that may force Federal Communications Commission that force cable companies to share their high-speed Internet, or broadband, networks with competing Internet service providers; decision finds FCC erred in earlier ruling that effectively absolved cable companies of any obligation to make their lines accessible to competitors; decision is hailed by Internet providers who sued to get right to lease those lines and offer competing services over them; FCC to appeal; chairman Michael K Powell says decision will hurt efforts to develop national policy on high-speed Internet services (M)

Clyde Haberman NYC column discusses California gubernatorial recall election, which he contends is circus-like illustration of differences between Los Angeles and New York City; holds that New Yorkers accept election results and would not force recall election (M)