January 25, 2006

New York City Mayor Michael R Bloomberg announces restructuring of child welfare system to provide more comprehensive and cooperative monitoring of children living in troubled homes; move is in response to beating death of 7-year-old Nixzmary Brown, who was visited by caseworkers but obviously did not receive attention necessary to prevent fatal incident; Bloomberg reports that city will devote additional $16 million to Administration for Children's Services; changes represent attempt to bolster existing system rather than dismantle it; increases in staff are planned across all agencies dealing with child welfare and families; photo (M)

Two small television networks became a large one yesterday when CBS and the Warner Brothers Entertainment unit of Time Warner joined forces to form a new, youth-oriented network out of the programs on UPN and WB. The new venture, called CW, will take the most popular shows from UPN and WB, each of which has struggled to turn a profit.

Philadelphia restaurateur Stephen Starr opens two New York City restaurants in Chelsea; Morimoto, $10 million, 160-seat Japanese restaurant is named after its famous chef Masaharu Morimoto, star of TV program Iron Chef; Buddakan, Pan-Asian restaurant around corner, will open shortly after Morimoto; design of both spaces discussed; Starr, who is former rock promoter has hired publicity firm specializing in fashion and celebrities, and hopes to capitalize on buzz to fill somewhat cavernous spaces; photos (M)

USOC SPEAKS: SKELETON COAC

SEXUAL HARASSMENT SUIT