Representative Tom DeLay, perhaps more than any other politician, embodied the intense polarization of his times.

A Partisan Leaves; Will an Era Follow?

The three stages at the Actors Theater of Louisville are awash in bold ideas wrapped in colorful theatrical packaging.

Louisville's Humana Festival Offers New Plays by the Fest-Full

Combining ideas from across the political spectrum, the state would be the first to require its citizens to have insurance.

Massachusetts Sets Health Plan for Nearly All

The charges, the largest against the Iraqi ex-president so far, stem from attacks in 1998 that destroyed 2,000 Kurdish villages.

Hussein Charged With Genocide in 50,000 Deaths

Washington Wizards defeat New York Knicks, 105-90 (M)

Sloppy and Sullen, the Knicks Lose Again

David Tucker, assistant managing editor of Metro section of The Star-Ledger of Newark, is publishing first book of poetry; book Late for Work won Katharine Bakeless Nason Prize for poetry awarded by Bread Loaf Writers' Conference, which included $1,000 and publication by Houghton Mifflin; Tucker comments; photo (M)

Looking for Poetry in the Newsroom, and Finding It

The first data to document the effect of President Bush's tax cuts for investment income show that they have significantly lowered the tax burden on the richest Americans, reducing taxes on incomes of more than $10 million by an average of about $500,000.     An analysis of Internal Revenue Service data by The New York Times found that the benefit of the lower taxes on investments was far more concentrated on the very wealthiest Americans than the benefits of Mr. Bush's two previous tax cuts: on wages and other noninvestment income.  

Big Gain for Rich Seen in Tax Cuts for Investments

Anyone looking for a potent symbol of the battered state of the economy here seven months after Hurricane Katrina might stop by the offices of Don Hutchinson, the city's economic development director. People seeking assistance from Mr. Hutchinson's agency are greeted by a pair of revolving doors that have been sheathed in plywood and shut since shortly after the storm struck at the end of August. Visitors must enter through a side door.     There are any number of signs signaling a steady but unsure recovery in New Orleans, from a vibrant nightlife in pockets of town to census estimates that suggest that the city is repopulating at a much faster pace than predicted a few months ago.  

Patchy Recovery in New Orleans

For Cathy and Bill Powell, finding a time when all three of their children are home for dinner can be like working a Rubik's Cube. A recent Monday was typical: Valerie, 9, got home from dance class at 6:35. Brian, 10, had to leave for Boy Scouts at 6:50. That left 15 minutes to sit down for tacos.     ''I actually have to take all their schedules and make calendars and put things in different colors,'' said Mrs. Powell, of Wantagh, N.Y.  

Families With Full Plates, Sitting Down to Dinner

Massachusetts is poised to become the first state to provide nearly universal health care coverage with a bill passed overwhelmingly by the legislature Tuesday that Gov. Mitt Romney says he will sign.     The bill does what health experts say no other state has been able to do: provide a mechanism for all of its citizens to obtain health insurance. It accomplishes that in a way that experts say combines methods and proposals from across the political spectrum, apportioning the cost among businesses, individuals and the government.  

Restaurants BLT Fish and Country are just two of growing number in New York that offer diners two levels of food and ambience; faced with choice of providing formal or casual experience, restaurateurs elected both, creating multilevel, multifaceted enterprises; photos (M)

One Chef, One Address, but Very Different Meals

Gov George E Pataki and Mayor Michael R Bloomberg support building new Metro North commuter rail station at site of new Yankee Stadium in Bronx; call on Metropolitan Transportation Authority to devise plan for station, which is estimated to cost $30 million to $40 million; station could counteract complaints by local critics who forecast even more congestion in area; funding is unclear (M)

Support Grows for Rail Station at New Stadium in the Bronx

Maryland University defeats Duke University, 78-75, in overtime, to win women's NCAA championship; photos (M)

Maryland Stuns Duke for Women's Basketball Title

As CBS nears a deal to make Katie Couric the next anchor of its evening news program, NBC has nearly concluded an agreement with Meredith Vieira of ABC to replace Ms. Couric as co-host of the ''Today'' show, said a person who has been officially briefed on the negotiations.     Under the terms of the deal, which was expected to be resolved by week's end, Ms. Vieira would sign a four-year contract worth at least $10 million a year and would take up her morning assignment on NBC just after Labor Day, said the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the conversations were continuing.  

NBC Is Poised to Hire Couric's Replacement

The nearly 6,000 pilots at Delta Air Lines, proving resistant to a second round of concessions, voted overwhelmingly to approve a strike should their contract be voided by an arbitration panel, the pilots' union said yesterday. The panel is expected to issue a ruling by April 15.     The decision by the pilots gives negotiators on both sides more than a week to narrow their differences and avoid a work stoppage that many believe would lead to a liquidation of Delta. Among the issues is the company's request for $305 million in annual pay cuts; the pilots have offered $140 million.  

6,000 Pilots at Delta Air Vote to Strike

No signs of robbery or forced entry are found at home of real estate developer Andrew M Kissel in Greenwich, Conn; Kissel was found dead in basement on Apr 4; was going through contested divorce from estranged wife, Haley, while preparing for 10-year-prison sentence for bank fraud and other crimes; photo (M)

Details Emerge in Connecticut Murder Case

New York Rangers defeat Philadelphia Flyers, 3-2, in shootout, to clinch playoff berth; photos (M)

It's No Misprint: Rangers Clinch a Playoff Berth

 Wal-Mart Announces Plan to Help Its Rivals  Wal-Mart, under increasing assault by critics, announced a wide-ranging effort to support small businesses near its new urban stores, including the smaller retailers with which it competes. Wal-Mart said it would offer those businesses financial grants, training on how to survive with Wal-Mart in town and even free advertising within a Wal-Mart store.   BUSINESS DAY, PAGE C1    Benefits of Low-Calorie Diet  A low-calorie diet, even in people who are not obese, can lead to changes in metabolism and body chemistry that have been linked to better health and longer life, researchers are reporting.   PAGE A12    SPECIAL TODAY    Circuits/Business Outlook  A new set of Silicon Valley start-ups is using innovative Internet-based programs to shake the foundations of the software establishment. This new approach is a marked departure from the inflexible programs of the past, which were designed to run on individual computers.   SECTION G    Replacing Couric  As CBS nears a deal to make Katie Couric the anchor of its evening news, NBC is said to be close to an agreement with Meredith Vieira of ABC to replace her.   PAGE E1    Maryland Takes Title  Kristi Toliver, celebrating her game-tying 3-pointer in the final seconds of regulation, helped fuel Maryland's comeback from a 13-point deficit for its first N.C.A.A. women's basketball championship, a 78-75 overtime victory against Duke.   SPORTSWEDNESDAY, PAGE D1    Thailand's Premier Quits  Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, a billionaire turned populist politician, said he would step down. His announcement ended five years of increasingly tumultuous rule and broke a stalemate over demands for his resignation.   PAGE A3  

INSIDE

Harvey Araton Sports of The Times column discusses Maryland University and Kristi Toliver's win over Duke University to earn women's NCAA championship; photo (M)

Brash Freshman Was Right After All

Charles Isherwood Critic's Notebook on Humana Festival of New American Plays in Louisville, KY, which is in its 30th year; notes plays Natural Selection by Eric Coble, Act a Lady by Jordan Harrison, Six Years by Sharr White, Hotel Cassiopeia by Charles L Mee and Anne Bogart and The Scene by Theresa Rebeck; photos (M)

The Times is changing its daily financial tables, replacing the six existing pages with two pages of analytical tools and summary information on the markets and the economy.      As part of a continuing effort to integrate The Times and its Web version, online readers will be able to choose from an array of new functions, including a host of interactive graphics. Today's Sector Snapshot chart can be found on Page C10.     Readers will also be able to receive closing prices of their stocks and mutual funds by e-mail and will be able to receive midday alerts about sharp price shifts or business news that affects them.      Full financial tables will continue to appear in the Sunday newspaper, covering stocks, bonds, mutual funds and foreign markets.     Comments about the changes may be e-mailed to tables@nytimes.com or telephoned to (212) 556-3715.  

About the Tables

Peter Applebome column on crime in Greenwich, Conn, which he says is made more interesting because of town's wealthy residents; focuses on Andrew M Kissel, slain at his home in Greenwich while facing charges of millions of dollars in bank fraud case and other crimes; photo (M)

Money Makes Town Go Round, and Crime More Fascinating

New York City Mayor Michael R Bloomberg announces that city will create new office to 'aggressively pitch New York City around world as nation's art and cultural capital'; office will be part of city's Economic Development Corporation and will help nonprofit organizations cope with high costs that threaten their survival (M)

New York City Is Establishing an Office to Support Arts Groups

Wal-Mart Stores, whose all-in-one retailing model has forced scores of competitors to close their doors over the last 40 years, is turning to an unusual business plan: helping its rivals.      The giant discount retailer, under increasing assault by critics, announced a wide-ranging effort yesterday to support small businesses near its new urban stores, including the hardware stores, dress shops and bakeries with which it competes.  

Wal-Mart Offers Aid to Rivals

The Yankees want Johnny Damon to be a catalyst at the top of their lineup, to get on base and let the stars behind him do the rest. Damon did his part on Tuesday, but his new teammates could not bring him home.     Three times against the Oakland Athletics, Damon reached scoring position with less than two outs. All three times, he was left on base. The Yankees left 10 runners on in all, and the missed opportunities haunted them when the A's scored off Scott Proctor in the bottom of the ninth inning for a 4-3 victory.  

Yankees Take Their Swings, And Miss

Allan Kaprow was an American performance artist, installation artist, painter, and assemblagist. He helped to develop the "Environment" and "Happening" in the late 1950s and 1960s, as well as their theory. His Happenings — some 200 of them — evolved over the years. Eventually Kaprow shifted his practice into what he called "Activities", intimately scaled pieces for one or several players, devoted to the study of normal human activity in a way congruent to ordinary life. Fluxus, performance art, and installation art were, in turn, influenced by his work.

Allan Kaprow, American painter and educator (born 1927)

Allan_Kaprow

Gene Francis Alan Pitney was an American pop and country singer, songwriter, and musician.

Gene Pitney, American singer-songwriter (born 1940)

Gene_Pitney

Yevgeny Alekseyevich Seredin was a Russian swimmer who competed in the 1976 and 1980 Summer Olympics. In 1980, he won a silver medal in the 4×100 m medley relay and placed fifth in the individual 100 m butterfly event. He held eight Soviet titles: in the 100 m butterfly, medley relay (1977–79), and 4×100 m and 4×200 m freestyle relays (1979). After retiring in 1983, Seredin coached swimmers in Saint Petersburg. He died of a heart attack.

Yevgeny Seredin, Russian swimmer (born 1958)

Yevgeny_Seredin

Pasquale Macchi was a Catholic archbishop and the private secretary to Pope Paul VI.

April 5, 2006

Headlines from April 5, 2006

A Partisan Leaves; Will an Era Follow?

Louisville's Humana Festival Offers New Plays by the Fest-Full

Massachusetts Sets Health Plan for Nearly All

Hussein Charged With Genocide in 50,000 Deaths

Sloppy and Sullen, the Knicks Lose Again

Billboard 200

3121

High School Musical

Back To Bedlam

The Greatest Songs Of The Fifties

In My Own Words

Notable Deaths

Historical Context for April 5, 2006