The Monitor From The Week Of September 15-21, 1997

IN PASSING

Red Skelton, who delighted millions for six decades with a repertoire of helter-skelter pantomime and a clean brand of comedy, died Wednesday at Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage, 90 miles east of Los Angeles, after an undisclosed illness. He was 84.

Jack McDonald, who covered World Series, Kentucky Derbies, championship boxing matches and Rose Bowls in a 42-year career as a sports writer, died of congestive heart failure Sunday. He was 97.

DECISIONS

The House voted unanimously Wednesday to rescind a recently enacted $50 billion tax break for cigarette makers to offset money paid out under the terms of a proposed national tobacco settlement.

STEPPING DOWN

Phil Batt, Idaho’s first Republican governor in 24 years, announced Wednesday that he won’t seek a second term.

THIS WEEK

Monday: President Clinton speaks to the U.N. General Assembly in New York.

Thursday: Clinton will travel to Little Rock to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Central High School desegregation crisis. , DataTimes