RIGHT STUFFSKI: Even for test pilots, who...

RIGHT STUFFSKI: Even for test pilots, who live on the edge of the unexpected, this was change to the max: U. S. Air Force officers flying the latest MiGs, in Russia, coached by Russian pilots they once half expected to meet in combat. An Edwards AFB team demonstrated just how far the two militaries have come (B1), saying the Russians were guys just like themselves.

GUILTY: James Carroll ran a Pacoima legal aid center for the poor. Problem: he was a compulsive gambler. Wednesday he pleaded guilty to embezzling $260,000 (B1). He may not get the maximum 30 years, but may have to repay nearly $500,000.

WATERY FOCUS: In 1989, Alexis Larsen dropped tap dancing, T-Ball and soccer to dedicate herself to swimming. . . . Good idea. Larsen, now 16 and a senior at Harvard-Westlake High in Studio City, is the national champion (C8) in the 1,500-meter freestyle. She is gunning for more titles in the national championships July 26-30 in Austin, Tex.

TV DESERT: Under a new federal law, TV stations can charge cable companies for carrying their signal, which may leave Santa Claritans with only two L. A. channels (B16). Five local stations--all but channels 9 and 13--now want a fee from the two Santa Clarita cable systems. . . . Santa Claritans can’t just dig out the old rabbit ears to fill the gap. The mountains south of the city block local television transmissions.

WHEELING SOUTH: A court decision requiring environmental reviews may have stymied speedy approval of the North American Free Trade Agreement with Canada and Mexico (D2). . . . That won’t stop Superior Industries International of Van Nuys, breaking ground today or Friday in Chihuahua, Mexico, for a plant that will build aluminum wheels for U.S. auto makers’ Mexican plants.