1.   But Republican Party officials said gun control has paled as a campaign issue in recent years as the crime rate has fallen nationwide.

2.   Computer-industry stocks fell nationwide after software company Novell Inc. reported lower-than-expected earnings.

3.   Technology shares fell nationwide after Digital Equipment Corp. warned of slowing sales and depressed profits.

4.   The homicide rate is falling nationwide, but rising precipitously on television.

5.   While rents have been falling in the Bay Area for some time, this marks the first time office rents have fallen nationwide, according to the study.

6.   Yet the proportion of students in private schools has been falling nationwide.