56 Election 2004
America voted and sent these new faces into public office

60 Nick and Jessica
A candid Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey shoot down reports of trouble in their marriage

62 Cover
Businesswoman Beth Lochtefeld's Ivy League ex-boyfriend is accused of her murder

69 The O.C.
Passports put away and summer (movie) jobs over, the stars of FOX's hit drama report for season 2

73 Memorial
Wife Dana and hundreds of mourners honor Christopher Reeve

77 The Laci Trial
After strong closing arguments from both sides, Scott Peterson's fate will finally rest with the jury

78 Wedding
Blink-182's Travis Barker and Shanna Moakler give their Halloween eve wedding a gothic spin

80 Song
Country's newest superstar, Keith Urban, hails from way down south: Australia

84 Introducing
Paulo Costanzo scores as Matt LeBlanc's brainiac nephew on the Friends spinoff Joey

87 Winners
Red-hot Sox star Johnny Damon leads Boston to its first World Series crown in 86 years

92 Heroes
With uncommon courage, these men and women risked all to rescue others

103 Rod Stewart
Atop the charts again, the singer recalls life as a rock rebel (and fashion victim)

106 The Lori Hacking Case
Mark Hacking pleads not guilty to killing his wife

109 Tube
After losing 40 lbs., Maria Menounos lands on Entertainment Tonight

112 Screen
Virginia Madsen uncorks a comeback in Sideways

144 Body
Celebrity fitness guru David Kirsch has a plan to reshape waist watchers

149 Nicole Kidman and Lauren Bacall
The two pals dish about dating, plastic surgery and other hot topics

153 Shannen Doherty
Hired to give TV's North Shore a needed boost, the 90210 vet tries to revamp her own bad-girl rep

157 Giorgio Armani
The red-carpet king says retirement just doesn't suit him

161 Spotlight
Third Watch's Nia Long investigates romance with Jude Law in Alfie

162 Sequel
Nicholas Green's organ donation saved lives—and touched a nation

164 Discovery
Digging on a remote Indonesian island, scientists discover the remains of a new Hobbit-size human species

166 Boo!
Devils, witches and aliens come out to play as the stars celebrate Halloween

MAILBAG 6
PEOPLE.COM 8
STAR TRACKS 10
SCOOP 21
PICKS & PANS 31
INSIDER 55
PASSAGES 91
STYLE WATCH 137
PUZZLER 146
CHATTER 168