This seems like the right place to comment.
I find the frontpage really hard to navigate, even before the change to two column layout. The headlines for each article are smaller than the text that follows. The header and footer boxes for each item are huge compared to what they contain. At this point I look over the links in the 'master header' and I'm struggling to understand the logic behind their placement.
I probably sound like a complainer, so I will make a suggestion. If each news piece (or subdiv on the frontpage) is going to be hard edged (ie: the boxes have an outline) then make them the right size for the text they contain. Make headlines larger, to-the-point and with less of the article actually there. The navigation bar, perhaps links could be universally above or below the logo, rather than both?
Also to avoid sounding like a complainer, I'll offer my time if it would be helpful.