1) No.
2) No.
3) The newspaper will have a random chance to trigger good and bad events when you advance turns on the overview map. (Not implemented yet).
4) Resources for the overview map. They don't have a use in the work area map yet.
5) Maybe.
6) There is no "HP" value, but only a certain chance to knock someone out. Try to hit the head or the thorso after it got red for a chance to knock the enemy out with a hit. Brad's normal stats affect the brawl battles, so leveling up Brad also makes these battles easier.