Yes! I replaced the fuel pump, now have 50 psi w/engine running (cheap gauge works just fine). Fuel pressure doesn't leak down (in fact it seemed to go up after ~ 1 minute, from 50 to 55 psi after shutting engine off). Car ran fine on the way into work this morning, idles steady at ~750rpm. Temp still at half-scale; I may switch back to the 180-deg thermostat but I'm tired of working on cars for now. I will also replace the front wheel hubs/bearings soon; if i can't find a good deal I may do that myself as well. To summarize, I now know a lot more about this Alero/V6, and have new plugs/wires/O2 sensor, IAC, fuel pump&filter.
In retrospect, I should have gone after the fuel pump sooner, but I was biased against buying a high-priced fuel pressure gauge (which I'd use only once); I could hear the dang pump run when i turned the key on; and because I thought that replacing the fuel pump would be a harder job. The $16 fuel gauge worked fine, and dropping the gas tank/replacing the fuel pump really wasn't that hard. Car's up and running just in time for daughter to drive herself to school (which just started today).
Thanks for keeping this forum up; it really helps to gather info on all the sensors, controls, wires and vacuum lines involved with this car.