I think I just found my dream news reader:
It's everything I've wanted in a reader, and the Price is right too! (Free for non commercial use). If you've been using that old reader of yours that looks like it came out of the dungeon, fear not. All the old keyboard shortcuts are still there (and they are also configurable!) and the interface is lovely (even if not perfect, it is loads better than anything that look like Forte Agent).