THE VERDICT:

Driver's side front wheel bearing.

Which isn't so bad since I anticipated it ($140 installed). Unfortunately, the hub ($170) was messed up as a result.

At least with the new alignment, the brake work I did, and the bearing fixed, it's quiet and my braking is nice and smooth.

When I bought my 1995 Contour I always joked I would drive it until the wheels fell off...never did I realize that with this car, that could actually happen!