Republicans look for less spending to pay for aid
U.S. House and Senate Republican leaders have promised to look for ways to cut spending to help pay for post-hurricane rebuilding. Conservative Republicans as well as Democrats are concerned about successive years of huge deficit spending.
Blanco Asks Congress for Rebuilding Aid
Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco has asked Congress for help towards rebuilding, saying that jobs were needed most. The Senate Finance Committee is working on a long-term tax bill to help revitalize the Gulf Coast. A House subcommittee on the Katrina cleanup was concerning itself with oversight of the spending.
Brown Shifts Blame for Katrina Response
Former FEMA director Michael Brown blamed just about everybody but himself for the agency's sluggish response to Hurricane Katrina and praised himself. He said "My biggest mistake was not recognizing by Saturday that Louisiana was dysfunctional," and "I very strongly personally regret that I was unable to persuade Governor Blanco and Mayor Nagin to sit down, get over their differences and work together, I just couldn't pull that off." He also blamed Governor Blanco for not ordering an evacuation of New Orleans until the eve of the storm - though she in fact ordered it on Aug. 27, two days before the storm.
New Orleans residents await new plan for going home
New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin is preparing a new timetable for getting residents back into New Orleans.
Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco spoke Wednesday to the Senate Finance Committee about the need for job creation for the state, and declined to comment on former Federal Emergency Management Agency head Michael Brown's blame spreading of the previous day.
House GOP Begins Work on Energy Bill,
House GOP Push to Ease Environmental Rules
The House Energy and Commerce Committee sought to ease environmental rules on refineries and looked for ways to open new coastal waters to oil and gas development. Democrats say that the bill would benefit only the oil companies, which have been enjoying record profits recently.
Arkansas Clinic Offers Free Abortions
A doctor in Arkansas is offering free abortions to hurricane evacuees, saying it would be dangerous for them to wait until they could get them back home.
New Jersey Sues Three Oil Companies
New Jersey has sued three oil companies and several gas stations for gas price gouging in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
Miss. City Insured for Casino Losses
The city of Biloxi took out a "business interruption" insurance policy costing $92,000 in June against a catastrophic event like a hurricane disrupting its stream of gambling revenue. Mayor A.J. Holloway suggested the gamble which will pay off $10 million at a time when outgoings have skyrocketed and income plummeted.
Displaced Residents Moving to Cruise Ship
More Hurricane Katrina evacuees are considering taking up the opportunity of temporary living on a cruise ship as they tire of doubling up with friends and family.
ID Chip Helps Morgue Track Katrina Victims
Radio frequency identification chips are being implanted or attached to remains to enable morgue workers to quickly locate and catalogue them. Katrina's death toll is now ate least 1,079 and there are remains that were freed from graves. too.
LSU Has New 'Fraternity': the FBI
The FBI has temporarily moved into a former fraternity house on the Greek row at Louisiana State University. They are being jokingly referred to as 'Phi Beta Iota'.
Many Rita Victims Still Awaiting Relief
Many victims of Hurricane Rita were still waiting for electricity, gasoline, water and other relief after four days. Some may have to wait a month for power.
Big Easy Police Chief Praised, Criticized
New Orleans Police Superintendent Eddie Compass resigned Tuesday, giving no reason. Mayor Ray Nagin and others called him a hero. Some were critical of the Police Department's response after Hurricane Katrina.
Monster Mold Threatens Health in the South
The mould covering much of the south is a major problem in clearing up and a health hazard to those with asthma or mould allergies. It is not covered by insurance. It cannot be got rid of unless the whole area is very dry, and will have penetrated too deeply in many homes and items to be dealt with, and they will need to be torn down or thrown away. A 10 percent bleach solution can deal with small areas.
Union Pacific Trains Rolling After Storm
Union Pacific Corp. has started reopening key routes in east Texas and western Louisiana as more staff made it back to work.
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