New Orleans hasn't returned to normal yet, but the tourists are returning. Photo by Dan Grech for his report.
Coverage of the aftermath of the 2005 hurricanes that devastated New Orleans and the Gulf Coast.
Two plans for Biloxi
Hurricane Katrina wiped away most of East Biloxi, Miss. Now city officials are faced with two competing visions for the area's future. Stephen Smith reports.
Gulf Coast energy forecast: uneasy
As the Gulf Coast braces for this year's hurricane season, Sam Eaton looks at how the area's buildings and construction rules are different nowadays.
Nagin's task: Reinvent city's economy
New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin has little time to savor his reelection victory before turning to the task of reinventing the city's battered economy. Sam Eaton reports.
Rebuilding and looking for leadership
Albert Jefferson Jr. and Henry McCloskey returned to New Orleans to rebuild their businesses and their lives. So which candidate in tomorrow's election do they think can rebuild the city? Sam Eaton reports.
New Orleans levees in the spotlight
The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hears expert testimony Wednesday about why the levees protecting New Orleans failed during Hurricane Katrina. Alisa Roth reports.
Building on brownfields
TEPA Administrator Stephen Johnson is expected to announce new rules today establishing clear standards for environmental assessment of contaminated sites. Sam Eaton reports.
A poor grapefuit outlook
Hurricane Wilma devastated more than half of Florida's grapefruit crop. Robin Sussingham looks at what the damage will likely mean for consumers.
The Oklahoma City Hornets?
The New Orleans Hornets open their NBA season Tuesday, far from home. Brian Watt looks at how Oklahoma's capital won the chance to host the hurricane-displaced team, and what it's likely to mean to the local economys.
Tourists return to New Orleans
Hotels are opening, Bourbon Street is bouncing, and cafes are serving classic New Orleans fare in the French Quarter. Marketplace's Dan Grech takes the tourism pulse of the still-recovering Big Easy.
Halloween in New Orleans
Even after Katrina and Rita drove the tourists away, New Orleans's Haunted History Tour is doing decent business, largely thanks to military and government workers in town for hurricane recovery. Eve Troeh reports.
Key West opens for business
Florida's most famous Key reopens Monday to tourists after weathering the onslaught from Wilma. Tess Vigeland looks at the toll the storm took on the region's key industry.
(Not so) New Gulf Authorization
The Administration is expected to ask Congress to authorize another $20 billion for Katrina recovery efforts, but much of the money was already authorized once before. John Dimsdale looks at what's behind the request.
Texas tea party
Both Shell and Exxon announced huge third-quarter profits. But they're not crowing about it. Cheryl Glaser examines a delicate corporate balancing act.
Davis Bacon rides again
The Davis Bacon prevailing wage standard was cut by President Bush following Katrina. Now it's coming back. Why the change? Hillary Wicai reports.
Flooding and fairness
Today a House subcommittee takes up the issue of assessing flood standards in New Orleans and across the country. Sam Eaton reports.
Weathering Wilma in Florida
Hurricane Wilma has stirred up heavy rains in the Northeast; Florida is drying out. It may take weeks to restore power to many, adding to the recovery time for everyone...including reporter Dan Grech.
Biding time on Wilma's dime
Not every one displaced by Wilma had a physical address. Some were the homeless denizens of state parks in the Florida Keys. Dan Grech meets up with a few in Miami.
One hurricane too many
This year's hurricane season has given many state-run flood insurance programs a run for their money. Sam Eaton reports.
Citrus growers hold a Wilma vigil
Hurricane Wilma crashed ashore in south Florida early this morning as a category three storm, then downshifted to category two. Dan Grech reports from weatherbeaten WLRN in Miami.
Wilma threatens citrus crops
Wilma could hit Florida citrus growers, who are still trying to recover from the affects of last year's hurricane season. Reporter Dan Grech is in Miami.
Closing accounts in New Orleans
Almost two months after the storm hit New Orleans, its smalltown banks are coming to terms with a new reality. Many of their clients just aren't coming back. Sam Eaton reports.
Bad winds for trade
This morning we got a reminder of the long-term effects of Rita and Katrina on the economy. The Census Bureau says the storms disrupted trade in and out of harbors in the Gulf of Mexico more than we thought. John Dimsdale reports.
Programs face cuts on Capitol Hill
After Katrina, Congress vowed to make New Orleans "better than it was" by addressing poverty. But on Thursday, lawmakers began cutting $50 billion from the budget, including programs for the poor. Jeff Tyler reports.
Wilma heads for orange groves
With Wilma expected to slam South Florida this weekend, Ashley Milne-Tyte checks in with the state's citrus industry, which was hard hit by last year's hurricane season.
Wilma packs a wallop
Today hurricane Wilma became the most powerful storm ever, and it's heading toward Florida. And disaster officials are still regrouping from Katrina and Rita.
Making payments in the Gulf
Mortgages, car payments, school loans: bills have been piling up along the Gulf. Marketplace commentator Robert Reich says it's going to take some creative accounting to get them paid anytime soon.
Any hope for New Orleans small business?
More than 20 percent of business getting loans from SBA in the wake of Sept. 11 defaulted, according to a report out this week. The standard default rate is 5 percent. Stacey Vanek-Smith reports.
Making Katrina ends meet
Lawmakers were back in Washington today with plenty to do. On the agenda? Cutting spending to deal with costs in Iraq and on the Gulf Coast. Marketplace's Washington bureau chief John Dimsdale joins us.
Setting a place at Galatoire's
Melvin Rodrigue of New Orleans' legendary Galatoire's Restaurant talks to morning host Lisa Napoli about the challenge of doing business in the Crescent City post-Katrina.
New Orleans diaspora: Baton Rouge
On August 27, Baton Rouge had a population of about 415,000. 48 hours later that number had doubled. Now the state capital is suffering the effects of what could become a permanent migration. Karen Henderson explains.
New Orleans workers sidelined
Area demolition and removal services are chafing over government clean-up contracts for New Orleans that have been awarded to out-of-state companies. Sam Eaton reports.
Katrina jobless hit 438,000
The US economy is still weathering the effects of Rita and Katrina. And there's no sign of better job prospects ahead. From WLRN in Miami, Dan Grech has the story.
From New Orleans to Birmingham
Cities that took in New Orleans evacuees are wondering how to cope with their new residents. Birmingham, Alabama wouldn't mind a few more. Tanya Ott reports.
Finding room -- at the inn
FEMA is racing toward its Saturday goal of moving all Katrina evacuees out of temporary housing. Which means some are winding up in hotels, which isn't cheap. Dan Grech reports.
The New Orleans diaspora: St. Louis
Today we have an update from St. Louis, as it deals with the economics of an influx of 5,000 New Orleans refugees. Tom Weber reports that while some have left, others have already put down roots.
Getting New Orleans on its feet
FEMA is hard at work filling its trailers with New Orleans evacuees. And people are ready to get back to work. But there's still a problem. Sam Eaton explains.
New Orleans' chicken and egg dilemma
Businesses across the city need to hire people so they can reopen. People need the businesses there so they can move back. So which comes first? We sent Sam Eaton there to fine out.
Getting New Orleans' universities on track
Unlike public institutions of higher learn, private colleges and universities damaged by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita are not eligible for FEMA reconstruction aid. Sarah Gardner reports.
Looking forward to Q3 numbers
Katrina and Rita may not have had the broad chilling effect they were expected to have on third-quarter earnings, which are due out this week. Ashely Milne-Tyte reports.
Kind of good news, but for how long?
In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, it could have been worse. The economy lost 35,000 jobs last month and the unemployment rate ticked up to 5.1%. Bob Moon reports that the worst may be yet to come.
Refineries on the Hill
The House is scheduled to vote on a bill today to speed up construction of new refineries. And environmentalists are worried. John Dimsdale reports.
Revisiting Katrina bids
Millions of dollars in government contracts for Katrina recovery were awarded with little to no competitive bidding. Now many of them will be re-bid. Alisa Roth reports.
Examining the energy bill
Tomorrow the House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on a plan to get more gas coming out of the nation's refineries. But — surprise — the bill's not without controversy. John Dimsdale has more.
Time to tax big oil?
Estimates for hurricane reconstruction costs run from $100-$250 billion. Some lawmakers are calling for taxes on the windfall profits oil companies have been enjoying. But commentator Glenn Hubbard thinks that's a bad idea.
Returning to Waveland
Waveland is — was — a small town on the Mississippi coast. Almost the only building left standing after Katrina was the Coast Inn and Suites. Dan Grech goes back for another visit.
Taking a bite out of the budget
Federal departments are proposing budget cuts to make Hurricane Katrina ends meet. The Senate Agriculture committee's is thinking cutting food stamps will lop $3 billion off its budget; Helen Palmer reports.
Insurance's big hit
The estimated cost of Hurricane Katrina continues to rise. The British insurance firm Wellington says its losses will be much higher than it exected. From London, Stephen Beard reports.
Provide incentives, then what?
The House of Representatives is close to passing a bill that would encourage building of oil refineries. But as Scott Tong reports, refiners may not be interested.
Bush confers with the press
Wide-ranging is one way to describe the President's press conference today. He talked about nominee Harriet Miers, steroids in baseball, and how to pay for Katrina reconstruction. John Dimsdale has more.
Casinos looking for better luck
In Mississippi, Governor Haley Barbour said today he'll sign a bill that will let casinos rebuild. This time around, on solid ground. From the Mississippi coast, Marketplace's Dan Grech reports.
Bush and an environmental advocate agree?
Today President Bush said we need to build more oil refineries to take care of a supply shortage. The president's actually sort of right, says environmentalist Dave Hamilton.
(Not) helping Katrina victims
The Department of Justice has issued its first indictment for Katrina-related Internet fraud, and as Stacey Vanek Smith reports, it's only the beginning.
Paying for the new New Orleans
David Wells, a correspondent with the
Financial Times, offers commentary on the wisdom of using municipal bonds to fund Katrina reconstruction.
Cutbacks and windfalls
We've heard that Katrina and Rita have had a huge impact on oil and gas supplies. But as Cheryl Glaser reports, the storms have actually been a boon to some refineries.
Can't get there from here
Tomorrow American Airlines will halt 15 daily roundtrip flights for at least the rest of October to offset soaring jet fuel prices. Are other airlines likely to follow suit? Ashley Milne-Tyte reports.
Small is beautiful
Car sales figures came out today: Ford was down nearly 20 percent last month; GM was off 24 percent. Marketplace's car guy Dan Neil stopped by to tell Kai Ryssdal what's coming next.
Reunifying hurricane victims
A new nonprofit hopes to bring hurricane survivors together using a free hi-tech voicemail system From WLRN in Miami, Cristina Del Sesto reports.
Paying for Katrina
Hillary Wicai sorts through the options circulating Washington to foot the bill for Katrina Recovery and examines which are likely to prevail.
Finding the right people for the job
The House starts debate on a new energy bill next week. Lawmakers are trying to find ways to increase oil and natural gas production and bump up refining capacity. But capacity isn't the only problem; Sam Eaton reports.
Feeling economically surly? You're not alone.
We got our first real set of post-Katrina economic numbers today, and it ain't a pretty picture. We're earning less, spending less, and saving less. Marketplace's Scott Tong reports.
Earnings down? Katrina did it.
As the third quarter draws to a close today, and some companies are getting ready to play the blame game. Sam Eaton looks at which companies took a real Katrina hit, and which are just blowing hot air.
Giving to Katrina victims
The American Red Cross has brought in almost $1 billion in Hurricane Katrina donations. But alongside the congratulations comes some criticism. Tess Vigeland looks at whether the Red Cross could share the bounty.
Entergy and its employees
Entergy, the power company, suffered more than a billion dollars in damage to plants and equipment in the recent hurricanes. Dan Grech reports on how far the company has gone to get its employees back to work.
Governor Blanco on the Hill
More big hurricane hearings in Washington today. At stake: long term aid. Markteplace's Hillary Wicai reports on what kind of economic assistance the Gulf Coast will need to rebuild.
And what it might get.
Whaddaya want, a whole phone system?
Former Federal Communications Commission chairman Reed Hundt talks to host Kai Ryssdal about what it would take to keep emergency communications up and running during a disaster like Katrina.
Monitoring Katrina contracts
Rebuilding, recovery and no-bid contracts were kicked around on Capitol Hill today. Coming in for scrutiny were government auditors; watchdog groups wonder if there are enough to do the job. Scott Tong reports.
The Public's Business: consumer (un)confidence
While hurricane recovery and rebuilding efforts are expected to pump billions into the US economy, commentator Robert Reich says that may not be enough to offset the chill Katrina and Rita have put on consumer sentiment.
Entergy rewires the Gulf
Energy company Entergy has declared bankruptcy for its New Orleans subsidiary, but that doesn't mean it's not getting back to work. Marketplace's Dan Grech reports.
What's FEMA up to?
The Washington Post reported today that FEMA will be reimbursing religious groups for their recovery work. We got the whole story from Southern Baptists' Rev. Robert Reccord and Stacy Palmer of the Chroncicle of Philanthropy.
What you say, what you say
You write about Robert Reich's commentary last week on FEMA's bidding process. And about prefabricated housing.
Rebuild what was blown away?
Should Gulf Coast localities prone to hurricane devastation be rebuilt and repopulated? Alisa Roth looks at one market mechanism that might have developers thinking twice.
Going up, going down
Some say Hurricane Rita could further squeeze gasoline supplies and cause price spikes at the pump. Other analysts predict gas prices may stabilize and fall to pre-Katrina levels. Stacey Vanek-Smith reports.
Bush thinks energy, post-Rita
President Bush said a lot of things about energy this morning: He repeated his willingness to tap into the strategic petroleum reserve. Nuclear is back on the table. But mostly, he talked oil.
Didn't we just have an energy bill?
Congress spent the last four and half years working on an energy bill, which the president finally signed in August. But the one-two Katrina-Rita punch has Washington dealing with many of the same issues. Hillary Wicai reports.
After Rita: the view from here
Once the initial blow of Hurricane Rita is absorbed, what can we expect in terms of broad economic ripples? Stacy Vanek-Smith reports.
Gulf businesses survive Rita
Ed Mayberry, business reporter for KUHF Radio in Houston, reports on how the oil and chemical infrastructure fared.
Katrina, Entergy and Chapter 11
The biggest company in New Orleans is Entergy, which provides the city's power. Now the company is filing for bankruptcy in its New Orleans branch — because of Katrina. Dan Grech reports.
The Sloan Sessions: Pricing gasoline
With another gasoline price hike likely after a second hurricane has blown through the oil-rich gulf, host Scott Jagow talks to Newsweek's Allan Sloan about how gas prices are determined.
Insurers and lawyers battle on the Gulf
Some insurance companies hope to entice homeowners to sign a non-litigation waiver with a lump sum payout of $3,000. Attorneys want these homeowners to save their legal rights. Dan Grech reports from Mississippi.
Getting the toxins out of New Orleans
Host Scott Jagow talks to Guy Crittenden about the possibility that a New Orleans Superfund site has been leeching toxic chemicals into floodwaters.
Rita and refineries
Barbara Shook is a veteran energy analyst who is still trying to evacuate from her hometown of Houston. She says most of the area's oil refineries started their hurricane preparations earlier this week.
Houston's chemical plants
Petroleum is one of the main building blocks of the chemical industry. As if things weren't bad enough already, about half the nation's chemical plants are in the Houston area. Marketplace's Scott Tong reports.
Economic hurricane ripples
New filings for unemployment are up. And gas prices, as we've noted, are on the leading edge of inflation. Marketplace's Jeff Tyler considers some the twin storms' potential ripple effects.
Making a disaster plan
Brinker International — the owner of Chili's, Border Grill and the Corner Bakery — learned quickly from Katrina. CEO Doug Brooks talks to host Tess Vigeland about what they're doing for Rita.
Iraq lessons for Katrina
The US government came under harsh criticism for the way it doled out contracts related to the Iraq war. Will the Katrina relief and reconstruction effort be any different? Scott Tong reports.
No room at the Austin inns
Hurricane Rita has triggered evacuations from the Texas Gulf Coast. One of the main escape routes for hurricane evacuees is Austin, but KUT's Julie Moody reports evacuees will find there's no vacancy.
Rita's eye on oil
Oil companies have already abandoned a lot of rigs and refineries in the oil-producing gulf. Stephen Beard reports on the impact Hurricane Rita is already making on oil.
Katrina, meet NASA
One group of House Republicans has a plan to help pay for Katrina relief by cutting $140 billion in federal spending next year. John Dimsdale reports their targets are pork. And NASA. And PBS.
Paying too much at the pump?
With Hurricane Rita bearing down on the Texas coast gas prices are heading back above $3 a gallon. A simple question of free market supply and demand — or maybe not so free. Marketplace's Hillary Wicai reports.
The Public's Business: how government does biz
Robert Reich figures if big purchasers have massive bargaining leverage, the federal government should be able to get rock-bottom prices from contractors working rebuiding the gulf. So why isn't it?
A house full of water
When your cabinets are soaked and moldy, who cares if the water came from wind-driven rain or waves blown in from the gulf? Well, your insurance company might. Marketplace's Dan Grech reports from Waveland, Mississippi.
Undocumented immigrants and Katrina
Lawakers in Washington are still trying to deal with Katrina. Congress was reminded today of the tens of thousands of victims most easy to forget: undocumented immigrants. More from Marketplace's Hillary Wicai.
Getting a piece of New Orleans
Here's an unusual formula for a real estate boom: take houses underwater for weeks and add hundreds of billions in federal rebuilding money. Sam Eaton reports investors are circling overhead.
The view from above
The aftermath of Katrina has cast a spotlight on the use of satellite imagery as a tool for damage assessment and reconstruction planning. It?s also a growing business; Cristina Del Sesto reports.
Are RVs the answer?
FEMA said 10 days ago it's going to spend almost $5 billion on mobile homes. It seems like a quick fix. But Marketplace's Steve Henn reports short term answers may not be the best solution.
