AltWeeklies Wire
Earthquake in Haiti: Made in USA
As grim accounts of the earthquake in Haiti came in, the accounts in U.S.-controlled state media all carried the same descriptive sentence: "Haiti is the poorest country in the Western hemisphere..."
Gee, I wonder how that happened?
Life in Texas, One Year After Hurricane Ikenew
Back in December, we spoke with a number of people in Galveston, Bolivar and along the bay about how they were coping with the storm. For the one-year anniversary, we tracked most of those same people down and talked to a few more. Here are their stories.
Houston Press |
John Nova Lomax |
09-15-2009 |
Disasters
Will the Border Patrol Use Hurricane Evacuations to Snag Undocumented Immigrants?new
If a violent hurricane hits South Texas, 150,000 undocumented immigrants will want to flee the Rio Grande Valley. But U.S. Border Patrol checkpoints might keep them from evacuating.
The Texas Observer |
Kevin Sieff |
08-12-2009 |
Disasters
Panic, FEMA, Empty Shelves: The Only Hurricane Guide You'll Need This Yearnew
The experts say 2009 will be a "normal" hurricane season, meaning not so bad, really. Which, given the track record most of these experts have demonstrated, is even more cause for worry.
Houston Press |
Richard Connelly |
06-09-2009 |
Disasters
We're All Going to Die in 2012 -- Or Notnew
After five millennia of faithful service, the Mesoamerican Long Count calendar ends abruptly on December 21, 2012, signifying the end of all things. Or perhaps Mesoamerica just needs to reboot its system.
Boston Phoenix |
Mike Miliard |
03-27-2009 |
Disasters
Brandon Darby: FBI Informant & Common Ground Co-Foundernew
A cofounder of the Katrina relief organization Common Ground is revealed as an FBI informant, leaving members angry — and wary.
Shades of Gray: Confusion Reigns in the Wake of Tennessee Coal-Ash Spillnew
TVA's Dec. 22 coal-ash spill attracted an array of scientists, attorneys, politicians, and provocateurs to Kingston, Tenn., including environmental advocate Erin Brockovich who hosted a town hall meeting.
The Memphis Flyer |
Chris Davis |
01-23-2009 |
Disasters
Galveston and the Texas Gulf Coast Struggle After Hurricane Ikenew
While Katrina's destruction of New Orleans monopolized the eyes of the country and the world for weeks in 2005, Galveston was not as fortunate.
Dallas Observer |
John Nova Lomax |
01-12-2009 |
Disasters
Ike Was Bad for Galveston's Poor, but it Might Get Worsenew
The hurricane devastated the city's North Side, an historic African-American community. Four of the area's six housing projects have been condemned and many residents have lost everything. Will the community be rebuilt or will it suffer the same fate as New Orleans' Lower Ninth Ward after Katrina?
The Texas Observer |
Forrest Wilder |
12-17-2008 |
Disasters
The Brief but Violent Life of the Tea Firenew
At least 210 homes -- including 130 within city limits -- were destroyed by the devastating fire, which has been determined to have been caused be a bonfire started by a group of 10 18- to 22-year-olds the previous night.
Santa Barbara Independent |
Chris Meagher |
11-24-2008 |
Disasters
After the Flood: Letter From Galvestonnew
As the cleanup continues, Galveston, like Tennessee Williams' Blanche DuBois, must rely on the kindness of strangers. As for those who do come back intending to stay, medical experts say a plague of pestilences, from tetanus to toxic mold, may await them. So does a state of emergency and a dawn-to-dusk curfew with a $2,000 fine for violators.
The Texas Observer |
Tom Curtis |
10-08-2008 |
Disasters
Learning to Live with Fire in Santa Barbaranew
We love living right on the edge of one of the world's most scenic backdrops, but the privilege brings with it the potential for catastrophic disaster most any time the weather turns hot and the wind blows dry.
Santa Barbara Independent |
Ray Ford |
09-30-2008 |
Disasters
Louisiana Residents Once Again Face the Shock of Recoverynew
When it comes to rebounding from hurricanes, Louisiana's residents have been there before. But that doesn't mean it's getting any easier.
Only Time Will Tell the Impact of Gustav on Louisiana's Fisheriesnew
Hurricane Gustav smothered our beloved oysters and killed off thousands of fish, but the real impact on Louisiana's lakes, rivers and bayous is just beginning.
Tags: animal issues, Louisiana, water, oysters, fish, Wildlife, Hurricane Gustav, commercial fishing
New Orleans Photo Essay: Katrina's Anniversary and the Gustav Evacuationnew
What was supposed to be just a vacation, became so much more on my most recent trip to New Orleans. Over the weekend we found ourselves caught up in the mass evacuation as Gustav prepared to hit southern Louisiana. These are the photos from that experience.
