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Torrential Rains Threaten Gulf Coast

By Greg Allen

Originally published on Thu August 30, 2012 3:04 am

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DAVID GREENE, HOST:

This is MORNING EDITION, from NPR News. Good morning. I'm David Greene.

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

And I'm Steve Inskeep.

Water has been slopping over at least one levee in Louisiana this morning. The levee is down the Mississippi River from New Orleans, near the place where Hurricane Isaac came ashore. So far, the storm has caused street flooding along much of the Gulf Coast and left hundreds of thousands of people without power. But the full-scale of its effects will depend in part on just how long Isaac sticks around.

5:43 am

Wed August 29, 2012

Business News

By editor

Originally published on Thu August 30, 2012 3:04 am

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DAVID GREENE, HOST:

NPR's business news starts with upping the oil output.

(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)

GREENE: The group of seven most industrialized nations are urging oil producing countries to ramp up production. In a statement yesterday, the so-called G-7 nations warned of the risks, quote, "posed by elevated oil prices." Demand for gasoline usually starts to wane at the end of the summer but right now gasoline prices are hitting new highs. Oil prices are surging because of tensions with Iran and the ongoing concern about Hurricane Isaac.

5:42 am

Wed August 29, 2012

Hurricane Isaac Pummels Louisiana; New Orleans Yet To Feel Brunt

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Credit Chris Graythen / Getty Images

Rescue workers transport residents trapped by rising water from Hurricane Isaac in the River Forest subdivision on Wednesday in LaPlace, Louisiana. The large Level 1 hurricane slowly moved across southeast Louisiana, dumping huge amounts of rain and knocking out power across the Gulf Coast.

Credit Gerald Herbert / AP

An uprooted tree lies across Poydras Street in downtown New Orleans. Isaac packed 80-mph winds, making it a Category 1 hurricane.

Credit Butch Dill / AP

Sand bags block the entrance to a Wells Fargo bank in Mobile, Ala.

Credit Gerald Herbert / AP

Residents who were rescued from their flooded homes are transported to waiting assistance, after Hurricane Isaac made landfall and flooded homes with 10 feet of water in Braithwaite, La. Isaac was downgraded to a tropical storm Wednesday afternoon.

Credit Frederic J. Brown / AFP/Getty Images

A street sign is turned upside down and bricks cover the sidewalk of a deserted street in New Orleans.

Credit Eric Gay / AP

Research students from the the University of Alabama measure wind speeds as Hurricane Isaac makes landfall Tuesday in New Orleans.

Credit Chris Granger / The Times-Picayune/Landov

First responders carry people across the top of the levee from Plaquemines Parish to St. Bernard Parish as Hurricane Isaac sends powerful winds and rain through the area.

Credit John Bazemore / AP

Waves from Hurricane Isaac batter a pier in Gulfport, Miss.

Credit Chris Graythen / Getty Images

Rescue workers transport residents trapped by rising water from Hurricane Isaac in the River Forest subdivision on Wednesday in LaPlace, Louisiana. The large Level 1 hurricane slowly moved across southeast La., dumping huge amounts of rain and knocking out power across the Gulf Coast.

Credit NOAA via AFP/Getty Images

This satellite image shows Hurricane Isaac over the Gulf of Mexico and the Gulf states Wednesday. Rising waters spilled over a levee south of New Orleans and inundated a residential area that had been ordered evacuated.

Credit Skip Bolen / EPA /Landov

A storm surge causes tides to quickly rise while rough waves pound the concrete seawall along the shores of Lake Pontchartrain. Hurricane Isaac made landfall along the Gulf Coast and now threatens New Orleans.

By Scott Neuman

Originally published on Wed August 29, 2012 11:04 pm

The Latest at 10:20 p.m. ET. More Than 650,000 Power Outages In La.

That tidbit emerged in a letter from gov. Bobby Jindal to President Obama in which he requested expedited major disaster declaration for the state as a result of damage caused by Isaac.

Here's more from the letter:

5:03 am

Wed August 29, 2012

Exclusive First Read: Zadie Smith's 'NW'

Credit Dominique Nabokob

Zadie Smith is the author of White Teeth and On Beauty, among other books.

By editor

Originally published on Wed August 29, 2012 2:26 pm

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Listen to this selection from 'NW'

The title of Zadie Smith's newest novel might be enigmatic for Americans. NW is short for northwest London — an area of particular racial and class diversity. It's the birthplace of the novel's two main characters, Leah Hanwell and Keisha Blake.

4:03 am

Wed August 29, 2012

Republicans Reach Out To Women More In Convention Programming Than Platform Writing

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Credit Charles Dharapak / AP

Georgia delegates Ruby Robinson (right) and Kathy Noble hold signs and cheer during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., where a parade of female officials and officeholders appeared on stage Tuesday.

Credit J. Scott Applewhite / AP

Ann Romney, wife of U.S. Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, addresses the Republican National Convention on Tuesday.

Credit J. Scott Applewhite / AP

Mayor of Saratoga Springs, Utah, Mia Love addresses the Republican National Convention on Tuesday.

By Ron Elving

Originally published on Wed August 29, 2012 7:36 am

In case you missed it, the theme here in Tampa at the Republican National Convention on Tuesday was: "We Built It." Intended as a reference to building a business, the three words also suggested another construction project under way — a bridge to female voters.

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