Voting, New Orleans Style
The mayoral runoff election is happening in New Orleans on Saturday. It is estimated that as many as two-thirds of New Orleans' 300,000 registered voters are living elsewhere. Few evacuees voted in the recent primary, but a number of groups have tried to get out the vote for the run-off. Buses have been traveling back to New Orleans for the election, and the city expects a big influx of evacuated residents. That means a lot of reunions and, in New Orleans style, a lot of parties. Independent producer Eve Troeh visits one. (05/20/2006)

New Orleans Revisited
Although New Orleans is still struggling to get on its feet, thousands of jazz and blues fans are pouring into the city for the annual New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Weekend America hosts Barbara Bogaev and Bill Radke catch up with Judy Arceneaux, a New Orleans resident who safely evacuated her home during Hurricane Katrina. Judy is attending the festival this weekend with friends. (04/29/2006)

Election in New Orleans
Voters in hurricane-stricken New Orleans have a chance to shape their city's future at the polls this weekend as they choose their next mayor. There has been a lot of political organizing by the city's remaining residents in recent weeks. Independent producer Eve Troeh explains what's been happening. (04/22/2006)

A Champion for New Orleans
In his State of the Union speech this week, President Bush barely mentioned reconstruction efforts for New Orleans. Does this mean America's concern for the citizens of the "Big Easy" has fallen off the national radar? Weekend America sent independent producer Molly Peterson to New Orleans to talk with people there about what they believe it will take to make rebuilding a national priority. (02/04/2006)

Staying Put
As Hurricane Rita was heading for Galveston earlier this week, Fletcher Harris stayed put. Weekend America and a Katrina evacuee, Sarah Dean of New Orleans, spoke to Fletcher as he prepared to ride out the storm in Texas. (09/24/2005)

Surviving the Storm
Popular New Orleans musician Buckwheat Zydeco talks about how to keep up your spirits in the face of this deadly hurricane season, and shares some advice for those who are thinking of trying to ride out Rita. (09/24/2005)

Watching the Hurricane
Weekend America talks live with Lauri Barr as she waits out Hurricane Rita from the safety of Houston. Barr had to evacuate her home in La Porte, Texas and now waits for news on the fate of her home and neighborhood. (09/24/2005)

Your Own Reality Show
With the news coverage of Hurricane Rita along the Texas Gulf Coast and an emergency plane landing in Los Angeles this week, people directly affected by events in the news have been able to watch their fate unfold live on TV. Host Barbara Bogaev talks to clinical psychologist Eyal Rozmarin about how this coverage colors our perceptions of ourselves. (09/24/2005)

Tracking the Evacuees
In recent weeks, we've told you about various people who escaped the ravages of Hurricane Katrina and are seeking shelter in other parts of the country. This week, Weekend America catches up with a few of them to see how they're faring in their temporary and in some cases permanent, new homes. (09/17/2005)

How Has Katrina Changed America?
Last week, we asked listeners how they thought Hurricane Katrina had changed America... or if it would. Now, hosts Bill Radke and Barbara Bogaev share some of their answers as well as those of experts in various fields. (09/17/2005)

Comparing Notes
In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, evacuees from New Orleans and Mississippi are landing in cities across America. Some had a choice and for others, it was luck of the draw. Weekend America host Bill Radke talks with evacuees in Salt Lake City and Minneapolis about adapting to the culture of another state. (09/10/2005)

Personal Essay: Searching for Family
For the past two weeks, Weekend America's Phyllis Owens has been unable to reach many of her relatives that were evacuated from New Orleans and Mississippi. A couple days ago, she finally received word through a friend of a friend of a friend that they are okay. Phyllis is now sleeping a little easier, but all this waiting has made her question how we prepare for disaster. (09/10/2005)

Art & Recovery
Four years after 9/11, a conference is being held in New York to consider how people remember and rebuild after tragedy. Weekend America's Amanda Aronczyk talks to host Barbara Bogaev about how the arts have played an important part in recovery. (09/10/2005)

All in the Family
Many Americans have opened their doors to those left homeless by Hurricane Katrina. But not everyone does it quite like one Atlanta-area family. At one time, they were housing some 50 family members after the storm. Host Bill Radke checks in with them. (09/10/2005)

Giving in Tough Times
The outpouring of generosity in the wake of the hurricane disaster is staggering. But are smaller local charities paying the price? Weekend America host Barbara Bogaev talks with Janet Poppendiek, author of Sweet Charity, about the politics of philanthropy. (09/10/2005)

Gulf Coast Sanctuary
Large, devastated cities are the focus of much of the news this week, but many small towns have been all but obliterated by Hurricane Katrina. Thirty-five miles east of New Orleans, Waveland, Mississippi is barely holding on. Dan Grech profiles one of its residents. (09/10/2005)

Hurricane Feedback
Hosts Barbara Bogaev and Bill Radke review comments on how America has changed in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. (09/10/2005)

Home Away From Home
This weekend, millions of people are picking up the pieces of their lives in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Many who evacuated early, leaving everything behind, are worried about what might be left of their neighborhoods and wondering when they can return. Weekend America hosts talk with people making temporary homes away from home. (09/03/2005)

Hurricane Evacuees in Houston
Reporter Bob Moon talks to hosts Bill Radke and Barbara Bogaev about his conversations with hurricane refugees at the Houston Astrodome. (09/03/2005)

Elegy for Nola
Trumpeter Kermit Ruffins, the unofficial ambassador of the New Orleans' jazz scene, is known for his rollicking, good-time sound. He is often compared to Louis Armstrong. A more somber Ruffins reflects on the tragedy in his beloved Big Easy with Bill Radke, but is convinced the town will rally once again. (09/03/2005)

Doing Their Part in Olla
In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, victims are headed out of the city into less devastated, surrounding areas. Some have reached the small inland town of Olla, Louisiana. Weekend America host Bill Radke talks with some the residents who are helping with the relief effort. (09/03/2005)

Reunion in Memphis
Independent producer Angela Taylor's family reunion is scheduled for this weekend in Memphis, Tenn. She expected a good turnout before, but the number of attendees has suddenly spiked, as relatives from Louisiana seek shelter in neighboring states. Weekend America hosts talk with Angela about how her family is coping with disaster. (09/03/2005)

Houston Lends a Hand
Reporter Bob Moon talks to hosts Bill Radke and Barbara Bogaev about his conversations with hurricane refugees in Houston. (09/03/2005)

Waiting for the Big One
When Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast this week and wreaked so much havoc, many were not surprised. Residents have been warned to evacuate for hurricanes before, and the vulnerability of New Orleans is well documented. So why weren't they more prepared? Other cities are expecting "the big one" someday, like earthquake-prone Los Angeles, and Seattle, settled in the shadow of a volcano. Is it human nature to avoid thinking about the inevitable or is the prospect of confronting large-scale disaster too much to bear? Host Barbara Bogaev talks to a writer from San Francisco and an a ex-pat New Orleanian DJ about facing "the big one." (09/03/2005)