Hot off the (American) Press: Lake Charles paper prints again

The newspaper's former web site is also up as well as a backup site. Posts are still being made to its emergency blog as well. The paper has resumed publication of a print edition, in a free-of-charge 12-page special format. A PDF version of every page is available. Friday's front page (left) available on PDF; Thursday's front, the first since Rita (right) on PDF.

Status of hurricane-affected post offices (maps and updates)

Some newspapers' distribution and circulation figures are still being affected by the post office closures and limitations. Here are maps showing status of Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita affected Post Offices. Postal Operations are currently being reviewed and updates will be made when information becomes available. Also, detailed service updates are available.

Reporter's First Week on the Job in N.O.

New London (CT) Day: Kate Moran, 25, moved from Connecticut to start her new job at the post-Katrina Times-Picayune. She got the job before the hurricane, but the Times-Pic still needed her. “I took a bag of clothes, a bag of toiletries, hiking boots, a sleeping bag, a spare set of sheets and two towels. And a lot of water,” she said. This week she earned her first Times-Picayune front page story, an account of the tape recordings of emergency officials preparing for the storm — tapes she got through a Freedom of Information demand." For a Google listing of other Moran stories, click here.

Yale Daily News: Alum Amoss keeps Times-Pic press running

Jim Amoss, the executive editor of the New Orleans Times-Picayune, is not in a situation most would call enviable. . . . His house on Esplanade Avenue has been looted, the electronics taken and the windows smashed in. . . . But amid all the chaos and despair more than four weeks after Hurricane Katrina made landfall, Amoss says he is living the dream. "If I could subtract all the personal anguish from this, this is a journalist's dream," Amoss said. "This is an extraordinary story ... Nothing will ever surpass this in sheer fascination and drama and unpredictability and importance to the community that we serve."

Katrina Flight Means Boom for Baton Rouge Paper

"As the streets of Baton Rouge swell with thousands of people displaced by Hurricane Katrina, so too have the fortunes of the capital city's newspaper, The Advocate. . . . To accommodate the booming demand for ads, the newspaper has been adding pages, going from a typical 400 pages on Fridays pre-Katrina to about 450 to 460 in the past few weeks, Fisher said. A recent Sunday paper was up to 532 pages, versus 496 on the same day a year ago. The Advocate's circulation has also seen a jump of about 30,000 copies on weekdays as well as Sundays, putting its recent paid circulation to about 130,000 on weekdays and nearly 160,000 on Sundays, said circulation chief Dean Blanchard."

Reporting by cigarette lighter

Reporting by cigarette lighter

About half way through this NPR Morning Edition story, you will hear more about the Lake Charles American Press and the editor's determination to report the story in the face of monumental problems (no office, no press, no website). In fact, as we noted earlier, the newspaper is now a blog and the laptop that is the heart of the newspaper's new technology is powered, as you will hear, by a cigarette lighter in the editor's car.

"Reports of anarchy at Superdome overstated"

"Reports of anarchy at Superdome overstated"

THEVENOT and RUSSELL are reporters at the Times-Picayune. This piece appears in the Seattle Times through the Newhouse News Service.

Readers everywhere!

Readers everywhere!

We are used to stories of how often people move from place to place around the United States. Imagine how many readers of Louisiana newspapeprs are now living in places where finding a newsprint copy, or even a website, of their local newspapers is but one additional challenge to confront -- for all concerned.

Slim pickings for Louisiana companies looking for federal cleanup contracts

Morgan City Daily Review: "More than $2 billion has been awarded by the federal government to rebuild New Orleans and the Gulf Coast, but only one Louisiana company was chosen among the handful of primary contractors. Shaw Group of Baton Rouge, which recently signed a $100,000 per month lease of all unused dock and warehouse space at the Port of Morgan City for post-hurricane restoration work, has been awarded separate $100 million contracts from both the Federal Emergency Management Agency and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Otherwise, the work appears to be going to out-of-state firms with FEMA experience."

Leesville Leader Misses Publication Friday and Sunday

"Due to evacuations in Sulphur, where the Leader prints, for Hurricane Rita, there will be no Friday or Sunday Leesville Leader. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause to all of our loyal subscribers and readers. The Leader will tentatively re-open for business Monday at 8 a.m. Please be safe."

The Leader had some great updates from today, including pictures of a natural gas facility surrounded by flood waters.

Faces of Katrina

The Thibadaux Daily Comet has created a project called Faces of Katrina. Courier photographer Matt Stamey took 73 portraits of local evacuees, and the photos and contact information were posted to the site.

A few Southwest La. Newspaper Links

A far from exhaustive list of newspapers in Southwest Louisiana. The Leesville Leader, The Houma Courier and Lafayette Daily Advertiser have updated their sites since Rita swept through, but the Beauregard Daily News, Acadiana Times, the Rayne Acadian Tribune and Crowley Post-Signal had not updated their sites since Rita as of 1 p.m. EST Sunday. The Lake Charles American Press remained offline still.

Lafayette Daily Advertiser, Lafayette Parish, LA
Times of Acadiana, Acadia Parish, LA
Houma Courier, Terrebonne Parish, LA
Beauregard Daily News, Beauregard Parish, LA
Crowley Post-Signal, Acadia Parish, LA
Lake Charles American Press, Calcasieu Parish, LA
Rayne Acadian Tribune, Acadia Parish, LA
Leesville Leader, Vernon Parish, LA

Shreveport recovers from Rita

Residents of Shreveport begin cleanup efforts, documented by the Shreveport Times. Some express a necessary self-reliance:

"In the Town South neighborhood, retired Col. Larry Robertson surveyed his lawn and surmised the fortune of a better weather forecast today means it’s time for a citywide neighborhood cleanup. The threat of rain should be out of the area’s forecast by noon.

“Rita’s gone. Clean up the neighborhood. Get with it,” Robertson said. “It’s not like we can rely on FEMA to come in here.”

"Ethnic news organizations find a new angle on the Katrina story"

The Louisianna Weekly: "Black general takes charge in New Orleans." "Undocumented won't be allowed to receive help from FEMA." "1,700 Koreans in New Orleans yet to be located." With passion and pride, ethnic news organizations in the United States are sending reporters, photographers and TV crews to the disaster area and covering the Hurricane Katrina story from angles not seen in many of the nation's major metropolitan newspapers. At times, the ethnic media have been more opinionated and outspoken, and in many cases have taken a more activist approach than mainstream news organizations and tried to help members of their ethnic groups who have suffered from the storm.

"Beaumont Newspaper Determined to Keep Printing"

"Beaumont Newspaper Determined to Keep Printing"

NPR interviews the editor of the Beaumont Enterprise, Ron FRANSCELL. Beaumont is just across the border from southwestern Louisiana and covers that region regularly.

FRANSCELL has his own blog here.

Lake Charles American Press

Lake Charles American Press

This paper's website seems to have been taken offline by Rita, or by heavy usage.

The comment added to this post is incorrect.....

Here is the blog for the paper. It is WELL worth a click!

Louisiana Press Association

Louisiana Press Association

It looks, for the moment, as though Rita may have taken the Louisiana Press Association website offline. Check back.

"Water pours into 9th Ward"

"Water pours into 9th Ward"

This from the Times-Picayune as parts of New Orleans begin to flood again.

A further update here on St Bernard Parish.

Times-Picayune's site attracts national audience

Times-Picayune's site attracts national audience

The study linked here shows a huge leap in people outside the state of Louisiana accessing the Times-Picayune's wedsite. I hope we can learn more about what happened to websites of newspapers elsewhere in the state as well.

"Apocalypse in New Orleans"

"Apocalypse in New Orleans"

Brian THEVENOT, of the Times-Picayune contributed this "firsthand account" to the American Journalism Review.

"The Caste System - Media biggies ignored Times-Picayune's warnings at everyone's peril"

"The Caste System - Media biggies ignored Times-Picayune's warnings at everyone's peril"

Sydney SCHANBERG addresses the very reason we started this blog. There is far too great a tendency to overlook the important work being done by ALL newspapers in the wake of Katrina, and at many other times as well.

"Media: An Early Warning System Or Hype Machine?"

"Media: An Early Warning System Or Hype Machine?"

This is part of what undoubtebly will be a long debate in the wake of both Katrina and the war in Iraq of the role and impact of newspapers and other media when they carry stories and other content predicting events which then transpire. This article mentions the 2002 Times-Picayune 5-part series on the "potential disaster.

"FEMA cites privacy in newspaper lawsuit for records"

"FEMA cites privacy in newspaper lawsuit for records"

This case could have a direct bearing on Louisiana newspaper efforts to report fully on FEMA assistance.

Katrina newspaper job bank

The International Newspaper Group said it will create a free jobs listing page for employees and newspapers affected by Hurricane Katrina. The page will list not only personnel looking for another position, but will also be available to newspapers seeking candidates. The bank will be located on the ING Web site, www.ing.azcentral.com. To list your free opening or situation, e-mail Mary Van Meter, publisher of Newspapers & Technology, at vanmeter@newsandtech.com.

E&P: Former 'Times-Pic' Staffers Have Raised Over $20,000 for Paper's Employees

"A fund set up to raise money for staffers at The Times-Picayune in New Orleans has brought in $22,000 in donations in just two weeks, according to organizers. The effort, aimed at raising money for employees of the paper who have been severely impacted by Hurricane Katrina, is being run by a group of former Times-Picayune employees. "

According to Friends of the Times-Picayune, "As many as half of New Orleans Times-Picayune staffers - from senior editors to receptionists and printers - and their families apparently lost their homes in the horrible aftermath of Hurricane Katrina." The site has account numbers, address and a Pay Pal link for online donations.

"U.S. Mail Service, Getting Back on Track"

"U.S. Mail Service, Getting Back on Track"

The US Postal Service is extremely important to the operation of many Louisiana newspapers and to their readers.

The Daily Advertiser: Medic copes with loss at 'Dome

"Acadian Ambulance medic Billy Vincent now knows the real meaning of all four colors on a triage tag. Billy spent nearly four days in the Superdome. Green is considered walking wounded. . . . Yellow means the patient has an injury, but probably can wait a few minutes before being treated or transported. Red means a patient is disoriented or in shock. And then, there's black. "We had to tag some of them black. That was the hardest," Billy said. "I'll never forget those people's faces. To tag a person black means basically that a person is going to die. It means that their sickness and/or injury is beyond the capabilities or manpower that you have available at the time and to treat them would cause others that you may be able to save to die."

'Blogging Louisiana and Mississippi Papers"

"Blogging Louisiana and Mississippi Papers"

We are working to get the word out about this blog and the one we have set up for Mississippi. This from the Poytner Institute in St Petersburg, FL.

Gambit Weekly owner makes amphibious landing; report on community use of the web post-Katrina

Baton Rouge Advocate: "Clancy DuBos, co-owner of the Gambit Weekly, was among a group that made an "amphibious" landing on a sandbar in the mouth of Bayou St. John. Their tale was posted that evening on a homeowners association's Web message board. DuBos' post gave Lake Vista residents the kind of specific information they weren't finding anywhere else one day after the world learned that top federal officials were just becoming aware of thousands trapped at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center" (An update/check-in for Gambit Weekly employees).

The story shows the numerous ways the web was used post-Katrina to disseminate information post-Katrina: "Volunteer Webmaster and Metairie resident Ed Cassiere set up a message board through the St. Clement of Rome Catholic School Web site to keep school families and church neighbors in touch as they left and as they returned. Working from the Dallas area, Xavier University chemistry professor J.W. Carmichael Jr., director of premedical programs, used his personal Weblog to give his senior pre-med students, as well as others, official information about what they could do to keep their medical school applications moving forward. Metroblogging New Orleans, one of a series of arts and culture blogs dedicated to the nation's major cities and one previously devoted to off-beat spots in the city, became a connection point for Mid-City residents and bloggers dispersed by Katrina."

Houma Courier: harrowing tale of pregnant woman fighting to save her grandfather

"An uncle sped over in a truck, and several family members, including Jessica, piled in. With trees snapping, debris flying and electrical lines flapping dangerously in the wind, the group started on the 7-mile trek to Thibodaux."It was the scariest ride of my life," Jessica said. "It looked like something out of the movie 'Twister.’ "At several points along the way, Jessica’s father stopped the truck to clear the road. A flying object cracked the windshield. Then, just outside of Thibodaux, a massive tree blocked the highway.It would take a chain saw to remove it, the family thought. Jessica tried to keep her barely conscious grandfather alive by forcing him to sing "Happy Birthday," but the situation was becoming increasingly hopeless."

Crowley Post-Signal: Former robber gives back

"I wronged a community in Louisiana a long time ago and I figured now was the time for me to give back, so here we are," said Kent Kloster. (His) real story involving Louisiana dates back some 26 years ago when, as a 20-year-old, he robbed a Lafayette bank and made his getaway through Acadia Parish into Beaumont, Texas."I did my time and got out to become a productive member of society," he stated with a sobering straight-forward voice. "That was then and now is now." Kloster, a Missouri truck-driver, asked his boss for a truck and a grocer for 30 pallets of supplies, which Kloster got at cost. He got seven more pallets of water from a church and headed to Louisiana. Kloster vowed to return with even more for the storm-ravaged region. "I will be coming back in a week or so with another truckload of goods and accompanied by the bus for those wanting to relocate."

AP: Times-Picayune city editor has Katrina book deal

"The city editor of the New Orleans Times-Picayune is writing a book about Hurricane Katrina. It will be published by the Random House Publishing Group. According to Random House, Jed Horne's untitled book will be "an insider's narrative account of the Hurricane Katrina disaster that will locate its roots in the culture and politics of the city of New Orleans and in the national politics of oil, homeland security, poverty and race relations." No publication date has been set for the new book by Horne, author of "Desire: A True Story of Death and Deliverance in New Orleans," a true crime story."

FEMA drops 'zero access' policy after CNN wins court order

FEMA drops 'zero access' policy after CNN wins court order

This will make it easier for Louisiana newspapers to cover this story, whatever decision each indvidual newspaper makes about how to cover the recovery.

More information for publishers from the Louisiana Press Association

More information for publishers from the Louisiana Press Association

This is an updated report on the Association's effort to help its member newspapers.

OFF MESSAGE: Hello, Goodbye

OFF MESSAGE: Hello, Goodbye

This column by Bill POWERS at the non-partisan National Journal in Washington, DC raises an important point -- just how long will there be out-of-state media interest in the aftermath of Katrina. POWERS suggests it is already beginning to wane.

One of the principal reasons for setting up this blog is to recognize that for the newspapers of Louisiana, this story will not catch a flight with the television camera crews.

Poynter Online - Covering Katrina

Poynter Online - Covering Katrina

A number of items here relating to Louisiana newspapers.

Aid for journalists affected by Hurricane Katrina

Aid for journalists affected by Hurricane Katrina

This summary was compield by the Council of National Journalism Organizations.

Journalism and Trauma

Journalism and Trauma

This course from the Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma at the University of Washington may be of value to newspaper people in Louisiana. There is no charge; the course is online.

Alums keep Times-Picayune afloat

Alums keep Times-Picayune afloat

The Brown (University) Daily Herald reports on two Brown alumni - Peter KOVACS and Stephanie GRACE -who are playing key roles at the Times-Picayune and it Katrrina response.

[I am a Brown alumnus as well, as is Martin JOHNSON, another contributor to this blog.]

Online coverage of Hurricane Katrina

Online coverage of Hurricane Katrina

This is a list from the Online Journalism Review of sites under the heading "Online coverage of Hurricane Katrina". A number of Louisiana newspaper resources are included.

"The great rescue: How Denham volunteers saved scores"

"The great rescue: How Denham volunteers saved scores"

Volunteers from Denham Springs in Livingston Parish saved many people in New Orleans. This is one of those local stories (in the Livingston Parish News) that helps us all see the bigger picture so much more clearly.

Read, also, the column of the newspaper's publisher, Jeff DAVID, "Political tussle begins over who controls city's rebuilding".

"Fall elections in Jefferson, N.O. postponed"

"Fall elections in Jefferson, N.O. postponed"

This fall's elections have been postponed indefinitely in Orleans and Jefferson parishes, reports the Times-Picayune.

Steve Kelley, The New Orleans Times-Picayune

Steve Kelley, The New Orleans Times-Picayune

Here is a collection of Steve KELLEY cartoons from the Times-Picayune.

Emily Metzgar: Blogging for Common Sense: Tough talk

Emily Metzgar: Blogging for Common Sense: Tough talk

She is a community columnist for The Shreveport Times. These are her reactions to what Gov. BLANCO said tonight in her speech to the legislature.

"NOLA.com blogs and forums help save lives after Katrina"

"NOLA.com blogs and forums help save lives after Katrina"

More about the web activities of the Times-Picayune after Katrina from the Online Journalism Review.

"In City of Melted Clocks, Scribes Paint Dali Scenes"

"In City of Melted Clocks, Scribes Paint Dali Scenes"

A Times-Picayune columnist - Chris ROSE - talks about life today in New Orleans for him and his colleagues. He writes:

"We have a generator and water and military C-rations and Doritos and smokes and booze. After deadline, the call goes out: "Anyone for some warm brown liquor?" and we sit on the porch in the very, very still of the night and we try to laugh.

Some of these guys lost their houses -- everything in them. But they're here, telling our city's story.

And they stink. We all stink. We stink together.

We have a bunch of guns but it's not clear to me if anyone in this "news bureau" knows how to use them."

"'Times-Picayune' Cartoonist Kelley Draws on New Orleans Experience"

"'Times-Picayune' Cartoonist Kelley Draws on New Orleans Experience"

More about Steve KELLEY and his cartoons, now drawn in California.

Affected Louisiana press photographers can apply for NPPA relief fund

The National Press Photographers Association, along with the National Press Photographers Foundation announced a joint effort to help photojournalists displaced or affected by Hurricane Katrina. The fund will help photojournalists who have lost their homes, lost their jobs, or been separated from their families. “We’re here to assist these folks in a time of need,” NPPA past president Bob Gould said today. “There are so many photojournalists dealing with so many difficult issues in Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi, and when a journalist becomes part of the story he or she is covering it becomes emotionally, physically, and mentally exhausting. We hope that any help and support NPPA and NPPF offers will bring some comfort to our peers.” Starting Sept. 16, check the NPPA website to apply.

Cartoonists draw from Katrina experiences

"Two weeks after Hurricane Katrina slammed into the Gulf Coast, three editorial cartoonists . . . continue to deal with the aftermath of the storm. Steve Kelley, of the New Orleans Times-Picayune, J.D. Crowe of the Mobile (Ala.) Register and Ricky Nobile of the Mississippi Business Journal were all affected by the devastating storm. In fact, we have still been unable to reach Nobile, who lives in Hattiesburg, Miss. News outlets report that some power has been restored to the Hattiesburg area, but much of the region still has no reliable electricity or phone service," according to the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists.

La. Weekly: "Blacks Generously Giving Time and Money to Assist Katrina Victims"

Knowing the transformative effects of a new hairdo, stylist H. B. Smith, who is black, handled 15 heads within six hours at the Houston Astrodome. "According to a recent poll by the Pew Research Center For the People & the Press, Blacks are twice as likely as Whites to know people directly affected by Hurricane Katrina. Consequently, Black giving and volunteering are at an unprecedented rate, according to donor organizations. " A Maryland reverend says, "One of the first inquiries will be how has the African-American churches responded. This is a part of who we should be. It's a part of our mission - to help the least, the lost and the left out."

"Journalists Helping Journalists"

"Journalists Helping Journalists"

"The Dart Society, a group of journalists dedicated to the responsible coverage of victims of violence and disaster, has joined the National Press Foundation and the Council of National Journalism Organizations to make relief grants to working journalists hurt by Hurricane Katrina. "

"Embedded with the Times Picayune in New Orleans"

"Embedded with the Times Picayune in New Orleans"

An account from the Columbia Journalism Review (CJR) Daily of reporting life at the Times Picayune.

"Katrina Only Latest Example of Feds Withholding Environmental Data"

"Katrina Only Latest Example of Feds Withholding Environmental Data"

The "Society of Environmental Journalists" reports in a press release about Times-Picayune and other press efforts to obtain information from the the US Environmental Protection Agency about "dangerous chemicals leaking as a result of Hurricane Katrina".

Katrina Photo Gallery [News Banner, Covington]

Katrina Photo Gallery [News Banner, Covington]

The News Banner has set up a small photo gallery on its site.

Newspapers throughout the state must have huge collections of photos taken during and after the storm.

We would be happy to help bring more of them to more people through this blog. It might even generate a few dollars of revenue for the owners of the photos if people accessing the blog which to buy some rights and/or copies.

Connecting Evacuees [The Lafayette Daily Advertiser, Lafayette]

Connecting Evacuees [The Lafayette Daily Advertiser, Lafayette]

The Lafayette Daily Advertiser has a whole section of its website dedicated to reconecting people with their families and friends. This set of photos is of people in the Cajundome.

Evacuee who has weathered a hurricane or two celebrates her 85th birthday in Natchez

Louisiana newspapers are starting to find a little color and a little hope. Nita McCann of the Natchez Democrat writes, "A party full of laughter, animated discussion and piles of refreshments is probably the last thing you'd expect a group of evacuees and their newfound Natchez friends to be having.But that's just what took place Saturday night on Orange Avenue once the group discovered fellow New Orleans evacuee Odette Grosz would be celebrating her birthday that day."

"Population up at least 10 % after hurricane"

"Population up at least 10 % after hurricane"

This means about 2,000 new people in Concordia Parish, as reported by The Concordia Sentinel.

Official Website Of The Town Of Ferriday, Louisiana

Official Website Of The Town Of Ferriday, Louisiana

There are some number of Katrina stories on this local news page of the town's website, all provided by the local newspaper, The Concordia Sentinel.

Differing accounts of FEMA press relations; Times-Picayune awaits EPA's FOIA response

Carl Redman, managing editor of the Baton Rouge Advocate, said the agency had kept reporters from a makeshift morgue, but the paper's director of photography had not heard of any restrictions from his team of six photographers. Similarly, the president of the National Press Photographers Association said she had no trouble in the area. One official said journalists had misinterpreted FEMA's rules.

Katrina has also brought up a number of FOIA issues, according to the Society of Environmental Journalists. "It's been more than a week since The Times-Picayune . . . turned in desperation to the federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to answer a basic question: Where are dangerous chemicals leaking as a result of Hurricane Katrina?" See SEJ's release.

Photographers, reporters or editors for Louisiana newspapers, please e-mail your experiences with FOIA and/or FEMA officials to newsboy101@hotmail.com.

Entries for Fla. News Contest Lost in N.O.; Among the categories: hurricane coverage

• The Bad News: The Florida Press Club reported that entries from 10 categories of its 2005 Excellence in Journalism Competition are missing in N.O.: "Reporters at the Times-Picayune, through the Press Club of New Orleans, already had received the 277 entries for judging when Hurricane Katrina hit."
• The Ironic News: Among the categories lost was "Hurricane Coverage." Awards will not be given in that and nine other categories.
• The Good News: The more-than-understanding press club donated the $4,155 in entry fees associated with the lost entries to the staff of the Times-Picayune. The money will be sent to: Friends of the Times-Picayune, c/o Sterling Bank- Bayou Bend Office, 5757 Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas 77007-8000

Papers host Hurricane Message Board; Bogalusa Daily News unable to print

The News Banner (Covington, La.) and the Daily News (Bogalusa, La.) are sharing an online guestbook turned Hurricane Message Board. See the locations of the two cities. The Bogalusa paper is still unable to publish. They asked their readers to send story ideas and photos to their North Carolina sister paper (johnmoeur@rrdailyherald.com): “We know this isn't the perfect method of communication but it is a start. We are confident that our community will rebuild and be even better in the future. For now, our prayers are with you and all our neighbors, and our hopes are for better days ahead.” The Covington News Banner has resumed publication several times a week in combination with the Slidell Sentry News, which also has a Katrina message board. Printing is being done in Natchez.

"Times-Picayune Publishing Despite Katrina"

"Times-Picayune Publishing Despite Katrina"

An Associated Press update on the Times-Picayune. Circulation is down to 60,000 (or UP to 60,000 from nothing right after Katrina struck) from a normal daily circulation of about 260,000.

Headed Out West: FEMA rustles up land and housing in Assumption Parish

The Assumption Pioneer, which boasts a covered wagon on its banner, describes a modern day land grab, this one by FEMA. The paper reported that Assumption Parish's Police Jury President met with FEMA officials who "were interested in vacant housing, abandoned buildings, vacant mobile homes and any real estate up for grabs." The president even said sewage regulations could be suspended for six months for available housing with unapproved systems. "If somebody has a trailer that was for grandma and that trailer and that sewer system worked for grandma,” the trailer could receive special temporary approval. The Assumption Pioneer claims to be Louisiana's oldest continuously publishing weekly.

NABJ creates relief fund and job network for affected members; NAHJ planning aid

The National Association of Black Journalists is seeking donations for its Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund, which was started with $10,000 of NABJ seed money "to help NABJ members and their families in need in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. . . . (the association) will also use its job network to help place NABJ members facing unemployment because of the storm and its destruction." NABJ has nearly 200 NABJ members living, working and studying in the affected areas of Louisiana, Mississippi and coastal Alabama. The National Association of Hispanic Journalists is also planning aid and documenting the plight of some of its members.

Only a closed post office keeps the Amite Tangi Digest from continuing its rich tradition

"The newspaper had printed it’s biggest edition of the year focusing on high school football when the hurricane struck and the post office closed preventing delivery," according to the Louisianna Press Association's Adopt A Newspaper website. "One staffer lost her home and others experienced significant damage including losing their cars. The newspaper is regrouping and ready to publish as soon as the post office opens." LSU's Special Collections website offers a genealogical chart of the fascinating history of the newspaper.

Size doesn't matter: Ponchatoula Times printed on legal paper

According to the Louisianna Press Association's Adopt A Newspaper website, during the week after Katrina, The Ponchatoula Times was published on the publisher's Mac and printed on legal size paper. The newspaper was expected to begin regular publication September 11.

Katrina-struck media find creative solutions to unprecedented problems

An Australian media outlet chronicles the ways media outlets have gotten their stories out. "Relying on satellite phones, blogs and the hospitality of colleagues, media outlets whose offices and production systems were devastated by Hurricane Katrina improvised to report the storm‘s awesome damage."

Hurricane hero watches his New Orleans house flood then burn down

After plucking 13 people from the flood waters and saving an 88-year-old drowning neighbor, a New Orleans man returned to his flooded home only to find it burning. "I walked out of my home knowing I'd never walk in that house again. I walked out of there with only a few of my worldly possessions, which I put in my canoe. . . . What I saw, as horrifying as it all was, is probably only a third of what other people were seeing," Carriere said. Andrew Griffin of The Town Talk (Alexandria, La.) interviewed Carriere, who had driven to Alexandria in a rental car after he was flown out to Arkansas.

Shreveport Times Announces Relief Fund

The Shreveport Times' Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund is accepting donations, which it will disperse among various community efforts specifically for hurricane evacuees. The fund is overseen by Executive Editor Alan English. Donations will be posted daily in The Times. Gifts can be made in the name of a loved one or a friend affected by Hurricane Katrina.

Daily Advertiser creates one of the first searchable databases of evacuees

Daily Advertiser metro editor Todd Billiot and Tiffany Wyatt, a designer with The Times of Acadiana, headed up an effort to collect evacuees' photos and names. With 6,700 entries, they created Operation Connection, one of the first searchable online databases of Katrina evacuees. One reader wrote the Daily Advertiser, "(I'm) happy to inform you that we have located my spouse and little brother ... I can't thank you enough for your warm support." The Advertiser's editor is proud of her staff and Operation Connection."The Web site has so much to offer," Denise Richter says. "This was a way for us to bring families together again." The story was written by Bill Church, the executive editor of the Star-Gazette in Elmira, N.Y., who is visiting the Advertiser.

The Story of the Appropriately Named Union Street

Faced with the daunting task of telling the story of an entire national disaster, the Natchez Democrat came up with a compelling solution: Why not choose just one street? Democrat reporters picked the perfectly named Union Street: "But we could have picked any street in any of our communities and found just as many stories, just as many people reaching out to help."

The Independent Weekly: 'New Orleans is gone and I don't know if I'll be back'

The Independent Weekly: 'New Orleans is gone and I don't know if I'll be back'

This is a story from the Durham, NC Independent (weekly) written bythe editor of the Gambit Weekly who is staying in Lafayette with the editor of the Independent Weekly.

Voices of Support

Voices of Support

This is a collection of several audio comments about New Orleans by various people, as broadcast today on National Public Radio's Weekend Edition Saturday program. Among them is Times-Picayune reporter Betsy MULLENER, temporarily living, I think, in St Louis.

Hurricane newspaper staffing support

Hurricane newspaper staffing support

'The Advocate' Preps for New Readers in Baton Rouge

'The Advocate' Preps for New Readers in Baton Rouge

Adopt a Newspaper

Adopt a Newspaper

The link above connects to a full description of this Louisiana Press Association program - " LPA is requesting that other newspapers buy an ad(s) in support of one or more of their brethren who is experiencing publishing difficulties."

The Independent in Lafayette

The Independent in Lafayette

This issue of the Independent (6 Sep) is entirely devoted to Katrina.

Editor of Independent (Lafayette) finds land line to New Orleans working

Editor of Independent (Lafayette) finds land line to New Orleans working

The Cox News Service reported that Scott Jordan, editor of the weekly Independent, (Lafayette, La.) reached a friend via land line in New Orleans' Garden District on Sunday. His friend never lost BellSouth service."For absolutely no reason whatsoever, I dialed his home number, and he answered the phone," said Jordan.

Support for college newspapers

 A Kentucky college newspaper adviser is setting up support for affected college newspapers.

AD2AD KATRINA

The Association of Alternative Newsweeklies announced that the AD2AD Network would provide a special free classified ads system for newspapers in communities where Katrina victims have settled. The article explains how newspapers can use this service to their advantage:

"With this system, called AD2AD KATRINA, newspapers can easily provide a free web classifieds page in their websites to support community response to the Katrina disaster. Newspapers then have the option of printing the ads, using the systems fully formatted ad files. An example of the AD2AD KATRINA system at work can be seen on the website of the Jackson (MS) Free Press: http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/katrina_ads.php

'As more communities across the country open hearts and homes to the victims of Katrina, the need for specialized emergency information becomes critical. AD2AD recognizes the importance of the local newspaper as the information hub of its community. A Help Wanted ad takes on a whole new meaning in the face of this disaster. AD2AD wants to do its part -- AD2AD KATRINA is one of the ways we can help,' said AD2AD CEO Jay Schauer."

Images of death

FEMA has begun limiting access to images of carnage from Hurricane Katrina, according to an article by Reuters:

"U.S. newspapers, television outlets and Web sites have featured pictures of shrouded corpses and makeshift graves in New Orleans. But on Tuesday, FEMA refused to take reporters and photographers along on boats seeking victims in flooded areas, saying they would take up valuable space need in the recovery effort and asked them not to take pictures of the dead. In an e-mail explaining the decision, a FEMA spokeswoman wrote: "The recovery of victims is being treated with dignity and the utmost respect and we have requested that no photographs of the deceased by made by the media."

Katrina and the Times-Picayune

Katrina and the Times-Picayune

This week's NOW program from the Public Broadcasting Service.

For Times-Picayune, Web Will Take on Crucial Diaspora Role

For Times-Picayune, Web Will Take on Crucial Diaspora Role

A discussion of how the Times-Picayune plans to stay connected with readers who are now spread to many other other states.

Southern Newspaper Publishers Association Jobs Board to Help Displaced Newspaper Employees

Southern Newspaper Publishers Association Jobs Board to Help Displaced Newspaper Employees

"As cities on the Gulf Coast begin to rebuild after the hurricane, it has become clear that many people will not be returning to their homes for quite some time. Families are working to establish temporary homes in host cities by enrolling their children in school, making long-term housing arrangements and looking for employment.

SNPA has made its jobs board available both to newspaper employees displaced by the hurricane and to newspapers who are willing to offer them positions. The service is free to anyone displaced by the storm. Click here to view job openings.

Looking for a job?Newspaper employees who are looking for temporary or permanent employment can post a "Job Wanted" ad on the SNPA jobs board. Be sure to include contact information, the type of job sought, city or general location of job sought, skills and job history. The ads will be posted for 30 days at no charge. To post an ad, send the ad copy to Helen Anne Richards at helen@snpa.org.

Willing to offer employment?Newspapers that have jobs available or that are willing to offer temporary work can post openings on the SNPA web site. The ads will run for 30 days free of charge. To post an ad, send the ad copy to Helen Anne Richards at helen@snpa.org."

NNA's Community Newspaper Info Sharing Clearinghouse

NNA's Community Newspaper Info Sharing Clearinghouse

The National Newspaper Association (NNA), representing thousands of community newspapers around the country has launched its own blog to assist those who wish to help some of the newspapers in the region needing assistance as they recover from Katrina.

Southern Newspaper Publishers Association

Southern Newspaper Publishers Association

The SNPA site now contains news of newspapers in Louisiana affected by Katrina.

US Postal Service critically important to many newspapers

US Postal Service critically important to many newspapers

This is from the Louisiana Press Association giving latest guidance to newspapers in the state dependent on, or using in some way, the US Postal Service to deliver newspapers to subscribers.

Louisiana Press Association

Louisiana Press Association

The Louisiana Press Association has updated its home page with more information on various newspaper matters related to the aftermath of Katrina.

"'Houston Chronicle' Adapts to Influx of Evacuees from Katrina"

"'Houston Chronicle' Adapts to Influx of Evacuees from Katrina"

This piece talks about how the Chronicle is attempting to serve the evacuees in the Houston area.

Which Louisiana newspapers, if any, have found a way to reach the evacuees in Texas?

"U.S. agency blocks photos of New Orleans dead"

"U.S. agency blocks photos of New Orleans dead"

How will this affect Louisiana newspapers in their coverage of this story? How do Louisiana newspapers feel about it, and if opposed, what are they doing to protest? After all, many of the people being recovered are former readers of the state's newspapers, and many have surviving relatives who will follow this story in their local papers.

"Newhouses Right Times-Picayune As iIT Bails Water"

"Newhouses Right Times-Picayune As It Bails Water"

Another story - this time in the New York Observer - about the Times Picayune, providing more background on its ownership and commitment.

Hometown papers comment on Katrina cleanup

Hometown papers comment on Katrina cleanup

Some links on the SouthNow blog to a few editorials in Louisiana and Mississippi newspapers.

Emily Metzgar: Government failed public

Emily Metzgar: Government failed public

How About a Hurricane Victims Map?

How About a Hurricane Victims Map?

Is this an idea that Louisiana newspapers might want to put in place, even as a group effort?

The Town Talk - Alexandria-Pineville, Louisiana

The Town Talk - Alexandria-Pineville, Louisiana

Almost the entire home page continues, as expected, to be devoted to Katrina-related coverage.

No longer missing: Times-Picayune boss chats with Williams

No longer missing: Times-Picayune boss chats with Williams

Paper Slams Feds for Response to 'The Big One'

Paper Slams Feds for Response to 'The Big One'

In Small Town, Huge Morgue Takes Shape

In Small Town, Huge Morgue Takes Shape

It would be nice to know how the local (serving St. Gabriel) newspapers are treating the story of the morgue.

Louisiana community profiles - ePodunk

Louisiana community profiles - ePodunk

A list of Louisiana communities. Click on the name of a community and then scroll down to "Media". You can search on closest newspapers.

Slidell Sentry-News

Slidell Sentry-News

This paper, published to the northeast of New Orleans, is not publishing:

"Hurricane Katrina was a heavy blow to our community. We are temporarily unable to publish your community newspaper.

Please use the link on the home page to share news, information and inquiries directly.
If you have a specific story or photo you wish to share, please forward them to marianne@newdirectives.com. We will review and consider them for publication. We have a very limited staff at this time and will be posting mostly official news and important information for evacuees and residents who have stayed. We know this isn't the perfect method of communication but it is a start. When we have restored power and our staff has returned we hope to publish additional info online. The only sections updated will be NEWS at this time.

We are confident that our community will rebuild and be even better in the future. For now, our prayers are with you and all our neighbors, and our hopes are for better days ahead."

New Orleans newspaper blasts FEMA

New Orleans newspaper blasts FEMA

More from Emily METZGAR

More from Emily METZGAR

Times Picayune reporter found

Times Picayune reporter found

Some Disaster Areas Forgotten? Not by Bloggers

Some Disaster Areas Forgotten? Not by Bloggers

Nola.com Seeks Web Producers for Weeks Ahead

Nola.com Seeks Web Producers for Weeks Ahead

Newspapers and other media sources from Louisiana, Kidon Media-Link

Newspapers and other media sources from Louisiana, Kidon Media-Link

This is an alternative list of newspapers in Louisiana.

Teddy Allen: Is anyone in charge in New Orleans?

Teddy Allen: Is anyone in charge in New Orleans?

This Shreveport Times column (Teddy ALLEN) was syndicated and appeared in the Chapel Hill Herald (NC) today.

The Shreveport Times - Hurricane Katrina

The Shreveport Times - Hurricane Katrina

Association of Alternative Newsweeklies Announces Relief Effort to Support Gambit Employees

Association of Alternative Newsweeklies Announces Relief Effort to Support Gambit Employees

L'Observateur Newspaper

L'Observateur Newspaper

This Lafayette newspaper is working to provide services through electronic alternatives to newsprint.

Louisiana Weekly

Louisiana Weekly

This newspaper has not resumed publication according to its website. Instead, it is posting a few articles on this website.

The Louisiana Weekly claims to be "south Louisiana's oldest resource for news, commentary and community updates with award-winning reporting on civil rights, education, the environment, politics, health, religion and finance." The "about" page says that the newspaper is 80 years old.

News of Iberville Parish

News of Iberville Parish

From the Plaquemine Post South.

Plaquemine Post South

Plaquemine Post South

This story is headlined "Katrina By Area" and provides a run down of Katrina news throughout the parish.

Hurricane Forces New Orleans Newspaper to Face a Daunting Set of Obstacles

Hurricane Forces New Orleans Newspaper to Face a Daunting Set of Obstacles

To editors and publishers

To editors and publishers

This page provides latest information from the Louisiana Press Association.

Louisiana's poverty politics - Los Angeles Times

Louisiana's poverty politics - Los Angeles Times

This column was written by Emily METZGAR, a columniest for the Shreveport Times. See the other post here linking to her blog.

Katrina Information Map

Katrina Information Map

How are Louisiana newspapers making use of, or affected by, this technology?

New Orleans Paper Slams Federal Response on Saturday

New Orleans Paper Slams Federal Response on Saturday

It will be very interesting to see what other Louisiana newspapers are saying.....

Covering Katrina: About As Bad As Can Be

Covering Katrina: About As Bad As Can Be

Emily Metzgar: Blogging for Common Sense

Emily Metzgar: Blogging for Common Sense

She is a "community columnist" for the Shreveport Times.

New Orleans Paper To Resume Print Edition

New Orleans Paper To Resume Print Edition

Corriere della Sera - Italy's largest newspaper reports on Katrina emergency

Corriere della Sera - Italy's largest newspaper reports on Katrina emergency

Louisiana Press Association

Louisiana Press Association

The LPA is asking member newspapers to report needs for assistance:

"Newspapers needing assistance recovering from Hurricane Katrina should contact LPA 225-344-9309 or 800-701-8753. Please also contact us to let us know how you made it through the storm."

Public radio

Public radio

It would be so helpful to have a page like this pulling together the coverage of the Katrina emergency from all Louisiana newspapers.

Bogalusa

Newspaper

Weather Channel

Craig's List vs. Katrina

Craig's List vs. Katrina

What are all the things done by Louisiana newspapers in order to respond these needs? Are there community websites started by newspapers around the state?

Its City Gone, the Times-Picayune Rises to the Occasion

Its City Gone, the Times-Picayune Rises to the Occasion

BLOGGING THE HURRICANE, Day 4: Frequent Updates All Day from the Scene, as Tragedy Worsens

BLOGGING THE HURRICANE, Day 4: Frequent Updates All Day from the Scene, as Tragedy Worsens

'Times-Picayune' Forum Reveals True Horror of Disaster Today

'Times-Picayune' Forum Reveals True Horror of Disaster Today

News Outlets Improvise to Report on Storm

News Outlets Improvise to Report on Storm

Americans Open Homes to Katrina Refugees and an idea....

Americans Open Homes to Katrina Refugees and an idea....

The linked story talks about how many people around the country are willing to open their homes to refugees from Katrina's wake.

Here is the idea.......

Why don't Louisiana newspapers work together to produce a newspaper, published as frequently as possible, reporting FOR the refugees of Louisiana, the people who have been displaced or in any way affected by Katrina. The content could include all the up-to-date information on what is happening, by whom, how to take advantage of what is there, etc.