More than 1,000 uninsured people showed up for a free health clinic at the city's Convention Center on Saturday -- some of whom were very sick but hadn't seen a doctor in years. Did the politicians notice? More...

U.S. Rep. Anh "Joseph" Cao of New Orleans says he knows his decision to vote for the House health reform bill was unpopular with his party. But he also says it was the right thing to do for his district, where many residents are uninsured and economically struggling. More...

A group of Filipino teachers recruited for Louisiana schools was coerced into contracts that amounted to "virtual servitude," according to a complaint filed by the Louisiana Federation of Teachers and the American Federation of Teachers. More...

In a letter released to coincide with Obama's visit to New Orleans today, more than 50 leading religious leaders and faith-based groups have asked the president to take action to address challenges still remaining along the Gulf Coast. More...

In response to a call from MSNBC News anchor Keith Olbermann, plans are underway to hold a big free health clinic in Arkansas or Louisiana -- states that are home to large numbers of uninsured people as well as key political leaders reluctant to support a public health insurance option. More...

President Barack Obama arrives in New Orleans today for his first visit to the city and region since his presidential campaign. But some local lawmakers and community leaders criticize the short visit and the lack of attention paid to the still struggling region. More...

The Louisiana State Supreme Court Friday denied an appeal from Herman Wallace, who has been held in solitary confinement at the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola for more than 37 years. More...

The Biloxi-Chitimacha tribe announced that rising seas would force it to leave the Louisiana island that's been home for generations -- the latest indigenous community uprooted by climate disruption. Is the U.S. really doing all it can to honor its obligation under international human rights standards to protect against such displacement? More...

A new report examines life in Louisiana four years after Hurricane Katrina, and finds that portions of the state's population experience health, education and income levels that the rest of the country surpassed three to five decades ago. More...

Rebuilding efforts in St. Bernard Parish outside New Orleans have gotten major acclaim by news agencies and public figures. But an alliance of Gulf Coast and national organizations are raising questions about the community's discriminatory housing policies. More...

In the first full year of the recession, the nation's poverty rate climbed to 13.2 percent, up from 12.5 percent in 2007, according to an annual report released Thursday by the Census Bureau. More...

Was it a good move for the GOP to choose a Southern birther and co-sponsor of "death panel" legislation to sell their views on health reform to the nation last night? More...

Four years later, Bush's response to Katrina is still hurting workers. Many New Orleans' migrant workers toil in dangerous conditions for little or no pay. More...

The Broadway show The Color Purple has announced plans to raise money for the St. Bernard Project, a strange choice considering St. Bernard Parish's discriminatory housing laws, reports Jordan Flaherty. More...

In light of the continuing affordable housing crisis in post-Katrina New Orleans, advocates are worried about the local housing authority's lackluster efforts to inform residents about a rare chance to get housing assistance. More...

Institute director and co-author of the report "Grading the Katrina Recovery" talks with Laura Flanders about the important issues we're in missing in media coverage and the public debate about Katrina and the Gulf Coast. More...

Is the Gulf Coast back to normal? Has Washington done all it can do? Is Obama better than Bush? Facing South debunks the myths and answers the tough questions the remain in Katrina's aftermath. More...

This is the first year that Congressional leadership and the U.S. president did not travel to the Gulf Coast to honor the anniversary of our nation's largest disaster. Leaders in Washington still have much to learn from community leaders on the ground working every day to restore their neighborhoods, reports Jeffrey Buchanan. More...

The Obama administration unveiled plans this week to create a federal task force to overhaul management of coastal restoration efforts in Louisiana and Mississippi. The move comes in response to growing criticism of the Corps' foot-dragging. More...

Join us on three radio programs today as we talk about the Institute's new report "Grading the Katrina Recovery" and the state of Gulf Coast rebuilding four years after the storm More...