Ray Nagin

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LINDA WERTHEIMER, host:

This week was the deadline to register to vote in New Orleans in time for the upcoming primary for mayor. There are plenty of municipal races to be decided in that city on April 22, but the talk of the town, and perhaps the nation, is the mayor's race, which has a whopping 24 candidates.

Susan Howell teaches political science at the University of New Orleans. She joins us from the studios of member station WWNO. Welcome.

Professor SUSAN HOWELL (Teacher, Political Science, University of New Orleans): Thank you.

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ED GORDON, host:

When New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin said that the Big Easy should be a chocolate city because God wanted it that way. Many people reacted with shock and dismay. Commentator John McCann wasn't bothered so much by the idea of a chocolate crescent city. He was more disturbed by Nagin's attempt to read God's mind.

JOHN McCANN reporting:

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LIANE HANSEN, host:

From NPR News this is WEEKEND EDITION, I'm Liane Hansen. And these were some of the voices in the news this past week.

(Soundbite of song 'Midnight Hour')

Mr. WILSON PICKETT (Performer): I was in Detroit. And I was living on Chicago Boulevard and Dexter and I had a little bit apartment where a little bed pulled out. And it had a little kitchenette -- they called it. And I wrote, 'Wait 'Til The Midnight Hour'. And it's a big song, I mean it's incredible how big that song is today.

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ALEX CHADWICK, host:

In New Orleans at an event earlier this week honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, the city's mayor, Ray Nagin said this, welcoming residents back to a chocolate city.

Mr. RAY NAGIN (Mayor, New Orleans): This city will be chocolate at the end of the day. This city will be a majority African-American city. It's the way God wants it to be.

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MELISSA BLOCK, host:

You're listening to ALL THINGS CONSIDERED from NPR News.

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MICHELE NORRIS, host:

From NPR News, this is ALL THINGS CONSIDERED. I'm Michele Norris.

MELISSA BLOCK, host:

And I'm Melissa Block.

Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco and New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin were in Washington today defending their actions immediately before and after Hurricane Katrina. They faced strong criticism from Republicans on the House committee that's investigating the government's response to the storm. NPR's Pam Fessler reports.

PAM FESSLER reporting:

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MADELEINE BRAND, host:

This is DAY TO DAY. I'm Madeleine Brand.

Coming up, we'll hear more about efforts to rebuild after last month's major earthquake in Pakistan.

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RENEE MONTAGNE, host:

This is MORNING EDITION from NPR News. I'm Renee Montagne.

STEVE INSKEEP, host:

And I'm Steve Inskeep.

The mayor of New Orleans, Ray Nagin, held a town meeting last night, although he had to go to another town to do it. Nagin traveled 80 miles to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where thousands of former New Orleans residents have been living since Hurricane Katrina. NPR's Adam Hochberg was at the meeting.

ADAM HOCHBERG reporting:

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SCOTT SIMON, host:

The mayor of New Orleans, Ray Nagin, said yesterday that to help revive his city's economy he'd like to expand casino gambling in the city's major hotels. The plan has many obstacles to overcome, from state backing to popular support. NPR's Jan--Ina Jaffe reports.

INA JAFFE reporting:

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MICHELE NORRIS, host:

This is ALL THINGS CONSIDERED from NPR News. I'm Michele Norris.

The clean-up in New Orleans is well under way. Now city officials are beginning to think about the next phase: rebuilding. Mayor Ray Nagin has appointed a 17-member commission to advise on how best to bring back the devastated city. Among the first questions: Who will pay for the rebuilding, and for whom will the city be rebuilt? NPR's Greg Allen reports.

GREG ALLEN reporting: