Tragedy and Resilience in New Orleans: A Look Back 20 Years After Hurricane Katrina
In this morning’s update, here’s what you need to know to start your day:
The identities of the two young victims who lost their lives in the shooting at Annunciation Church and School in Minneapolis have been disclosed. Harper Lillian Moyski, aged 10, and Fletcher Merkel, 8, were attending a Mass to commemorate the commencement of the new school year when the gunman attacked the church. Yesterday, Jesse Merkel, Fletcher’s father, made his first public statement since the tragic incident, requesting that his son be remembered for who he was rather than how he died.
Jim O’Neill has been appointed as the interim director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Currently serving as a senior advisor to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., O’Neill will step into the role following the resignation of Susan Monarez, who was forced out after less than a month in office. Monarez’s legal representatives claim her dismissal was due to her refusal to approve unscientific and risky directives, as well as her decision to protect dedicated health experts.
China is set to host an impressive military parade next Wednesday, marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. Among the expected guests are Russian President Vladimir Putin, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, and several world leaders, including those from Iran, Cuba, Vietnam, and Myanmar. President Trump will not attend the event.
Reflecting on her experience covering Hurricane Katrina, Michel Martin shares a unique perspective of the events that unfolded in Houston’s Astrodome as evacuees arrived. Despite the horrific circumstances, Martin notes the efforts made to provide essential services and support to those affected, including medical care, IT assistance for family reunification, real estate and hospitality services, and accommodations with local residents.
By August 31st, 2005, 80% of New Orleans had been inundated by the hurricane and subsequent levee failures, resulting in the devastation of entire neighborhoods and the loss of homes, schools, businesses, and relationships built over generations. The trauma was evident on the faces of those met at the Astrodome. Although Martin didn’t visit New Orleans during that time, she has since returned to explore the transformations made to the city’s education system post-Katrina, as well as the stories of individuals who left and those who returned. The ongoing rebuilding process has posed unique challenges for some residents, and the series delves into these issues, along with updates on the school system.
In entertainment news, “The Roses,” starring Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch, follows a once loving couple whose careers take unexpected turns, leading to discord and divorce. The animated comedy series Long Story Short presents the lives of three siblings in a Jewish family across various stages of their life. R.F. Kuang’s novel Katabasis tells the story of two graduate students who descend into hell to retrieve their professor and secure their academic futures. Alabama Shakes have reunited with a new song, “Another Life,” marking their first collaboration in a decade. NPR freelance reporter Jewly Hight believes the band has freed themselves from the pressure to focus solely on their past or future successes. The latest edition of the Metal Gear video game series, Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, returns with innovative game design that explores themes related to technology and human relationships.
This newsletter was edited by Suzanne Nuyen.