Katrina: all the news that's fit to print

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) has filed suit against the State Department for failure to respond to a FOIA request for records pertaining to foreign offers of assistance. ~ Michelle Lynn Goodwin, Kelly Suzanne Oliver and George Marrero. The names of the 3 jackasses from Texas involved in an insurance fraud suit. Filed claims with FEMA, pretending to be Katrina victims ~ “The transition of Katrina evacuees to long-term stability remains a FEMA responsibility, but we recognize that we must do all that we can, to help the victims of the disaster,” - Texas Governor Rick Perry, while announcing the FEMA's extension for evacuees living in hotels, and the approval of Texas' plan to assist FEMA in finding more permanent housing. ~ Katrina evacuees: Dont' forget to pick up your free 1-way ticket to... wherever. "We are offering evacuees transportation to join family or friends or perhaps go to a new job opportunity," Federal Coordinating Michael Bolch said. "Our goal is to get people out of temporary, commercial housing and into a normal lifestyle." ~ SI.com: Superdome could be ready in '06 ~ Mayor of Houston: "No Vacancy" ~ CNN: Marsha Evans president of the American Red Cross is resigning effective Dec. 31st. ~ CNN: Katrina victims: 'Living in barns'

"We got people living in tents and automobiles. We got people living in barns. We got people living in their houses -- in tents," he said on "American Morning."

"This is the beginning of winter. This is unacceptable."

Tuesday morning, it was 41 degrees in New Orleans.

BBC: Katrina emails show PR worries "You send that many black folks out of state, we will have a perception problem" ~ 2 pieces from NPR (audio available): Deadline for Katrina Victims' Hotel Aid Extended FEMA Aid Runs Out in March for Apartment Dwellers