Topic: Hurricane Irene

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Thirty ideas from people under 30: The Social Media Stars

They are explorers and activists, artists and educators, farmers and faith leaders – even mayors. And they have trenchant suggestions on how to improve the world.
In Pictures: US natural disasters of 2011
Hurricane prep: Are you smarter than a storm tracker? Take our quiz
In Pictures: Storm surfing
Hurricane preparedness: 5 things you can do to keep safe

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After the snowstorm: Power outages mean no heat, no trick-or-treating

In many areas with power outages, the temperature in homes is barely 50 degrees, and trick-or-treating has been canceled because of concerns about downed wires.
Halloween Nor'easter: How unusual was it?

Folks in the Northeast remember the Blizzard of '78 and the April Fool's Day Blizzard, which hit in '97. They'll be talking about the limb-snapping, electricity-killing Halloween Nor'easter for a long time, too.
Halloween faces postponement due to scary weather

Halloween trick-or-treating is in trouble in some parts of New Jersey, New England, and even Miami in the wake of major storms.
Pumpkin shortage for East Coast's Halloween. Nah! Really?

Pumpkin shortage in Northeast? Bad weather and hurricane Irene hurt this year's crop, but predictions of a pumpkin shortage are common.
Grace Potter, of Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, promotes fair trade

Grace Potter and musician Michael Franti will be performing live from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday on Green Mountain Coffee's Facebook page.
MLK Memorial: From China, with love?

MLK Memorial plans have been dogged by controversy over links to China. The MLK Memorial was built by a Chinese sculptor from Chinese granite. But backers are pleased with the result.
The legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., and the God that frees

A Christian Science perspective: The new memorial to Martin Luther King Jr. to this viewer honors the eloquence, strength, and inspiration of a leader and spiritual thinker.
Bernanke's plot to overthrow the US dollar

With the US so deeply in debt and the economy stagnated, even heavy taxes on the rich won't recoup government costs
Unemployment benefits applications fall but joblessness remains high

Unemployment benefits: Fewer people applied for unemployment benefits last week, though some of that was due to technical factors. And the economy grew slightly more in the April-June quarter than previously estimated.
Opinion: When some yell 'scarcity,' time to act abundantly

The recent Republican plan to offset hurricane relief through budget cuts reflects an outmoded 'scarcity doctrine' that invites limitation in society. Applying a loaves-and-fishes 'abundance model' does the opposite. A small liberal arts college in North Carolina shows why.
Is America still the home of the brave?

Collectively, America seems to have become a people addicted to fear, whether it's about the economy, the weather, or children on the way to school. Once again, the nation needs to remember that 'the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.'
Government shutdown avoided after disaster relief vote

The Senate voted to fund the government through Nov. 18, after the latest stand-off between House Republicans and Democrats over disaster relief.
How FEMA funding fight led to monster mosquito swarms in N.C.

How to fund FEMA has emerged as the biggest point of contention as Congress seeks to pass a spending bill to avoid a government shutdown this week. In the meantime, those requesting federal emergency relief are wondering if it will ever come.
Fall foliage: Vermont hopes leaf-peepers won't shy away

Fall foliage is a big draw in Vermont, but businesses that rely on tourism are battling the image that the state might not be the best place to take a vacation right now.
Disaster aid bill prompts House-Senate showdown

Disaster aid bill: The measure would also prevent a federal shutdown next weekend by financing government agencies from the Oct. 1 start of the new federal fiscal year through Nov. 18.
A season to celebrate

A Christian Science perspective: While changing seasons can bring renewal and freshness, to some areas they can bring storms and fires. Read how a spiritual view can make a difference.
Willow the cat story makes strong case for microchipping

Willow the cat has been grabbing headlines for her mysterious 5-year journey that took her from Colorado to New York City and eventually back home to Colorado thanks to the microchip her owners had implanted when she was a kitten.
The Monitor's View: A climate gadfly’s job

Americans are obsessed with the economy. Gadflies like Al Gore do a service by reminding them that the problem of climate change isn’t going away.
In Pictures: US natural disasters of 2011
Tornados, fires, floods: How much will Congress allot for disaster aid?

The House and Senate are far apart on how much to mete out for cleanup and recovery after an unusual streak of natural disasters this year. They don't usually budget for such events.
Irene blobs, created by hurricane, are sponges

Irene blobs started showing up after the hurricane/tropical storm hit the US East Coast late last month. One marine expert says the Irene blobs are a type of sponge.
What more can we do about natural disasters?

A Christian Science perspective.
Opinion: NRC must implement nuclear regulations now, not 10 years after Fukushima

Americans narrowly avoided nuclear disasters during hurricane Irene and the 5.8 earthquake that hit the East Coast. Six months after Fukushima, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission must implement new regulations, rather than debate reforms for the next decade, as it did post-9/11.
Opinion: Did global warming cause hurricane Irene?

Scientists can't say that global warming caused hurricane Irene or Katia or tropical storm Lee. But they can say that global warming produces the conditions that lead to hurricanes. Americans should be reducing greenhouse gas emissions and preparing for severe weather to come.
Could the massive West Coast blackout have been prevented?

Initial reports blame a utility worker doing maintenance near Yuma, Ariz., for triggering the massive blackout that affected residents across a large swath of southern California and Mexico.