Topic: Hurricane Andrew

Decoder Wire Chris Christie's star is shining bright. How long can it last?

Polls show Gov. Chris Christie – who is seeking reelection – with sky-high approval ratings, thanks to his handling of hurricane Sandy. Whether that lasts long enough for a presidential bid remains to be seen.

After Sandy, residents 'feeling anxious' about fuel supplies (+video)

Sandy's toll was still being tallied Thursday, as clean-up efforts continued in New York City and surrounding areas. Concerns about safety, fuel shortages, and property damage are on people's minds. 

Economic toll of Sandy: Damage second only to Katrina?

Superstorm Sandy cut a path of destruction that could near $50 billion. Economic activity in New York City dipped 20 percent in storm's wake, but economists do not expect that Sandy will have a major impact on the nation's economic growth.

Hurricane Sandy power outages: signs of progress in some states

Utilities are dealing with power outages after hurricane Sandy more quickly than they did after hurricane Irene last year. Comparisons are complicated, but some experts cite progress.

Hurricane Sandy: How long will the recovery take? (+video)

New York and New Jersey were particularly hard hit by Hurricane Sandy. Power losses and interruptions in subway service could last for days. Some wonder if certain polling places will be ready to open in time for next week's election.  

Decoder Wire Video of 2007 Obama speech: Will it affect 2012 election? (+video)

Conservatives charge that Obama used racially divisive language while addressing black clergy in 2007, and point to newly released video clips as proof. Democrats denounce the video as a ploy to counter Mitt Romney's '47 percent' remarks.

As Isaac nears hurricane strength, New Orleans braces for flooding (+video)

Isaac is forecast to become a category 1 hurricane today, bringing 14 inches of rain and storm surges of up to 12 feet. Hurricane Isaac will be the first test of post-Katrina levee improvements in New Orleans.

Isaac bears down on Florida, but Keys residents remain sunny

On Sunday, Tropical Storm Isaac skirted the Florida Keys, but barely ruffled residents. The storm is expected to gain strength, and could become a Category 2 hurricane Tuesday or Wednesday.

Republicans braced for hurricane Isaac: Will it hit Tampa? (+video)

Tropical Storm Isaac could become a hurricane by Thursday. Republican National Convention planners have prepped for a hurricane to hit next week in Tampa.

Giant pregnant python largest ever found in Florida (+video)

A Burmese python over 17 feet long, the largest ever found in the state, was found in the Florida Everglades. The snake was pregnant with 87 eggs. 

Opinion: FCC chairman: Time to let public TV raise money for charities

We at the FCC have proposed relaxing the ban that keeps public noncommercial TV stations from doing third-party fundraising for charities. The change won't hinder the educational mission of these stations, but help them fulfill it by raising awareness and meeting community needs.

How can Army keep soldiers fighting fit after Afghanistan? Avatars

Military officials are using video games to evaluate troops, but making soldiers' avatars – their virtual selves – more closely mimic the soldiers' actual skills is the next frontier. 

Everglades snakes problematic, so non-native species banned

Everglades snakes have been around for a long time. But recently, giant snakes not native to the Everglades have been invading the Florida landmark. Now, these giant snake species have been banned.

Looking back: The Monitor's coverage of 9/11

Ten years ago, The Monitor had recently moved into a renovated newsroom on the second floor of the venerable Christian Science Publishing Society in Boston. It featured new, modular desks, carpeting instead of linoleum, and many large TV monitors hung from the ceiling. They were tuned to various network and cable channels, but with the sound turned off, normally. So the first indication of a crisis on 9/11 was a chilling silent image of smoke billowing from the North Tower of the World Trade Center, an image that spread from screen to screen across the newsroom. When the second plane hit, 17 minutes after the first, it was clear that the United States was under attack. We had four hours till deadline that day. Four hours in which to try to make sense of what had just happened. Reporters, editors, photographers, editorial writers, columnists, feature writers, even editors and writers of the religious article that appears in the Monitor daily, sprang into action. It was the beginning of days, weeks, and months of reporting and analysis of that incident and its aftermath that would follow. The list below represents some of the most significant reporting and writing we did that day and on subsequent days. The 9/11 stories and images are The Monitor's first draft of the history of that moment. Like most first drafts, some could do with some revising now. But give credit to the swiftness with which they had to be written -- especially those produced that first day and week -- and the decades (if not centuries) of accumulated wisdom, knowledge, and expertise they represent on the part of a staff that worked around the clock to bring them to you.

Hurricane Irene: Why hurricane hyperbole never goes out of style

Where should the media draw the line between reasonable warnings and fear-mongering? A few mistakes and a partially missed prognosis aren't necessarily proof that the media blew the story.

When all seems lost

A Christian Science perspective: When all seems lost, God is right at hand.

Japan earthquake: Why the Asian nation will rebound from temblor and tsunami

The Japan earthquake and tsunami will take years to recover from. But few peoples are as resilient and socially cohesive as the Japanese.

Will hurricane Earl rate in Top 10 most expensive hurricanes?

Hurricane Earl is threatening Cape Cod's expensive real estate. But it takes a lot more to be one of America's Top 10 costliest hurricanes. Which hurricanes made the list? Click the right arrow to see.

New Orleans at the ready to help Haiti rebuild

Five years after Katrina devastated their city, New Orleanians are putting their knowledge and experience to use in Haiti.

Holiday giving: How to choose a charity

New tools help givers, and those in need, find answers.

Holiday giving: How to choose a charity

New tools help givers, and those in need, find answers.

Hurricane Fred veers off. Why the US has been spared so far.

A surprise El Niño effect is disabling oncoming storms from the east and could make 2009 the first quiet hurricane season in years.

Rhode Island’s tropical visitors

A weather-beaten economy

Severe weather in the US interior has wrought economic disaster. But recovery may be quick.