Topic: New Orleans

Triangle Shirtwaist fire: Why it inspires plays and poetry readings 100 years later

A defining moment of labor history, the deadly fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in New York remains a powerful touchstone even after 100 years.

Detroit fights back against plummeting population

Detroit has lost one-fourth of its population since 2000. Mayor Dave Bing will fight the US Census Bureau's numbers, which are important in determining federal and state aid. Meanwhile, the city is working to attract new residents by concentrating services in recovering neighborhoods.

Five ways for Japan to recover

Just as perseverance helped the Japanese cope with the nuclear crisis, earthquake, and tsunami, other qualities can help them in the recovery phase.

On a mission to restore the Louisiana bayou

Retired dairy farmers, they were no strangers to muck as they helped revive the marsh of Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina and the Gulf oil spill.

Natural events v. natural disasters

Nature is in constant motion. That has made a pleasantly habitable planet -- except when nature collides with the inhabitants.

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.

Feds slam New Orleans police over excessive force, racial profiling

New Orleans police officers used excessive force, failed to investigate crimes against women and gays, and engaged in racial profiling, the US Justice Department says in a scathing report.

Haiti's housing bubble, more pressing to some than election or Aristide

Rental prices in Port-au-Prince are estimated at 5 to 10 times higher than before the Haiti earthquake, pricing out local civic organizations in favor of wealthier international NGOs.

Japan nuclear crisis: Seven reasons why we should abandon nuclear power

The disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station underscores – yet again – the need to abandon nuclear power as a panacea for energy independence. Experts may never determine what caused all of the emergency cooling safety systems at Daiichi to fail completely. But they have learned that they are nearly powerless to bring the smoldering units under control. In the meantime, significant amounts of radioactive gas have vented, and partial meltdowns of at least two reactors have occurred. Indeed, nuclear power will never live up to industry promises. As a whole it is ultimately unsafe, an accident waiting to happen, and far more expensive than proponents admit.

Colby College professor Paul Josephson gives seven reasons why we should abandon nuclear power and instead turn to solar, wind, and other forms of energy production that won’t experience such catastrophic accidents.

Teach for America at work in St. Louis

St. Louis schools working with Teach for America see a bump in test scores.

Alice Cooper, Neil Diamond head latest class into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Alice Cooper and several other notable musicians were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Monday night. After accepting his latest honor, Alice Cooper performed for the New York audience.

Hot: Living Through the Next Fifty Years on Earth

A parent looks ahead to understand what life on a warmer planet Earth will be like for his daughter.

Aftershocks: Damage only beginning for Japanese business

Aftershocks for the economy include lost man-hours and sales. Japan will have to quickly rebuild infrastructure damaged by the quake and its aftershocks if its businesses are to rebound soon.

Mardi Gras 2011: Louisiana shrimp creole

Mardi Gras is the perfect occasion for shrimp creole, a traditional Louisiana dish.

Mardi Gras 2011: New Orleans-style buttermilk beignets

Mardi Gras 2011 wouldn't be complete without enjoying warm beignets.

Fat Tuesday 2011: Top cities that celebrate Mardi Gras

Fat Tuesday is the culmination of days, weeks, or even months of celebration. Here are the cities that top the list, from the notorious French Quarter parties to a festival that is recognized by UNESCO.

Fat Tuesday: biggest crowds since Katrina? Big Easy hopes so.

Fat Tuesday celebration expected to be largest since hurricane Katrina. New Orleans firms need big influx of Fat Tuesday tourists.

Do you know the Mardi Gras plant?

Common names for plants can be colorful and descriptive. Maybe you've heard of dooryard plant or hearts a bustin'.

Top Picks: A tribute to Bob Marley, a Tchaikovsky concert, Aaron Neville's new album, and more

A 'Playing for Change' mashup of Bob Marley's 'Redemption Song,' a live broadcast of the Los Angeles Philharmonic's Tchaikovsky concert, Aaron Neville's latest gospel album, and more recommendations.

Baby dolphin die-off in Gulf: Cold water, not oil spill, the culprit?

Runoff from unusual snowfall in Alabama caused water temperatures in Mobile Bay to drop suddenly, possibly leading to stillbirths of baby dolphins, researchers say. Poisoning as a result last year's oil spill is another possible culprit.

Pressed flower pictures, works of art at the Philadelphia Flower Show

Of all the outstanding exhibits at the Philadelphia Flower Show, take a careful look at the pressed flower pictures. These aren't the sort of thing your grandmother made. They're true works of art.

Downtown need a makeover? More cities are razing urban highways

Removal of aging highways is a strategy some cities are using to try to boost their downtown districts.