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With the nomination of Judge John Roberts as U.S. chief justice likely to be confirmed, the stage is set for what could be a contentious battle over the nominee who takes Justice Sandra Day O'Connor's place. That nominee has a chance to change the direction of the court.

Following a Monday briefing on Hurricane Rita's effect on the oil and natural gas infrastructure along the Gulf Coast, President Bush says he is willing to use the nation's strategic petroleum reserves to make up for any shortages caused by hurricane damage.

Louisiana is not the only state where levees are overdue for repairs. Kansas City, St. Louis and other major cities are now worried that New Orleans will siphon the Army Corps of Engineers' resources.

Some of the levees in New Orleans patched up after Hurricane Katrina flooded the city were unable to hold back surging waters from Hurricane Rita. Parts of the city that had been mostly drained of standing water are flooded again.

A 1900 hurricane that left at least 6,000 people dead has had a long-lasting impact on Galveston, Texas. Paul Burka, a Galveston native who is senior executive editor of Texas Monthly, tells Scott Simon about the storm.

Hurricane Rita is losing power as it makes its way through eastern Texas. The Texas towns of Galveston, Lumberton and Port Arthur and Lake Charles, La., absorbed the brunt of the storm so far. Rita reached land early Saturday as a Category 3 hurricane.

Public schools in New Orleans were devastated, as were the region's Catholic schools. And the Baton Rouge Catholic school system is struggling to accommodate evacuee families in this heavily Catholic region.

The Calhoun School in Manhattan hosts a dinner to aid Hurricane Katrina victims. The school's executive chef, Chef Bobo, talks about the menu — especially the red beans and rice.

Before Hurricane Katrina hit land, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, FEMA Director Michael Brown and other top agency officials received e-mails warning that Katrina posed a dire threat to New Orleans and other areas. Yet one FEMA official tells NPR little was done.

Reconstructing the damaged infrastructure of the Gulf Coast is a focal point for the Bush administration. Mark Schleifstein, staff writer for the New Orleans Times-Picayune, says many who lost their homes or saw severe damage are still unclear on how much of the city can be saved.