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Times-Picayune
Environmental reporter for the Times-Picayune, which won two Pultizer Prizes for its coverage of the Katrina disaster, and co-author of Path of Destruction: the Devastation of New Orleans and the Coming Age of Superstorms
PROFILE
Mark Schleifstein
Guest
FROM Mark Schleifstein
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Why Houston wasn't prepared for Harvey, and what could happen in LA After going offshore, Tropical Storm Harvey is now poised to return to Houston. Residents near two dams have been told to evacuate, as officials release water from them. We speak with a local journalist who reported a year ago why Houston wasn’t prepared for a storm like this one. And Los Angeles has some of the same conditions, and could see catastrophic flooding in the event of a major storm. We find out how city officials are preparing.
To the Point
Hurricane Isaac Stalls over Louisiana Hurricane Isaac is by no means forgotten. Mark Schleifstein is environmental reporter for the New Orleans Times-Picayune , which won two Pulitzer Prizes for coverage of Katrina seven years ago.
To the Point
Louisiana Prepares for the Worst The Mississippi River has swamped houses and devastated farmlands from Illinois to Tennessee, Arkansas and Mississippi, and it's headed for what residents call "the last place on Earth that needs high water." As her state braces for massive flooding, US Senator Mary Landrieu laments , "After hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav and Ike — not to mention the oil spill — Louisiana can ill-afford another disaster." Mark Schleifstein of the New Orleans Times-Picayune reports on expectations in Louisiana.
To the Point
Obama's Gulf Restoration Plan Is Released The Obama Administration has responded to this summer's Gulf oil spill with an unprecedented plan to convert fines into restoration of the environment and the economy. A new task force will be run by the current head of the EPA. Mark Schleifstein reports for the New Orleans Times-Picayune.
Which Way, L.A.?
The Gulf Oil Spill and the Long-Term Recovery The cap on BP's broken oil well in the Gulf of Mexico has been holding, but that's only temporary. After more than three months, preparations are finally underway for finally sealing it once and for all.
To the Point
The Gulf Oil Spill and the Long-Term Recovery The cap on BP's broken oil well in the Gulf of Mexico has been holding, but that's only temporary. After more than three months, preparations are finally underway for finally sealing it once and for all. The worst oil spill in US history might be doing less damage than first estimated, or it could be a whole lot worse. BP has begun what new CEO Bob Dudley calls a "scale-back," removing skimmers and reducing hazmat crews. But critics say it might be too soon. They're worried about underwater oil pools that could still wash ashore, even after the gusher is finally sealed. The worst damage has resulted from using the Gulf as an industrial dumping ground. Meantime, what about the psychological toll of constant crisis? We hear more about the spill, including the way it's created a "corrosive community."
To the Point
BP Cap Holds, but Ocean Floor Seeps Last night, Coast Guard Admiral Thad Allen said he agreed to allow the cap that is finally blocking oil from the Deepwater Horizon wellhead to stay in place . But BP is still on notice to report any so-called "anomalies." Mark Schleifstein reports for the New Orleans Times-Picayune .
To the Point
The Oil Spill, the President and Public Perception President Obama walked the beaches of Louisiana's coastline today, picking up occasional tar balls as spectators held up signs saying "Help us Obama." The visit followed yesterday's promise to make sure "everybody in the Gulf understands" that the oil spill is his number one priority. As BP struggles to plug the Deepwater well, can he fight off the accusation that the growing disaster is "Obama's Katrina?" Was BP deceptive about the magnitude of the spill? Did Obama inherit a culture of lax regulation? What more can he do to illustrate that he's firmly in charge? We hear from supporters and critics in the US and Britain and update progress on "Top Kill."
Which Way, L.A.?
BP Attempts to Plug Well: Endless Oil and Endless Blame BP has begun implementing " Top Kill ," to stop the Gulf oil gusher with mud under high pressure. Meantime, there's new evidence of warning signs before the explosion and more testimony that federal rules for deep sea drilling amounted to self-regulation. Pressure is building on the Obama Administration to take more decisive action, but there are doubts that it has the expertise or the technology.
To the Point
BP Attempts to Plug Well: Endless Oil, Endless Blame BP is preparing for " Top Kill ," using mud to plug the broken oil well, if it concludes that high pressure won't cause new leaks in a weakened system. The company puts the chance of success between 60 and 70%. Meantime, there's new evidence of warning signs before the explosion and more testimony that federal rules for deep sea drilling amounted to self-regulation. Pressure is building on the Obama Administration to take more decisive action, but there are doubts that it has the expertise or the technology. We get a progress report on "Top Kill," update investigative hearings and hear what's happening to the habitats of fish, birds and people.
To the Point
The Gulf Oil Spill: From Bad to Worse BP now claims it’ll stop its undersea oil gusher by sometime next week, but the federal government is demanding more information about the extent of the spill. The oil slick is finally reaching populated areas on shore, and plumes of oil are circulating deep in the ocean. What are the risks to marine life and human health? Why is BP in charge of the clean-up operation? Should the Obama Administration take over? We’ll update the latest damage and try to find out what’s ahead as the disaster continues to grow.
Which Way, L.A.?
The Race Against the Great Oil Spill BP, the Coast Guard and thousands of local fisermen are trying to control the oil slick moving toward the shores of 4 Gulf-coast states. Meantime, a 4-story, 100-ton containment dome has arrived on the ocean’s surface, 5000 feet above the well that’s gushing 210,000 gallons of oil every day. The numbers alone reveal the magnitude of an impending disaster.
To the Point
Environmental Disaster in the Gulf of Mexico BP, the Coast Guard and thousands of local fisermen are trying to control the oil slick moving toward the shores of 4 Gulf-coast states. Meantime, a 4-story, 100-ton containment dome has arrived on the ocean’s surface, 5000 feet above the well that’s gushing 210,000 gallons of oil every day. The numbers alone reveal the magnitude of an impending disaster.
Which Way, L.A.?
The Gulf Oil Spill: The Environment, the Economy and the Politics For almost two weeks, the Gulf Coast has been in a state of high anxiety, as the oil slick gets closer and closer to shore and grows larger and larger. We speak with industry experts and environmentalists.
To the Point
The Gulf Oil Spill: The Environment, the Economy and the Politics From the Gulf Coast to the White House to the offices of the British oil giant BP, the word is " unprecedented ." Nobody's ever seen anything like this before. As an already massive slick moves toward the shoreline, it continues to grow -- and it may take weeks to shut off the gushers 5000 feet below. Just a month ago, President Obama lifted the moratorium on new off-shore drilling, saying a competitive economy still needs energy from fossil fuels. What's the worst-case scenario for wildlife, commercial fishing and recreation? Will the impending disaster be bad enough to change the equation?
Recommended
To the Point
Janesville and the American Dream Janesville, Wisconsin is the hometown of Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan. But he couldn’t prevent the closing of the General Motors factory after 100 years. On this Memorial Day rebroadcast of To the Point, we hear what’s happened to what once was a model of American middle-class unity.
To the Point
Who's to blame for the opioid crisis? Some of the lawyers who took on Big Tobacco are now going after Big Pharma. It’s all about the deadly epidemic of opioid use. Are the drug companies to blame? What about the users? Later, on today’s Talking Point: making sense of Britain’s upset election.