Tagged: ray nagin

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ED GORDON, host:

When New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin said that the Big Easy should be a chocolate city because God wanted it that way. Many people reacted with shock and dismay. Commentator John McCann wasn't bothered so much by the idea of a chocolate crescent city. He was more disturbed by Nagin's attempt to read God's mind.

JOHN McCANN reporting:

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LIANE HANSEN, host:

From NPR News this is WEEKEND EDITION, I'm Liane Hansen. And these were some of the voices in the news this past week.

(Soundbite of song 'Midnight Hour')

Mr. WILSON PICKETT (Performer): I was in Detroit. And I was living on Chicago Boulevard and Dexter and I had a little bit apartment where a little bed pulled out. And it had a little kitchenette -- they called it. And I wrote, 'Wait 'Til The Midnight Hour'. And it's a big song, I mean it's incredible how big that song is today.

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ALEX CHADWICK, host:

In New Orleans at an event earlier this week honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, the city's mayor, Ray Nagin said this, welcoming residents back to a chocolate city.

Mr. RAY NAGIN (Mayor, New Orleans): This city will be chocolate at the end of the day. This city will be a majority African-American city. It's the way God wants it to be.

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MELISSA BLOCK, host:

You're listening to ALL THINGS CONSIDERED from NPR News.

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MICHELE NORRIS, host:

From NPR News, this is ALL THINGS CONSIDERED. I'm Michele Norris.

MELISSA BLOCK, host:

And I'm Melissa Block.

Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco and New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin were in Washington today defending their actions immediately before and after Hurricane Katrina. They faced strong criticism from Republicans on the House committee that's investigating the government's response to the storm. NPR's Pam Fessler reports.

PAM FESSLER reporting: