Defense

Officials fear contracting abuses in wake of Hurricane Katrina

Some say flood of funding, lax oversight and quick contracting creates 'perfect storm' for waste.

Defense

Homeland Security, HUD offer housing payments to evacuees

Louisiana governor objects to new program, saying it will not help displaced citizens return to her state.

Defense

Weather Service officials gave dire, accurate warnings before Katrina hit

Lawmakers heaped praise on the National Weather Service during the hearing, saying the agency performed exceptionally well.

Defense

Officials consider quicker federalization, use of military in disaster response

In the future, the government might need to move resources and military forces to disasters without request or consultation with state and local officials.

Defense

Lessons from Katrina begin to emerge

Failures of initial effort may serve as a catalyst for overhaul of emergency response apparatus.

Defense

Border Patrol conducts largest tactical operation in its history

In the fourth of a series of reports from New Orleans, Chris Strohm describes how Blackhawk helicopters filled with agents secured the city's perimeter in quick order.

Chief Information Officers

Dave Combs

Chief Information Officers

William T. Hobbins

Chief Acquisition Officers

Michael Dominguez

Chief Acquisition Officers

John J. Young Jr.

Defense

Federal responders witness unprecedented carnage in Katrina's aftermath

In the third of a series of reports from New Orleans, Chris Strohm describes how agencies sent counselors and trauma units to the Gulf Coast region to help personnel cope.

Defense

In hurricane's aftermath, agencies made up missions as they went along

In the second of a series of reports from New Orleans, Chris Strohm details how agencies grabbed the reins in the absence of direction from FEMA.

News

New Orleans becomes federal city as recovery efforts grind on

In the first in a series of reports from New Orleans, Chris Strohm details how an alphabet soup of agencies are conducting round-the-clock operations.

Defense

Homeland Security had power to bypass states in hurricane response

Although the National Response Plan gives DHS the ability to sidestep standard bureaucratic procedures in catastrophic situations, it isn’t clear if the department used that power.

Defense

Agencies grapple with managing displaced citizens

After evacuations, government faces huge challenge of providing long-term housing, education and jobs for Hurricane Katrina survivors.

Defense

National Guard, Corps of Engineers move into New Orleans

Soldiers bolster security and distribute supplies as engineers work to drain city.

Defense

White House seeks billions in emergency funding for hurricane response

Criticism mounts that federal government has been too slow to respond to one of the worst natural disasters in U.S. history, but FEMA director says nation needs to “take a big, collective deep breath.”

Defense

Agencies organize massive hurricane response mobilization

With thousands stranded and billions of dollars estimated in damages, multiple federal organizations swing into action.

Defense

Federal data-mining efforts fail to fully safeguard privacy, GAO says

Government auditors find that federal agencies aren’t meeting all required laws and guidance to collect and protect personal information.

Defense

Groups, lawmakers seek public version of CIA accountability report

Long-awaited results of IG investigation sent to Congress this week said to highlight failures by senior managers.