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Experts have long warned of the potential devastation that a slow-moving and powerful hurricane such as Katrina could wage on the historic city of New Orleans. Host Jacki Lyden and Debbie Elliott speak with Joe Suhayda, an oceanographer in Baton Rouge who has been using computer models to predict what damage a hurricane of this magnitude might inflict on New Orleans.

When the hit rap song "The Message" by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five came out in the early 1980s, many rappers regarded it as an inspiration and political message. Melle Mel was the original vocalist on the song. (This interview originally aired August 4, 1992.)

David Kamp and Steven Daly are the authors of The Rock Snob's Dictionary, a guide to the esoterica in rock music that every critic and fan knows — or pretends to know. Meredith Ochs, our own rock snob and music critic, finds the book entertaining, funny and irreverent.

An independent panel votes to keep open Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota. The base is home to half the nation's fleet of B-1 bombers -- and it's the second largest employer in the state. The panel's decision is a major victory for the state's political leaders, including freshman Sen. John Thune.

A Justice Department statement says recent National Security Agency activities -- such as tapping domestic calls without a warrant -- are vital to the defense of the nation.

Shiite leaders say no agreement has been reached on Iraq's draft constitution, citing failed negotiations with minority Sunnis. In a sign the debate may be at an end, Shiite officials say they plan to submit a revised draft to parliament, possibly by Saturday.

Farai Chideya talks with Marilyn Nelson, poet laureate of Connecticut and author an emotional narrative poem on the death of Emmett Till. Nelson explains why she wrote the poem for young adults, and how it challenges readers to speak out against modern-day injustices.

Thirty-five years ago, Clarence O. Smith helped remake the media landscape when he co-founded Essence magazine. Now he's hoping to broaden the sonic landscape with his new record label, YOU Entertainment. In part two of our discussion, Smith talks with Ed Gordon about his new venture.

Hurricane Katrina left radio, TV stations and newspaper operations in New Orleans under water. The Times-Picayune had no print edition for three days, but media outlets -- and evacuees -- are turning to the web.

The Red Cross in Houston says the Astrodome is full. Officials there had announced plans to take in 23,000 refugees from New Orleans. But by early this morning, after accepting some 11,000 refugees, they stopped letting people in. That's left busloads of angry, tired, and hungry people wondering where they'll end up.