About this blog

Andrew Locke and Bob Sullivan

From Sept. 22-27, the posts in this blog about Rita's evacuation and devastation were reported and photographed by Bob Sullivan and Andrew Locke. Sullivan, 37, is MSNBC.com's technology and consumer fraud reporter. Locke, 34, in charge of MSNBC.com's editorial strategy, was on his second hurricane blog tour.

David Friedman and Miguel Llanos

From Sept. 18-22, the posts in this blog, examining Katrina's impact on the environment, were reported and photographed by Miguel Llanos and David Friedman. Llanos, 45, is MSNBC.com's environmental reporter. Photojournalist Friedman, 35, is a multimedia producer at MSNBC.com.

Kari Huus and Jim Seida

From Sept. 10-16, the posts in this blog were reported and photographed by Kari Huus and Jim Seida. Huus, 43, has been a journalist for 20 years and a reporter with MSNBC.com since 1996. Seida, 39, has been a media editor with the Web site since 1996.

Mike Brunker and Andrew Locke mugshot

From Sept. 2-9, the posts in this blog were reported and photographed by Mike Brunker, left, and Andrew Locke. A journalist for 25 years, Brunker, 49, is MSNBC.com's West Coast news editor. Locke, 34, has been a journalist for 17 years and is currently in charge of MSNBC.com's editorial media strategy.

How you can help

• How to help the victims of Hurricane Rita

• How to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina

Reunion and relief

Posted: Friday, September 9 at 05:09 pm CT by msnbc.com

BATON ROUGE, La. -– Relief.

Not just ours and yours over the anticipated happy ending with Bill Harris and his beloved Miss Kitty, but a new team of reporters who will take over this running account of Katrina’s outcasts and their struggles to set their lives right.

Reporter Kari Huus and media producer Jim Seida, both MSNBC.com veterans, will arrive soon and we will board a red-eye flight for Seattle.

But fear not, we will continue to keep you updated on Harris’ heart-warming tale as it continues to unfold. It is looking as though his reunion with Miss Kitty may occur sooner than expected, so check back later Friday for the latest.

A few final thoughts before we pass the baton to Kari and Jim:

This has been an amazing experience, not just the awesome devastation we’ve seen first-hand, but because so many of the hurricane’s victims have responded to the disaster with determination rather than despair. It’s our hope that you, too, have come away with a fresh appreciation for the resilience of the human spirit.

We also have added to what already was a deep respect for the heroes of this tragedy: the Red Cross, Salvation Army, Southern Baptist Convention and Noah’s Wish volunteers, police officers and firefighters, National Guard troops and state militia members and members of the public who have stepped forward to help in this time when so many are in desperate need, often at great personal sacrifice. Their outpouring of love and concern is making a difference.

And, finally, our heartfelt thanks go out to the readers of Katrinablog who have taken the time to post responses to our reports over the last eight days. Your feedback, words of encouragement and occasional criticisms have made this a very special assignment for both Andrew and me. Never before have we felt so connected to our readers.

Keep the faith!

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