AP - Business owners in the central business district were issued passes into the city Monday to retrieve vital records or equipment needed to run their companies, as New Orleans slowly and painfully stirred back to life two weeks after being slammed by Katrina.

AP - President Bush denied Monday there was any racial component to people being left behind after Hurricane Katrina, despite suggestions from some critics that the response would have been quicker if so many of the victims hadn't been poor and black.

AP - On the opening day of confirmation hearings, Senate Republicans advised Supreme Court nominee John Roberts against responding to probing questions from Democrats on divisive issues: "Don't take the bait," said Texas Sen. John Cornyn.