Today on CNN Newsroom
LeBron James Sweepstakes begins
Let the bidding begin. Representatives from several NBA teams will converge on Ohio over the next few days, as they try to win over LeBron James, the most sought-after free agent in basketball history. James has been with the Cleveland Cavaliers for all seven years of his career, but that could change in the next few days. The notable front-running teams are the Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks, Miami Heat and New Jersey Nets. The Knicks and Nets are expected to meet with James today and they are bringing out the big guns. Hip-hop star and part owner of the Nets Jay-Z will be part of the Nets’ recruiting team. Just where the two-time reigning NBA Most Valuable Player might land has already sparked feverish speculation.
The burning question on everyone’s mind: What is Lebron James going to do? Will he stay with the Cleveland Cavaliers? Or will he end up elsewhere? Let us know your thoughts. We’ll share some of them on air in the CNN Newsroom, 11am — 1pm ET.
FEMA Trailers from Hurricane Katrina Resurrected for Oil Disaster
After Hurricane Katrina, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provided 120,000 trailers to victims and relief workers.
Residents soon began complaining of sore throats, burning eyes and noses and trouble breathing.
The cause? High levels of formaldehyde.
Formaldehyde is an industrial chemical that is linked to nasal cancer, respiratory problems and even leukemia. Scientists believe that the fumes resulted from cheap wood and poor ventilation. Whatever the cause, the government banned the trailers from being used for long term housing. The fumes and health risks were too high.
But the trailers, which cost FEMA $130 million a year to maintain and store, recently found a new market. According to the New York Times, they are being bought by hundreds of contracting companies, dozens of which are in Louisiana, and by individuals in public auctions. Some buyers said they were unaware of the health risks.
UPDATE:
Yesterday, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, sent a letter to Attorney General Eric H. Holder, General Services Administration (GSA) Administrator Martha N. Johnson and FEMA Administrator W. Craig Fugate concerning media reports that the banned FEMA trailers from Hurricane Katrina are being used again.
Reps. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Charlie Melancon (D-La.) also wrote the GSA asking for answers on the banned trailers. Read their letter here.
If you're living in one of these trailers, we want to hear from you.
For everyone else, we want to know what you think about this story.
Post your comments here. Kyra will read some of them on the air during the 10am ET hour of the CNN Newsroom.
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