Nation briefs 10/1/06

La. voters pass measure to combine levee boards

NEW ORLEANS -- Louisiana voters now have a say in what happens with New Orleans' levee boards. With about 64 percent of precincts reporting, voters by a 4-1 margin supported a measure to consolidate the New Orleans-area's levee boards, the government agencies whose politically appointed members took criticism after Hurricane Katrina for failing to maintain the area's levees and floodwalls. The constitutional amendment combined 10 southeast Louisiana boards into two -- one for each bank of the Mississippi River -- and requires that their members have expertise in engineering, geology and hydrology.

Famous New Orleans restaurant reopens

NEW ORLEANS -- The award-winning Commander's Palace, a mainstay of haute Creole cuisine and elegant dining, has been closed since it was damaged by Katrina. but reopened today after 13 months and a $6 million renovation for a jazz brunch. Commander's reputation -- it has won three James Beard awards, the equivalent of the Oscar for restaurants -- remains strong.

Hurricane Isaac forms in central Atlantic

MIAMI -- A hurricane?! Headed toward Canada?! Yep. Isaac strengthened into the fifth hurricane of the Atlantic season Saturday, and could reach eastern Canada by early next week, forecasters said. At 10 a.m. CST, Isaac had top sustained winds near 75 mph, just above the 74 mph threshold to become a hurricane, the National Hurricane Center in Miami said. The Canadian Maritimes and Newfoundland could feel the outer edges of the storm by Monday or Tuesday, forecasters said.

-- From wire reports