(CNN) – In an effort to contain the massive oil spill, authorities are using controlled burns in the Gulf of Mexico. Our Ali Velshi is embedded with the U.S. Coast Guard and witnessed the efforts firsthand.

Read more of Ali's reporting

(CNN) – Plenty of local officials in the Gulf say the federal government has been slowing things down and getting in the way during the oil crisis. Billy Nungesser, the president of Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, says Coast Guard Admiral Thad Allen, Washington's pointman for this crisis, should be replaced. He says the Coast Guard shut down barges that were vacuuming oil out of the water while paperwork's being processed. He joined us on the phone on Thursday's American Morning.

(CNN) – BP CEO Tony Hayward knows a thing or two about putting his foot in his mouth. He insulted many Americans last month when he told reporters he wanted his life back. In his three years at the helm of BP Hayward has had more than a few messes to clean up. Our Allan Chernoff has the report.

(CNN) – Lieutenant General Russel Honore, who led the military response to Hurricane Katrina, says we need to treat the Gulf oil spill like "World War III." He joined us on Thursday's American Morning to explain what he thinks needs to be done.