American Morning
Gulf coast fisherman commits suicide
(CNN) – As the Gulf of Mexico oil spill enters its 65th day, the confirmed suicide of an Alabama fisherman served as a reminder Thursday of how the effects of the disaster can be felt from the
national level to the neighborhood level. Watch 
Gut Check: Will BP spill help diminish our reliance on oil?
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/06/24/deepwater.horizon.gi.art.jpg caption="An explosion destroyed the Deepwater Horizon drilling platform on April 20, 2010."]
By Bob Ruff and Carol Costello, CNN
(CNN) – Americans have experienced their share of large scale environmental disasters. A few stand out:
-The 19th Century had the Johnstown Flood.
-The 20th Century had the Dust Bowl.
Today, we have the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, which may prove to be even worse than its predecessors. While they are loathe to say it, some environmentalists wonder if this is the disaster that finally persuades Americans that the environment is important enough to change the way we live our lives.
Will this disaster, as big as it is, give birth to something as groundbreaking as Earth Day? Or the Clean Air Act?
One movement, "Hands Across the Sand,” is banking on it. Back in February, it drew 10,000 Floridians to join hands on clean beaches to protest offshore oil drilling—and that was BEFORE the Deepwater Horizon exploded.
This weekend, "Hands" says it is going international. 599 American cities will take part along with 20 nations.
David Rauschkolb is the founder of “Hands Across the Sand.” He told us it’s “a huge opportunity for us and it's time that we take control of our energy future.” Watch
Boat designed to save oiled animals stuck in red tape
(CNN) – A big idea drawn up on day two of the Gulf oil spill could save hundreds of the the disaster's most innocent victims – if its makers can get around all the red tape. Our Tom Foreman has the story for today's "Building Up America" report. Watch
BP names new point man to handle oil disaster
(CNN) – Bob Dudley may just have the toughest job in America right now. He's the managing director of BP and he's just been tapped to lead a new and permanent Gulf of Mexico oil disaster organization. Dudley was appointed president and chief executive officer of BP's Gulf Coast Restoration Organization, BP said in a statement.
Dudley said the new organization was designed to enable BP to push more of the company's resources toward the overall recovery effort and to make sure the claims process is transferred smoothly to Kenneth Feinberg, the independent director of BP's $20 billion compensation fund.
"Meantime, we'll continue to write the checks, pay the claims and make sure that we're there for a long time, many years, not only after the well is stopped, but the clean-up," Dudley told CNN's American Morning. "This is the first step." Watch
Judge blocks drilling ban, White House to appeal
(CNN) – A judge may have blocked the president's temporary ban on deepwater drilling in the Gulf, but the White House isn't backing down. The Obama administration insists a moratorium on drilling is needed and appropriate. Interior Secretary Salazar is promising to draw up a new, more detailed ban to satisfy the judge's concerns that the first one was arbitrary.
In the meantime, the White House plans to appeal the ruling, even though Louisiana leaders and residents are pleading with the president not to. That appeal will keep 33 idled rigs shut down. Our Chris Lawrence has the report. Watch
Read more: Obama team readies new drilling ban
Building Up America: Florida's tourism industry fights oil
(CNN) – Although the oil in the Gulf hasn't reached many of Florida's famous beaches, businesses still feel the threat of it is scaring tourists away. Now, the state is spending a lot of money to make sure that doesn't happen. Our Tom Foreman joined us from Panama City Beach, Florida on Tuesday's American Morning with this "Building Up America" report. Watch
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