American Morning
Rebuilding New Orleans' public schools
In our special series "After the Storm," we're taking a look at how New Orleans is bouncing back – four years after Hurricane Katrina nearly drowned the city.
The devastation has been well-documented, but the city's school system was crumbling even before the storm hit. And as CNN's Sean Callebs tells us, Katrina was a new beginning.
Presidential prophecy: 'And the last shall be first'
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/08/27/kennedy.old.pic.art.jpg]
On the weekend of his presidential inauguration in 1961, John Kennedy gave Ted, the last born of the Kennedy siblings, an engraved cigarette box.
It read, "And the last shall be first." That was almost 50 years ago. Neither of them knew then in just what ways that prophecy might turn out to be true.
Time.com reports full story
Kennedy remembered as peace broker
(CNN) - Worldwide tributes for U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy, who has died after a long battle with brain cancer, poured in Wednesday, led by politicians hailing his role in securing a lasting peace in Northern Ireland.
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/08/26/kennedy.blair.gi.art.jpg caption="Senator Kennedy, left, pictured with former Prime Minister Tony Blair in 1998."]
Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, whose administration presided over the 1998 Good Friday Agreement which led to an end to decades of sectarian violence in the province and established a united ruling Assembly, praised Kennedy's commitment to the process.
"I saw his focus and determination first hand in Northern Ireland where his passionate commitment was matched with a practical understanding of what needed to be done to bring about peace and to sustain it," Blair said.
Kennedy, of Irish Catholic ancestry, was initially an outspoken opponent of British military deployment to the province during the violence of the 1970s and 80s in which more than 3,600 people were killed, but later moderated his views to support negotiations that brought all sides to the table.
The senator is credited with getting an American visa for Gerry Adams - leader of the pro-Irish nationalism Sinn Fein party accused of links to Irish Republican Army militants - allowing him to attend a pivotal U.S. conference on Northern Ireland's future.
Longtime Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy dead
(CNN) - Massachusetts Sen. Edward Kennedy, the patriarch of the first family of Democratic politics, died late Tuesday at his home in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, after a lengthy battle with brain cancer. He was 77.
"We've lost the irreplaceable center of our family and joyous light in our lives, but the inspiration of his faith, optimism and perseverance will live on in our hearts forever," a family statement said. "We thank everyone who gave him care and support over this last year, and everyone who stood with him for so many years in his tireless march for progress toward justice."
President Obama learned about Kennedy's death at 2 a.m. Wednesday, according to a senior administration official. Obama later called Kennedy's widow to offer condolences.
In a statement, Obama says: "An important chapter in our history has come to an end. Our country has lost a great leader, who picked up the torch of his fallen brothers and became the greatest United States Senator of our time."
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