Disasters

911 tapes tell unfolding horror of bridge collapse
Seconds after a major Minneapolis freeway bridge fell into the Mississippi River during rush hour on Aug. 1, frantic callers reached 911 and struggled to describe what they had just seen.
E. coli found in Rushford water pipes
Fillmore County officials announced Friday that E. coli bacteria had been found in the city water in Rushford, another sign of the difficult recovery ahead.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation says the five companies hoping to land the I-35W bridge rebuilding project have less than three weeks to prepare a bid on the project. But the state is offering up $27 million if the bridge is finished early.
Public safety chief assesses the state's emergency response
Minnesota's twin disasters, the bridge collapse and southeastern flooding, have tested the state's emergency response. Public Safety Commissioner Michael Campion has said he expects the federal response may be strained by disasters beyond the state's borders.
Mayor Les Ladewig had no doubt when the governor and the man who runs FEMA asked if they would be welcome at a shelter that still houses some 30 people. "These people are dying to hear from somebody, because every one of them in there thinks they're a forgotten bunch," he said.
If you've had to take a detour because of the I-35W bridge collapse, chances are you've been burning extra gas -- and time. The state estimates the cost of those delays and detours adds up to about $400,000 a day.
SE Minnesota declared a disaster area
The declaration releases the Federal Emergency Management Agency to begin registering and helping residents and businesses for disaster relief. The agency will also help with public infrastructure projects like roads and sewers.
Earthquake science
A number of earthquakes have rocked countries around the world lately. Scientists say there's still much to learn about why and when earthquakes happen.