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The latest on Rita and Katrina

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Capt. Marlon DeFillo says the police department has "zero tolerance" for misconduct.

Check here for the latest information on Hurricane Rita and from the Katrina-stricken Gulf Coast region. Items are time-stamped when entered.

New Orleans returnees face health risks

Doctors prepared for a surge in the number of patients in New Orleans on Friday as many residents returned to begin the long process of rebuilding their lives after Hurricane Katrina.

Contaminated water, mold and the dusty sediment left behind when the city was pumped dry are some of the key health threats facing residents, according to Dr. Frederick Cerise, the head of the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals.

"We've been testing around the city and it's not consistently clean and that's because there are still leaks in the system," Cerise said. "So as the water comes out of the pumping stations, it's clean, but as it goes through the pipes because of the leaks there, there is still seepage in. So it's unpredictable..."

Residents of eight New Orleans ZIP codes were allowed to return to their homes on Friday -- one month after Hurricane Katrina swept ashore and swamped the city. (Posted 1:11 p.m.)

Houston man charged with falsely seeking federal Katrina funds

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A Houston man has been arrested and charged after he allegedly claimed to be a New Orleans resident entitled to $2,000 in federal hurricane assistance, the Justice Department announced Friday.

Barney Spears, 38, of Houston has been charged in a two-count indictment with filing a false claim and lying to FEMA officials. The indictment says Spears has been a resident of Houston for nearly a year.

Spears was arrested in LaPlace, Louisiana, and he was scheduled to make an initial appearance in federal court in Baton Rouge Friday. (Posted 12:28 p.m.)

La. death toll from Katrina now at 923

BATON ROUGE, La. (CNN) -- Officials in Louisiana said the death toll resulting from Hurricane Katrina now stands at 923.

The information, released late Thursday, was gathered by state officials who are working in conjunction with coroners from local parishes. (Posted at 9:55 a.m.)

D.A.: Police looting probe, chief resignation don't appear linked

BATON ROUGE, La. (CNN) -- New Orleans District Attorney Eddie Jordan said he believes that the recent resignation of the city's police superintendent wasn't linked to the fallout over allegations of police looting during Hurricane Katrina.

In appearance Friday on CNN's American Morning, Jordan was asked whether there was a connection between the looting reports and the stepping down of Police Superintendent Eddie Compass.

"Not to the best of my knowledge. I haven't had any contact with Superintendent Compass. It's unclear to me what the reasons were for his decision to resign, other than the information that he provided to the public." (Posted at 9:55 a.m.)

Increasing gas prices may stem from refinery damage confusion

NEW YORK (CNN) -- The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular unleaded gasoline jumped nearly three cents as of Thursday to $2.843 per gallon nationwide, according to the latest figures from AAA.

Prices on Wednesday were at $2.815 per gallon, up slightly from Tuesday's $2.813 per gallon. The increases may result from concern over damage to refineries along the Gulf coast caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Gas prices reached a record high Sept. 5 with a national average of self-serve regular at $3.057 in the wake of Katrina. (Posted 5:46 a.m.)

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