From PRI, Public Radio International and KCRW Santa Monica, this is To the Point.

Mardi Gras and the future of New Orleans.

Hello again, I'm Olinnelly, and this is To the Point from Public Radio International,

a daily look at the issues. Americans care about most. Last year's Mardi Grau was the first after Katrina, and it was mostly a local affair. This year's will be a better

measure of what's in store for New Orleans. Today is Fat Tuesday, and hotel occupancy is up.

But so is the number of cops on the streets because of an increase in violent crime. Many residents who qualified

for government grants still are not sure if they ought to rebuild or take buyouts and leave

town for good. On to the point, with the city just half as large as it used to be, we'll

heard about the prospects for public safety, race relations, and reconstruction. On reporter's

notebook later on is Dick Cheney's

clout on the wane. First, here's the news. Support for To the Point comes from subscribers of KCRW

Santa Monica and from the Public Radio International Program Fund, whose contributors include the Ford

Foundation and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.

Hello again, Marman Alany, back with To the Point. Today's Mardi Gras will provide the latest measure of New Orleans recovery, 18 months after Katrina.

On To the Point, are the tourists returning, despite increased crime? Why do permanent residents have such a hard time deciding whether to stay or go?

We'll hear about public safety,

race relations, and reconstruction. On reporter's notebook, the Libby trial and the nuclear deal with North Korea, are they signs that Vice President Dick Cheney may be losing influence? First,

this news update. Retired Admiral Mike McConnell was sworn in today as the second Director

of National Intelligence,

a job created after intelligence failures before 9-11 and the Iraq invasion.

One of his jobs will be briefing the president on a daily basis.

I'm anxious to have him in that Oval Office every morning.

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