Here I am again in the front seat of a police car, this time parked on a street of what were neat and prosperous single-family brick homes. These days it's a haunting and forgotten shambles. Tonight, using all our technology and rented equipment, we hope and plan to show the extent of what happened to this part of town. Wait until you see what is behind me at this camera position and will serve as the backdrop of the broadcast.

We'll begin with the President tonight, as expansive and ebullient as I found him to be when we visited here yesterday. He made news on several fronts, and we'll report it that way. We have two special features on two people we met here: one a public servant and the other a giant of the music business who is dear to this city.

The NBC News satellite truck parked amid debris in New Orleans. Photo by NBC News Producer Subrata De.

ABOUT UNITED 93
I note some e-mail traffic about my on-air comments concerning the screening of "United 93." The reference I made to war, of course, pertained to the War in Afghanistan, a direct 9/11 outgrowth -- while others argue that 9/11 and the new era of terrorism it ushered in added to the justification of the Iraq invasion. I've personally received a few overheated e-mails on the subject as well. No one is arguing that the 9/11 hijackers were Iraqis.

BACK TO ST. BERNARD
We'll also cover the fuel efficiency issue tonight, and today's developments concerning Iran. The national anthem is also in the news, as you may know.

Thus we'll end another week and gear up for yet another. We'll be on the road for at least one day next week as well. We have a great broadcast planned for tonight, and we hope you can join us from New Orleans.

I look forward to seeing my fellow Earnhardt fans in Mooresville, N.C., tomorrow.

Have a good and safe weekend.