Capitol Goes Gaga for Pitt

But no, he's not running for mayor

(NEWSER) - To mark the fourth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, Brad Pitt spoke to MSNBC about his effort to rebuild the Lower 9th Ward with his Make It Right foundation—and the grassroots campaign to push him to run for mayor of New Orleans. He says he'd run if chosen, but “on the gay marriage, no religion, legalization and taxation on marijuana platform. I don’t have a chance,” he tells Ann Curry. “That’s not what I do best.” More»

Pitt visits New Orleans on Katrina anniversary

(NEWSER) - To mark the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, Brad Pitt went on Meet the Press to talk about his Make It Right Foundation and the affordable, green, and safe houses they’re building in the Lower Ninth Ward. “These homes are elevated above Katrina floodwaters, they are stronger, they’ll take a category 4 (storm), and five times stronger than code, and they all have egress to get out on top,” he says. “So none of these homeowners will suffer those horrors.” More»

Quirky houses boast top material, solar panels

(NEWSER) - Officials bungled rebuilding New Orleans' Ninth Ward after Katrina, but the devastated district is sprouting colorful, quirky, elevated homes boasting top-notch materials and solar panels thanks to a massive effort spearheaded by Brad Pitt. The actor is highlighted in Spike Lee's new two-part HBO documentary If God is Willing and Da Creek Don't Rise. "I've had a love for this place for a long time," Pitt explains in the film. "Like many, we couldn't believe the ineptitude of the recovery effort." More»

President takes more hands-on approach to legislation

(NEWSER) - President Obama is growing more assertive on Capitol Hill. Since he took office, the president's supporters have criticized him for not exerting enough control over the details of legislation, instead letting Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi hammer out specifics—even on major administration goals, like the health care bill. On legislation this week concerning the Gulf oil spill and financial regulation, Obama has switched to a prescriptive style, reports Politico . More»

Also, New Orleans campaigns for a famous mayor, and more

(NEWSER) - In case you didn’t get enough of her on I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!, you’ll be able to see all of Heidi Pratt, née Montag, in September’s Playboy, People reports. “There is nudity. It's tasteful,” says a source. Elsewhere:

• Brad Pitt as mayor of New Orleans? Maybe. “We need outside help getting the city fixed—Brad can get that done,” a resident tells the Mirror.