Beach gathering protests offshore drilling: Hundreds of people, including Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, joined hands on an oil-stained strip of beach in the Florida Panhandle on Saturday as part of a demonstration against offshore drilling. In all, 820 “Hands Across the Sand” events were scheduled in all 50 states and in 34 countries. The demonstrations also intended to show support for clean energy.
Recovery official to tour region: President Barack Obama’s point man for the recovery and restoration of the area affected by the gulf oil spill will tour the region next week. Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus will begin a five-day visit Monday as he assesses damage from the millions of gallons of crude oil spewing from a well owned by BP, his office said in a statement. Mabus, a former governor of Mississippi, will meet with state and local officials in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida.
Denver Post wire services
