Galveston Officials Restrict Media Access After Ike

The Galveston County (Texas) Daily News, which has seen delivery delays, Web site disruptions, and even the loss of its roof from Hurricane Ike, reports that city officials have now directed city employees not to speak to the press. In a story late Monday, the paper reports that Mayor Lyda Ann Thomas "ordered all city employees not to talk to news reporters. She did not say when that order would be lifted." Thomas and City Manager Steve LeBlanc, the paper added, would be the only city officials authorized to speak with reporters. "City spokeswoman Mary Jo Naschke vehemently denied the city was trying to clamp down on news coverage," the paper said.