A Houston company's surveillance system could mean the thousands of miles of fencing proposed as a border security measure won't be required.

A Houston security firm under consideration for a major border control contract will also be chipping in on another lingering national issue: New Orleans' recovery from Hurricane Katrina.

NEW ORLEANS - There wasn't a building in sight in early July, but by the first day of school in September there will be 11 schools on eight campuses here.