| BY CHAD CALDER | Staff writer |
A driver's nightmare: Smoke and fog shrouded Interstate 55 Monday morning, causing a massive pile-up of hundreds of vehicles that killed at least seven people. Our reporters spoke to those who found themselves trapped in a terrifying situation. The smoke is coming from area wetlands fires, likely one that has been burning for days in the swamps of New Orleans East, and Tristan Baurick reports on the stepped-up efforts to put it out. Here is a list of local school cancelations. And as Mark Schleifstein reports, the conditions that created what meteorologist call a "superfog" could be with us for days. Charity case: Almost five years after a team of developers was chosen to bring Charity Hospital back to life, the project is underfunded and at least two years behind schedule. Now, a new developer has been brought in to revive the effort, which has been best by delays and soaring construction costs. Stephanie Riegel has the story. Breakfast abhors a vacuum: In August, Riccobono's Peppermill announced it was closing down, ending an almost 50-year run that saw the Metairie restaurant become a breakfast institution. But one major player in the business has already stepped up to fill the void, and as Ian McNulty reports, others are doing the same. Thanks for starting your day with Morning Headlines. Check out all the latest news, sports and entertainment coverage from The Times-Picayune. Chad | 