The Herald has discovered three weeks after the rest of the world that Bechtel is helping to house thousands of displaced victims in Mississippi as part of the federal relief effort ("Dig contractor Bechtel gets big FEMA deal," Sept. 30).

Your shameless exploitation of the hurricanes to take pot shots at the Big Dig insults the nearly 8,000 Mississippians who now have safe shelter thanks to Bechtel's work, and the thousands of other victims who registered for federal assistance at disaster centers set up by Bechtel within days of Katrina.

The article "Wilkerson's finances draw state lawsuit" (Sept. 29) reports an expenditure of $60 for a bra, when in fact the receipt was for Brassiere Jo, a restaurant in the Colonnade Hotel. The reporter wrote that [Dianne Wilkerson] refused comment when Wilkerson issued a written statement saying she intended to respond fully to this matter in the 20 days allowed her to do so. The press received the complaint before Wilkerson or her attorney received and reviewed it. Is there any wonder she was unable to comment? Herald errors generated hostile and vulgar calls expressing outrage that she would use campaign funds to buy a bra! This is the best argument for reserving judgment until all facts are available and verified.