Gulf Oil Spill Reaches Land

Crews scrambled to protect wetlands and fishermen rushed to scoop up shrimp as oil began to wash ashore on the Gulf Coast last night. Officials warn that the spill from a BP rig—which is five times bigger than had been believed—could be America's worst environmental disaster in decades. Sensitive wildlife habitat and rich fishing grounds stand to be devastated.

"It is of grave concern," an official at the NOAA told the AP. "I am frightened. This is a very, very big thing. And the efforts that are going to be required to do anything about it, especially if it continues on, are just mind-boggling." Louisiana has declared a state of emergency and has requested 6,000 National Guard troops to help protect its coastline.