Movin' a right along

The US Economy still nudging forward in spite of Kat-rita and the repurcussions of the drowning of New Orleans. How do you spell 'resilient'...?

The Federal Reserve's survey released Wednesday provided the latest snapshot of business conditions nationwide in the aftermath of Katrina, the most costly natural disaster in U.S. history, and Rita.

"Economic activity continued to expand ... Most districts described the pace of activity as moderate or gradual," according to the Fed survey.

Meanwhile, the Commerce Department reported that housing construction unexpectedly rose in September to the highest level in seven months, at least temporarily defying expectations of a slowdown in the booming housing market.

The Fed's survey is based on information collected before Oct. 11 and supplied from its 12 regional banks.