Andi Johnson

MINNEAPOLIS -- As Hurricane Gustav slams the Gulf Coast of the United States, changes made in respect to the weather emergency are still occurring much farther north at the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

With the first night's speaking schedule - which included Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Louisville) - already scrapped in favor of a condensed run through convention business, the events Kentucky delegates are attending during the day are being transformed from political seminars and parties into "charitable functions" according to Republican Party of Kentucky spokeswoman Andi Johnson.

Such sentiment reflects an evident trend among delegations to the Minneapolis event. CQ reports many celebrations previously filed under the moniker 'party' are now being re-tagged and given a charitable purpose, in light of the news of the hurricane.