Gasoline prices continue to rise; up another nickel a gallon since just yesterday. Today’s statewide average price for a gallon of regular gas is $3.36; up from $3.31 Monday, and up 26-cents from a week ago. Louisiana AAA’s Don Redman…:

CUT 06(05)      “…demand for gasoline.”

He advises you budget at least $3.50-a-gallon for fuel at least through the Holidays.

Louisiana’s made some progress in filling its shortage of classroom teachers, going from a deficit of 2500 to about 1200. Education Superintendent Cade Brumley says they’ve brought in some part-time help to reduce the backlog, but another major issue is that laws concerning teacher certification are complex…:

CUT 14(09)      “…applications a year.”

Brumley was speaking to the Senate Education Committee.

Tangipahoa Parish deputies arrest seven people in connection with the shooting death of 16-year-old Leonard “LJ” Williams last weekend. TPSO Chief Deputy Jimmy Travis says a fight over a girl led to two carloads of youths shooting at one another, with the victim getting caught in the crossfire.  Travis says it wasn’t just a shooting incident; it was a gun battle…:

CUT 10(06)      “…in front of the house.”

Most of those arrested are 18 or younger, except for one: 64-year-old Ella Bickham – charged with obstructing justice and evidence tampering. She allegedly withheld key evidence from deputies for over 16 hours. Travis says more arrests are likely.

The state Department of Insurance approves a 63-percent rate hike for customers of the state’s last-resort property insurer, Louisiana Citizens, so that it will be able to afford to pay claims should another disaster strike. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says it’s “extremely painful but required by law.” He’s working to attract new insurers to the state, so people can leave Citizens’ expensive coverage.