08:30 LRN Newscast, August 15th

A state of emergency has been declared in Louisiana due to extreme heat. Drought conditions are putting stress on water supplies and agriculture, and the state has already exceeded the average number of heat related emergency room visits. GOHSEP spokesman Mike Steele:
Cut 14 (06) “these conditions”
The declaration authorizes the use of state resources to aid in emergency response efforts.

AAA reports the current statewide average for a gallon of gas is $3.43, which is up 30 cents over last month. Fuel Analyst Don Redman says that’s been steady here for about a week but keep in mind a big drop in the price could indicate the economy is in trouble:
CUT 9 (08) “economies”
He says we’re in a holding pattern for now but for how long is the question.

The Office of Public Health in Acadiana is holding a Back-to-School Hygiene Drive with the goal of reducing anxiety and improving self-esteem among middle schoolers. Teiko Foxx reports…:
CUT 1 (29) “I’m Teiko Foxx”

Police are still searching for an Iberia Parish man who went missing after attending a concert in downtown Baton Rouge. The family of 53-year-old Jeff “Jazzy” Leon is pleading for help after not hearing from him since Friday night. He was last seen wearing a white t-shirt and a red baseball cap and was driving a tan 2008 Ford Expedition with chrome rims. Anyone with information on Leon’s whereabouts is urged to contact authorities.