LRN PM Newscall August 25

Harvey is now a major hurricane as it moves towards the Texas coast. Emelie Gunn has more….

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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Gas prices are expected to go up because of Hurricane Harvey. Don Molino has more…

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A viral Facebook post helped Shreveport Police put an alleged booze thief behind bars. A video with more than 20 million views shows a woman stuffing bottles of liquor into her purse, her pants, and even her bra at a local store. Cpl. Angie Willhite says officers responded to the incident at the Thrifty Liquor Store on August 18.

Cut 3 (09) “for that alcohol”

Willhite says Crime Stoppers posted the store’s surveillance on YouTube, and it went viral almost instantly. She says local law enforcement immediately recognized 37-year-old Sekonie Jones.

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Willhite says Jones walked out of the store with 11 bottles of alcohol on her person. Jones surrendered herself on one charge of misdemeanor theft. Willhite says after the video was posted, Crime Stoppers tips started flooding into the station.

Cut 5  (09)  “tips on it”

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Harvey is closing in on the Texas coast and is growing in strength as it nears Corpus Christi. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the National Hurricane Center has Harvey meandering inland in Texas over the weekend but then shifting towards Louisiana…

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Keim says the five to 15 inches of rain expected to fall in Louisiana could create problems as it falls on already saturated soil. He says the storm is expected to stall and remain at least tropical storm strength into Wednesday.

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Keim says Harvey will have immediate impacts on Louisiana with already storm surge and high surf. He says this will be the first category three hurricane to make landfall in the U.S. since Hurricane Wilma in October 2005.

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Hurricane Harvey could push prices up at the pump. Don Redman with AAA says refineries are shutting down as they prepare for the storm, which could drive up gasoline prices.

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The current statewide average for a gallon of gasoline is $2.14. Redman says gulf coast refineries could be down for a week or more, which will hurt supply. He says gas prices are always subject to change during hurricane season, and this is the kind of storm everyone dreads approaching the coast.

Cut 10 (12) “15 cents”

Redman says prices haven’t jumped up yet, but they could by next week. He says we’ve seen record high demand for gas this summer. Ample supply from refineries has kept gas prices relatively low. He says this is why AAA encourages drivers to top off their tanks anytime a named storm is in the Gulf.

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The rice crop in south Louisiana is in jeopardy as Hurricane Harvey is expected to drop lots of rain on the Bayou State. LSU AgCenter Rice Specialist Dr. Dustin Harrell says 90 to 95-percent of this year’s rice has been harvested but the storm could complicate the remaining crop in the fields.

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Harrell says farmers are rushing to harvest what’s left before Harvey pounds the state with rain. He says this year’s crop was already subpar and extreme flooding could cause additional problems with the new crop…

Cut 13 (08) “there too”

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American Humane will show off a new rescue vehicle in Walker this Saturday. The 50-foot vehicle is designed to rescue animals during disasters like floods and hurricanes. President and CEO Robin Ganzert says a generous donation covered the cost of the vehicle.

Cut 14 (09) “for Louisiana”

Ganzert says the truck can handle multiple types of disaster responses. She says it carries equipment and supplies, and it can shelter up to 100 animals. She says it can even house rescue responders.

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Ganzert says the truck can also serve as a wellness clinic because it has a medical space. That’s what the vehicle will be doing Saturday in Walker from 9 am to 2 pm at Z-Time Fitness. She invites everyone out to get your pet healthy and happy for the fall season.

Cut 16  (08)  “free of charge”

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