Please note the reporter change on voicer one:
Drivers can expect to see higher prices at the pump as Texas refineries cope with storm damage. Michelle Southern has more…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”
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The Hodges Garden State Park in Sabine Parish is closing amid ongoing budget constraints. Halen Doughty has more…
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”
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It’s going to be a busy weekend in New Orleans now that the LSU-BYU game has been moved to the Superdome. Emelie Gunn has more…
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”
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Prices at the pump jumped 6 cents overnight as storm-impacted refineries shut down in Texas. Don Redman with AAA says the statewide average is about $2.27 a gallon,which is 13 cents higher than the week before…:
Cut 4 (08) “ironed out”
Redman says prices could reach up to $2.40 a gallon in the coming weeks before the refineries reopen. But he says once they do, there’s an ample supply of gasoline for plants to distribute.
Cut 5 (09) “calmed down again”
Redman cautions drivers to be aware they may be travelling in evacuation routes, which could create an additional burden on the existing supply and longer lines at service stations.
Cut 6 (10) “coming weeks”
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This weekend Louisiana hunters can enjoy a tax break on their guns and ammo during the 2nd Amendment sales tax holiday. Byron Henderson with the state department of revenue says eligible items will be fully exempt from local sales taxes and subject to only three percent of the state sales tax.
Cut 7 (09) “other things”
The sales tax holiday runs this Friday through Sunday throughout the state. Byron says it’s an annual discount the state offers around this time every year.
Cut 8 (08) “season starts”
Henderson says a wide range of guns, ammo, and hunting accessories are eligible for the sales tax exemption. But he says that does not include everything hunting-related.
Cut 9 (12) “in the regulations”
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The original owners of the Hodges Garden State Park are taking back the 948-acre recreation area in Sabine Parish because the state department of tourism can’t afford to maintain the facility. The assistant secretary in charge of the state park system, Robert Braham, says the state is transferring Hodges back to the Hodges Foundation, effective the last day of September.
Cut 10 (10) “Hodges Foundation”
The state took over the park in 2007. Barham says there have been issues with upkeep due to continued budget cuts for Louisiana’s state parks. He says in the last 10 years, the department has seen a 40 percent reduction in funding.
Cut 11 (07) “like to do”
Barham says some park components have not been adequately maintained, which is why the Hodges Foundation is stepping in. He is hopeful the foundation will continue to make a portion or all of the park available to the public.
Cut 12 (09) “beautiful place”
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The New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau is gearing up for a busy weekend as the LSU-BYU season opener takes at the Mercedes Benz Superdome at 8:30 p.m Saturday. Kristian Sonnier with the CVB says even though the game was relocated last minute due to Harvey, they are expecting a big crowd. He says the Decadence Festival will be underway at the same time.
Cut 13 (10) “come Saturday”
Sonnier expects about 50,000 people will be in the Crescent City for the game that they were not anticipating.
Cut 14 (08) “and gold”
Sonnier says come Saturday, there should be no threat of flooding in New Orleans for fans to be concerned about, especially after the disaster Harvey left in Houston. He says everyone in the Big Easy is excited for the game and welcomes the unexpected visitors.
Cut 15 (11) “be gone”
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The first Saturday of college football features three matchups involving intrastate teams. At 6 PM in Ruston, Louisiana Tech hosts Northwestern State. The Demons are coming off a 1-10 season, but Bulldogs Coach Skip Holtz sees a more talented Northwestern team this year…:
Cut 16 (21) “extremely hard”
Louisiana Tech is coming off a 9-5 campaign. J’Mar Smith replaces Ryan Higgins at quarterback and the Bulldogs must replace two talented wide receivers, Trent Taylor and Corey Henderson. Holtz says on the production he anticipates from his wide outs…
Cut 17 (20) “to this point”
In Lafayette, the Ragin Cajuns begin the season by hosting Southeastern Louisiana. UL Lafayette was inconsistent on offense last season and Coach Mark Hudspeth hopes that’s not the case this season, despite some new faces…
Cut 18 (20) “good players”
Hudspeth says the key to beating the Lions is stopping their running game…
Cut 19 (14) “back end”
The other intrastate matchup will happen at Yulman Stadium as Grambling visits Tulane. Coach Broderick Fobbs says they look forward to the challenge…
Cut 20 (19) “gonna go”