Governor John Bel Edwards says Louisiana is not out of the woods when it comes to Tropical Storm Harvey. Jeff Palermo explains why…:
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Meanwhile Edwards is asking President Donald Trump for a federal emergency declaration for five parishes in southwest Louisiana.

A tornado watch is in effect for Iberia, Cameron, Jefferson Davis, Calcasieu, Vermilion, Acadia, parishes through 1pm this afternoon.

The National Weather Service confirmed a tornado already hit Vermilion Sunday.

With Louisiana in a state of emergency due to Harvey, price gouging laws are in effect. Director of Public Protection Mike Dupree this prevents businesses from taking advantage of a disaster…:
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State officials encourage consumers who suspect price gouging to contact their local law enforcement agencies.

Analysts say the price at the pump is expected to spike as companies operating in the Gulf of Mexico have evacuated drilling platforms and rigs, which crimps the flow of oil and gas. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular is $2.16, up 2 cents from the prior week.

Harvey is now a major hurricane closing in on the Texas coast and growing in strength. 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 5 to 15 inches of rain is expected to fall in Louisiana.

AAA projects Harvey could also drive up prices at the pump. Spokesperson Don Redman says refineries are shutting down as they prepare for the storm, which will impact supply.

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The statewide average is currently $2.14 a gallon.

Rice farmers are bracing for Harvey, which experts say could damage the remaining crop. LSU AgCenter rice specialist Dustin Harrel says this year’s crop was already subpar, and flooding could cause additional problems with the new crop.

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On Saturday, American Humane will show off a new animal rescue vehicle in Walker. President and CEO Robin Ganzert says the 50-foot truck carries equipment and supplies. It can also shelter up to 100 pets and house emergency responders.

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A grant from the Walmart Foundation and Ellen DeGeneres covered the cost of the truck, which will be at Z-Time Fitness on Saturday from 9 am to 2 pm.

AAA predicts Hurricane Harvey could drive up prices at the pump. Spokesperson Don Redman says as refineries shut down to prepare for the storm, supply will be impacted, which leads to higher prices. He says this is the kind of thing they warn about during hurricane season.

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Redman encourages everyone to fuel up now before prices start to rise.

Hurricane Harvey could also jeopardize the rice crop in south Louisiana. LSU AgCenter Rice Specialist Dustin Harrell says most of this year’s rice has been harvested, but the storm could damage the remaining crop.

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Harrell says farmers are rushing to harvest what’s left before Harvey pounds the state with rain.

A Shreveport woman caught on camera stuffing 11 bottles of alcohol into her purse, pants, and bra has been arrested after the surveillance footage went viral. Cpl. Angie Willhite says officers responded to the incident at Thrifty Liquor Store on August 18.

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37-year-old Sekonie Jones faces one count of misdemeanor theft.

This Saturday in Walker American Humane will show off the new 50-foot rescue vehicle that will help save lost pets during disasters. President and CEO Robin Ganzert says the vehicle can also serve as a wellness center, which is what it will do tomorrow from 9 am to 2 pm at Z-Time Fitness.

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Ganzert invites pet owners to come get their pets healthy and happy for the fall season.

Harvey is closing in on the Texas coast as a category two hurricane and it’s predicted to become a category three before landfall tonight near 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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Louisiana Department of Education is seeking to train over 500 Louisiana educators so they can serve as mentors to future teachers. Assistant Superintendent of Talent Hannah Diestsch says they are looking for passionate teachers…:
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You can find out more online at LouisianaBelieves.com

The $759 million dollar Powerball jackpot was hit in Massachusetts Wednesday, but here in Louisiana a Lake Arthur convenience store employee won $2 million. The manager of the Tiger Mart, April Lemaire, says the employee actually picked her own numbers…:
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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 37-year-old Sekonie Jones 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.
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Texas is bracing for the landfall of a major hurricane, but Louisiana is not out of the woods. Jeff Palermo has more…

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A Shreveport woman has been arrested after a video showed her stuffing bottles of liquor in her purse, pants, and even her bra at a convenience store. Shreveport Police say 37-year-old Sekonie Jones is charged with one count of misdemeanor theft. In a Facebook post, Jones says, “I hustle that’s what I do.”

A report by SmartAsset finds Louisiana is home to the third worst drivers in the country. Vice President of Financial Education AJ Smith says the Bayou State did poorly in most of their metrics.

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The only category Louisiana did well in was the low rate of DUI arrests.

A woman in Jefferson Davis Parish is now a millionaire after winning $2 million in the Powerball. The woman works as an assistant manager at the Tiger Mart in Lake Arthur, and her manager April Lemaire says the winner still hasn’t decided how to spend the cash.

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Lemaire says the winner will likely use the money to take care of her four children.

Forecasters say Harvey is now on the verge of becoming a category 3 Hurricane, and is still expected to make landfall overnight on the Texas coast near Corpus Christi. Stephen Carboni with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles says several models show Harvey will eventually turn east towards the Bayou State…:
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A mandatory evacuation for Cameron Parish is ordered for all areas south of the Intracoastal Waterway.

If maximum sustained winds reach 111 mph, Harvey will be classified as a Category 3 major hurricane. It strengthened overnight and forecasters expect it to intensify even more. Analysts also said you can expect gas prices to rise due to Harvey.

Louisiana is home to the third worse drivers in the nation, according to a report by SmartAsset. Vice President of Financial Education AJ Smith says they found a lot of Louisianans are looking up speeding tickets and parking tickets on the web, which could mean they’re accumulating tickets at higher rates…:
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She says Louisiana was also ranked low on vehicle fatalities and insurance rates.

Louisiana Department of Education is seeking to train over 500 Louisiana educators so they can serve as mentors to future teachers. Assistant Superintendent of Talent Hannah Diestsch says the Bayou State is changing the way teachers learn how to teach. She says the new method will be similar to how medical students become doctors.
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Mentors have to be nominated by their school systems by September 8th and training will begin this fall.

Harvey has been upgraded to a dangerous Category 2 hurricane and continues to intensify on it’s track toward the Texas coast. Forecasters say it’s expected to become a major hurricane before making landfall. So what will this mean for Louisiana? Stephen Carboni with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles says large rainfall totals are expected in southwest Louisiana..:
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The forecast track from the National Hurricane Center calls for Harvey to make landfall either tonight or Saturday morning.

Louisiana is home to the third worse drivers in the nation, according to a report by SmartAsset. Vice President of Financial Education AJ Smith says there was just one area in their study where the state did not rank in the bottom…:
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The state Department of Education is seeking to train 500 teachers to become mentors for aspiring educators. Emelie Gunn has more…:
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The $759 million dollar Powerball jackpot was hit in Massachusetts Wednesday, but here in Louisiana a Lake Arthur convenience store employee won $2 million. The manager of the Tiger Mart, April Lemaire, says the employee actually picked her own numbers…:
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Texas is bracing for the landfall of a major hurricane, but Louisiana is not of the woods. Jeff Palermo has more…:
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Louisiana is home to the third worst drivers in the nation, according to a report by SmartAsset. Vice President of Financial Education AJ Smith the state scored poorly in vehicle fatalities, insurance rates, and Google searches…:
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Smith says at 86 percent, Louisiana has the 16th lowest rate of insured drivers in the country.

A southwest Louisiana mother of four is now a millionaire after winning $2 million in the Powerball. The woman works as an assistant manager at the Tiger Mart in Lake Arthur. Store manager April Lemaire says if anyone deserves to win, it’s her…:
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The Tiger Mart will receive a bonus of 20-thousand dollars for selling the ticket.

The state Department of Education announces a new program has launched that would let experienced teachers statewide get training to become mentors to aspiring educators. Assistant Superintendent of Talent Hannah Diestsch says these expert teachers will receive a one thousand dollar stipend if they are selected by their school district as mentors…:
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You can find out more online at LouisianaBelieves.com.