Gas prices around the nation are sky rocketing as some storm impacted Texas refineries are offline. AAA says the statewide average is about $2.27 a gallon, – 13 cents higher than the prior week. Fuel Analyst Don Redman advises drivers to be aware they may be travelling in evacuation routes, which could create an additional burden on the existing gas supply..:
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The Purple and Gold Nation is getting pumped about LSU’s season opener against BYU which was moved to New Orleans as a result of last week’s Texas landfall of Hurricane Harvey. The game was originally set to take place in Houston’s NRG Stadium. Kristian Sonnier with the CVB in New Orleans expects at least 50,000 extra people in the Crescent City for the game…:
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Kickoff is 8:30 pm tomorrow night.

Forecasters locally are keeping an eye on Hurricane Irma who remains a strong Category 3 storm out in the Atlantic Ocean, packing winds of 115 miles per hour. It’s still too early to say how Irma may impact the US, but it’s one we should definitely watch, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The Hodges Garden State Park in Sabine Parish is closing amid ongoing budget constraints. Halen Doughty has more..:
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Gas prices spiked overnight and are up about 13 cents a gallon in Louisiana since Hurricane Harvey struck Texas. Don Redman with AAA says prices could reach up to $2.40 a gallon in the coming weeks before the storm impacted refineries in Texas reopen…:
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The current statewide average is about $2.27 a gallon.

The New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau is gearing up for a busy weekend as the LSU-BYU season opener takes place at the Mercedes Benz Superdome. Kristian Sonnier with the CVB says everyone in the Big Easy is excited..:
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He expects about 50,000 people will be in the Crescent City for the game that they were not anticipating. Kickoff is at 8:30 pm tomorrow night.

Hunters get a sales tax discount when they shop for firearms and other hunting supplies during the Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday today through Sunday…:
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That’s state department of revenue spokesman Byron Henderson.

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, explains…:
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He says there have been issues with upkeep due to continued budget cuts for Louisiana’s state parks.

The tropics are active as Irma went from a tropical storm Wednesday, to a strong Category 3 hurricane Friday afternoon. It could impact the southeastern US by next weekend.

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..:
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Redman says prices could reach up to $2.40 a gallon in the coming weeks before the refineries reopen.

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…:
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The sales tax holiday runs this Friday through Sunday throughout the state.

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…:
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The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of an infant who may have been left in a car for several hours. The 11-month-old was pronounced dead at a Metairie hospital Thursday evening.

Governor John Bel Edwards says Louisiana is sheltering hundreds of evacuees from Texas, and preparing for thousands more. Emelie Gunn reports…

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Irma is now a category 3 hurricane in the Atlantic with winds up to 115 miles per hour. Forecasters say Irma will be a major hurricane by the time it reaches the Caribbean early next week. Governor Edwards says while we aren’t sure where the system will go, there is a chance it could head for the Bayou State.

The western half of Calcasieu Parish is under a voluntary evacuation as flooding from the Sabine River is possible. Tom Hoefer with the parish police jury says fewer than one thousand homes and camps are included in the evacuation. He says residents in the area have plenty of time to get out of their homes.

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The river is extremely swollen after the flood gates were opened at the Toledo Bend Reservoir.

The Department of Agriculture’s mobile pet shelter has been deployed in Lake Charles to help with pet evacuations. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says they will do whatever they can to ensure pets are safe, while their owners are coping with the disaster. He says currently they have 86 pets in their care.

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The department is providing 200 soft sided carriers for pets traveling by bus.

Governor John Bel Edwards said today that 1,120 people sheltered in Louisiana last night due to displacement from Harvey, and 876 were Texans. He says currently there are a thousand Louisiana national guardsmen who are assisting in search and rescue operations.

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Edwards says the state plans to take in an additional 3,000 Texans today.

Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Tony Mancuso has called for a voluntary evacuation of the western part of the parish. Tom Hoefer with the Parish Police Jury says the Sabine River has flooded before and they’re fearful it could happen again as the river is extremely swollen.

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Although southwest Louisiana was spared much of Harvey’s destruction, Congressman Clay Higgins says his district is still feeling the impact of the storm. Michelle Southern has more…

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The Cajun Navy is hard at work rescuing disaster victims in Texas, and the Cajun Gravy is making sure they are well fed. The Cajun Gravy is serving up Louisiana delicacies like jambalaya to first responders in Orange, Texas. The group consists of cooks from Baton Rouge, Gonzales, and Donaldsonville.

Nearly 900 disaster victims from Texas are taking shelter in Louisiana. That’s according to Governor John Bel Edwards, who says the state is prepared to take in 3,000 more of our neighbors, who can be housed at shelters in Lake Charles, Alexandria, and Shreveport. Edwards urges the public to continue to prepare for potential storms, as hurricane season is far from over. He says right now they are watching Category 3 Hurricane Irma in the Atlantic.

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A team of 10 Baton Rouge area firefighters are heading to Port Arthur, Texas, to assist with the Harvey relief efforts, as the city is reportedly underwater. Task Force 2 consists of seven firefighters from Baton Rouge, two from Hammond, and one from Zachary. The team of trained rescuers will be in Texas for two weeks.

The state department of agriculture is helping with pet evacuations from Texas. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says they have 100 kennels in Lake Charles, and they are preparing for an additional 500 pets in Alexandria. He says donations of dog and cat food are welcome.

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State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon is urging Louisiana residents to purchase flood insurance as we’re seeing an uptick of historic flooding events. He says when congress reconvenes next month, he will push for significant changes to the National Flood Insurance Program.

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Governor John Bel Edwards said today that 1,120 people sheltered in Louisiana last night due to displacement from Harvey, and 876 were Texans. As far as impacts to Louisiana, there are roads that are impacted along the Sabine…:
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Edwards says the state is planning to take in at least an additional 3,000 people from Texas today.

State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon is pushing the importance of flood insurance, especially after the severe flood damage left by Harvey. Donelon it usually takes a horrific disaster to happen before homeowners listen.
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In Harvey’s wake, Donelon predicts many Texans will face the harsh reality of recovery depending solely on disaster money.

Reauthorizing the National Flood Insurance Program will be a top priority for federal lawmakers when congress reconvenes in September…:
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Congressman Clay Higgins of Louisiana’s 3rd District says residents are taking part in rescue and shelter operations. Although much of Acadiana was spared the destruction seen in Texas, Higgins says it’s all hands on deck in south Louisiana…:
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Governor John Bel Edwards says Louisiana is sheltering hundreds of evacuees from Texas, and preparing for thousands more. Emelie Gunn reports…:
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Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Tony Mancuso has called for a voluntary evacuation of the western part of the parish. Tom Hoefer with the Parish Police Jury says there’s concern the swollen Sabine River will flood…:
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The Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office says a high school teacher is under arrest in Jennings for allegedly having an improper relationship with a student. They say deputies received a complaint about 26-year-old Rachel Gillespie, and an investigation lead detectives to request a warrant. She was booked for indecent behavior with a juvenile.

Congressman Clay Higgins says all hands are on deck in his district three with sending help to flood ravaged Texas. He says the people of south Louisiana are quite adept at dealing with disasters, and this effort with our neighboring state is paying it forward…:
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Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard and 20 of his deputies are headed out to assist in Port Arthur, Texas which was almost completely under water.

Governor John Bel Edwards says 1,120 disaster victims sheltered in Louisiana last night, and 876 were Texans. He says a thousand Louisiana national guardsmen are assisting in search and rescue operations…:

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He says the state is planning to take at least an additional 3,000 people from Texas today.

South Louisiana residents are helping Texas disaster victims, after the region was spared any major destruction from Harvey. Congressman Clay Higgins says we are adept at dealing with disasters, and those skills are being put to good use in shelter and as rescue operations.

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More people are purchasing flood insurance in Louisiana in the wake of historic flooding. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says these super storms will certainly send a strong message to homeowners about the importance of getting flood coverage for their homes.

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The number of insured properties in Baton Rouge and Lafayette has reached 23 percent, up from 12 a year ago.

The state Department of Agriculture and Forestry has deployed their mobile pet shelter in Lake Charles to assist with Harvey evacuations. Commissioner Mike Strain says they will do whatever they can to ensure pets are safe, while their owners are coping with the disaster. He says currently they have 86 pets in their care.

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The department has 100 kennels in Lake Charles.

Although southwest Louisiana was spared from much of Harvey’s destruction, Congressman Clay Higgins says his district is still feeling the impact of the storm. Michelle Southern has more…
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Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Tony Mancuso has called for a voluntary evacuation of the western part of the parish.This area is from Highway 109 west to the Sabine River and north from I-10 to the Calcasieu Parish Line.

State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon is reminding residents of the importance of flood insurance especially after the massive distruction left behind from Harvey. Donelon says these super storms will certainly send a strong message to homeowners.
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Donelon says a significant amount of claims made in Louisiana with the National Flood Insurance Program have been filed in areas that do not see flooding on a regular basis.

Now with Tropical Depression Harvey making its way out of the state, forecasters are now monitoring the southwestern Gulf of Mexico where an area of low pressure could form by the weekend. Andy Tingler with the National Weather Service says advisories have also been issued for Hurricane Irma which located over the eastern Atlantic Ocean.
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