Drivers can expect to see higher prices at the pump as Texas refineries cope with storm damage. Michelle Southern has more…
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President Donald Trump is expected to visit Louisiana tomorrow to see the impacts of Tropical Storm Harvey on the Bayou State. Exact details have yet to be announced by the White House, but the President is expected to travel to the Lake Charles area. There are many Texas evacuees sheltering there.

The National Hurricane Center says Hurricane Irma, which is way out in the Atlantic Ocean, will remain a powerful hurricane for days. Forecaster Eric Blake says Irma is about 15-hundred miles east of the Leeward Islands…
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It’s still too early to know the eventual path, but most computer models show Irma staying away from the Gulf of Mexico.
Because of budget cuts, the state is turning over Hodges Garden State Park in Sabine Parish back to the original owners at the end of the month. The assistant secretary in charge of the state park system, Robert Barham, says he’s hopeful the Hodges Foundation will continue to make a portion or all of the park availble to the public….
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The 948-acre recreation area near Toledo Bend is home to one of the nation’s largest botantical gardens.

Gas prices rose several cents overnight amid continuing concerns about shortages in parts of Texas in the aftermath of Harvey. In Louisiana, the statewide average is about 2.27 a gallon,which is 13 cents higher than the week before, according to AAA spokesman Don Redman.
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Redman says prices could reach up to $2.40 a gallon in the coming weeks.

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 even though the game was relocated last minute due to Harvey, they are expecting a big crowd…:
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The game kicks off tomorrow at 8:30.

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating the death of an infant who may have been left in a car for several hours. They say the 11-moth old was pronounced dead at a Metairie hospital Thursday evening. Her father apparently realized he had left her in a vehicle and returned to find her still inside, unconscious, according to the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office. No charges had been filed as of Thursday evening, but both parents have been taken in for questioning.

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 Barham, says in the last 10 years, the department has seen a 40 percent reduction in funding…:
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He is hopeful the foundation will continue to make a portion or all of the park available to the public.

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.