Louisiana

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La. Safety Officials to Gustav: Bring It On

State readies ground, air forces to battle fierce storm

(Newser) - Louisiana authorities have a message for Hurricane Gustav: Hit us with your best shot. The storm is firing away at the Gulf Coast, but officials say they have 685 search and rescue personnel, more than 475 watercraft, and dozens more helicopters and planes ready to go if needed. “Things...

Gustav Roars to Landfall as Cat. 2

Cat. 2 storm hobbles coast before making landfall

(Newser) - Hurricane Gustav was downgraded to Category 2 as it churned toward landfall this morning, causing 9-foot storm surges and widespread power outages to the southeast of New Orleans, CNN reports. A FEMA official told the AP this morning that the eye of the storm is expected to pass west of...

'Ghost Town' New Orleans Steels for Gustav

3 die in biggest evacuation in Louisiana history

(Newser) - The last bus out of New Orleans drove off at 3pm yesterday, leaving behind a virtual ghost town, reports the Houston Chronicle. An estimated 10,000 residents are left in the hurricane-threatened city, now subject to a strict dusk-to-dawn curfew. Some 1.9 million Louisianans have fled Hurricane Gustav—the...

Gustav to Hit as Cat 3 Storm by Midday

Hurricane-force winds to strike coastal regions tonight

(Newser) - Hurricane Gustav roared through the Gulf of Mexico today and is expected to strike west of New Orleans tomorrow at around noon, Reuters reports. But forecasters expect it to simmer down to a category 3 storm with 125-mph winds and say hurricane-force winds will likely strike the coast tonight. "...

Gustav Could Reverse Welcome Oil Trend

Hurricane, now Category 3, projected to slam into oil platforms, refineries

(Newser) - Hurricane Gustav is on path to smash into the Gulf Coast's oil-production infrastructure, which could reverse the recent downward trend in gas prices, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. More than a quarter of oil produced in the US comes from the Gulf of Mexico, and producers have already begun evacuating...

Lost Coffins Remain Part of Katrina's Legacy

(Newser) - Louisiana is still finding coffins displaced by Hurricane Katrina three years on, the Wall Street Journal reports. Katrina and Rita moved 1,500 bodies from their resting places in the state's swampy south, where floating coffins during floods have long been part of local folklore. Hundreds remain unidentified, and they...

Evacuation May Come Saturday, La. Gov. Warns

Gustav's winds could buffet state Sunday, with landfall Tuesday

(Newser) - Some Louisiana residents could be evacuated Saturday ahead of Tropical Storm Gustav, which is expected to make landfall in the state Tuesday, Gov. Bobby Jindal said today. The storm, which could affect New Orleans, might produce damaging winds as early as Sunday, prompting the stepped-up preparations, the Times-Picayune reports. The...

New Orleans Braces for Gustav With Still-Weak Shield

Governor warns evacuations could start tomorrow

(Newser) - A nervous New Orleans is bracing for Gustav, well aware that weak spots in the city's hurricane barrier could lead to catastrophic flooding if the storm strikes, reports the Times-Picayune. Some $13 billion in work remains to be done before the city can be considered relatively well-protected. Louisiana Gov. Bobby...

Cockfighting Fans in La. Say Goodbye

State is last to ban centuries-old sport; aficionados protest

(Newser) - Louisiana became the last state to outlaw cockfighting today, and fans of the activity are mourning the loss of what they see as a cultural pastime, reports the Washington Post. Animal rights supporters praise the crackdown, but cockfight enthusiasts say the law will just push the show underground. Says one...

Edouard Strengthens, Targets Gulf Coast

Tropical storm may near hurricane strength before making landfall

(Newser) - Tropical Storm Edouard gained speed as it moved west today, and is expected to strengthen to near-hurricane status before making landfall somewhere in Texas or southwest Louisiana tomorrow morning, reports the AP. Emergency teams were activated as residents along the Gulf of Mexico prepared to get hit with another strong...

Natural Gas Fuels La. 'Gold Rush'

Untapped deposits create overnight millionaires

(Newser) - The energy crunch is a positive in at least one area, which lies above what may be the largest natural gas supply in the Lower 48. As energy companies buy up real estate, some residents of the south-central US find themselves suddenly flush with money, and some are even becoming...

Jindal Won't Take Veep Slot
 Jindal Won't Take Veep Slot 

Jindal Won't Take Veep Slot

But governor's being considered as keynote speaker, sources say

(Newser) - Bobby Jindal issued an uncommonly strong denial that he's interested in the veep slot on the GOP ticket—especially since he's considered a top contender, CNN reports.  But John McCain’s campaign could still feature the Louisiana governor. Republican sources say he’s being considered as keynote speaker at...

Deep South Leads in Obesity
 Deep South Leads in Obesity 

Deep South Leads in Obesity

Southern states have highest rate, led by Mississippi

(Newser) - The South has the nation's largest percentage of obese residents, a new survey by the Centers for Disease Control finds, with 30% of adults in Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee qualifying as obese. Even in Colorado, the state with the best fat stats, 19% of the populace is obese.

Brolin, Others in W Cast Busted in Bar Brawl

Assorted actors filming Oliver Stone's movie released on bail in La.

(Newser) - Josh Brolin and Jeffrey Wright, actors filming Oliver Stone's W in Louisiana, were among the cast and crew members arrested after a barroom tussle, reports the Shreveport Times. The busted thespians had interfered with police attempts to subdue a fellow patron, and were charged with interfering with police. Brolin was...

Jindal Signs Castration Bill for Sex Offenders

Says he's proud of 'strong measures'

(Newser) - Louisiana governor and GOP VP wannabe Bobby Jindal signed a bill yesterday that will allow sex offenders to be punished with chemical castration. Said Jindal, “I am glad we have taken such strong measures...to put a stop to these monsters’ brutal acts,” said Jindal, taking the opportunity...

Obama Backs Death Penalty for Child Rapists

Dem disagrees with Supreme Court ruling against Louisiana law

(Newser) - Barack Obama joined rival John McCain yesterday in supporting the death penalty for child rapists, the AP reports. The Democratic candidate spoke after the Supreme Court ruled against a Louisiana law allowing capital punishment for child rape, saying it violates the constitution's ban on cruel and unusual punishment. The verdict...

It's a Girl&mdash;Jamie Lynn Gives Birth
It's a Girl—Jamie Lynn Gives Birth

It's a Girl—Jamie Lynn Gives Birth

Maddie Briann arrives via C-section just as Britney makes it to town

(Newser) - Jamie Lynn Spears gave birth via C-section this morning in Mississippi, the National Enquirer reports. The 17-year-old’s baby, Maddie Briann, weighs 6 pounds, 10 ounces. Sister Britney arrived in Louisiana yesterday to await the delivery. An ultrasound last week showed that there were possible complications with the baby's position.

Frat Boys Busted for Third-Degree Burn 'Hazing'

Boiling water and pepper spray poured on pledges' backs

(Newser) - Ten Tulane University frat boys face battery charges after taking "Hell Night" hazing way too far and severely burning two pledges, CNN reports. The Pi Kappa Alpha members poured boiling water with pepper spray in it and "crab boil" seasoning mix onto the backs of pledges to see...

Britney Helps Jamie Lynn Celebrate

Family, friends gather to fete 17-year-old mom-to-be

(Newser) - Britney Spears returned home to Louisiana over the weekend for a cameo at 17-year-old sister Jamie Lynn's baby shower at their mother's home in Kentwood, People reports. "We all sat in a circle and she opened gifts and thanked every person," said a guest. "It was just...

Louisiana Pockets Ban on Droopy Drawers

'Can't regulate everything,' gripes senator

(Newser) - A proposed ban on saggy pants didn’t fly in Louisiana, where a Senate panel rejected the legislation as a violation of freedom of speech, reports the Times-Picayune. “This is a situation that is disgusting and needs state attention,” insisted the state senator pushing the bill. “I...

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