News for Friday 100413

By Dave Graichen

 

The state is preparing for whatever Tropical Storm Karen may bring our  way. State Climatologist Barry Keim says warm sea surface temperatures  are feeding Karen's intensity, but other weather factors are working to  diminish it. The National Hurricane Center and the National Weather Service predict  Karen will become a hurricane later today, but will likely lose strength  before coming ashore, somewhere between Plaquemines Parish and the  Florida panhandle. Keim advises southeast Louisiana be prepared for a  Category One hurricane.

 

The   Governor's   Office   of   Homeland   Security  and  Emergency Preparedness is keeping a close eye on this  storm.  GOHSEP Director Kevin Davis is encouraging you to listen to advisories  as  we  head into  the  weekend and check your emergency supplies and review your emergency plans.

 

You can receive emergency alerts on  most smartphones and tablets by downloading the new ALERT FM App.  It  is  free  for  basic service. You can also download the new Louisiana Emergency Preparedness Guide and find other important information at www.getagameplan.org.

 

The early voting period for the October 19th election begins tomorrow  morning. Early voting will go from tomorrow until Saturday October 12th,  from 8:30 AM to Six PM, excluding Sunday. Secretary of State Tom  Schedler says citizens who want to vote early, may do so in person at  their parish Registrar of Voters Office or at other designated locations. Voters in 49 parishes have various items from tax propositions that are  on the ballot for the October 19th election. The biggest item is the 5th Congressional district election, which impacts 24 parishes in the state.

 

The Wildest Show in the South is back as the Angola Prison Rodeo  kicks off this weekend. Cathy Fontenot is the assistant warden of  programming at the Louisiana State Penitentiary. She says this is

probably the most unusual and unique event you might ever attend.  Fontenot says people from all over the world come to Angola to  catch one of the October Sunday rodeos and enjoy music from inmate bands and the famous offender-made arts and crafts. She says  tickets for this Sunday's rodeo are almost sold out and they  expect over 13,000 people to attend.

 

The  state  Department  of  Revenue  is  reaching  out to delinquent taxpayers to remind them there's a tax amnesty going  on.  From  now 'til  November  23rd, those behind on state taxes can get caught up, with no penalty fees  and  pay  only  half the accrued interest. LDR executive  counsel  Jason  Decuir  says  the   goal  is  to  collect  $200-million by then. He cannot say how much they've  brought  in so far..:

 

One of the most famous houses in Louisiana  is  hitting  the auction block.  The  Cook-Taylor  House  aka  the "Steel Magnolia House"  in Natchitoches is being sold to the highest  bidder  on  October 26th. Auctioneer  Barbara  Bonnette says owner Christina Landry  has  been operating the house as a bed and breakfast.

 

Tenth ranked LSU will look for a bounce back performance tomorrow night  against the Mississippi State Bulldogs.  LSU has won 13 straight over the Bulldogs. 1999 was the last time State beat the Tigers and that was in Starkville. The Bulldogs home stadium  seats 55-thousand, but it gets loud with all of those  Cowbells.