Gustav kills 11; Louisiana prepares for storm

Hurricane Gustav triggered flooding and landslides that killed at least 11 people before weakening to a tropical storm, but forecasters said today it's still a major threat to the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico. Forecasts suggested it could head toward the U.S. Gulf Coast as a dangerous Category 3 hurricane next week. While the National Hurricane Center’s five-day forecast track this morning pointed toward a landfall near the Louisiana-Mississippi state line, forecasters said it could make landfall anywhere from south Texas to the Florida Panhandle. At 10 a.m., Gustav was located about 125 miles southeast of Guantanamo, Cuba. Maximum sustained winds were near 60 mph, and the storm was moving to the west-northwest about 5 mph.

In other Gustav-related news:

—At a news conference this morning, Mayor Kip Holden urged Baton Rouge residents to prepare early for possible effects of Gustav. By doing this, local residents would free up the roads for evacuees in advance of the storm.

—The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness will keep the Crisis Action Team activated to monitor Gustav.

—LSU officials don’t expect Gustav to impact the Tigers’ football season opener against Appalachian State. The game is scheduled for 4 p.m. Saturday on ESPN.

— Global oil prices rose by $1.40 early today to above $117 a barrel on concerns Gustav could disrupt output in the Gulf of Mexico, home to a quarter of U.S. crude production. Royal Dutch Shell PLC said it could begin evacuating workers as soon as Wednesday.

Metro Council candidate upset with endorsement process

A local businessman and District 11 Metro Council candidate is upset with FuturePAC, the political action committee of the Baton Rouge Area Chamber, claiming they never contacted him for an interview prior to their endorsement of two of his opponents. Scott Lemoine argues his business experience at least merits consideration from a body that seeks to promote economic development. “If it’s a done deal, I understand,” says Lemoine, a public accountant who says he owns two restaurants and an office complex. “But interview me at least. They say they called me; I know that’s a lie.” The chamber says calls were placed by Southern Strategies Group from July 14-15 to the number Lemoine gave on his candidate registration paperwork; one call resulted in a busy signal, and a voice mail was left after the other. The basic process was the same for every candidate, they said. Southern Strategies made the calls for free on FuturePAC's behalf. "While the FuturePAC board is disappointed that they didn’t get an opportunity to speak to all of the candidates—interviews were held with roughly 36 out of 45 candidates—a tremendous effort was made to reach as many as possible," BRAC CEO Adam Knapp says.—David Jacobs

Downtown shuttle bus service offered to LSU games

Game day shuttles from downtown to LSU football games will once again be offered this season, thanks to a deal between a private bus operator and business owners. Hotard Coaches will offer the service, beginning three hours before kickoff. The buses will pick up fans at two sites: at North Boulevard and Third Street and at France and St. Phillip streets (on the side of the Sheraton Baton Rouge Convention Center). Round-trip tickets will be on sale at the Sheraton and Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center for $15. Fans are encouraged to take the shuttle buses as a way of reducing parking problems on campus. LSU officials say they have a deal with Hotard to offer shuttle service from Westmoreland Shopping Center and Farr Park. Rides on those buses will also be $15 round trip.

In other LSU football news, the Tigers’ home games against Troy and North Texas will be televised on TigerVision, the school’s in-house pay-per-view network. LSU plays host to Troy on Sept. 6 and North Texas on Sept. 13. Both games will kick off at 7 p.m. Residents in Louisiana can purchase TigerVision through their local cable television system or through The Dish Network or DirecTV. Cable customers are reminded that they must have digital cable capabilities to order the games. Residents outside Louisiana can purchase the TigerVision broadcasts through ESPN's Game Plan package, which will be blacked out in Louisiana. The games cost $34.50 each.

Can Holden be toppled?

Mayor Kip Holden is riding high as he heads into his re-election bid. He's got near-record approval ratings, $400,000 in the bank and a clean record during his first term. But he faces three challengers who are hoping to put him in a runoff, on the same ballot as his controversial $989 million bond issue. Read the analysis of the mayor's race and other big Baton Rouge elections in the Business Report cover story here. Send comments to editors@businessreport.com.

Where do the Metro Council candidates stand on the issues?

225 has all you need to know about Metro Council candidates and where they stand on the issues affecting Baton Rouge. Find out whether your district’s candidates support or oppose the $989 million bond proposal and where they stand on the city’s drinking ordinances, diversity, at-large districts and more. Only candidates who responded to 225’s questionnaire are available to review.

Acura of Baton Rouge buys land for future expansion

Acura of Baton Rouge has purchased 2.4 acres on Airline Highway for $1.8 million. David Fabre, who co-owns the dealership, says the company bought the land across the street from its current location for future operations. "We don't have any plans, we bought it just in case we need it," he says. The land Acura of Baton Rouge bought is currently occupied by Central Hitch & Equipment; Fabre says that business will continue to operate, paying a lease on the property.—Timothy Boone

Mall of Louisiana plans grand opening for expansions

Visitors will have the chance to “Shop like a Tiger” at the Mall of Louisiana’s new lifestyle center, The Boulevard, as well as new stores opening in its new power center during a grand opening Thursday through Saturday. Since March, Boulevard retailers and restaurants have been steadily opening, including Apple, L’Occitane, Soma Intimates, Sephora and the Walking Company. Power center retailers scheduled to open include Dick’s Sporting Goods, Circuit City and DSW. The grand opening is scheduled for 9:45 a.m. Thursday with a ribbon cutting, which also will feature the Denham Springs High School marching band and LSU mascot Mike the Tiger. Friday, a mall version of a tailgate party will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. with free food and beverages from Boulevard restaurants.

Mike the Tiger up for national mascot honor

Mike the Tiger has made Capital One's All-America Mascot Team, and he'll spend this fall competing online against 11 oversized college representatives for the title of National Mascot of the Year. Three other SEC mascots made the list: Aubie from Auburn, Cocky from South Carolina and Smokey from Tennessee. Beginning Sept. 8, fans will be able to go to capitalonebowl.com and vote for their favorite mascot in head-to-head challenges. The most popular mascot will be honored at the Capital One Bowl in Orlando, Fla., on Jan. 1.

Poll: New Year's Day bowl in LSU football future

Thirty-five percent of the people who responded to a Daily Report poll say they think the LSU football team won't make another trip to the SEC Championship Game, but they will play in a New Year's Day bowl. Thirty-one percent predict the Tigers will repeat as SEC champs and play in a BCS bowl once again, while 19% say the team will win the SEC Western Division. Eight percent predict the Tigers will repeat as BCS champions, while on the other hand 4% say the football team will play in a December bowl game. Three percent say the team won't win six games to become bowl-eligible. More than 2,000 people participated in the survey. The Tigers kick off their season at 4 p.m. Saturday with a home game against Appalachian State that will be televised on ESPN.

Today's poll: Do you plan on watching U.S. Sen. Barack Obama's acceptance speech Thursday night?

News roundup: Obama supporters plan viewing party … FDIC might have to borrow money from Treasury … Three Louisiana schools make top 100 for high school football

Yes, we can: Supporters of Barack Obama's presidential bid will be gathering at Lyceum Dean Ballroom on Thursday to watch the Illinois senator give his acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention. The event starts at 7 p.m., and there is a suggested donation of $35 ($15 for students). For more information, e-mail obama_br@yahoo.com. … Brother, can you spare a dime? The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp (FDIC) might have to borrow money from the Treasury Department to see it through an expected wave of bank failures, The Wall Street Journal reports. The borrowing could be needed to cover short-term, cash-flow pressures caused by reimbursing depositors immediately after the failure of a bank. The FDIC says there are 117 financially troubled banks and thrifts. U.S. thrifts lost $5.4 billion in the second quarter and set aside a record amount to cover losses from bad mortgages and other loans. … Friday night lights: Three Louisiana schools rank among Rivals.com’s top 100 high school football teams. Bastrop, the defending 4A state champion, ranked sixth in the country. The Rams are led by Rueben Randle, the nation's top high school receiver. Perennial 5A power West Monroe ranked 54th and Destrehan ranked 84th. Read the list here.