Southern states on alert as potential storm brews in Gulf

Southern states cast a wary eye on the Gulf of Mexico on Friday following forecasts of a tropical depression that could drench the coast over the holiday weekend. Major oil producers in the region evacuated workers as New Orleans braced for possible flooding and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal declared a state of emergency. The city -- much of which sits below sea level -- is likely to see 8 to 10 inches of rain in the next few days, Mayor Mitch Landrieu told reporters. The National Hurricane Center maintained a tropical storm warning...