JEFFERSON CITY - Three National Guard units from Columbia, Fulton, and Maryville are driving south to provide security in New Orleans.

National Guard Spokesperson Major David Kolarik says he expects the soldiers to be gone anywhere from two to four weeks.

JEFFERSON CITY - In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, some Missouri schools are taking in students who left areas devastated by the storm.

Education Department Spokesman Jim Morris says that while he does not know how many refugee students will be coming to Missouri, he is confidant that overcrowding and funding will not be a problem.

JEFFERSON CITY - Missouri's National Guard adjutant general said the troops will begin deploying on Thursday.

Gen. King Sidwell said he expected Missouri would have troops in the region for about two months -- but that individual guard members would be rotated out after about two weeks.

JEFFERSON CITY - Attorney Jay Nixon announced today that his office will investigate possible gas price gouging in response to Hurricane Katrina.

Some Missouri gas stations jumped prices from 20-30 cents per gallon overnight. Nixon feels this is very concerning increase. "We are looking at the increase with a definite edge in our attitude," he said.

JEFFERSON CITY - The State Highway Patrol says thieves may start stealing fuel from vehicles rather than pay higher prices.

Lt. Tim Hull says lockable gas caps are being sold for newer automobiles.

The Highway Patrol reminds Missouri residents that anyone who drives away from the pump without paying could lose their license.

JEFFERSON CITY - A class action lawsuit was filed Monday seeking a temporary restraining order against Medicaid cuts for medical equipment.

The state will file a response by Wednesday afternoon.

JEFFERSON CITY - The lawsuit was filed in in federal court in St. Louis on behalf of several disabled Missourians.

The suit challenges the legislature's elimination of Medicaid coverage for durable medical equipment such as wheelchair batteries.

The lawsuit seeks a temporary restraining order to block the cuts from taking effect on Sept. 1.

JEFFERSON CITY - As thousands of Missouri adults lose Medicaid coverage because of cutbacks effective Thursday, Sept. 1, Missouri's welfare agency says it does not have a plan to track the impact of the cuts on those who lose medical coverage.

The state will track Missouri adults who have lost eligibility beacuse of changes to Medicaid only if they re-enter the system by meeting eligibility requirements in the future, said Deborah Scott, a spokesperson for the state Social Services Department.

JEFFERSON CITY - While Missouri crops have suffered severely due to the drought this year, so have citizens' personal landscapes. Almost all small shrubery, oriental trees, and what is thought to be well-established forestry have been hit hard by the drought.

Professional landscaper Stacey Smith of Johnson Lawncare Inc. in Columbia, MO, said, "We are seeing established trees of ten years that usually are not effected by drought, be effected."