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NEW YORK (AP) — Officials say an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 4.8 shook the densely populated New York City metropolitan area. Residents reported they felt rumbling across the Northeast on Friday morning. The quake was centered in New Jersey about 45 miles west of New York City and 50 miles north of Philadelphia.

(AP) — Throughout history, solar eclipses have had profound impact on adherents of various religions around the world. They were viewed as messages from God or spiritual forces, inducing emotions ranging from dread to wonder. Ahead of the total solar eclipse that will cross over North America on Monday, it's an appropriate time to take stock of these traditions and beliefs. Some Christians have believed that an eclipse portends the coming of the “end times” that will precede Christ’s return to Earth. The Talmud – the collection of writings that constitute Jewish religious law – offers specific blessings for many natural phenomena, but not for eclipses. Instead, it depicts an eclipse as “a bad omen for the whole world.”

LAKE CHARLES — The Better Business Bureau of Southwest Louisiana is holding an event this month to assist residents with minimizing their chances of having their identities stolen.

—Requirement of electric vehicle chargers in Louisiana using electricity from renewable sources was paused by the author of the legislation Tuesday.

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry has proclaimed the month of April as “Safe Digging Month” in Louisiana as part of a nationwide safety awareness campaign to draw attention to the thousands of miles of buried infrastructure throughout the state, as well as highlight the importance of safe excavation and demolition.

— Proposals involving surcharges by Louisiana's insurer of last resort and insurance carriers expecting profit exceeding 10% have been deferred.