TALLAHASSEE, Florida (AP) — The Latest on Hurricane Michael (all times local): 11:40 p.m. Worried meteorologists now expect a strengthening Hurricane Michael to slam into the Florida Panhandle as one of the worst storms in the region's history. The National Hurricane Center's late Tuesday forecast predicted the storm would approach the central Panhandle region Wednesday as a Category 4 storm with sustained winds around 130 mph (210 kph) . Says meteorologist Ryan Maue of weathermodels.com, "I guess it's the worst case scenario.

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Police say two passengers in a car involved in a crash have died. News outlets report 20-year-old Deshon Murphy died on the scene, while 19-year-old Tyrin Carter later died. Baton Rouge police spokesman Sgt. Don Coppola Jr. says Murphy and Carter were passengers in a 2010 Honda Accord at about 1:35 p.m. Monday, when the 21-year-old driver lost control of the vehicle and crossed a double yellow line. They were hit by an oncoming 2019 Freightliner tow truck. Police say Murphy was the front seat passenger, and Carter was in a backseat.

MIAMI (AP) — Hurricane Michael quickly intensified into a Category 2 over warm Gulf of Mexico waters Tuesday amid fears it would strike Florida on Wednesday as an even stronger hurricane. Mandatory evacuations were issued as beach dwellers rushed to board up homes just ahead of what could be a devastating hit.

MONROE, La. (AP) — Deputies say a Louisiana man who called 911 to report an ax attack was found uninjured and in possession of meth he says was planted by a ghost.

News outlets report Michael L. Auttenberry is charged with giving a false police report and possession of a controlled dangerous substance. Ouachita Parish Sheriff's deputies say Auttenberry called authorities this month to report that he had been hit in the head with an ax.

ALEXANDRIA, La. (AP) — A former police officer in Louisiana who was arrested last year has pleaded guilty to one felony count of abuse of office. News outlets in Alexandria say Kenneth Seth Thomas entered the plea Monday morning. A marijuana distribution charge against the former Alexandria Police Department member was dropped. When authorities arrested the 43-year-old Thomas in September of last year, they said investigators learned that he had distributed marijuana and that, while on duty, he had sex with at least one woman. Thomas is to be sentenced Nov. 26.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The Coast Guard says a helicopter crew has rescued four people from a burning passenger vessel off Louisiana.

A news release says people on the Grand Sun reported the fire about 2:40 a.m. Monday from the Chandeleur Sound, and a helicopter arrived before 4 a.m.

The aircrew took all four to emergency medical services at Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans.

Petty Officer Travis MaGee says he doesn't know where they went from there, or their conditions.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court is rejecting an appeal from a man convicted of joining a New Orleans police officer in the killing of her fellow officer and two other people during a 1995 robbery.

The justices on Tuesday declined to review a Louisiana Supreme Court ruling that upheld the man's convictions, despite questions about the impartiality of several jurors and the judge who presided over the trial.