Several bridges and overpasses in north Louisiana are closed as a result of light icing from freezing rain. More winter weather is on the way, which is why Governor John Bel Edwards has declared a state of emergency as the northern half of the state could be hit with two winter storms next week and dangerous wind chills.

Beginning today you can file your federal and state income taxes for 2020. Brooke Thorington has more…
cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Bars are closed in New Orleans and there are no parades as the COVID-19 pandemic has produced a very different Mardi Gras weekend. But Mardi Gras Guide Publisher Arthur Hardy says people are still celebrating the carnival season. He says there are thousands of house floats, king cakes are being consumed and Mardi Gras merchandise is being sold …
cut 5 (07) “…spirit”
But Hardy looks forward to a normal Mardi Gras season in 2022.

Researchers have been able to identify the specific traits that make a person a super spreader for COVID-19. Tulane National Primate Research Center Director for Infectious Disease Aerobiology Chad Roy says those who were older with higher body mass indexes and an increasing degree of COVID-19 infection had three times the number of exhaled respiratory droplets as others…
cut 11 (09) “…particles”

Louisiana will experience the quietest Mardi Gras weekend in living memory with public gatherings banned and parades canceled. Mardi Gras Guide Publisher Arthur Hardy says this is a special time of year and in our hearts we know we’re missing something right now.
Cut 4 (08)“…no more.”
Mardi Gras might be canceled but king cakes are flying off the shelves and Hardy says folks have adjusted by building nearly 3,000 house floats.

It’s not exactly parade weather anyways as we’ll see cold temperatures through Fat Tuesday. Entergy spokesperson Brandon Scardigli advises customers to set their thermostat at 68-degrees or lower…
cut 8 (12) “…on your bill”
Scardigli says heating costs can account for more than 50-percent of a customer’s monthly energy use.

The Tulane National Primate Research Center participates in a study that helps ID those most likely to transmit COVID-19. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

Donald Trump’s lawyers make their formal arguments today against impeaching the former president under the allegations that he provoked the riot at the U-S Capitol on January 6th. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy was asked if he thought Trump was responsible…
cut 30 (04) “…end of story”

It will be a quiet Mardi Gras weekend with no parades, bars closed and officials urging against multi-family gatherings. There’s been talk about re-scheduling parades until later this year, but Mardi Gras Guide publisher Arthur Hardy doubts we’ll see parades this year…
cut 6 (10) “…season”
Hardy looks forward to Ash Wednesday when we can officially start to look forward to Mardi Gras 2022.

Louisiana is set to experience some cold temperatures through Fat Tuesday, maybe even single-digit temperatures in north Louisiana on Tuesday morning. Entergy recommends setting the thermostat at 68-degrees and spokesperson Brandon Scardigli says if you have a smart meter you can view your daily electricity usage…
cut 9 (06) “…you’re spending”

Tulane has participated in a study that has found older people with higher body mass indexes and an increasing degree of COVID infection are three times more likely to be a super spreader than a younger, healthier person. Tulane researcher, Doctor Chris Roy says the study also showed COVID weakens airway mucus allowing viral particles to move more freely out of the body which reinforces the message of if you get sick, stay home.
cut 12 (07) “….data”

Tax filing season begins today. Louisiana Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson says the stimulus checks you received last year are not taxable, but you do have to pay taxes on unemployment benefits received…
cut 15 (08) “….some people”
Robinson says the frontline worker rebates and main street recovery program grants that small businesses received are subject to state income taxes.

The northern half of the state is under a winter weather advisory as mainly central and northeast Louisiana will see periods of freezing rain and freezing drizzle until noon today. Light ice accumulations are possible.

The state is looking at a very cold stretch of days coming up. A cold snap in December led to higher utility bills for Entergy customers. Entergy spokesperson Brandon Scardigli says monitoring your thermostat can help keep power bills down, while also keeping your house warm…
cut 7 (08) “….energy usage

Beginning today you can file your 2020 federal and state income tax returns. Louisiana Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson says you do not have to pay taxes on the stimulus checks…
Cut 13 (12) “…to tax.”
But Robinson says unemployment benefits are subject to taxes.

This time last year crowds were packing the streets of New Orleans for Mardi Gras weekend, unknowingly sowing the seeds for one of the most deadly outbreaks of COVID in the world. Matt Doyle has more…
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

This time last year crowds were packing the streets of New Orleans for Mardi Gras weekend, unknowingly sowing the seeds for one of the most deadly outbreaks of COVID in the world. Matt Doyle has more…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

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The Tulane National Primate Research Center participates in a study that helps ID those most likely to transmit COVID-19. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

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Beginning today you can file your state income taxes for 2020 in Louisiana. Stimulus checks and unemployment will play a part in how you file so pay attention. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

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Louisiana is set to experience the quietest Mardi Gras weekend in living memory with public gatherings banned and parades canceled.

Mardi Gras Guide Publisher Arthur Hardy says this is a special and important time of year for Louisianans, and in our hearts we know we’re all missing something right now.

Cut 4 (08)“…no more.”

There’s near-universal agreement that Carnival 2020 was the super spreading event that sparked the deadly first wave of the pandemic in the New Orleans area.

Mardi Gras might be canceled but king cakes are still in production and Hardy says folks have adjusted by building nearly 3,000 house floats, some of the most prominent right along St. Charles Avenue.

Cut 5 (07)“…spirit.”

There is light at the end of the tunnel with vaccine production ramping up but Hardy says that won’t happen in time to hypothetically reschedule the holiday.

Cut 6 (10) “…season.”

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Louisiana is experiencing a blast of arctic air that will continue through Tuesday.  A cold snap in December led to higher utility bills for Entergy customers in January.  Entergy Spokesperson Brandon Scardigli says monitoring your thermostat can save you money while heating your home.

Cut 7 (08)  “…energy usage.”

Scardigli explains that setting your thermostat above 68 degrees for an extended period of time could prove to be costly.

Cut 8 (12) “…on your bill.”

Scardigli provides examples of cheaper alternatives that folks can use to heat their home.

Cut 9 (08) “…warm air inside.”

If customers have had their new advanced meter installed, they can log in to myEntergy to track their energy usage.

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A national study of primates and humans with COVID shows only a fifth of individuals are responsible for 80 percent of viral transmission.

The study tracked the expiration of virally loaded aerosols from both populations and Tulane National Primate Research Center Director of Infectious Disease Aerobiology Chad Roy says they made an interesting discovery…

Cut 10 (11) “…potential.”

Peak viral expiration was found to be a week after initial infection, with patients’ viral expiration on average returning to normal after two weeks.

Roy says the full study discovered a correlation between someone’s age and BMI, and how much virus they spewed once infected.

Cut 11 (09) “…particles.”

194 healthy people were tracked in the study as they went through the course of COVID.

The study also showed COVID weakens airway mucus allowing viral particles to move more freely out of the body. Roy says it further reinforces the message of if you get sick, stay home.

Cut 12 (05) “…data.”

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Beginning today you can file your individual state income tax return for 2020 Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Revenue Kimberly Robinson points out a few things to note before you file since last year added some unusual scenarios.

Cut 13 (12) “…to tax.”

Stimulus checks are not taxed either, both state and federal.

If for some reason you didn’t receive your stimulus check last year, Robinson says you have the opportunity to claim it on your tax returns.

Cut 14 (09) “…return.” 

Another thing you should be aware of is your unemployment benefits. Robinson says with record filings of unemployment last year many are not aware of how it affects your tax return.

Cut 15 (08)“…people.”

If your business received Paycheck Protection Loan forgiveness it is not subject to be taxed either. Also, Robinson says the deductions that were taken in December are not subject to be taxed either.

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Louisiana Tech men’s basketball will take on UAB in a two-game series beginning tonight at 6:30.  UAB is one of the top teams in Conference USA with a 16-2 overall record.  Tech head coach Eric Konkol says what makes the Blazers so good is their aggressive defense.

Cut 16 (13) “…quite a bit.”

Tech is only shooting 43 percent from the floor this year and Konkol says a key for the Bulldogs will be getting into the paint.

Cut 17 (14) “…in there.”

A winter weather advisory has been issued along I-20 tonight along with areas south of the interstate. Light freezing rain is possible overnight and into Friday morning. This could present slick travel conditions and black ice on bridges and overpasses. At least five people were killed in a massive pile-up in Fort Worth this morning after freezing rain and sleet fell along Interstate 35.

The Youngsville Police Department arrests a Lafayette Parish School system teacher and her husband for an inappropriate relationship with their exchange student.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”  

The State Fire Marshal is warning Louisianans to prepare their home for the polar vortex by checking their smoke detector and taking note of space heater safety. Fire Marshal Butch Browning says if you plan on using a space heater to ward off the incoming cold plug it directly into the wall because extension cords can cause resistance.

Cut 9 (07) “..fire”

The Republican Party of East Baton Rouge Parish has censured Senator Bill Cassidy for his vote to allow the second impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump to continue on constitutional grounds, but Cassidy says even Trump’s lawyers agree that the House managers made a strong case that the impeachment trial should continue.

Cut 14 (12) “…five minutes”

Tough night for the Pels as Bull’s guard Zach Lavine’s 46 points help lift Chicago to a 129-116 win over New Orleans. It’s the end of a four game win streak for New Orleans who was up at the half but just buried by Lavine and his backcourt partner Colby White who both made over eight threes in the game. Only good news? Another 29 points from Zion and rookie guard Kira Lewis played 24 aggressive minutes racking up 14 points.

In better news the Tigers scored another W last night getting a 94-80 win over Mississippi State behind big games from guards Cameron Thomas and Javonte Smart who put up 25 and 22 points respectively. Hot night of shooting for the Tigers who went 61 percent from the floor and 45 from 3.

After a brutal start to the year Northwestern has now won four in a row. The Demons won a squeaker over Incarnate Word 68 to 67 last night on a team effort that saw four players in double digit scoring.

The Cajuns and Warhawks begin their two game series tonight in Lafayette with tip off set for 7 PM. The Cajuns top two scorers are Cedric Russell, who is averaging nearly 19 points a game and sophomore Mylik Wilson, who is averaging 13 a contest. But Wilson’s shooting numbers are down from last season when he was the Sun Belt Freshman of the Year. Assistant coach Brock Morris says other teams have figured out what Wilson does well…

Cut 19 (23) “…he does best.” 

Warhawks coach Keith Richard says his team will face the challenge of trying to slow down guard Cedric Russell.

Cut 16 (10) “…doing it all.”

The state is will soon see record low temps as a polar vortex approaches this weekend. So, before you try to turn up the heat State Fire Marshal Browning says checking that your smoke alarm is working properly is crucial. He says that alarm gives you 60 seconds to get out of your house as quickly as possible. He says without an alarm…

Cut 11 (10) “…die”

The recent third wave of the pandemic took its toll on nursing homes across the state according to new data from AARP. State Director Denise Botcher says from December 21^st to January 17^th 347 residents died of COVID, and 1,521 residents tested positive.

Cut 3 (09)  “..community”

1,391 staff also tested positive during that time.

The Republican Party of East Baton Rouge Parish has censured Senator Bill Cassidy for his vote to allow the second impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump to continue. The Republican Party of E-B-R says to allow the impeachment fiasco to continue was a betrayal of the people of Louisiana and a rebuke of those who supported President Trump. Cassidy’s response

Cut 13 (09)“. reject it”

The Youngsville Police Department arrests a Lafayette Parish School system employee, Kimberly Wellman Rich for allegedly having sex with an exchange student. Police Chief Ricky Boudreaux says her also husband Jeffrey Rich allegedly supplied the student with alcohol and marijuana. Boudreaux says this is not the first time they’ve hosted an exchange student.

Cut 8 (12) “…student.”

A polar vortex is sweeping down from Canada and before the temps start dropping State Fire Marshal Butch Browning wants you to check your smoke alarms before turning on those heaters. Matt Doyle has more.

cut 2 (30) …I’m Matt Doyle”  

Vaugh Gordon, the Lafayette man who participated in the Jan. 6 riot inside the U.S. Capitol faces additional federal charges. Violent entry and disorderly conduct and parading demonstrating or picketing in capitol building have been added to the entering and remaining along with disorderly conduct within a restricted building.  The case was moved to federal court in D.C.

The Republican Party of East Baton Rouge Parish has censured Senator Bill Cassidy for his vote to allow the second impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump to continue. Cassidy says he was following the constitution which allows for the impeachment of a private person.

Cut 12 (12) “   it’s constitutional” 

The Youngsville Police Department has arrested a Lafayette Parish School system employee for allegedly having sex with an exchange student that was living in her house. Police chief Ricky Boudreaux says an anonymous call led authorities to investigate 36-year old Kimberly Wellman-Rich.

Cut 6 (10) “…residence.”

Boudreaux says her husband 34-year old Jeffrey Rich was also arrested because he allegedly knew about the inappropriate relationship and allegedly gave the 15-year old marijuana and alcohol.