North Louisiana is enjoying a snow day as up to half a foot of snow fell from a rare winter storm. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

Crews are working to restore power to those in north Louisiana who found themselves without power in addition to snow. Cleco representatives say they hope to have all their customers up and running by the end of the day, however it might be tomorrow for those in rural areas because the weather also caused trees to come down hindering access.

13 Louisiana law enforcement officers died in the line of duty in 2020 according to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, CEO Marcia Ferranto says nine of the 13 are believed to have died from getting infected by coronavirus on the job.
Cut 10 (09) “..duty.”
Two of the other fatalities were related to firearms and the last two were traffic incidents.

As students and faculty return to campus at LSU today, they’ll find a few more changes pandemic wise. LSU Interim President Thomas Galligan, Jr. says in addition to voluntary COVID testing on campus, five percent of the campus population will be sent notices every two weeks that they are to report for mandatory COVID testing.

Cut 13 (08)“…required.”

The I-20 corridor was treated to several inches of snow piled up in yards across the region this morning.  National Weather Service Meteorologist Chris Nuttall says it’s the first time the area has seen enough snow to pile up on the ground since 2018 and in some areas the accumulation was significant…

Cut 4 (11) “…Zwolle” 

It won’t last too long though, temperatures are expected to rise at least ten degrees tomorrow.

The Saints rode their dominant defense to a 21-9 win over the Bears Sunday and face Tom Brady’s Bucs for the third time this season next Sunday. The Saints swept Tampa in the regular season and NFL analyst Mike Detillier says the myth about the difficulty of a three-game sweep just isn’t true…

Cut 7 (10) “incorrect narrative.”

13 Louisiana law enforcement officers died in the line of duty in 2020 according to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, with nine of the 13 being due to COVID infections suffered while on the job. CEO Marcia Ferranto says that’s the highest number they’ve recorded in Louisiana, and part of an unfortunate nationwide trend.

Cut 9 (10) “…numbers.”

Two of the other fatalities were related to firearms and the other two were traffic incidents.

Students are back on campus at LSU for the start of the spring semester and are being treated to a new policy of mandatory, random COVID testing.  LSU Interim President Thomas Galligan, Jr. explains the Sentinel Policy, saying those on campus will be sent notifications to be tested, those who fail to comply could face repercussions.

Cut 12 (08) “…on campus.” 

Five percent of the campus population will be tested every two weeks. 

The I-20 corridor was treated to a light layer of powdery-white snow this morning for the first time since 2018. National Weather Service Meteorologist Chris Nuttall says folks across north Louisiana woke up to several inches of snow in their yards…

Cut 3 (12)  “…snow band was”

Natchitoches saw about three to four inches of snow, five cinches in Grand Cane, and six inches of snow in Zwolle.

Schools are closed and many businesses took the day off as most folks just aren’t comfortable trying to drive or walk through snow in Louisiana. KNOE-TV evening news anchor Jeff Horchak says the kids are enjoying it, but not all pets are excited about the change. Horchak says it’s the first time his dog ever saw snow…

Cut 6 (12) “…he was fine”

LSU staff and students return to campus today and are greeted with new COVID mitigation measures. Brooke Thorington explains

cut 2 (29) ….I’m Brooke Thorington”  

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund CEO Marcia Ferranto says 13 law enforcement officers died in Louisiana in 2020, nine of them from COVID. Ferranto says officers are getting exposed to a lot of coronavirus…

Cut 11 (7) “…families”

It’s a day off from school and many businesses are closed because of the snow. KNOE-TV evening news anchor Jeff Horchak says kids are enjoying the snow and so are adults.
Cut 5 (07) “…snow man”
Cleco says they are working on restoring power and hope to have most of the power restored by end of the day but some rural areas due to tree being down might go with outpower until tomorrow
13 Louisiana law enforcement officers died in the line of duty in 2020 according to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, CEO Marcia Ferranto says nine of the 13 are believed to have died from getting infected by coronavirus on the job.
Cut 10 (09) “..duty.”
Two of the other fatalities were related to firearms and the last two were traffic incidents.

LSU Interim President Thomas Galligan Jr says the school is receiving a limited number of vaccines this week for healthcare students who have direct contact with COVID patients. As for when the vaccine is more widespread, Galligan says if they will implement a requirement for the vaccine remains to be seen.
Cut 14 (12) “…vaccinations.”
The spring semester started today.

The Saints will face the Buccaneers in the Divisional Round of the playoffs on Sunday for the third time this season. Many say beating the same team three times is a rarity, but NFL Analyst Mike Detillier says Who Dat fans should be familiar with a three-game sweep because the Saints accomplished it back in 2017.
Cut 8 (10) “…one year cycle.”

Kick off is a 5:30

North Louisiana is enjoying a snow day as up to half a foot of snow fell from a rare winter storm. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

LDH announces that 209 vaccine providers in all 64 parishes will receive vaccines this week. Last week as more residents became eligible to receive the vaccine supply was extremely limited. More pharmacies and health care centers have been added this week. To set up an appointment or find a provider visit CovidVaccine.La.GOV

As students and faculty return to campus at LSU today, they’ll find a few more changes pandemic wise. LSU Interim President Thomas Galligan, Jr. says in addition to voluntary COVID testing on campus, five percent of the campus population will be sent notices every two weeks that they are to report for mandatory COVID testing.

Cut 13 (08)“…required.”

Galligan says after you’ve tested positive, and isolated properly you will not be required to be tested again for 90 days.

The Saints will face the Buccaneers in the Divisional Round of the playoffs on Sunday for the third time this season.  New Orleans won the first two matchups and while many believe it’s difficult to beat the same team three times in a season, NFL Analyst Mike Detillier says the numbers say otherwise.

Cut 7 (10) “incorrect narrative.”

The Saints have opened as a three-point favorite.

LSU Interim President Thomas Galligan, Jr. says they are adding more mitigation measures for the Spring Semester, for example, random COVID testing. Galligan says those on campus will be sent notifications to be tested, those who fail to comply could face repercussions.

Cut 12 (08) “…on campus.” 

13 Louisiana law enforcement officers died in the line of duty in 2020 according to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. CEO Marcia Ferranto says that’s the highest number they’ve ever recorded in Louisiana, and part of an unfortunate nationwide trend.

Cut 9, 10 seconds, numbers

Nine of the 13 officers who died in Louisiana died from COVID infections linked to exposure on the job. ‘

North Louisiana saw snow on the ground this morning as it experienced its first measurable snow in the event last night since 2018. National Weather Service Meteorologist Chris Nuttall says two-to-three inches of snow fell along the I-20 corridor and there are higher snowfall totals south of the interstate.

Cut 4 (11) “…Zwolle” 

Lost amidst a historic burst of news last week was the fact that Democrats now control both chambers of Congress, and with a Democratic President set to be sworn in will get to set the agenda in Washington for at least the next two years. Political analyst Clancy DuBos says after Dems pass another COVID relief bill expect them to make a pivot into other issues of importance for the caucus.

Cut 11 (08) “…Presidency.

It’s a winter wonderland across north Louisiana today after a rare snowfall ended this morning. National Weather Service Meteorologist Chris Nuttall says two to four inches of snow fell across the region.

Cut 3 (12)  “…snow band was”

Nuttall says two-to-three inches of snow fell along the I-20 corridor, while as much as a half-foot of snow fell in Zwolle.

As the vaccine rollout continues some question the safety and speed at which the vaccines were approved, Assistant Dean for Translational Science at LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine, Doctor Lucio Miele says the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are the safest vaccines he’s ever studied, and 70-thousand participants were involved in the clinical trials.

Cut 6 (11) “…and Moderna.”

Chief Nursing Officer at Baton Rouge Woman’s Hospital Cheri Johnson says they thought birth rates would decline due to uncertainty and financial fallout from the pandemic, but birth rates are up. Visitation restrictions however have changed the experience for families, but Johnson says families have gotten extremely creative as they wait for the delivery.

Cut 9 (07) “…a birth.”

After winning both Georgia Senate races Democrats now control both chambers of Congress for the first time in a decade. Political analyst Clancy DuBos says expect dems to push through another, larger COVID relief bill. DuBos says that means bigger stimulus checks, but not without other priorities attached…

Cut 10 (12) “…vaccine.”

Light snow in north Louisiana will come to an end this morning, but there’s plenty of the white stuff around to build a snowman. The winter storm has also led to numerous closures, especially bridges and overpasses that freeze in these types of conditions. State Police Trooper Brent Hardy says use the 5-1-1 system to get the latest on road closures…
cut 15 (110 “….have to travel”
State offices are closed in 29 parishes.

We are entering the tenth month of the coronavirus pandemic and hospitals are gearing up for an increase in births. Woman’s Hospital is expecting about 200 more births than normal next quarter. Chief Nursing Officer at Woman’s Cheri Johnson says families have adapted to the changes in visitation rules at hospitals….
cut 8 (07) “….virtually”

Lost in the crush of news last week was the fact that Democrats now control both chambers of Congress. Matt Doyle spoke with an analyst about what to expect in the short term from the new blue majority…
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

The Saints are heading to the NFL’s divisional round of the playoffs after a solid 21-9 win over the Chicago Bears yesterday. The defense didn’t allow a touchdown until the final play of the game and Quarterback Drew Brees threw for 265 yards and two TDs. New Orleans will host Tampa Bay this Sunday.

It’s a winter wonderland across north Louisiana this morning as at least a couple of inches of snow fell. It’s fun for the kids as they get a chance to build a snowman, but the winter precipitation also produces slick roadways. State Police Trooper Brent Hardy says if you do not have to drive anywhere stay at home…
cut 13 (10) “…want that”
The snow will not last long as high temperatures today will get into the low 40s.

It’s a new week, so that means thousands of more individuals will get a COVID vaccine. But will it protect you from coronavirus mutations? LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine, Doctor Lucio Miele, says the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines can be easily adapted…
cut 5 (12) “….the past”

The number of COVID-19 patients in the hospital has fallen below two-thousand to 1,960 and 225 of those individuals are on a ventilator. That’s according to the latest COVID numbers provided by the state health department. COVID-19 deaths rose by 40 on Sunday to 7,447 confirmed COVID related fatalities.

Even though the pandemic has changed hospital visitation, families are making unique adjustments when it comes to childbirth. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

It’s a snow day across north Lousiana as a winter storm has blanketed the region. The ULM Weather office reports that two-and-a-half inches of snow fell near Forsythe Park in Monroe. There are road closures as bridges and overpasses are icy. SWEPCO reports 15-thousand customers in northwest Louisiana are without power.

Mutations of the coronavirus raise concerns the vaccines will not be effective. Brooke Thorington spoke with a physician at LSU-Health New Orleans
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

This week, Democrats will push to impeach President Donald Trump over the riot that took place at the U-S Capitol last week. Democrats now have the Majority in the Senate and House and political analyst Clancy Dubos says once Joe Biden is sworn in as President look for COVID-19 relief legislation and there are two other issues that have widespread support within the caucus…
cut 11 (08) “…presidency”

Chief Nursing Officer at Baton Rouge Woman’s Hospital Cheri Johnson says they thought birth rates would decline due to uncertainty and financial fallout from the pandemic. But instead, they’re seeing a slight uptick and they believe changes in the work environment are why many are choosing to add a member to the family.
Cut 7 (05) “…childcare”
Johnson says they expect 200 more births than normal next quarter.