A Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries agent was shot multiple times early this morning, according to LDWF. Officials say the shooting occurred when 25-year-old Tyler Wheeler of Monroe performed a vehicle stop on Highway 165 in Morehouse Parish. Another agent was reportedly nearby and arrived on scene shortly after the shooting, and EMS was immediately dispatched to the scene. Wheeler was airlifted to LSU Health Shreveport Trauma Center for treatment, and the extent of his injuries is unknown. Authorities say the search is on for the shooting suspect.

Governor John Bel Edwards says the state has sent the plan for spending the first round of federal flood recovery aid to the feds for approval. He says state officials had to wait for HUD to outline how the money could be spent before it devised its plan. But he hopes spending the second round of aid won’t take so much time.

Cut 23 (08) “…federal register”

Edwards says he is also heading back to Washington to seek additional federal assistance.

Many Louisiana residents may not know how to respond to the cold temperatures we’re experiencing around the state. Mario Valverde with the National Weather Service says one of the biggest dangers will be the roadways because freezing rain and sleet rained down over much of the Bayou State yesterday.

Cut 24 (07) “…use caution”

Valverde advises people to stay off the roadways if possible.

One way to avoid the freezing temperatures outside is to stay indoors. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says people also need to take caution when heating their homes. He says portable space heaters should never be left unattended.

Cut 21 (08) “…of danger”

Browning says people should keep at least three feet of open space around portable heaters.