The Bayou State will become the Frozen State tonight with temps dipping into the teens tonight. LRN’s John Weatherby says we’ll experience strong northwest winds with gusts up to 40 miles per hour.
Don’t forget to prep your pipes for the deep freeze that begins tonight and Weatherby says to be sure to dress in layers.
Louisiana Humane Society director Jeff Dorson says the arrival of very cold winter weather has led to a sharp increase in calls about pets left outside without adequate shelter. Dorson says many complaints are overlooked or never investigated because more than half of the parishes don’t have animal control agencies.
The artic weather will continue into next week.
Terri Ricks has been appointed to oversee the Department of Children and Family Services. The agency has been under fire after two high-profile child deaths. Since Governor Edwards took office, he says the state general fund for DCFS has almost doubled, he says it’s approximately 90 more than in 2016. Edwards says he plans to recommend part of the budget surplus go to DCFS to increase staffing.
Cut 10 (09) “…qualified workers.”
A surge in COVID cases is impacting nursing homes across the country. Louisiana AARP Director of Advocacy Andrew Muhl says their dashboard shows an increase in cases among residents and staff, and deaths nationwide are up 26 percent from the four-week period that ended November 20, compared to the previous four-week period.