Today is a great day to not leave your house in Louisiana. The drivers who are out this morning are struggling. Kelley Ray has a winter update..:
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kelley Ray”

Current road closures include I-10 in both directions from I-49 in Lafayette to Williams Blvd in Kenner. I-12 is closed in both directions from I-10 in Baton Rouge to Madisonville/Goodbee. I-55 is closed from LaPlace to north of Kentwood. In North Louisiana, I-49 is closed from Shreveport to the border. In Lake Charles, the loop is closed.

Iced roads and closed schools have many workers asking if they have to go to their jobs today. Baton Rouge Attorney Yigal Bander says if your boss threatens you with a pink slip for skipping out, he’s still the boss.:
Cut 7 (10) “do about it”
Louisiana, like most states, is employment at will.

A UNO poll shows President Donald Trump beating Oprah Winfrey by double digits in a hypothetical general election matchup. Trump gathered 60 percent of support in the poll of 722 Louisiana voters. Pollster Ed Chervenak says part of the reason is the president’s high approval rating here…:
Cut 4 (07) “of Louisiana”
Trump’s approval rating is about 40 percent nationwide.

Much of the state has seen snow and ice fall to the ground today, making travel very difficult. State Trooper Michael Reichardt says slow down. The posted speed limits don’t mean anything when the weather is this treacherous…
Cut 11 (10) “like today.”
Several major interstates are closed, portions of I-49 and I-220 in northwest Louisiana and late this afternoon the I-10 Atchafalya Basin was shut down in both ways between Lafayette and Baton Rouge. State Transportation spokesperson Rodney Mallett says these highways will likely not be open for your morning commute, since the temperatures will be well below freezing…
cut 16 (12) “…thaw out”

Online shoppers could receive tax notices for purchases made from out of state retailers. Matt Doyle spoke with the state revenue department…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Florida Governor Rick Scott announced today he’ll travel to Louisiana this week on a trade mission to share with Louisiana companies how the Sunshine state is making it easier on families and job creators. Governor John Bel Edwards says he’ll be happy to show Scott how he’s turned this state around.

Drivers are finding it tough to get to where they need to be this morning.  Kelley Ray has more on this extended winter weather.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kelley Ray”

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A UNO poll shows President Donald Trump would handily beat Oprah Winfrey in a hypothetical Louisiana general election. Matt Doyle has more…

Cut 2 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

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Roads are iced and schools are closed, but many workers are still being called in to their jobs. Jeff Palermo talked to an attorney about whether or not your employer has the legal right to fire you for not coming in…

Cut 3 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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A statewide poll by UNO shows President Donald Trump beating Oprah Winfrey by double digits in a hypothetical general election matchup. Trump gathered 60 percent of support in the poll of 722 Louisiana voters, with the results slip sharply along racial and gender lines. Pollster Ed Chervenak says part of the reason is the president’s high approval rating in the bayou…

Cut 4  (07) “of Louisiana” 

Trump’s approval rating is about 40 percent nationwide.

White men and women had nearly identical levels of support for trump, but Chervenak says the numbers were different among black voters…

Cut 5  (10)  “were split.”

36 percent of black voters supported Trump over Winfrey in the poll. Chervenak says it’s because of the state’s conservative bent…

Cut 6 (07)  “the state”

Nationwide eight percent of blacks supported Trump in 2016.

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Iced roads and closed schools have many workers asking if they have to go to their jobs today. Baton Rouge Attorney Yigal Bander says if your boss threatens you with a pink slip for skipping out, you don’t have many legal options…

Cut 7 (10)  “do about it.”

Louisiana, like most states, is employment at will. Bander says outside of gender, race, religion, and other protected areas, this means your employment status is wholly up to your boss…

Cut 8 (10) “at all.”

Bander says if you have a legal disability, and are fired today for not attending, you may have a legal recourse…

Cut 9 (10)  “have a case.”

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Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell says taxpayers could save millions, if electric companies and cities convert to new energy efficient environmentally friendly streetlights.  Campbell is proposing that the PSC conduct a comprehensive review of streetlight technology and how cities can save money by changing over.  He says 40 percent of Shreveport’s electric bill is for their 35,000 street lights…

Cut 10 (10) “money back.”

Campbell points out the lights are environmentally friendly and has other benefits.  Cities and towns would have more control over the equipment to help conserve energy…

Cut 11 (09) “do that.”

Cities and towns have expressed concern over the cost of the changeover, saying they don’t have enough capital at the outset to change over to the new technology.  Campbell says if the PSC approves this study, those cities will get the help they need…

Cut 12 (07) “save money.”

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Some of the coldest temperatures Louisiana has seen so far are being observed this morning. Some areas are reporting near single digit temperatures while coastal areas are not warmer than the 20’s to start the day off.  Lake Charles National Weather Service forecaster Robert Megnia (meg-knee-a) says the entire state is waking up to a chilly morning…

Cut 13 (09)  “9 degrees.”

Megnia says after bottoming out this morning, temperatures will slowly rebound across the state over the next 48 hours…

Cut 14 (07) “near 30.”

Meanwhile, if you’re heading out to work this morning, allow for plenty of extra time.  DOTD’s Rodney Mallet says if a road is deemed unsafe, you might find your normal route to work may be closed…

Cut 15 (08) “routes open.”

Mallet says even when temperatures above freezing later today, it doesn’t mean the slippery conditions go away immediately…

Cut 16 (11)  “thaw out.”

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Drew Brees’s contract is a huge question mark for the Saints this offseason. The quarterback turned 39 on Monday, and is a free agent in March. Brees and the Saints front office have been coy so far about contract negotiations, but Brees says he hopes to have a deal before the free agent deadline. The quarterback says this young, talented group is a great incentive to stick around with his favorite team…

Cut 17 (16) “yes i do”

Brees says he intends to end his career in black and gold, and doesn’t want to play anywhere else. He said part of that is because head coach Sean Payton took a chance on him in 2006 when others wouldn’t…

Cut 18 (14) “Sean Payton”

After the best campaign in years was cut tragically short by Stephon Diggs, Drew took a moment to reflect on the season…

Cut 19 (12)  “be proud of” 

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An arctic front has brought snow and ice to the Bayou State. Michelle Southern has a look at the storm’s impact…
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern.”

Entergy reminds customers to be smart when it comes to electricity and gas usage during these sub freezing temperatures. Spokesman Greg Guilbeau says keep your thermostat at 68 degrees…:
Cut 15 (10) “still cool”

The State Department of Revenue says consumers who purchased items online through retailers with a physical presence outside of Louisiana will receive a notification this month that they are expected to pay a sales tax on that item, if they didn’t do so at the time of purchase. This requirement is due to a 2016 law. Department of Revenue spokesperson Byron Henderson says online orders are not exempt from sales taxes…:
Cut 3 (10) “time of purchase”
He says shoppers shouldn’t have to worry about Amazon purchases, as the online giant began charging sales taxes after the bill was passed.

Florida Governor Rick Scott has announced he’ll be in Louisiana this week on a domestic trade mission. Scott says he’ll try to convince Louisiana businesses to move to Florida. In a statement from the Louisiana governor’s office, they call Governor Scott one of Bobby Jindal’s biggest cheerleaders.

39-year-old Saints Quarterback Drew Brees is not interested in playing for any other NFL team, even though he can become an unrestricted free agent in March. Despite the disappointing end to the season in Minnesota, Brees likes the potential of the Saints moving forward. NFL analyst Mike Detillier has said he expects the Saints to sign Brees to a two-year contract that will pay him around 25-million dollars a year.

Meanwhile, Saints offensive right tackle Zach Strief says he might retire after tearing his A-C-L and M-C-L in October. The 34-year-old Strief is under contract next season, but he lost his starting spot to first-rounder Ryan Raymczyk.

LSU Guard Garrett Brumfield says he’ll return for his senior season. That means three of LSU’s five starting offensive linemen for 2017 will be back in 2018.

LSU is ranked 16th in the D-1 baseball preseason poll. Florida, Arkansas, Kentucky, Ole Miss and Texas A-and-M are SEC teams ranked in the top 10.

Even though the LSU campus closed at 3 PM today because of the winter weather, the Tigers basketball team will host Georgia at 6 PM on ESPN-U. The Bayou Bengals are coming off a 74-66 loss to Alabama. The Crimson Tide out rebounded LSU 40-24 in that game. Coach Will Wade says they better clean the glass tonight tonight or they’ll get mauled by the Dawgs…
cut 28 (15) “…ours is”
Georgia has four starters over six-foot-six, including six-foot-eight senior forward Yante Maten (Yahn-tay May-tin), who is averaging 20 points a game.

Nicholls seeks its third straight win as they host Texas A-and-M Corpus Christi. The Pelicans are also shooting for their third straight win as they are in Boston tonight. The Celtics have won seven straight.

A winter storm is impacting most of the state with snow, ice, freezing rain and extremely cold temperatures. The storm dumped quite a bit of snow in northwest Louisiana. National Weather Service Meteorologist Matt Hemmingway says forecasts held true for the amount of snow they got…
Cut 6 (09) “Interstate 20.”
State Police have responded to numerous crashes on the interstates and surface roads. If you do get into an accident and need assistance, Trooper Michael Reichardt says it could take a while for law enforcement to reach you. Just another reason to stay off the roadways…
Cut 12 (08) “different things.”
It’s also very cold, with wind chill readings in the teens for much of the state.

The winter weather precipitation is moving into southeast Louisiana. Alek Krautman with the National Weather Service says they are not anticipating much snow for this region of the state….
cut 9 (11) “…an inch”
The precipitation will move out of the state tonight, but another cold day is in store for Louisiana. Highs will not get into the 40s until Thursday.

Consumers who made a purchase from an online company that doesn’t have a physical presence in Louisiana and didn’t pay sales taxes on that item, will receive a notification this month informing them they owe taxes to the state. State Revenue Department spokesperson Byron Henderson…
cut 5 (09) “….tax return”
It’s unclear how much money the state will collect as a result of this new law that requires the state to increase its effort to collect taxes on on-line purchases.

The snow and ice continues to fall in portions of Louisiana.  The precipitation is along and north of I-10 and I-12 at this hour with snow in Alexandria and north along I-20.  For drivers who are out in the bad weather, State Trooper Michael Reichardt says to slow down.  The posted speed limits don’t mean anything when the weather is this treacherous…

Cut 11 (10) “like today.”

Entergy is reminding customers to not only stay warm, but also smart when it comes to electricity and gas usage during this cold snap. Spokesman Greg Guilbeau says to seal air leaks around doors and windows, conserve hot water by wrapping electric water heaters, and keeping the air circulating can help your utility bill.  He says to use the leverage of the sun to your advantage…

Cut 16  (08)  “cold weather”

The winter storm has had some pretty significant impacts on Ouachita Parish today. Glen Springfield with the Sheriff’s Office says it started snowing before daylight. He says ice that fell before the snow caused the closure of I-20 interstate ramps and some overpasses…:

Cut 13 (10) “ice on it”

The State Revenue Department says online retailers outside of Louisiana which delivered goods or services to Louisiana addresses will soon notify shoppers to pay sales taxes on those purchases. LDR’s Byron Henderson says a 2016 makes it mandatory for customers to pay sales tax on shipped items if they didn’t at the time of purchase…

Cut 4  (11) “those transactions.” 

Amazon started charging the sales tax after the bill passed.

An arctic front has brought snow and ice to the Bayou State. Michelle Southern has a look at the storm’s impact…
Voicer 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern.”

Snow will begin tapering off in Alexandria, while the freezing line has made it to Baton Rouge. Alek Krautman is with the National Weather Service in Slidelll….
cut 8 (10) “…evening hours”

It’s a snow day across Louisiana as between one to three-plus inches of snow has fallen across the northern half of the state. Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s office spokesperson Glen Springfield says stay home and enjoy the pretty snow….
cut 14 (10) “…on the roadways”
Sterlington Police Chief Barry Bonner has posted a video of himself doing a snow angel without a shirt on as an effort to encourage people to stay home and play in the snow.

Consumers who made a purchase from an online company that doesn’t have a physical presence in Louisiana and didn’t pay sales taxes on that item, will receive a notification this month informing them they owe taxes to the state. State Revenue Department spokesperson Byron Henderson…
cut 5 (09) “….tax return”
It’s unclear how much money the state will collect as a result of this new law that requires the state to increase its effort to collect taxes on on-line purchases.

Online shoppers could receive tax notices for purchases made from out of state retailers. Matt Doyle talked to the Department of Revenue about what to expect…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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An arctic front has brought snow and ice to the Bayou State.  Michelle Southern has a look at the storm’s impact…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern.”

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The State Revenue Department says online retailers which delivered goods or services to Louisiana addresses will soon notify shoppers about purchases subject to the state use tax.This requirement is due to a state law passed in 2016. L-D-R spokesperson Byron Henderson says online orders are not  exempt of sales taxes…

Cut 3 (10) “time of purchase.”

Henderson says if out of state businesses don’t charge sales tax at the time of purchase, the burden of paying it falls back on the customer…

Cut 4  (11) “those transactions.” 

Tax filing season starts January 29^th, and Henderson says if you file with a tax professional, then you should provide them with the use tax notices, but if you file by yourself…

Cut 5  (09)  “tax return.”

Shoppers shouldn’t have to worry about Amazon purchases, as the online giant began charging sales tax after the bill was passed.

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The winter storm moving through Louisiana is impacting most of the state with snow, ice, freezing rain and extremely cold temperatures.  The storm dumped quite a bit of snow in Shreveport.  National Weather Service Meteorologist Matt Hemmingway says forecasts held true for the amount of snow they got…

Cut 6 (09)  “Interstate 20.”

Hemmingway says temperatures will remain below freezing in north Louisiana for the next few days, which will keep the snow and ice around for a while…

Cut 7 (09)  “at freezing.”

Southeast Louisiana will not escape the winter storm.  National Weather Service forecaster Alek Krautman says as the day moves along, it will impact commuters going home from work…

Cut 8 (10) “evening hours.”

Krautman says there won’t be much snow won’t be much of a factor in southeast Louisiana.  Any precipitation that falls will be in the form of ice…

Cut 9 (11) “an inch.”

Forecasters say temperatures will remain at or below freezing through at least Thursday for many areas of Louisiana, which will refreeze any snow and water remaining on the ground, which will create dangerous driving conditions.

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State Police Troopers are working hard to keep drivers safe today.  Portions of Interstates 20, 49 and 220 are shut down in the Shreveport-Bossier City area after the area received up to four inches of snow.  Senior Trooper Michael Reichardt says many roads are icy…

Cut 10 (11) “stay home.”

For drivers who are out in the bad weather, Reichardt says to slow down.  The posted speed limits don’t mean anything when the weather is this treacherous…

Cut 11 (10) “like today.”

If you do find yourself in an accident and need the assistance, Reichardt says it could take a while for law enforcement to reach you.  Just another reason to stay off the roadways…

Cut 12 (08) “different things.”

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The winter storm has had some pretty significant impacts on Ouachita Parish today. Glen Springfield with the Sheriff’s Office says it’s been snowing since just before daylight, with just a little accumulation. He says ice has caused the closure of I-20 interstate ramps and some overpasses…:

Cut 13 (10) “ice on it”

Springfield says the roads are going to get worse before they get better today and tomorrow, so they are encouraging folks to stay home and enjoy the pretty snow…:

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North Louisiana has seen up to four inches of snow in some areas as this winter blast moved into the state this morning, but the white stuff likely won’t be as much of an issue in bottom half of the state. National Weather Service forecaster Alek Krautman says Any precipitation that falls will be in the form of ice…:
Cut 9 (10) “an inch”

Entergy is reminding customers to not only stay warm, but also smart when it comes to electricity and gas usage when heating your home. Spokesman Greg Guilbeau says they like to encourage folks to keep their thermostat at 68 degrees…:
Cut 15 (10) “still cool”
All state offices are closed tomorrow in Louisiana, as are most schools and many businesses. State Police are spreading the word that this is going to be an ice event this evening so please stay home.

Online shoppers could be receiving tax notices for purchases made from out of state retailers. Matt Doyle spoke with the state Department of Revenue:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

A legislative task force today recommended moving riverboat casinos onto dry land, and Republican State Senator Ronnie Johns of Lake Charles said he would draft bills based on the suggestions. The only casino on land now is Harrah’s on Poydras Street in New Orleans. The proposed legislation would lift the requirement that the paddle wheels operate and that the boats be manned with a captain and other marine crew.