The National Weather Service in Shreveport says it looks like the northern half of the state could be hit by two major winter storms next week. Meteorologist C-S Ross says the I-20 corridor could see single-digit low temperatures for Tuesday morning. He says freezing rain is in the forecast for south Louisiana on Monday, and Tuesday morning will also be very cold south of Alexandria.

Cut 8 (06) “…into the teens”

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.”

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.

Valentine’s Day is one of the busiest dining days of the year for the restaurant industry but with limited capacity due to the pandemic, Wendy Waren with the Louisiana Restaurant Association says many members have creative options for their patrons this year.

Cut 3 (12)  “…to go”

Behind Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day is the second busiest day of the year traditionally for restaurants.

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

Cut 13 (12) “…to tax.”

Robinson says unemployment income is subject to tax.

The National Weather Service in Shreveport says confidence is increasing that the northern half of the state could be hit by two major winter storms next week. Meteorologist C-S Ross says a mix of wintery precipitation is expected to arrive Sunday morning and the storm system will intensify.

Cut 6 (10) “..remain possible.”

And Ross says there’s a good chance for several inches of snow for Shreveport, Monroe, and Alexandria on Monday.

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.”

Beginning today you can file your individual state income tax return for 2020. Louisiana Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson Secretary says if for some reason you didn’t receive a stimulus check you can claim it.

Cut 14 (09) “…return.” 

You are not taxed on income you received from stimulus checks but you are taxed on unemployment income.

Front line workers who received a $250 check will have to pay taxes on that income. For those who received a grant from the Main Street Recovery Program for their business, those funds are subject to state tax as well. The Paycheck Protection Program funds are not subject to state income tax.

Individual Income Tax returns and payments in Louisiana are due May 17^th. Federal income tax returns and payments are due April 15^th.

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.”

_______________________________

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.” 

____________________________

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.”  

____________________________

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.”

________________________

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.

_____________________________

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.”

_____________________________

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.

______________________________________

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”