Snow sleet and freezing rain has been falling across northern parishes of Louisiana. LRN meteorologist Bill Jacquemin says it’s been a light dusting so far…
cut 6 (09) “….ice up first'”
Not everyone will see winter precipitation today and tomorrow, but the entire state see below freezing temperatures., Wednesday morning will be the coldest for south Louisiana. Cameron Kowalski with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles says this storm system will also produce northerly winds of 20 to 25 miles per hour which is why there is a wind chill advisory for nearly the entire state…
Cut 16 (12) “..single digits”

A special sesson to redraw the state’s Congressional map will get underway at 4 PM today. If it was up to Governor Jeff Landry, he would not have called a special session a week after a new Legislature was sworn in. During an appearance on the Moon Griffon show, Landry says a mid-January special session is needed because a federal judge set a January 30th deadline to redraw a Congressional district map with two majority-minority districts, instead of one..
Cut 4 (12) “..do it”
Legislators will also consider changes to campaign finance laws and if the state should move to closed party primaries. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin understands the need for a special session, but maybe legislators should just focus on redrawing the Congressional map…
cut 9 (10) “….would look like”

Light mixed precipitation has been falling this morning in the northwestern corner of our state. Jeff Palermo reports cold air is rushing down from the artic, bringing below freezing temperatures…
cut 3 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.

Streets and lawns are covered with a thin layer of white stuff this morning in the Shreveport area. At the Shreveport Regional Airport. American and United Airlines were forced to cancel several early-morning flights. The I-20 corridor is under a winter storm warning until 6 PM.

A special session called by Governor Jeff Landry begins at 4 PM today. Lawmakers have until January 23rd to redraw congressional district boundaries. A federal judge ruled the current map with one Black district violates the Voting Rights Act, because a third of the state’s population is Black. During an appearance on the Moon Griffon Show, Landry says legislators will draw a map with a second majority Black district…
cut 5 (12) “….control the outcome”
During this nine day special session, legislators will also look to redraw the Supreme Court lines and debate moving to closed primaries. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin believes too many difficult issues have been packed into this session…
cut 8 (10) “…new lawmakers”

The special session gets underway this afternoon for lawmakers to redraw the state’s congressional district map after the current one was ruled unconstitutional. LA-Politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says it’s anybody’s guess what will happen this time around…

Cut 10 (07) “…or not.”
A government watchdog group is concerned the call for this special session is too broad. Collen Crain reports legislators will attempt to approve new Congressional and Supreme Court district maps, make changes to campaign finance laws and switch to a party primary system for all elections.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”
—————-

Grammy award winning Cajun recording artis- Jo-El Sonner has died at the age of 77 while on tour in Texas. The Louisiana legend had competed a show at the Llano county Opry on Saturday night before suffering a major heart attack. Sonnier began playing his brother’s accorion by the age of three, by six he had been on the radio, and by 11, he had recorded his first songs. J0-El Sonnier was known for his many hits like “No Moew One More Time” & “Come on Joe”.

It will be cold for the next few days. Highs for north Louisiana will be in the mid to upper 20s today. Central Louisiana will see highs near the freezing mark. Mid-40s for south Louisiana today. Cameron Kowalski with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles says tomorrow will be the coldest day for south Louisiana…

Cut 15 (11) “…the coast”

The special session to redraw the state’s congressional districts gets underway this afternoon, and the governor wants lawmakers to address a dozen other issues too. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (33)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Lawmakers have until January 23rd to complete their redistricting work. Governor Jeff Landry says after that they’ll turn their attention to a special session that will attempt to lower the crime rate…

Cut 6 (06) “…to work on.”

——-
The entire I-20 corridor is under a winter storm warning as snow, sleet and freezing rain is expected to fall through the afternoon hours. Experts say there’s a chance for freezing rain for entire the state. It will be very light for south Louisiana. Ryan Knapp, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Shreveport, says central Louisiana could see one to two-tenths of an inch of freezing rain…

Cut 14 (11) “..heavier impacts.” 
Tragic news out of Ascension Parish this morning as a mother and one year old child were found shot to death in Gonzales yesterday. According to the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office, the bodies were found inside a trailer home at the Oak Village Mobile Home Park off Airline Highway yesterday evening around 5:30. A person of interest was taken into custody. Authorities suspect the shootings were an act of domestic violence.

This afternoon, Louisiana lawmakers convene a special Legislative session to address the court-ordered redistricting of Louisiana’s congressional map and there are several other complicated issues on the agenda. The special session must conclude on January 23rd. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says legislators do not have a lot of time…

Cut 7 (12) “…campaign finance.”
Calling a special session so soon wasn’t something Governor Jeff Landry would have done if he’d had his way. But during an appearance on the Moon Griffon show, Landry said a mid-January special session is a must because a federal judge set a January 30th deadline to  redraw a Congressional district map with two majority-minority districts, instead of one..

Cut 4 (12) “..do it”
————-

The entire I-20 corridor is under a winter storm warning as snow, sleet and freezing rain is expected to fall through the afternoon hours. Ryan Knapp is a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Shreveport….

Cut 13 (14) “..sleet accumulations”
DOTD has already announced several road closures due to winter weather conditions. Urban I-49 in Caddo Parish is closed. The closure includes the northbound lanes of I-49 between LA 526 and I-20, as well as the southbound lanes from I-20 to LA 3132. And that’s not all, the southbound lanes of I-49 are also closed between the I-22 interchange in Shreveport and Mira Myrtis Road in Caddo as are the Benton Road Overpass in Bossier And the LA 154 Bridge over Lake Bistineau in Bosier/Bienville Parishes. For the latest information on road closures, you can always visit www.5-11-L-A-dot-org.

One suspect is in custody and another is being sought in the Thursday shooting outside a Bogalusa High Basketball game that left a 14-year-old dead and left a 13 year old hospitalized. According to Nola.com Bogalusa police arresedf 21 year old Jamichael Spikes on counts of obstruction of justice related to the shooting. As for a motive, investigators do not believe the shooting was random.

Cut 7 (05) “…this point.” 

Police are also searching for a 17-year-old in connection with the crime, though they do not believe he was the shooter.

The New Orleans teenager convicted of killing Linda Frickey in March of 2022 was sentenced to life in prison yesterday. John Honore, who was 17 when he committed the crime, could be eligible for parole after 25 years. You’ll recall the murder involved the murder involved Honore carjacking, beating, and dragging Frickey 700 feet with her own car.

It nay be  cold outside now, but Louisiana is just beginning to brace for arctic air and the possibility of winter precipitation. Morehouse, East and West Carroll are under a winter storm watch, starting Sunday night and lasting until Monday afternoon, LRN Meteorologist Bill Jacquemin…

Cut 3 (11) “…Monday night.”
Jaqueman says snow will be a possibility along the Louisiana-Arkansas border.

While we’re all considering our pets, pipes, and plants ahead the hard freeze, don’t forget about your car. Experts say you should have your battery checked and make sure your tires are properly inflated. Tripple A spokesman Don Redman says anti-freeze is especially important. And if you find it low, it’s important to remember….

Cut 11 (06) “…fits all.”

Louisiana continues to brace for the arrival of some arctic air and the possibility of winter precipitation on Sunday. Experts say snow will be a possibility along the Louisiana-Arkansas border. The I-20 corridor could see a combination of sleet and freezing rain. LRN Meteorologist Bill Jacquemin says the cold will stick around through Tuesday and into Wednesday morning…

Cut 5 (07) “…at all” 

While we’re all considering our pets and pipes as the temperatures begin to plummet, don’t forget about those plants. LSU Ag Center Horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard recommends using mulch as an insulator to protect your perennials.

Cut  14 (08) “..those roots.”
Kirk-Ballard says your shrubs and other trees should be able to weather the deep freeze.

———-

As Louisiana prepares for the coldest temperatures we’ve seen in years. Colleen Crain has some reminders for preparing your automobile…

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Colleen Crain.” 

And if your worried about your electric bill, be aware Entergy Louisiana says they are temporarily suspending disconnections for non-payment through next Friday. Beyond January 19^th, Entergy says they will take a day-by-day approach on disconnections.

Governor Jeff Landry has already issued a state of emergency ahead of the anticipated cold weather Sunday through Wednesday. He’s encouraging residents to prepare and to visit GetAGamePlan-dot-org for a guide.

Snow is a possibility along the Louisiana-Arkansas border. The I-20 corridor could see a combination of sleet and freezing rain, while Natchitoches, Jena and Winnsboro and the Natchez area could see freezing rain. LRN Meteorologist Bill Jacquemin says it will be cold enough for winter precipitation

Cut 4 (12) “..Tuesday afternoon”

Entergy Louisiana says they are temporarily suspending disconnections for non-payment from Monday through Friday next week due to the anticipated severely cold weather. Beyond January 19^th, Entergy says they will take a day-by-day approach on disconnections.

———

With a deep freeze in the forecast, you’ll want to be sure to protect your tropical plants. LSU Ag Center Horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard says if they are in containers move them indoors like a garage or your porch. But if those tropical plants are in the ground…

Cut 12 (11)  “…insulator.”  

If you’ll be traveling in the next few days, consider the much colder temperatures and be sure to visit 511-LA-dot-org for the latest road conditions.

And you’ll also want to consider your automobile ahead of the frigid temperatures.  Tripple A Spokesman Don Redman says have your battery checked because the freezing temperatures can kill an a battery that’s already weak. But he says that’s not the only thing that could leave you stranded.

Cut 10 (09) “…spare tire.”