6:30 LRN Newscast

This arctic blast has been one for the ages. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says this was the biggest snowstorm in South Louisiana in more than 100 years. And Grymes says the cold temperatures will last a couple more days…

Cut 7 (15) “…with the snow.”

The temperatures are in the 20s this morning, so not as cold as yesterday when we saw single digits. And Department of Transportation crews will be back at it again today clearing the major roadways closed because of snow and ice.

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries agents were busy during the snowstorm rescuing duck hunters. Two duck hunters were stranded on Lake Henderson in St. Martin Parish and Sergeant Jeremy Foret was part of the effort where four duck hunters got stranded in St. Mary Parish…

Cut 13 (06) “…call for a help

Foret says they got to the boaters a little more than a hour later.

A Who’s Who of Louisiana politics will converge at a DC hotel starting today for Washington Mardi Gras. Andrew Greenstein reports

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Louisiana U-S Senator Bill Cassidy says he will vote to confirm South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem as Secretary of Homeland Security. In a statement Cassidy says Governor Noem has her priorities straight, a secured southern border and protecting the country from another terror attack like the one in New Orleans on New Year’s Day.

LRN AM Newscall January 23

A Who’s Who of Louisiana politics will converge at a DC hotel starting today for Washington Mardi Gras. Andrew Greenstein reports

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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This snowstorm has certainly been one for the ages. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Congresswoman Julia Letlow introduces two bills aimed at enhancing disaster aid for agricultural producers and improving crop insurance flexibility. Sean Richardson reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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A Who’s Who of Louisiana politics will be in Washington, DC, starting today for Washington Mardi Gras. Jeremy Alford, the publisher of LaPolitcs-dot-com, says this year’s event is getting off to a topsy-turvy start.

Cut 4 (10) “…up to Washington.”

In fact, Alford says the weather here in Louisiana is preventing several people from being able to attend because they cannot get out of the state. He says one of the biggest talking points this year is which Louisianians will get roles in the second Trump administration. He says this is the networking event of the year.

Cut 5 (09) “…government relations professionals.”

Alford says the bar at the Washington Hilton, where this event is happening, is usually dubbed the “65th Parish,” and it’s not an event that any politician will want to miss.

Cut 6 (13) “…want to be.”

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This arctic blast has been one for the ages. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says this was the biggest snowstorm in South Louisiana in more than 100 years – longer than nearly every one of us has been alive. Grymes says we’re not done with the cold temperatures yet.

Cut 7 (15) “…with the snow.”

Grymes says even though road conditions are starting to improve, they’re still quite treacherous. So he’s urging you to once again stay home if at all possible.

Cut 8 (12) “…on the roads.”

DOTD Secretary Joe Donahue says road treatments are not only ongoing 24 hours a day, but they’re expanding.

Cut 9 (11)  “…to the east.”

To stay up to date on road conditions, go to 511la.org.

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Congresswoman Julia Letlow has introduced two bills aimed at enhancing disaster aid for agricultural producers and improving crop insurance flexibility.

Cut 10 (11) “…to the finish line.”

The Drought Assistance Improvement Act seeks to reform emergency relief programs by modifying and expanding programs to cover crawfish losses due to adverse weather or drought.  Letlow emphasized the importance of proactive reforms to swiftly support farmers facing severe weather.

Cut 11 (05) “…before disasters strike.”

The Quality Loss Adjustment Improvement for Farmers Act aims to improve federal crop insurance by requiring a regional discount factor for soybean crops during extreme weather events. Letlow says this will all protect Louisiana’s agricultural community.

Cut 12 (05) “…severe weather events.”

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Rescue crews from the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries rescued four stranded duck hunters from the Atchafalaya Delta Wildlife Management Area in St. Mary Parish. Sergeant Jeremy Foret (for-RAY) says the call came in shortly after 9:30 Tuesday morning.

Cut 13 (06)  “…call for help.”

Sergeant Foret says they got to the boaters a little more than an hour later. He says there were several factors that led to the boaters needing help.

Cut 14 (06) “…the little boat.”

Foret says all four hunters are doing well.

Cut 15 (04) “…attention was needed.”

Later that same day, Foret and his crew rescued a duck hunter who ran out of gas in his boat. He was brought back to his vehicle and also needed no medical attention.

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The Ragin Cajuns men’s basketball team hosts Texas State at 3 PM today. Both teams are 4-and-3 in Sun Belt play. U-L Lafayette interim head coach Derrick Zimmerman says one of the Bobcats’ best players is Tylan Pope from Franklinton….

Cut 16 (16) “…with them.”

Tuesday’s record snowfall has disrupted the Cajuns’ preparations for today’s game, but Zimmerman says that’s no excuse…

Cut 17 (17)  “…we’ll be ready to play.”

The Cajuns have won six straight games over Texas State.

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Louisiana Tech begins a three game-home stand tonight when they host Western Kentucky at 6 PM in a game televised by CBS Sports Network. The Bulldogs dropped two close games on the road last week to fall to two and four in Conference USA play. Tech has already matched conference loss total from last year and Coach Talvin Hester says they have not been as good on the defensive end of the court…

Cut 18 (09)   “…172.”

The Bulldogs have also been hit by the injury bug. Will Jeffress is out for the season with an injury. Al Green and Jordan Crawford have also been injured recently. Hester says they have to play through these injuries…

Cut 19 (12) “…growing toward.”

5:30 LRN Newscast

New all time record lows were set this morning. National Weather Service Meteorologist Stacey Denson says single digit temperature readings were recorded across southwest Louisiana…

Cut 3 (13) “…in Lafayette.” 

And the highest snowfall total – 11 and a half inches in Chalmette.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The weather warmed up throughout the day today to cause some of the snow to melt and the roads to start to dry up. So much so that this afternoon, DOTD was able to reopen westbound I-10 from I-49 in Lafayette to the Texas state line. Others may take a little longer to reopen. DOTD spokesman Rodney Mallett says one challenge with the Interstates is that many of them have long stretches where they go over water, and bridges always freeze first, making for extremely dangerous driving conditions.

Cut 11 (07) “…in the south.”

Despite the slight warming throughout the day today, LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says we’re not quite out of the woods just yet.

Cut 13 (05)  “…block of ice.”

Tonight’s Pelicans home game against the Bucks has been postponed, and the huge matchup in women’s basketball between number-five LSU and number-two South Carolina has been pushed back from tomorrow night to Friday afternoon.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

One of the top candidates for the Saints head coaching job has found a job elsewhere. The New York Jets have hired Aaron Glenn to be their next head coach. Glenn became a hot head coaching candidate because of his work as defensive coordinator for the Lions. Before he went to Detroit, Glenn was an assistant coach for the Saints and played one season in New Orleans, which helped make him one of the top candidates to replace the fired Dennis Allen.

Tuesday’s record snowfall event is keeping the LSU women’s basketball team from traveling to Columbia, South Carolina, so the game against the Gamecocks has postponed from Thursday night to Friday at 4 PM. The fifth ranked Lady Tigers are 20-and-0, while South Carolina is 18-and-1.

Many of the major roads remain snow covered in New Orleans, so tonight’s Pelicans-Bucks game has been postponed. It has yet to be determined when the game will be played. The Pels next game is Friday at Memphis.

College football coaching legend Nick Saban said on the Pivot Podcast hosted by former LSU Tiger and NFL star Ryan Clark that the biggest professional mistake he made was leaving LSU. Saban says he enjoyed his two seasons as the head coach of the Miami Dolphins, but found out he enjoyed coaching college athletes better and knew that in his heart before leaving LSU….

Cut 30 (22) “…Miami then”

You can hear the entire interview on the Pivot podcast.

Ruston native and former Louisiana Tech and West Monroe quarterback Max Causey will be one of the referees for Super Bowl 59 in New Orleans. Causey has been an NFL for three years and he’ll serve as the down judge. He just officiated the Redskins upset win over the Lions in the divisional playoffs.

4:30 LRN Newscast

Below-freezing temperatures are cold for Louisiana, but this morning we nearly saw temperatures below zero. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy announced his support for confirming South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem as the 8th U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security. Praising her focus on border security and counterterrorism, Cassidy expressed confidence in her leadership and the administration’s commitment to securing the southern border. He pledged to vote for her confirmation.

Since the start of the storm, DOTD has worked around the clock to treat roadways with salt and brine. Spokesman Rodney Mallett says that work continues today and beyond.

Cut 9 (11)  “…tonight and tomorrow.”

I-10 westbound from I-49 to the Texas state line has been reopened.

Get used to this snow; it’s going to be around for a few more days. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says while it will be warmer tomorrow, it won’t warm up to the point to cause any significant melting.

Cut 12 (09) “…into the weekend.”

3:30 LRN Newscast

Get used to seeing this snow; it’s going to be around for a few more days. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says it’s not going to be warm enough today or tomorrow to cause any significant melting. He says if you can just survive tomorrow, we will see significant melting starting Friday.

Cut 14 (11) “…will be gone.”

Most Interstate freeways throughout South Louisiana from Lake Charles eastward remain closed – however, this afternoon, westbound I-10 has reopened from I-49 to the Texas state line. DOTD Spokesman Rodney Mallett says it’s unclear when other stretches will reopen.

Cut 10 (10) “…need to be.”

Go to 511la.org to stay up to date.

The highest snowfall total recorded in Louisiana happened in Chalmette – 11.5 inches. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

This wicked weather has led to a few postponements in the sports world. Tonight’s Pelicans home game against the Bucks has been postponed; no makeup date has been announced. And the highly anticipated women’s basketball game in Columbia, South Carolina, between fifth ranked LSU and second ranked South Carolina has been postponed from tomorrow night to Friday afternoon.

2:30 LRN Newscast

New all time record lows were set this morning. National Weather Service Meteorologist Stacey Denson says single digit temperature readings were recorded across southwest Louisiana…

Cut 3 (13) “…in Lafayette.”

The low temperature at Baton Rouge Airport got down to seven degrees, that’s a record for that location.

The sun is out, and the temperature is above freezing, which is helping to melt the snow. But several major road ways remain closed, including I-10 from the Texas-Louisiana line to Baton Rouge. I-55 between LaPlace and Ponchatoula is closed and so is I-10 through New Orleans. U-S 90 in Terrebonne and Lafourche Parishes is also shut down. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett…

Cut 11 (07) “….in the south”

 

Eleven and a half inches of snow fell in Chalmette. That appears to be the highest snowfall total. St. Benard Parish Director of Homeland Security John Rahaim says the snow has been beautiful to look at, but some people received minor injuries…

Cut 7 (15) “…doing”

The search is on for a gunman who fatally shot a man delivering pharmaceutical drugs to a Walgreens across the street from Byrd High School. Shreveport Police spokesperson Chris Bordelon says they received a 9-1-1 call at 10:20 AM…

Cut 19 (11) “…investigation”

Bordelon says they believe the suspect fled to an apartment complex in Bossier City.

1:30 LRN Newscast

New all time record lows were set this morning. National Weather Service Meteorologist Stacey Denson says they are still finalizing snowfall totals, but a large portion of southwest Louisiana saw more than a half foot of snow…

Cut 4 (07) “…in Acadia Parish.”

Who got the most snow yesterday? Looks like the winner is Chalmette as the New Orleans suburb recorded 11.5 inches of snow. St. Bernard Parish Director of Homeland Security John Rahaim (ram) says the historic snowfall was great, but he’s ready for it go to away.

Cut 8 (11) “…here pretty soon.”

Since the start of the storm, DOTD has worked around the clock to treat roadways with salt and brine. Spokesman Rodney Mallett says that work continues today and beyond.

Cut 9 (11)  “…tonight and tomorrow.”

Get used to this snow; it’s going to be around for a few more days. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says despite the slightly warmer temperatures, we will not be out of the woods with dangerous conditions just yet.

Cut 13 (09)  “…block of ice.”

LRN PM Newscall Jan 22

Below freezing temperatures are cold for Louisiana, but this morning we nearly saw temperatures below zero. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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The highest snowfall total recorded in Louisiana happened in Chalmette, 11.5 inches.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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New all time record lows were set this morning. National Weather Service Meteorologist Stacey Denson says single digit temperature readings were recorded across southwest Louisiana…

Cut 3 (13) “…in Lafayette.”

Denson says they are still finalizing snowfall totals, but a large portion of southwest Louisiana saw more than a half foot of snow…

Cut 4 (07) “…in Acadia Parish.”

Eight-inch snowfall totals were recorded in Jennings, Opelousas, Lafayette, Jeanerette and even in Morgan City. Denson says the wind was so strong and the snowfall was coming down so fast, the National Weather Service in Lake Charles  issued its first ever blizzard warning on Tuesday morning….

Cut 5 (15) “…light snow.”

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Who got the most snow yesterday? Looks like the winner is Chalmette as the New Orleans suburb recorded 11.5 inches of snow. St. Bernard Parish Director of Homeland Security John Rahaim (ram) says it was a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence.

Cut 6 (09) “…left Colorado.”

Rahaim says the snow as beautiful to look at, unfortunately there were a few people injured while performing dangerous stunts.

Cut 7 (15) “…shouldn’t be doing”

Rahaim says the historic snowfall was great, but he’s ready for it go to away.

Cut 8 (11) “…here pretty soon.”

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Since the start of the storm, DOTD has worked around the clock to treat roadways with salt and brine. Spokesman Rodney Mallett says that work continues today and beyond.

Cut 9 (11)  “…tonight and tomorrow.”

For now, all Interstate freeways throughout South Louisiana from Lake Charles eastward remain closed. Mallett says it’s unclear when they will reopen.

Cut 10 (10) “…need to be.”

Mallett says one challenge with the Interstates is that many of them have long stretches where they go over water, and bridges always freeze first, making for extremely dangerous driving conditions.

Cut 11 (07) “…in the south.”

To stay up to date on road conditions, go to 511la.org.

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Get used to this snow; it’s going to be around for a few more days. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says while it will be warmer tomorrow, it won’t warm up to the point to cause any significant melting.

Cut 12 (09) “…into the weekend.”

Keim says furthermore, despite the slightly warmer temperatures, we will not be out of the woods with dangerous conditions just yet.

Cut 13 (09)  “…block of ice.”

But Keim says if you can just survive tomorrow, we will see significant melting starting Friday.

Cut 14 (11) “…will be gone.”

12:30 LRN Newscast

The sun is out and it’s warming up, but the governor is pleading with the public where snow is still on the ground to stay home…

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Get used to this snow; it will be around for a few more days. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says while it will be warmer tomorrow, it won’t warm up to the point to melt it all away….

Cut 12 (09) “…into the weekend.”

Who got the most snow yesterday? Looks like the winner is Chalmette as the New Orleans suburb recorded 11.5 inches of snow. St. Bernard Parish Director of Homeland Security John Rahaim (ram) says it was a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence.

Cut 6 (09) “…left Colorado.”

But Rahaim says first responders had to attend to a few people who were injured performing dangerous stunts in the snow.

Eight-inch snowfall totals were recorded in Jennings, Opelousas, Lafayette, Jeanerette and even in Morgan City. Meteorologist Stacy Denson says the wind was so strong and the snowfall was coming down so fast, the National Weather Service in Lake Charles issued its first ever blizzard warning on Tuesday morning….

Cut 5 (15) “…light snow.”

Lafayette and New Iberia set all time record low temperatures as it got down to two degrees in Lafayette and four degrees in New Iberia.