Precipitation is falling in north Louisiana, and we’ll wait to see if it becomes freezing rain, sleet or snow. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says it could snow tomorrow morning near the Arkansas state line…

Cut 12 (09) “…slip and slide.”

Four parishes in northwest Louisiana, Caddo, Bossier, Webster and Claiborne, are under a winter storm warning, and a winter weather advisory is in place for several other north Louisiana parishes.

SWEPCO is prepared to respond to power outages when they occur from the winter storm. Michelle Marcotte with SWEPCO says they’ve been getting the trucks and crews ready.

Cut 14 (13) “…to restore power.”

Marcotte says they also have extra personnel ready to respond.

So far this year, 11 people have died in eight separate fires across the state amid brutally cold temperatures. State Fire Marshal Bryan Adams says none of the homes involved in these deadly fires had a working smoke detector…

Cut 10 (10) “…free of charge.”

Adams says at this time last year, they did not have a single house fire fatality.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries warns of potential fish kills along the coast amid these freezing temperatures. Fisheries biologist Jason Adriance notes that slower temperature drops give fish a better chance to acclimate and survive.

Cut 7 (07) “…more severe impact.”

One coastal species most at risk is the Spotted Seatrout which struggles when water temperatures drop below 40-degrees for over a day, while Red Drum begins to experience issues in the mid-30s.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) warns of potential fish kills along the coast as freezing temperatures and an arctic blast sweep across the state. Fisheries biologist Jason Adriance says water temperatures haven’t dropped enough yet.

Cut 6 (08) “…that can happen.”

So far this year, 11 people have died in eight separate fires across the state. The two latest deadly fires were in Shreveport and in Rapides Parish, with elderly victims in each. State Fire Marshal Bryan Adams says at this time last year, they did not have a single house fire fatality…

Cut 9 (08)  “…my team.”

You can help those affected by the tragedy in New Orleans by buying special Saints and Pelicans “love for New Orleans” warm-up shirts. Brittany Whitsell, the director of charitable giving and development for the Saints and the Pelicans, says the Saints and the Pelicans both worked with the NFL and the NBA, respectively, to crank out as many shirts as possible.

Cut 5 (08) “…soon as possible.”

The legislature is expected to take up soaring homeowners and auto insurance premiums in its next regular session this year. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says one state that had a similar plight is Florida, where homeowners saw their insurance premiums skyrocket after Hurricane Ian in 2022. He says just as Louisiana homeowners are experiencing, it took time for them to start seeing results.

Cut 15 (11) “…benefit of that.”

Winter storm warnings and winter weather advisories are in effect for much of north Louisiana. LRN Meteorologist Bill Jacquemin reports Texas and Arkansas will get the brunt of this storm, not Louisiana…

Cut 2 (30) “…dark paved surfaces.”

Utilities are getting ready to respond to issues caused by the winter storm. SWEPCO has spent the last several days getting their trucks stocked and ready and making sure crews have proper winter attire so that they can go out and restore power. SWEPCO has more than a thousand additional personnel ready to respond should they be needed.

It’s the national day of mourning for President Jimmy Carter, who died on December 29th at the age of 100. One organization near and dear to President Carter’s heart was Habitat for Humanity. After leaving office, Carter helped the organization build a countless number of homes. Kathy Gardner, the CEO of Habitat for Humanity of North Louisiana, says Carter set the example for everyone else to follow.

Cut 4 (13) “…in North Louisiana.”

You can help those affected by the tragedy in New Orleans by buying special Saints and Pelicans “love for New Orleans” warm-up shirts. Brittany Whitsell, the director of charitable giving and development for the Saints and the Pelicans, says they’re designed to show solidarity with the city.

Cut 3 (08) “…really helping everybody.”

With the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras coming up, the big talk is how to make the French Quarter safe, especially in light of what happened early New Year’s Day. New Orleans Representative Alonzo Knox says he is open to any and all suggestions.

Cut 10 (10) “…least mitigate it.”

Some have suggested turning the entire French Quarter into a pedestrian mall. Knox says the problem there is that part of the French Quarter is residential, with people living there 365 days a year.

The legislature is expected to take up soaring homeowners and auto insurance premiums in its next regular session this year. Governor Landry has expressed frustration that a package of insurance industry-backed bills has not lowered premiums. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says he understands the frustration.

Cut 13 (08) “…understand the frustration.”

Temple says this crisis has been years in the making, and a fix will not happen overnight.

On this, the national day of mourning, Habitat for Humanity chapters across the country, including here in Louisiana, are mourning the passing of one of its biggest champions, President Jimmy Carter. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

We’re now learning of stories of heroism in the deadly terror attack on Bourbon Street New Year’s Day. Jack Bech, the brother of Tiger Bech, posted on social media that Tiger pushed a girl out of harm’s way as Shamsud-Din Jabbar plowed a pickup truck into a crowd at the entrance from Canal Street. Tiger Bech was one of 14 innocent people killed in the attack.

Today, a nation comes together to mourn the passing of Jimmy Carter. The 39th President died December 29th at the age of 100. One organization near and dear to his heart was Habitat for Humanity, having helped build several homes for the organization. Kathy Gardner, the president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity of North Louisiana, says Carter left a lasting legacy.

Cut 6 (13) “…loving human mankind.”

With the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras coming up, the big talk is how to make the French Quarter safe, especially in light of what happened early New Year’s Day. Some have suggested turning the entire French Quarter into a pedestrian mall. New Orleans representative Alonzo Knox says there’s one problem with that.

Cut 11 (08) “…of the year.”

Knox says a more viable solution is to turn just Bourbon Street into a permanent pedestrian mall – something that has previously been floated, only to have businesses on that street push back.

North Louisiana braces for a winter storm. The question now is, what kind of winter precipitation will fall? Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

So far this year, 11 people have died in eight separate fires across the state. The two latest deadly fires were in Shreveport and in Rapides Parish, with one person dying in each. These deadly fires come amid plummeting temperatures throughout Louisiana, as people come up with creative – and dangerous – ways to stay warm.

A winter storm warning is in effect for Caddo, Bossier, Webster and Claiborne Parishes. Meteorologist Matthew Hemingway with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says the higher accumulation of the winter precipitation will take place near the Louisiana-Arkansas border…

Cut 8 (12) “…southern parts.”

For Monroe, Jonesboro, Winnsboro, Mansfield, Natchitoches, Alexandr and DeRidder, the possibility of freezing rain is ten percent or less.

Prior to the new year, Governor Jeff Landry expressed frustration that legislation approved in the regular session last year has not resulted in the lowering of homeowners insurance rates. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple points to Florida, who approved property insurance reforms after Hurricane Ian in 2022…

Cut 15 (11) “…benefit of that”

Since the New Year’s Day terrorist attack on Bourbon Street, there’s been talk about making one of the most famous streets in the world a pedestrian mall. State Representative Alonzo Knox’s district covers the French Quarter and says it is a possibility…

Cut 12 (08) “…a pedestrian mall”

New Orleans has hired former New York City Police Commissioner William Bratton. He’s known as an anti-terror planning expert.

It’s a National Day of Mourning for President Jimmy Carter, who died on December 29th at the age of 100. One organization near and dear to President Carter’s heart was Habitat for Humanity. After leaving office, Carter helped the organization build a countless number of homes. Kathy Gardner, the CEO of Habitat for Humanity of North Louisiana, says Carter set the example for everyone else to follow.

Cut 4 (13) “…in North Louisiana.”

Former New York City police commissioner William Bratton has been hired to look at how New Orleans can improve its security efforts. Bratton will meet with the media today.

One of the victims in the New Year’s Day attack, Tiger Bech, pushed a girl out of harm’s way from the suspect’s truck that was speeding down Bourbon Street. That’s according to Tiger’s brother Jack Bech, who posted the information he received from the FBI on social media.

Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple understands the frustration about rising homeowners’ insurance premiums. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

We’re watching for the possibility of wintery precipitation across north Louisiana today and into tomorrow. The biggest threat is for northwest Louisiana and Meteorologist Matthew Hemingway with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says if we get any freezing rain that could be a problem…

Cut 9 (12) “…Friday morning”

Precipitation is expected to begin falling this afternoon.

Today is a National Day of Mourning for our 39^th President Jimmy Carter, who passed away just before the new year. Carter is remembered for his time in politics and his humanitarian efforts. He was involved with many organizations including Habitat for Humanity. Kathy Gardner is the CEO of the Habitat for Humanity of North Louisiana…

Cut 5 (13) “…a greater level”

A winter storm rolls into north Louisiana today, the question is what type of precipitation will fall? National Weather Service Meteorologist Matthew Hemingway says the high temperatures will reach the upper-30s, so we could see mixed precipitation at first….

Cut 7 (13) “…area Friday morning.”

Expect the precipitation to fall early this afternoon.

In New Orleans, discussions continue on how to make the French Quarter safer in light of the terrorist attack on New  Year’s Day on Bourbon Street. State Representative Alonzo Knox’s district includes the French Quarter and he’s open to all suggestions…

Cut 10 (10) “…least mitigate it”

The city has hired tactical expert Bill Bratton, who has led both the New York and Los Angeles Police departments. He’ll be introduced to the media this afternoon.

On this, the national day of mourning, Habitat for Humanity chapters across the country, including here in Louisiana, are mourning the passing of one of its biggest champions, President Jimmy Carter.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Governor Jeff Landry told the Advocate newspaper he’s frustrated legislation passed in the 2024 regular session has yet to lead to a decrease in homeowners insurance premiums. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple’s response…

Cut 14 (08) “…of this crisis”

Temple remains confident the reforms passed last year will end the rise in premiums.