Red Cross disaster action teams have responded to scores of home fires in the last week. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Life for many in north Louisiana is starting to get back to normal. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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The frigid temperatures this week put a temporary pause on the harvesting of crawfish. LSU Ag Center crawfish agent Todd Fontenot says when it gets really cold, crawfish bury themselves in the mud…

Cut 3 (07) “…the mud.”

Fontenot says not only did the cold temperatures halt harvesting activities, it also kept mudbugs from growing, because they just burrow deep into the mud to stay warm …

Cut 4 (04) “…somewhat.”

Fontenot says now that the temperatures are starting to warm, crawfishermen can get back on their ponds and resume harvesting…

Cut 5 (06) “…their bait.”

Fontenot says we can still expect the peak supply of crawfish from late February and into April.

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With conditions evocative of New England winters gripping Louisiana, Red Cross disaster action teams have responded to no fewer than 44 single-family home fires and two multi-family home fires throughout the state over the last seven days. Shelby Wells with the Red Cross of Louisiana says the organization is able to help those displaced with immediate financial assistance.

Cut 6 (08) “…really immediate needs.”

Wells says Red Cross home fire response teams are 100-percent volunteer-based.

Cut 7 (10) “…to anyone anywhere.”

Wells says the money that the Red Cross gives to those who are displaced by fires is never a loan.

Cut 8 (08) “…all donation-funded.”

Meanwhile, the Red Cross is currently managing six shelters serving more than 120 people. In addition, it’s supporting 21 partner shelters and 19 warming centers.

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With temperatures getting up to the mid-40s, north Louisiana is beginning to thaw out. About 70-thousand utility customers remain without electricity according to power-outage dot-u-s, more than half of those outages are in Ouachita Parish. In nearby Lincoln Parish, the outages were not nearly as significant. Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker…

Cut 9 (12)  “…three hours.”

According to the Lincoln Parish Journal, Mayor Walker and his wife Kay served gumbo to linemen, street workers and first responders. Walker says he also provided food and water to the hundreds of vehicles stranded on I-20 because of stalled out trucks..

Cut 10 (12) “…that much ice.”

Walker says hundreds of vehicles were stranded on I-20 in very cold temperatures….

Cut 11 (10) “…or whatever.”

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Those of you who need to drive from Shreveport to Monroe or vice-versa, you can once again do so with relative ease. Erin Buchanan with DOTD says crews were able to clear I-20 of all of those stalled 18-wheelers that had ground traffic to a halt for hours.

Cut 12 (13) “…the sunshine too.”

Buchanan says you’ll still want to pay attention along I-20, as you should always do.

Cut 13 (10) “…the most part.”

Buchanan says icy conditions, however, still have one significant section of roadway closed just south of I-20 on the far western edge of the state.

Cut 14 (09) “…quickly as possible.”

The state health department has confirmed another winter storm-related death, but the number of deaths connected to the ice storm is still eight. That’s because the death of a 62-year-old man in Sabine Parish is no longer considered storm related. So, the eighth death tied to the storm is a 65-year-old man in Jackson Parish who died from hypothermia after his home lost power.

Red Cross disaster action teams have responded to scores of home fires in the last week. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Traffic is flowing smoothy once again on I-20 between Shreveport and Monroe.  Erin Buchanan with DOTD says crews were able to clear I-20 of all of those stalled 18-wheelers that had traffic halted for multiple days.

Cut 12 (13) “…the sunshine too.”

Ruston Mayor Ronnie Walker says with help from local police, he went to I-20 on Monday to provide the hundreds of stranded motorists with food and water…

Cut 10 (12) “…that much ice”

Another contributing factor….according to Governor Jeff Landry the brine sprayed on I-20 to prevent ice from forming, actually froze, so it was NOT able to act as an anti-icing agent.

The American Red Cross says over the last seven days they’ve responded to no fewer than 44 single-family home fires and two multi-family home fires throughout the state. Shelby Wells with the Red Cross of Louisiana says they are not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of Americans to perform its mission. Wells says the money that the Red Cross gives to those who are displaced by a fire is never a loan…

Cut 8 (08) “…all-donation funded”

The cold weather is not good for crawfish as mudbugs find warmth by burrowing into the mud. LSU Ag Center crawfish agent Todd Fontenot says that keeps them growing…

Cut 4 (04) “…somewhat”

Another blast of arctic air is expected this weekend, but Fontenot says we are still on pace for a normal peak crawfish season that runs from late February through April.

Vehicles are finally moving at a normal speed on I-20 as the interstate that crosses north Louisiana is finally free of the dangerous ice that had traffic at a standstill for multiple days. DOTD spokesperson Erin Buchanan says drivers on I-20 still need to be careful…

Cut 13 (10) “….the most part”

Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker says hundreds of vehicles were stranded on I-20 in very cold temperatures…

Cut 11 (10) “…or whatever”

You may have heard about a private jet crash in Maine that killed six people last Sunday. One of the victims is Sabine Parish native and Tulane graduate Tara Arnold. Arnold was a personal injury attorney in Houston. The plane was on its way to France and it stopped in Maine. The aircraft crashed shortly after take off in snowy conditions in Maine.

With temperatures getting up to the mid-40s, north Louisiana is beginning to thaw out. About 72-thousand customers remain without electricity according to power-outage dot-us, more than half of those being in Ouachita Parish. In nearby Lincoln Parish, the outages were not nearly as significant. Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker…

Cut 9 (12)  “…three hours.”

I-20 is flowing once again. DOTD crews were able to clear all the stalled 18-wheelers that had ground traffic to a halt, in some areas for hours on end. Erin Buchanan with DOTD says icy conditions, however, still have one significant section of roadway closed just south of I-20 on the far western edge of the state.

Cut 14 (09) “…quickly as possible.”

Over the last seven days, Red Cross disaster action teams have responded to no fewer than 44 single-family home fires and two multi-family home fires throughout the state. Shelby Wells with the Red Cross of Louisiana says those teams are 100-percent volunteer-based.

Cut 7 (10) “…to anyone anywhere.”

The Red Cross helps those displaced with money for immediate needs like temporary housing, clothes and food, and all the money comes from donations.

The frigid temperatures this week put a temporary pause on the harvesting of crawfish. LSU Ag Center crawfish agent Todd Fontenot says when it gets really cold, crawfish bury themselves in the mud…

Cut 3 (07) “…the mud.”

Fontenot says we can still expect the peak supply of crawfish from late February and into April.

With conditions evocative of New England winters gripping Louisiana, Red Cross disaster action teams have responded to no fewer than 44 single-family home fires and two multi-family home fires throughout the state over the last seven days. Shelby Wells with the Red Cross of Louisiana says the organization is able to help those displaced with immediate financial assistance. 

Cut 6 (08) “…really immediate needs.”

The latest numbers from PowerOutage.us show that almost 74-thousand customers in north Louisiana are still without power. Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis says if you are using a generator, make sure it’s 20 feet away from the home.

Cut 15 (11) “…any of us.”

Ouachita Parish has the highest number of power outages by far.

Senator Bill Cassidy is calling for a full joint federal and state investigation into a pair of deadly shootings in Minneapolis at the hands of federal agents, saying the credibility of ICE and the Department of Homeland Security are at stake. Cassidy says it seems that they may have lost sight of the purpose of the enhanced immigration enforcement operation, and that could have a profound effect on President Trump’s legacy.

Cut 8 (12) “…that primary vision.”

To put together its first U.S. show, the people of Rockin’1000 sought out a heavy-hitter – and they found one in New Orleans’ very own Harry Connick Junior. The legendary musician is serving as special guest artistic director for the show that will rock the Superdome Saturday night.

Cut 10 (09) “…to our city (2x).”

Senator Bill Cassidy is calling for a full joint federal and state investigation into the events in Minneapolis that he described as “disturbing.” In a conference call with reporters, Cassidy said things in Minneapolis have gotten out of hand.

Cut 7 (09) “…make an adaptation.”

On social media, Cassidy said the credibility of ICE and the Department of Homeland Security are at stake. He says it seems that they may have lost sight of the purpose of the enhanced immigration enforcement operation, and that could have a profound effect on President Trump’s legacy.

Back home in Louisiana, I-20 is now flowing smoothly again after the ice storm left some motorists stranded on the interstate for up to 20 hours. Captain Kenneth Balkom says LDWF agents also conducted welfare checks on the drivers who were stranded. He says winter weather and Louisiana do not mix well.

Cut 6 (04) “…don’t have to.”

Good news…the ice will continue to melt away

Saturday’s Rockin’1000 concert in the Superdome will be like none other – and to accomplish that, organizers sought out a local heavy-hitter. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Update on the power situation…according to power-outage-dot-us….75-thousand customers in north Louisiana remain without power. Entergy is reporting 66-thousand outages.

Senator Bill Cassidy is calling for a full joint federal and state investigation into the events in Minneapolis that he described as “disturbing.” Andre Champagne reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Last week, 18-year-old Maria Bolvito joined her father for what was supposed to be a routine check-in with immigration officials. Three days later, the two of them were sent back to Guatemala. The senior at St. Amant High School in Ascension Parish tells The Advocate she and her father arrived in the U.S. eight years ago and were seeking asylum.

The ice storm of 2026 will not be forgotten anytime soon. Governor Landry did an aerial tour of the damage in northeast Louisiana on Tuesday. Monroe Representative Michael Echols was on the helicopter with the governor.

Cut 13 (14)  “…throughout northeast Louisiana.”

The first Rockin’1000 concert in the U.S. will have a distinct New Orleans flavor to it. To accomplish that, organizers have tapped Harry Connick Jr. as special guest artistic director. Connick says no New Orleans-style show would ever be complete without a brass section; so for the very first time, there will be brass musicians among the thousand.

Cut 11 (10) “…of our identity.”

Checking the board, I’m seeing more than 76-thousand customers in north Louisiana are currently without power. Ouachita Parish leads the pack by far, with West and East Carroll, Jackson and Richland parishes also having a large percentage of homes and businesses without electricity. Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis says if you are using a generator, make sure it’s 20 feet away from the home.

Cut 15 (11) “…any of us.”

The ice storm has had Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries agents busy responding to calls for assistance. Captain Kenneth Balkom says as the snow and ice arrived in northwest Louisiana Saturday, LDWF got a call about two 18-year-old duck hunters stuck in shallow water and mud in the Red River in Bossier Parish.

Cut 5 (06) “…them home safely.”

Senator Bill Cassidy is calling for a full joint federal and state investigation into the events in Minneapolis that he described as “disturbing.” In a conference call with reporters, Cassidy says the two deadly shootings at the hands of federal agents threaten to undo the positive effects of the immigration enforcement operation.

Cut 9 (12)  “…it to continue.”

Just three days until Rockin’1000 stages its first U.S. show in the Superdome, and it’s tapped New Orleans’ very own Harry Connick Jr. as special guest artistic director. Of course, Connick will join the thousand for a number or two, and he’s brought along some special guests as well.

Cut 12 (11) “…that are playing.”

Senator Bill Cassidy is calling for a full joint federal and state investigation into the events in Minneapolis that he says have gotten out of hand. On social media, Cassidy said ICE and the Department of Homeland Security may have lost sight of the purpose of the enhanced immigration enforcement operation, and that could have a profound effect on President Trump’s legacy.

Cut 8 (12) “…that primary vision.”

North Louisiana is still reeling from the ice storm of 2026. Governor Landry did an aerial tour of the damage in northeast Louisiana yesterday, along with Monroe Representative Michael Echols, who describes the damage in East Carroll Parish as catastrophic and says many businesses impacted there will need federal assistance.

Cut 14 (12) “…to recovery here.”

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Saturday’s Rockin’1000 concert in the Superdome will be like none other – and to accomplish that, organizers sought out a local heavy-hitter. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier is at the Senior Bowl this week to showcase his talents to NFL decision-makers. Nussmeier battled an abdominal injury this season and says he’s worked hard to get back to 100-percent.

Cut 18 (11)  “…was a no-brainer.”