There are now eight people confirmed dead in the winter storm, after the state health department confirmed five additional fatalities today. Five people died of hypothermia, an elderly DeSoto Parish man died of carbon monoxide poisoning, a 79-year-old DeSoto Parish woman died after her oxygen concentrator failed as a result of no power, and a Texas man died while driving on icy roads in Mansfield.

Governor Landry wants people in north Louisiana to do these two things.

Cut 9 (09)  “…supplemental heat.”

Landry spoke in Monroe today after taking a tour of some of the destruction the ice storm has caused in that city. Mayor Friday Ellis says once the ice melts away, the clean-up will be extensive.

Cut 10 (12) “…devastation.”

DOTD is echoing Governor Landry’s sentiments in asking those of you in North Louisiana to stay off the roads today – especially I-20, where scores of 18-wheelers have stalled out. Erin Buchanan with DOTD says those stalled 18-wheelers are making some sections of I-20 nearly impassable, in some cases stranding people in frigid conditions for hours.

Cut 4 (11) “…out of there.”

Volunteers with the United Cajun Navy are pitching in with supplies and a helping hand throughout north Louisiana and north Mississippi. Founder and President Todd Terrell says when essential personnel have no way to get to and from their respective facilities, his volunteers are ready to help with their four-wheel-drive vehicles.

Cut 7 (10) “…taken care of.”

For those of you in North Louisiana, DOTD is urging you to stay off the roads once again today. Spokeswoman Erin Buchanan says that especially includes I-20.

Cut 3 (13) “…to clear it.”

The state health department has announced five additional deaths because of the winter storm, bringing the total number to eight. The cause of death for five of the victims is hypothermia. State Police Superintendent, Colonel Robert Hodges, urges residents to check on their neighbors, especially if they are elderly…

Cut 12 (13) “…provide that assistance”

About 104-thousand homes and businesses in North Louisiana are still without power. SWEPCO and Cleco say most of their customers will have electricity by the end of today. Entergy President Phillip May says the company anticipates 90-percent of its customers along the I-20 corridor who can safely receive power will be restored by tomorrow night.

Cut 13 (13)  “…away from homes.”

The power is out for 45-thousand utility customers in Ouachita Parish.

When Mother Nature wreaks havoc the United Cajun Navy is on the scene helping people affected – and this ice storm is no different. Founder and president Todd Terrell says he and his crew are delivering supplies to shelters throughout north Louisiana and north Mississippi – not just essentials to stay warm, but also everyday essentials for the whole family.

Cut 6 (09) “…what they need.”

The number of deaths from Louisiana’s winter storm is up to eight as the Louisiana Department of Health confirmed five additional winter-storm related deaths. One of the deaths is the result of carbon monoxide poisoning, an elderly man in DeSoto Parish had a generator running in his garage. Louisiana Health Secretary Bruce Greenstein…

Cut 10 (09) “….from the home”

L-D-H says a 79-year-old woman in DeSoto Parish died to hypoxia following the failure of an electrically powered oxygen concentrator during a power outage. A 62-year-old male and 59-year-old female died in Sabine Parish from suspected hypothermia following a power outage. Entergy CEO Phillip May says they are working around the clock to restore the power…

Cut 14 (06) “…power is restored

Entergy is reporting 84-thousand customers are still without power in Louisiana.

For those of you in North Louisiana, today is another day for you to stay off the roads. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

We told you in the last segment the death toll in Louisiana from this winter storm is now up to eight. One of those victims is from Texas. State Police say 46-year-old John Hordge of Dallas was traveling south on Louisiana Highway 177 yesterday when his pick-up truck drove off the road, hit a guardrail and overturned in a creek. State Police say Hordge was NOT wearing a seatbelt.

About 95-thousand customers are without power on this cold morning. Andre Champagne says the work continues to get the lights and the heat back on in north Louisiana…

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne”

Many water systems are struggling in this cold weather. Water pressure in Monroe is low. Governor Landry says this may become more of a problem as it warms up and pipes begin to burst.

Cut 15 (10) “…problems as well.”

If you are ready to file your federal taxes, you want to be aware of some changes. Richard Tullier (TOO-yay), a CPA with Metairie-based accounting firm Wegmann Dazet (dah-ZETT), says up to $25,000 in tip income can excluded from earnings. And while Congress failed to make Social Security income tax-free, they did give a break.

Cut 5 (10) “…adjusted gross income.”

Many of us live in Louisiana, because we don’t like cold weather. Unfortunately for those folks, there is more cold weather on the way after a brief warm-up during the middle of the week. State Climatologist Jay Grymes…

Cut (12) “…and Sunday mornings”

Grymes says at least winter precipitation is not part of the forecast.

Yesterday, around 130,000 homes and businesses in North Louisiana were without power. That number is down to around 96,000. Entergy President Phillip May says the number of Entergy customers without power is nearly 74-thousand, with many of those in Ouachita Parish.

Cut 14 (06) “…power is restored.”

Temperatures are expected to begin warming this afternoon but there will still be freezing temperatures overnight for most of the state and another arctic blast is expected over the weekend which could bring temperatures back down into the teens. Governor Landry will be in Ouachita Parish this morning meeting with local officials. He is urging those without power to go to one of the 80 warming shelters operating in the state.

Cut 11 (07) “…warm to go.”

A Texas man was killed in DeSoto Parish yesterday when the truck he was driving left the roadway, collided with a guardrail and overturned in a creek. State Police says 46-year-old John Hordge of Dallas was unrestrained and died at the scene. The cause of the crash that happened around 4:00 P.M. is under investigation. Impairment is not suspected.

As citizens begin filing federal income tax returns. CPA, Richard Tullier (TOO-yay) with Metairie-based accounting firm Wegmann Dazet (dah-ZETT), says there are changes that will benefit tip income earners, Senior Social Security recipients, and if you took out a loan for a new car in 2025, you may get a tax deduction.

Cut 6 (11) “…in the U.S.”

The tax deduction does not apply to used vehicles or leases. And of course, if your loan is zero-percent interest, there’s no interest to deduct.

Over 97 Thousand homes and businesses in North Louisiana are still without power this morning. SWEPCO and Cleco say most of their customers will have electricity by the end of today. Entergy President Phillip May says the company anticipates 90-percent of its customers along the I-20 corridor who can safely receive power will be restored by tomorrow night.

Cut 13 (13)  “…away from homes.”

State Climatologist Jay Grymes says a gradual warm-up will begin this afternoon. By Thursday, high temperatures will be back around 60 degrees, but then another blast of cold air will come which could take North Louisiana back down into the teens Saturday and Sunday morning.

Governor Landry is meeting with local officials in Ouachita Parish this morning and will update the media sometime after 11:00.

If you have all of your tax forms, you can now file your federal and state income tax returns. Andrew Greenstein has helpful information.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month and Director of the Office of Human Trafficking Prevention, Mary Kate Andrepont (AHN-dre-pont) says part of their outreach includes training programs to help personnel in schools, hospitals and law enforcement identify human trafficking.

Cut 8 (10) “…spot human trafficking.”

She says more victims are being identified because of the office’s outreach efforts.

At least four people have died in the weekend ice storm and continuing frigid cold. Hypothermia took the lives of two men in Caddo Parish over the weekend. In Franklin Parish a woman was found deceased outside her home early this morning. And in DeSoto Parish an elderly man died of carbon monoxide poisoning. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Grymes says we will see a brief warm up later today and then more cold.

Cut 12 (12) “…and Sunday mornings.”

If you are ready to file your federal taxes, you want to be aware of some changes. Richard Tullier (TOO-yay), a CPA with Metairie-based accounting firm Wegmann Dazet (dah-ZETT), says up to $25,000 in tip income can excluded from earnings. And while Congress failed to make Social Security income tax-free, they did give a break.

Cut 5 (10) “…adjusted gross income.”

The Office of Human Trafficking Prevention is recognizing Human Trafficking Awareness Month. Director Mary Kate Andrepont (AHN-dre-pont) says it’s an issue all over the state at all times of the year but one thing that sets Louisiana apart is its uniform referral system.

Cut 9 (09)  “…to victim services.”

Andrepont says they’re seeing more victims because of outreach efforts. She says officials are doing a better job at identifying trafficking victims.

If you have all of your tax forms ready you can now file your federal and state income tax returns. CPA, Richard Tullier (TOO-yay) with Metairie-based Wegmann Dazet (dah-ZETT), says new this is for those who make a good portion of their income in tips, can welcome a tax break.

Cut 4 (08) “…to tip earnings.”

January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month and the Office of Human Trafficking Prevention is working to make people aware of magnitude of the issue in Louisiana. Director Mary Kate Andrepont (AHN-dre-pont) says human trafficking happens around the entire state at all times of the year.

Cut 7 (10) “…our small communities.”

She says the office does provides training to help schools, hospitals and law enforcement personnel identify human trafficking and through their efforts more victims are being identified.

About 100-thousand customers are still without power this morning. Andre Champagne says the work continues to get the lights and the heat back on in north Louisiana.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Restoring power and clearing roads are the main priorities as north Louisiana deals with the aftermath of the historic ice storm. At least four people died as a result of the conditions, including an elderly DeSoto Parish man who died of carbon monoxide poisoning. Louisiana Health Secretary Bruce Greenstein (green-steen) says the victim was running a generator in his garage.

Cut 10 (09) “…from the home.”

Governor Landry will be in Ouachita Parish meeting with local officials this morning. He’ll update media sometime after 11:00.