The state health department is now reporting reinfections on its COVID dashboard. There are more than 49-thousand of those in Louisiana now, and almost 14-hundred were added Friday. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says the state is following the CDC’s definition…:

CUT 09(12)      “…as a reinfection.”

Kanter says boosters will give you Delta-level protection against Omicron COVID.

Today’s cold temperatures are just the beginning of a frigid weekend in Louisiana. State climatologist Barry Keim says high temperatures will only be in the 40s today and tomorrow..:

CUT 03(04)      “…this time of year.”

Overnight lows will go into the 20’s for much of the state. Things will start to warm up a bit by Sunday afternoon. Freezing precip is not expected.

So, with all this freezing weather, what’s the concern for the state’s strawberry crop? Tangipahoa Parish Extension Agent Mary Helen Ferguson says berry farmers ARE prepared…:

CUT 12(11)      “…ten degrees of protection.”

Because of the warm weather earlier this winter, some farmers have already picked a large portion of their crops.

A new partnership between the Crescent River Port Pilots and the New Orleans-Baton Rouge Steamship Pilots Associations seeks to increase awareness of career opportunities in the state’s maritime industry for African-Americans and other minorities. Captain Roy Vance believes the industry has flown under the radar for too long…:

CUT 06(13)      “…life-changing jobs.”