The Winter precipitation has moved out of state but the frigid temperatures are here leaving many without power and amid these very cold temperatures, the state fire marshal’s office is concerned we’ll see a rash of house fires as people try to stay warm. Jeff Palermo has the story.
Cut 3 (25) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”
Throughout the weekend, utility crews statewide have been busy restoring power that got knocked out by the ice storm. As of late last night, more than 85 thousand Entergy customers were without power, and almost 30 thousand SWEPCO customers remained in the dark. Michael Corbin with SWEPCO says crews are working around the clock to get power restored.
Does President Trump’s endorsement of Julia Letlow make her the favorite to win the U.S. Senate Republican Primary over incumbent Bill Cassidy? Advocate newspaper columnist Tyler Bridges says this will be Letlow’s first tough political race.
Letlow was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in a 2021 special election to replace her husband Luke, who died of complications of COVID-19.
Meanwhile Cassidy has called for a “full joint federal and state investigation” into ICE activity after the fatal shooting of U.S. citizen, Alex Pretti. He called it “incredibly disturbing” saying, “The credibility of ICE and D.H.S. are at stake,” And saying the American people can be trusted with the truth.”
Louisianans are paying higher sales tax than most. The Tax Foundation says Louisiana has the highest average combined state and local sales tax rate in the country at just over ten percent. Policy Analyst Janelle Fritts says it’s a reputation that Louisiana has had to deal with for many years.