7:30 AM LRN Newscast

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.