LRN PM Newscall Jan 22

Below freezing temperatures are cold for Louisiana, but this morning we nearly saw temperatures below zero. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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The highest snowfall total recorded in Louisiana happened in Chalmette, 11.5 inches.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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New all time record lows were set this morning. National Weather Service Meteorologist Stacey Denson says single digit temperature readings were recorded across southwest Louisiana…

Cut 3 (13) “…in Lafayette.”

Denson says they are still finalizing snowfall totals, but a large portion of southwest Louisiana saw more than a half foot of snow…

Cut 4 (07) “…in Acadia Parish.”

Eight-inch snowfall totals were recorded in Jennings, Opelousas, Lafayette, Jeanerette and even in Morgan City. Denson says the wind was so strong and the snowfall was coming down so fast, the National Weather Service in Lake Charles  issued its first ever blizzard warning on Tuesday morning….

Cut 5 (15) “…light snow.”

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Who got the most snow yesterday? Looks like the winner is Chalmette as the New Orleans suburb recorded 11.5 inches of snow. St. Bernard Parish Director of Homeland Security John Rahaim (ram) says it was a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence.

Cut 6 (09) “…left Colorado.”

Rahaim says the snow as beautiful to look at, unfortunately there were a few people injured while performing dangerous stunts.

Cut 7 (15) “…shouldn’t be doing”

Rahaim says the historic snowfall was great, but he’s ready for it go to away.

Cut 8 (11) “…here pretty soon.”

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Since the start of the storm, DOTD has worked around the clock to treat roadways with salt and brine. Spokesman Rodney Mallett says that work continues today and beyond.

Cut 9 (11)  “…tonight and tomorrow.”

For now, all Interstate freeways throughout South Louisiana from Lake Charles eastward remain closed. Mallett says it’s unclear when they will reopen.

Cut 10 (10) “…need to be.”

Mallett says one challenge with the Interstates is that many of them have long stretches where they go over water, and bridges always freeze first, making for extremely dangerous driving conditions.

Cut 11 (07) “…in the south.”

To stay up to date on road conditions, go to 511la.org.

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Get used to this snow; it’s going to be around for a few more days. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says while it will be warmer tomorrow, it won’t warm up to the point to cause any significant melting.

Cut 12 (09) “…into the weekend.”

Keim says furthermore, despite the slightly warmer temperatures, we will not be out of the woods with dangerous conditions just yet.

Cut 13 (09)  “…block of ice.”

But Keim says if you can just survive tomorrow, we will see significant melting starting Friday.

Cut 14 (11) “…will be gone.”

12:30 LRN Newscast

The sun is out and it’s warming up, but the governor is pleading with the public where snow is still on the ground to stay home…

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Get used to this snow; it will be around for a few more days. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says while it will be warmer tomorrow, it won’t warm up to the point to melt it all away….

Cut 12 (09) “…into the weekend.”

Who got the most snow yesterday? Looks like the winner is Chalmette as the New Orleans suburb recorded 11.5 inches of snow. St. Bernard Parish Director of Homeland Security John Rahaim (ram) says it was a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence.

Cut 6 (09) “…left Colorado.”

But Rahaim says first responders had to attend to a few people who were injured performing dangerous stunts in the snow.

Eight-inch snowfall totals were recorded in Jennings, Opelousas, Lafayette, Jeanerette and even in Morgan City. Meteorologist Stacy Denson says the wind was so strong and the snowfall was coming down so fast, the National Weather Service in Lake Charles issued its first ever blizzard warning on Tuesday morning….

Cut 5 (15) “…light snow.”

Lafayette and New Iberia set all time record low temperatures as it got down to two degrees in Lafayette and four degrees in New Iberia.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

The snowstorm has slowed the Saints head coaching search. New Orleans was set to meet in person with Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka yesterday and Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver today. Those two interviews have been pushed back to later in the week. Ross Jackson is the host of the Locked on Saints Podcast and he says the 44-year-old Weaver is an intriguing candidate…

Cut 19 (14) “…very well.”

The Saints are also wanting another interview with Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn. But the New York Jets are also very interested in Glenn and he’s reportedly their top choice.

Ruston native and former Louisiana Tech and West Monroe quarterback Max Causey will be one of the referees for Super Bowl 59 in New Orleans. Causey has been an NFL for three years and he’ll serve as the down judge. He just officiated the Redskins upset win over the Lions in the divisional playoffs.

Because of the snow and ice in New Orleans, the Pelicans-Bucks game has been postponed. A rescheduled date has not been announced.

The highly anticipated women’s basketball game between 5th ranked LSU and 2nd ranked South Carolina has been postponed from Thursday night to Friday at 4 PM. The historic snowstorm that hit south Louisiana on Tuesday is making it difficult for the Lady Tigers to travel to Columbia, South Carolina, so an extra day is needed.

LSU enters the SEC showdown with a 20-0 record, while the defending national champion Gamecocks are 18-1.

Reed Darcy who covers the LSU women’s basketball team for the Advocate was a guest on Tiger Rag Radio and talked about Kim Mulkey’s desire to win this game…

Cut 30 (31) “…in January”

11:30 LRN Newscast

Subfreezing temperatures are cold for Louisiana, but this morning we nearly saw temperatures below zero. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

And it’s not going to get any better today. LRN Meteorologist Bill Jacquemin (JACK-quim-in) says the weather will warm up a little today, only to give way to another frigid night tonight.

Cut 17 (06)  “…and 20s tonight.”

The snow has subsided, but the danger has not. Road conditions will be much worse today than they were yesterday. During a news conference, Governor Landry pointed out that thanks to the frigid overnight lows, the roads are extra slick.

Cut 10 (11) “…extremely, extremely dangerous.”

Colonel Robert Hudges, the superintendent of Louisiana State Police, says troopers were kept busy yesterday.

Cut 15 (13) “…the cold conditions.”

If driving on these roads is unavoidable, please drop your speeds and give yourself a lot of extra stopping distance. Unless your roadway is bone dry, consider 20 miles an hour the absolute maximum safe speed.

10:30 LRN Newscast

New all time record lows were set this morning. National Weather Service Meteorologist Stacey Denson says single digit temperature readings were recorded across southwest Louisiana…

Cut 3 (13) “…in Lafayette.” 

Denson says they are still finalizing snowfall totals, but a large portion of southwest Louisiana saw more than a half foot of snow…

Roads are so treacherous today that if you must drive on them, it seems that the only safe way to do so would be to commandeer a Zamboni machine. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says some areas might not get above freezing today.

Cut 12 (07) “…of the day.”

Overnight lows will once again dip into the teens; but after that, temperatures will work their way back up to normal.

The American Red Cross is supporting 35 warming centers across 30 parishes as brutally cold temperatures continue to grip the state for one more day. Micah Nicholas, the executive director of the Capital West chapter of the American Red Cross, says the Red Cross’ work goes far beyond the warming centers themselves.

Cut 6 (13) “…as they arise.”

This arctic blast will mean that crawfish will be in short supply this weekend. LSU AgCenter crawfish expert Mark Shirley says farmers are putting in a lot of effort to bring crawfish to the market; and despite this winter storm, they are still predicting a better crawfish season this year…

Cut 9 (11)  “…in the catch.”

9:30 LRN Newscast

We’re experiencing cold weather like never before. Temperatures in South Louisiana plunged overnight into the single digits, breaking all-time records. It’s going to be another brutally cold day today, with temperatures in many areas barely getting above freezing, if it does at all. Micah Nicholas, the executive director of the Capital West chapter of the American Red Cross, says the organization is supporting 35 warming centers across 30 parishes.

Cut 4 (08) “…disaster to them.”

There is, however, light at the end of the tunnel. We’re in for one more night of brutally cold temperatures across the state. But LRN Meteorologist Bill Jacquemin (JACK-quim-in) says things will start to get back to normal before a very mild weekend.

Cut 18 (10)   “…60s on Sunday.”

Yesterday was not just a sneaux day, it was a day where lifelong memories were made. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

This arctic blast will mean crawfish will be in short supply at least this weekend. LSU AgCenter crawfish expert Mark Shirley says the mudbugs will bury themselves as deep into the mud as they can…

Cut 7 (11) “…of crawfish.”

8:30 LRN Newscast

It’s a winter wonderland across south Louisiana and into central Louisiana with snow on the ground and temperatures in the single digits, setting all-time record lows in southwest Louisiana. Governor Landry continues to urge the public to stay home…

Cut 11 (09) “….the weather improves”

Driving was treacherous to say the least yesterday.  State Police Superintendent Colonel Robert Hodges says his troopers were busy helping stranded motorists…

Cut 15 (13) “….the cold conditions”

Temperatures will get above freezing today, but State Transportation Secretary Joe Donahue says it will take some time to re-open closed roads…

Cut 28 (08) “…dot-gov”

 

The Red Cross is lending a helping hand during this arctic blast. Andrew Greenstein reports

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

We’ll return to normal temperatures in a few days, but finding crawfish this weekend will be difficult. But LSU Ag Center crawfish expert Mark Shirley says the snow and ice have NOT ruined the upcoming mudbug season..

Cut 8 (08) “…quite a bit”

So for now, you’ll have to settle for a good pot of gumbo.

7:30 LRN Newscast

Louisiana Radio Network, I’m Jeff Palermo….

Cut 16 (07) “…in the teens”

We are actually seeing temperatures in the single digits and temperatures are hitting all-time lows across southwest Louisiana. It’s three degrees in New Iberia, five degrees in Lafayette and eight degrees in Lake Charles.

The governor is pleading with the public to stay home today. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Temperatures will get above freezing today which will help State Department of Transportation crews remove the snow and ice from major roadways. DOTD Secretary Joe Donahue…

Cut 13 (09) “…treatment with salt”

Numerous highways are closed including I-10 from the Texas-Louisiana line to Baton Rouge.

It’s hard to harvest crawfish in this weather and crustaceans have buried themselves in the mud to stay warm, so they are not growing. But LSU AgCenter Crawfish expert Mark Shirley says despite this winter storm, he still predicts a better crawfish season this year…

Cut 9 (11) “….in the catch”

In non-related weather news…University of Louisiana Monroe president Doctor Ron Berry is stepping down and returning to his role as a professor.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

As many were enjoying the snow outside, Saints running back Alvin Kamara took to the social media site “X” to express his support for interim head coach Darren Rizzi to get the job on a permanent basis. Host of the Locked on Saints podcast, Ross Jackson, says Rizzi is in the mix, but there are other candidates who might have a better chance at getting the job…

Cut 20 (20) “…team captain.”

The 54-year-old Rizzi led the Saints to a 3-and-5 record after the firing of Dennis Allen. Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn is expected to get a second interview with the Saints, but the Jets are also very interested in hiring the former NFL cornerback. New York interviewed Glenn yesterday.

College football coaching legend Nick Saban said on the Pivot Podcast hosted by former LSU Tiger and NFL star Ryan Clark that the biggest professional mistake he made was leaving LSU. Saban says he enjoyed his two seasons as the head coach of the Miami Dolphins, but found out he enjoyed coaching college athletes better and knew that in his heart before leaving LSU….

Cut 22 (22) “…Miami then”

You can hear the entire comments made by Saban on the Pivot podcast

Luke Olson is the new defensive coordinator at Louisiana Tech. Olson was the D-C at Jacksonville State last season and helped the Gamecocks win the Conference USA Championship. Olson also has defensive coordinator experience at Tulsa.

6:30 LRN Newscast

The snow has subsided, but not the danger. Driving is not advisable in all of south Louisiana and into the southern parts of the Cenla region because of ice- and snow-covered roads. Governor Jeff Landry says the roads are extra slick.

Cut 10 (15) “…extremely, extremely dangerous.”

And it’s very cold outside. We are seeing single digit readings as far south as Patterson where it’s nine-degrees. Four-degrees in Opelousas, Lake Charles seven degrees, Lafayette nine degrees and Baton Rouge ten degrees. It’s 15-degrees in Shreveport, Alexandria and Monroe. LRN Meteorologist Bill Jacquemin says it will be mid-day before we get back above freezing…

Cut 17 (06) “….and 20s tonight”

It will be sunny so that will help melt the snow and ice.

Local governments and faith-based groups have opened several warming centers for those who needed a warm place to sleep. Micah Nicholas, executive director of the Capital West Chapter of the American Red Cross says they could use all the help it can get in supporting these warming centers…

Cut 5 (07) “….disasters like this”

These warming centers will likely stay open again tonight as temperatures will get well below freezing.

What will the 2025 snowstorm and cold temperatures mean for the upcoming crawfish season? LSU AgCenter crawfish expert Mark Shirley says the mudbugs will bury themselves as deep into the mud as they can…

Cut 7 (11) “…of crawfish.”

Shirley predicts crawfish will return to the market once the water temperature gets back into the 50s and 60s.