The number of COVID patients in the hospital has dropped. The Louisiana Health Department reports 2,304 people are in hospital with COVID, a decrease of 177 from last Friday. President of Ochsner Health, Warner Thomas, says 64-percent of their COVID patients are unvaccinated, 30-percent have two shots, but no booster and only six percent are boosted…:

CUT 03(07)      “…avoiding hospitalization.”

The state reported 51 more COVID deaths today, bringing the virus’s death toll to 15,374.

What would you do with a billion dollars? Governor Edwards will propose how the state should spend a surplus of just over that sum; left over from the 2020 fiscal year. The governor’s annual executive budget proposal is the beginning of a legislative dance that starts with a re-districting special session in February and a regular session that starts March 14^th and ends June 1^st.

There’s a sudden explosion of speculation that Sean Payton may be leaving the New Orleans Saints. An NFL Network report says Payton has not committed to returning next season, but Saints insider Mike Detillier says he believes otherwise. This despite rumors a network commentator gig may be offered Payton..:

CUT 08(10)      “…I think he returns.”

How many Louisiana parents are familiar with dual enrollment programs for their school-aged kids? Higher Education Commissioner Kim Hunter-Reed says they hope to educated and inform kids and parents about it at “LADualEnrollment.com” she says it’s affordable, accessible and can reduce young peoples’ time spent in college, because they’ve already completed courses in high school…:

CUT 14(07)      “…in high school.”

Dual enrollment allows high school students to take one course and receive credit hours for both high school and college at the same time.

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.”

What may prove to be some of the coldest weather of the winter is moving into Louisiana as freezing temperatures are expected overnight across the whole state. State Climatologist Dr. Barry Keim says expect overnight lows going into the 20’s in northern parishes and the lower 30’s nearer to the coast. Keim says it will begin to warm up Sunday, but until then take the usual precautions when it gets this cold…:

CUT 05 (10)      “…exposed lines.”

Two maritime pilots groups are teaming to make more folks aware of job opportunities on Louisiana’s working ships and barges.  Captain Roy Vance, speaking for the Crescent River Port Pilots and the New Orleans-Baton Rouge Steamship Pilots, says it’s an aggressive effort to reach out – particularly to persons of color – and fill those jobs…:

CUT 08 (12)      “…get the word out.”

The state adds COVID re-infections to the LDH data web page, and the Omicron variant is causing them to grow. Brooke Thorington explains…:

CUT 02  (34)        “…Brooke Thorington.”

In Ascension Parish, a Gonzales man is under arrest for animal cruelty, after photos were posted online of his dog chained up in the back yard with no shelter whatsoever. Neighbors also say they’ve frequently heard Frank Bell Jr. beating the dogs. Bell’s dogs have been removed from the property. If you don’t want to be outside in this weather, neither should they

Today’s cold temperatures are just the beginning of a frigid weekend in Louisiana. State climatologist Barry Keim says what may be the season’s coldest weather begins tonight and will last until morning…:

CUT 04(10)      “…across the whole state”

Another freeze is coming Sunday morning, then a slight warming to start the work week.

The state health department now reports reinfections on its COVID dashboard. There are more than 49-thousand in Louisiana now and almost 14-hundred were added Friday. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says this stresses the need to get boosters, because studies show Omicron evades the protection of just the two-dose mRNA vaccines. He says once you are boosted, it brings you to Delta-level protection…:

CUT 11(07)      “…so many reinfections.”

A new partnership aims to expand career opportunities in Louisiana’s thriving maritime industry. David Grubb has more…:

CUT 01(33)      “…David Grubb.”

Deputies in Calcasieu Parish arrest a Sulphur man for stealing from a non-profit while serving at its Treasurer. Investigators say Richard J. Cole took over $300-thousand; much it in the form of checks made out to himself. Cole was charged with theft, and has been released on bond. The investigation is still underway.

Senate Republicans were successful in blocking a voting rights bill supported by Democrats and civil rights leaders. Jeff Palermo has local reaction…:

Cut 02  (34)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

Hall hath no fury. Authorities in Bastrop arrest a woman for setting fire to the home of her ex-boyfriend and his new paramour. The state Fire Marshal’s office says 36-year-old Jessica Jackson broke into a vacant duplex unit and torched the wall adjoining the boyfriend’s place while they slept. She’s charged with attempted murder and arson.

Today’s COVID numbers. LDH reports 14, 700 new cases of the virus, with over 2300 in hospitals. Of those, about 72-percvent are unvaxxed.

Governor John Bel Edwards was on hand in Shreveport for the announcement of American Electric Power’s investment of $100-million to develop a transmission control center in the city.  Edwards says the plan will create 20 direct jobs with an average annual salary of $115 thousand…:

CUT 06(11)      “…northwest region.”

Edwards says AEP has made a commitment to net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Get ready for some mighty cold weather for the next few nights. Temperatures are expected to drop into the 30 and even the 20’s across the state. State Ag Commissioner, veterinarian and animal lover Mike Strain says cats and other animals often get under car & truck hoods in cold weather…:

CUT 16(10)      “…with that.”

The voting rights bill being pushed by D.C. democrats and the Biden administration fails today in the U.S. Senate. Democrats feel it’s needed to preserve democracy, but Republicans, like Senator Bill Cassidy, says it’s more about federalizing elections to the Dems advantage…:

CUT 09  (09)        “…Delaware.”

Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus head Ted James, of Baton Rouge, says the bill addresses last-minute closure of polling sites, voter intimidation and it would have expanded early voting and mail-in voting…:

CUT 12(12)      “…to the polls.”

Two Democrat senators voted against the bill, as well as all Senate Republicans.

How cold will it get? Questions we’re all asking with a big cold front moves across Louisiana. At times like these, the state Fire Marshal’s office reminds us of the importance of using space heaters safely. Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue…:

CUT 13  (10)        “…blankets, bedding & curtains”

Watch out for wintery precipitation, like freezing rain.

After three years of work, and at a cost of $150 million, the new terminal at Lafayette Regional Airport officially opened to the public today. Executive Director Steven Picou proudly says it was finished within three years; one time and on budget..:

CUT 04(07)      “…that’s amazing.”

Area residents have been paying an extra penny local sales tax to fund the project.

Louisiana will see the coldest temperatures of the winter over the next few days as overnight lows will drop below freezing for most of the state through Sunday morning. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain is urging livestock owners to take the necessary precautions to protect their animals from these frigid temperatures…:

CUT 15(12)      “…out of the weather.”

He says to not forget heat and shelter for any outdoor cats on your property, and make sure to check under your hood in the morning, for cats or other critters, before you crank up your vehicle.

A voting rights bill that Democrats and civil rights leaders say is needed to protect democracy fails in the U-S Senate. Republicans oppose the legislation. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says the Biden administration is manufacturing a fake voting rights crisis to distract from the issues not being addressed…:

CUT 11(11)      “…opioid deaths.”

Diamond Jacks Casino in Bossier City appears to be moving forward with reopening its doors, after a plan to move that casino license to Slidell failed to win voter approval. The state Gaming Control Board has approved DJ’s request for a slight delay in presenting its reopening plan for approval.  The request indicates a plan is coming.

Acadiana welcomes a major addition with the opening of brand new terminal at Lafayette Regional Airport. More from David Grubb…:

CUT 01  (30)        “…David Grubb.”

Firefighters say a family of four were killed in an overnight house fire in Slidell. The fire was first reported around 1:30 in the morning and extinguished around 6 AM.  Slidell Fire Chief Chris Kaufmann…:

CUT 03(07)      “…were children.”

One person was pronounced dead at the scene; three others died later in the hospital. Kaufmann says the house had no working smoke detector, which could have helped them escape the home.

Is State Treasurer John Schroder planning to run for Governor in 2023? At a recent Rotary Club event in Baton Rouge, the Treasurer addressed a report from Lafayette Advertiser reporter Greg Hilburn that he was (quote) “telling supporters he is running for governor”. Mr. Schroder is keeping his cards close to his vest…:

CUT 12(06)      “later this year.”

The Covington Republican spent ten years in the state Legislature, before he was elected State Treasurer in a 2017 special election to replace John Kennedy. He was easily re-elected in 2019.

The Orleans Parish coroner confirms the dismembered remains found last week at a 9^th Ward home ARE those of Julia Dardar, a Slidell mother who went missing just before Christmas. Benjamin Beale is being held for her murder.

US Congressman Garrett Graves announced that the federal government has committed more than $2.5 billion to help reinforce Louisiana’s hurricane and flood protection systems. Graves says, even with these funds, oil-producing regions like Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes received less than their fair share due to presidential politics, citing the Morganza-to-the-Gulf project as a prime example…:

CUT 10(10)      “…seeing right here.”

Graves says failure to support Louisiana is a failure to help the nation’s struggling economy.

Deputies in Calcasieu Parish arrest a 15-year-old for allegedly making a shooting threat against Sulphur High School. The threat was made by phone. Officers were well amid an investigation, when the youth contacted them and fessed up. He is now charged with terrorizing.

Media reports say State Treasurer John Schroder has told supporters he will enter the 2023 governor’s race, but Schroder tells our Jeff Palermo he’s not ready to make any public announcement…:

CUT 02(34)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

An 87-year-old Livingston Parish man is recovering from injuries sustained when a masked man assaulted & robbed him inside his home. Wyatt Pearson says the man first confronted him outside his home, then attacked him and demanded his money. Once inside the house he was beaten & tied up. Sheriff’s deputies have a good description and say they’ll catch the perp.

The Orleans Parish coroner confirms the dismembered remains found last week at a 9^th Ward home are those of 36-year-old Julia Dardar. Her cause of death is listed as blunt force injuries to the head and neck, as well as asphyxia due to manual strangulation. Benjamin Beale is charged with her death. His bond is set at over a million dollars.

Louisiana is preparing for a big change in temperatures as a major cold front will begin moving through this afternoon. National Weather Service Meteorologist Michael Berry in Shreveport says temps will take a big dive tomorrow, and will stay there for a while. He adds that the winds coming with the front will make conditions even colder…:

CUT 08(12)      “…tomorrow night.”

The family of a Slidell woman, believed to have been decapitated in New Orleans, demands the suspect in the crime be denied bail. Julia Dardar’s dismembered body was found in a freezer at the home of local artist Benjamin Beale. He’s has been charged in her death. Julia’s estranged husband Micah Dardar this morning…:

CUT 09(06)      “…demented and demonic.”

Beal’s bond HAS been set, at $1.4-million. He is still in jail.

The National Weather Service says there’s the possibility of a wintry mix later this week. A strong cold front arrives overnight; bringing the potential for strong storms late Wednesday in north Louisiana. Meteorologist Kevin Owens says behind the front is very cold air and once the temperature gets close to the freezing mark, freezing rain is possible…:

CUT 12(11)      “…more information.”

Owens says tomorrow will start off as a mild day and then some of the coldest weather of the winter will arrive.

Physicians advise, if you are experiencing COVID symptoms, to assume you have the virus and stay home. It might not be COVID but Dr. Lucio Miele, Chair of the Department of Genetics at LSU Health New Orleans says the PCR test is more accurate, but it takes several days to receive results. He says having both speed and sensitivity is a difficult combination in a test…:

CUT 04(08)      “…not possible.”

You can get a FREE package of four at-home COVID tests by going online to “covidtests.gov”

The state Health Department reports just over 29-thousand new case of coronavirus; the majority of them are the Omicron variant. Almost 2200 are in hospitals right now. Of those, about 73-percent have not been fully vaccinated.

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating a double murder in Metairie. JPSO spokesman Glen Boyd says the male victims were shot to death. They were found by a friend Monday night. An investigation is underway.