St. Landry Parish Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says a 15-year-old boy has been arrested for a fatal shooting on New Year’s Eve in the town of Washington. Just before midnight Friday, deputies were dispatched to a home, but Guidroz says, the juvenile fled the scene before they arrived…:

CUT 13(09)      “…surrounding the incident.”

Guidroz says this is just another case amid a much larger issue: kids committing serious violent crimes.

The state’s first fire fatality of 2022 occurred Sunday night in West Monroe, taking the life of an elderly man and his dog. State Fire Marshal’s spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says the man tried to go back in the house to save his pet. The home had no working smoke alarms. She says having them, and HEEDING them is of utmost importance..:

CUT 11(10)      “…and staying out.”

The victim’s identity has not been released as yet.

The state is reporting 15-thousand COVID deaths since the pandemic started in 2020, but could we see fewer COVID deaths in the months ahead. Tulane Epidemiologist Doctor Susan Hassig says one hopeful sign is that the mortality rate with the Omicron variant does not seem to be as severe as it was with Delta…:

CUT 06(11)      “…the virus.”

Meanwhile, a lot of school districts are telling parents to mask those kids up before sending them to school. There is no statewide mandate. Education Superintendent Cade Brumley says that is up to local school districts to decide. Check with yours if you are unsure.

No one hit the massive Powerball jackpot last night. The next drawing will be worth over $600-million dollars, with a lump-sum payout of just under $435-million.

Louisiana has surpassed 15-thousand COVID deaths since March 2020. Jeff Palermo reports on whether the rate of COVID deaths will slow…:

CUT 02(27)      “…Palermo.”

A Shreveport man sustained severe burns while reportedly attempting to film a Tik Tok challenge video. Shreveport cops and firemen say it happened Sunday afternoon. The unnamed man is in the burn unit at Ochsner LSU Health. The challenge involves drawing a design on a mirror in flammable liquid, then setting it alight.

A 15-year has been arrested and charged with 2^nd Degree Murder in connection with a New Year’s Eve killing in St. Landry Parish. Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says the victim has been identified as 38-year-old Keith Adam Joseph from Washington Louisiana…:

CUT 12(10)      “…once in the chest.”

The crime is still under investigation. Guidroz asks those with knowledge of the events to come forward.

The Omicron COVID surge is bringing back mask mandates for school kids in Louisiana. As they go back from the holiday break, make sure they have one in the backpack. Louisiana Education Superintendent Cade Brumley says there’s no statewide mask order yet; that lies with local districts. He says parents with strong objections should contact their local school leaders..:

CUT 04(07)      “…for kids.”

Brumley says learning IN the classroom is still what’s best for kids.

As COVID cases surge once again, your kids may well be told to mask up in school again. Brooke Thorington has more from Louisiana’s Superintendent of Education…:

CUT 01(33)      “….Thorington.”

Meanwhile, some medical experts are saying it’s time to quit concentrating on positive cases reported and concentrate on the number of hospitalizations. Many reported cases of Omicron COVID are not making people seriously sick. Dr. Anthony Fauci said as much Sunday morning on ABC TV. Still, other experts say case counts are very important.

The first fire fatality in Louisiana for 2022 occurred Sunday night in West Monroe claiming the life of a 69-year-old man and his dog. State Fire Marshal’s spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says firefighters located the man’s body in the living room and the remains of his dog in a bedroom. Rodrigue says investigators have not been able to pinpoint an actual cause, but have determined its origin..:

CUT 10(06)      “…electrical in nature.”

Will the Capital City get to have its usual modest number of Mardi Gras Parades this year? Baton Rouge Mayor Sharon Weston Broome says it’s too soon to tell whether the Omicron surge will force events to cancel. In addition to parades, Baton Rouge has a number of big Carnival galas. Cancelling on short notice will cost Krewes and organizers a whole lot of money.

New Orleans Police have their hands full with car thefts. Over 12 vehicles have been either stolen or carjacked at gunpoint since New Year’s Eve.

Senator Bill Cassidy’s Surprise Medical Bill legislation preventing patients from paying unexpected fees after going to the hospital is now in effect. If you leave the hospital with a higher bill than anticipated, Cassidy says you have recourse under the new law…:

CUT 08(11)      “…to pay more.”

He says check with your insurance company, to see what the issue is, and then contact the Louisiana Department of Insurance at 800-259-5300.

Believe it or not – after a disastrous season – the Saints could still make the playoffs. IF the Saints beat Atlanta next Sunday, and IF the 49ers lose to the Rams, then they’re in. Linebacker Demario Davis says he’s glad this game has meaning…:

CUT 11(11)      “…with it.”

One person is dead and another badly hurt, after a pickup drove off an elevated section of Interstate 10 in Baton Rouge Sunday morning. Baton Rouge Police say it happened shortly before 6am, when the driver lost control, crashed into the guardrail, then over it and landed on its roof. 21-year-old Zach Gunter, the passenger, died at the scene. The driver has life-threatening injuries.

How about that cold weather this morning? State Climatologist Barry Keim says it was a big contrast to the spring-like warmth of the couple weeks…:

CUT 12(12)      “…down to 35.”

He says tomorrow will be cold again, but temperatures will start moving back up again come Wednesday. By the weekend, we’ll see highs in the lower 70’s.

Tonight’s Powerball jackpot is worth an amazing $540-million, with a lump-sum payout of nearly $372-million. The drawing is a 10 p.m. Good luck.

State Police are investigating an officer-involved shooting in Jackson Parish. It seems 63-year-old Michael Dobbins broke into a home on Chatham, assaulted someone inside and, later when confronted by police about it, turned a weapon on the officers who fired and killed him. LSP spokesman Trooper Mike Reichardt says Dobbins got the gun he used by stealing it from a parked car…:

CUT 04(08)      “…for a little while.”

Dobbins had a lengthy history of troubles with the law.

Police in New Orleans say a 10-year-old was hit in the face by a falling bullet, as he watched fireworks on New Year’s Eve. He was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced OK; no major injuries. Cops are investigating.

LSU football announced Cincinnati Bengals Offensive Coordinator Mike Denbrook is joining Coach Brian Kelly’s staff as O.C. for the Tigers. Denbrook has extensive experience in college ball and in the pros.

There’s a mostly welcome chill in the air in the Bayou State to begin the first work week of the New Year. Jeff Palermo has the low down on the low temperatures…:

CUT 02(30)      “…Palermo.”

A Frierson man and his teenage son are charged with negligent homicide, after a Sunday incident in which one brother shot another. Police say 42-year-old Jeff Ebarb was driving the boys through a fast food drive-thru. They were looking at a gun the father had just bought, when it went off killing one brother. The matter is under investigation.

Senator Bill Cassidy’s Surprise Medical Bill legislation which helps patients avoid paying for out-of-network services has gone into effect. Erik Piccoli has more…:

CUT 1(30)    “…Piccoli”

The state Department of Health reports statewide hospitalizations spiked to 1,106 over the New Year’s holiday weekend. That number is up from 514 a week ago, and up from 762 last Thursday. This is the highest number of COVID hospitalizations since September.

State police are investigating an officer-involved shooting in Jackson Parish. Trooper Michael Reichardt says the sheriff’s office received a call Saturday that 63-year-old Michael Dobbins broke into a home in Chatham, assaulted a person inside then fled the scene. But hours later he was found behind some abandoned cars…:

CUT 03         (12)    “…at the scene.”

As with all police-involved shootings, LSP is investigating.

Many of us woke up to some pretty cold weather this morning. Quite a switch of the sweatbox we were in last week. If you are using a space heater to stay toasty, here’s a useful reminder from Ashley Rodrigue with the state Fire Marshal’s Office…:

CUT 14         (10)    “…create a chain.”

These are the sorts of things that cause space heaters to short out and catch fire. Also, your range or oven should never be used to heat a room.

The Lafayette city court judge under fire for a video in which she can be heard off-camera uttering a racial slur resigns – effective immediately. The cell phone video, shot inside Judge Michelle Odinet’s home, shows a TV screen on which people are watching home security video of someone attempting to burglarize the house. That’s when the inflammatory words are heard. Odinet had been on forced leave without pay. Her resignation is immediate.

Celebrating the New Year with fireworks? Ashley Rodrigue, with the state Fire Marshal’s office, has a few safety tips. Like never use them when you’ve been drinking, don’t let kids light or handle them and be sure to properly quench the stuff after you’re done…:

CUT 05        (11)    “…trash can.”

In a press event yesterday, Governor John Bel Edwards addressed the ongoing surge in COVID cases – many of them the Omicron variant. The state added over 12-thousand new cases Wednesday and over 9-thousand Thursday. About 760 are hospitalized with the virus. Mr. Edwards says this time he is asking Louisianans to mask back up, to keep more people from failing ill…:

CUT 14        (11)    “…a loved one.”

COVID tests sites are swamped, so he says – if you cannot get tested, act as if you ARE positive and take precautions.

Get ready for the cold weather to return over the holiday weekend. By Monday morning we should see low temperatures in the mid-to-upper 20’s in northern parishes and the low-to-mid 30’s in the south. So get those coats back out.

Judge Michelle Odinet, the Lafayette city court judge who was caught on a viral video using a racial slur, has resigned. In her letter to the Chief Justice of the state Supreme Court, Odinet says she takes full responsibility for her “hurtful words” and apologizes for any trouble she’s caused..

The Great Holiday Heat Wave of 2021 is almost over. State Climatologist Barry Keim says a significant cold front will begin moving across Louisiana in the afternoon and evening of New Year’s Day. He says some Saturday precipitation could even be somewhat severe in the northern half of the state. He says the cooling continues through the weekend…:

CUT 07 (09)      “…of the state.”

By Monday, you can expect frigid temperatures to the work week.

Amid the recent surge of COVID cases and hospitalizations in Louisiana, Governor John Bel Edwards implores residents to take proper precautions in an effort to reduce transmission of the virus but fell short of reinstating a mask mandate. He says even though a mask mandate is not in place it doesn’t mean one should ignore their vital use to mitigate COVID…:

CUT 13 (11)      “…wear a mask.”

He says get vaccinated and/or get necessary boosters and stay healthy.

Meanwhile the state Department of Health is urging schools to keep a handle on the spread of the Omicron virus by canceling all extracurricular activities. Sports events, cheerleading, band, music and theater –after school social functions like dances. All of it. Again, it’s a recommendation; NOT a mandate.

Be prepared for temperatures statewide to take a huge nosedive. By Monday morning, northern parishes could see a hard freeze, and the mercury will go into the lower 30’s in the south.

The Lafayette City Court Judge reportedly heard using racial slurs on a viral video has resigned. Judge Michelle Odinet has been under fire ever since a video surfaced of persons watching an attempted burglary on home security video and using a derogatory term for the black suspect. She had been on forced leave without pay due to the incident.

Governor John Bel Edwards addressed the Omicron variant COVID surge during his latest press event. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 02(33)      “…Thorington.”

Louisiana will be on display to the world tomorrow, in the 133^rd Tournament of Roses Parade. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is in Pasadena, California helping to prepare the Louisiana “Feed Your Soul” float, which will feature over 34-thousand flowers and a host of parade riders made up of real Louisiana heroes…:

CUT 10(13)      “…help after hurricanes.”

The Saints face a must-win situation on Sunday in order to make the playoffs, when they host the Carolina Panthers in the final home game of the year. But the Black and Gold have won only once inside the Dome this year. Offensive tackle James Hurst can’t pinpoint why they haven’t been more successful in New Orleans…:

CUT 15(20)      “…cheer about”

Governor John Bel Edwards took to Zoom on Thursday to implore residents to take Covid precautions this New Year’s as cases surge. He says it’s no fun to wear a mask and he’s not issuing a mandate, but it’s better to be safe than sorry:
Cut 14 (11) “watching a loved one”
The state reported over 12-thousand cases Thursday.

The New Year will also mark the end of the 2021 Louisiana winter heat wave. State Climatologist Barry Keim says a significant cold front will begin moving across the state the afternoon and evening of New Year’s Day…:
Cut 6 (13) “and some hail”
He says the first freeze of 2022 will occur Sunday into Monday.

If there’s one thing Louisiana knows it’s floats and the state will be showcasing a Bayou State themed one in the Rose Parade Saturday morning. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says his office worked hard to make arrangements for our state to take part in the parade, with a first-of-its-kind entry…:
Cut 11 (08) “we’re real excited”
He says everything on the float is organic even though it might look like paint. The New Year’s Day Rose Parade broadcast begins 10am our time.

If you’re going to be shooting fireworks to ring in 2022, state officials are urging you to play it safe. Fire Marshal’s Office spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says be sure to detonate your fireworks at least 200 feet away from any structures and vehicles — and be mindful in hurricane impacted areas…:
Cut 4 (10) “flammable as well”
Happy New Year.