The U.S. House has passed a $1.7-trillion spending bill. The same one that passed the Senate Wednesday with the support of neither of Louisiana’s senators. Senator John Kennedy was angry with Democrats for passing the huge bill, and with fellow Republicans who voted for it too…:

CUT 07  (15)        “…enough money.”

The bill now goes to the President for his signature.

Louisiana woke up to some of the coldest temperatures seen in years today. State Climatologist Barry Keim says most of the state will remain below right through tonight, with the exception of the most extreme coastal parishes…but it will be short-lived…:

CUT 09(13)      “…of the state though.”

Temperatures will warm up a bit as we moved into next week.

Still looking for a gift idea? State Treasurer John Schroder has a suggestion that’ll last longer than most…:

CUT 01  (30)        “…Golsby.”

State Police say a crash on Highway 90 in Assumption has taken the life of a Houma man. Troopers say 19-year-old Lebis Aguilar was a passenger in a SUV that sideswiped a pickup before hitting a guardrail and flipping over. The man driving, 50-year-old Juan Ramos, is charged with driving while impaired, vehicular homicide, careless operation, and driving without a license.

Get prepared for a hard freeze overnight…pretty much anywhere you are in Louisiana. Temperatures are expected to drop into the teens, withstiff winds making it feel even colder. LRN meteorologist John Weatherby…:

CUT 06  (10)        ”…many locations.”

The Louisiana ASPCA worries that too many of us will leave our pets outside in tonight’s bitterly cold weather. Executive Director Jeff Dorson reminds us that leaving the pets out with no proper food or shelter in such conditions is also ILLEGAL…:

CUT 03  (10)        “…with nothing.”

Dorson says your pets can suffer frostbite, hypothermia and even freeze to death if you leave them out. So, bring them in…please.

A new head of the state Department of Children & Family Services has been appointed. Terri Ricks takes over after the resignation of Marketa Walters a few weeks ago. Governor Edwards says DCFS is understaffed and underfunded, and he hopes to fix that…:

CUT 09  (11)        “…they have.”

Edwards says the state will have a surplus of over $600-million for the fiscal year that starts in July and he’ll work to get DCFS a bigger budget from those funds. DCFS has seen two children under its watch die from drug poisoning and had a foster parent sexually assault a number of kids under his care.

One last note about the coming frigid weather: Entergy, CLECO and other utility says they will suspend cutting off anyone’s power for non-payment right through New Year’s day, so no one need to worry about the heat going out with temperatures below freezing.

The Bayou State will become the Frozen State tonight with temps dipping into the teens tonight. LRN’s John Weatherby says make sure to protect plants, pets and pipes from freezing, and – if going outside – dress in layers…:

CUT 07(07)      “…Christmas Day.”

Weatherby says temperatures should drop into the teens over most of the state tonight, but we’ll also experience strong northwest winds with gusts up to 40 miles per hour.

Let’s talk about folks that leave the pets out in cold like this. Louisiana ASPCA’s Jeff Dorson reminds us that is actually illegal, and you do not want animal Control coming to your house…:

CUT 05(07)      “…take the animal.”

Think of it this way: if you wouldn’t want to be out there, neither would they. Bring them inside.

A surge in COVID cases is impacting nursing homes across the country. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 02(34)      “…Thorington.”

A Jennings man is behind bars after he allegedly uploaded a brief, but graphic video depicting a sex act with a child to Instagram. 22-year-old Logan Crochet is accused of posting the video last summer. He’s charged with pornography involving juveniles.

A surge in COVID cases is impacting nursing homes across the country. Louisiana AARP’s Andrew Muhl says if you have a loved one in a nursing home, you should question the facility about its COVID protocols and vaccination rates…:

CUT 13(08)      “…they accessible?”

He says only about 42-percent of nursing home residents are vaccinated and only 15-percent of staff are up-to-date on boosters.

Terri Ricks has been appointed to oversee the Department of Children and Family Services, after the resignation last month of Marketa Walters. DCFS has had problems with keeping kids safe and internal troubles. Governor John Bel Edwards says he plans to increase the agency’s budget next year…:

CUT 11(11)      “…for DCFS.”

The state should have a $600-million surplus in the budget for 2023-24.

The Louisiana Humane Society says they’re getting a LOT of calls about pets left out in the freezing weather, even though it’s illegal…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Golby.”

LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels says he will be staying on another season with the Tigers. Daniels tweeted today, ”this has been an amazing ride and honestly, I am not ready to get off just yet.”

We are in for a big blast of arctic air tomorrow; bringing bitterly cold temperatures with it. State Climatologist Barry Keim says temperatures will drop like a rock after a cold front passes through…:

CUT 12(09)      “…in Louisiana.”

Governor John Bel Edwards says he has no regrets about the fallout from Ronald Greene’s 2019 death which led to the indictment of five law enforcement officers last week. Edwards was asked if he will be testifying before a legislative committee investigating the incident…:

CUT 06(14)      “…reflect that.”

Body camera footage of Greene’s arrest showing law enforcement officers beating and tasing the black motorist before he died surfaced in 2020. His family had been told he died in a car crash after a police chase.

With a hard freeze coming, how do you protect your precious yard plants? We asked an LSU AgCenter expert for tips…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Golsby.”

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has tapped 32-year NOPD veteran Michelle Woodfork to serve as interim Police Chief while a search goes on to replace retired Chief Shaun Ferguson. Woodfork is the first woman to ever lead the New Orleans Police.

Former LSU Athletic Executive Sharon Lewis’ lawsuit claiming she faced retaliation and harassment from former LSU Coach Les Miles and others after reporting sexual harassment allegations has been tossed out. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 02(30)      “…Palermo.”

Human skeletal remains were found by hunters in St. Martinville Tuesday. Police have not released any information about the age or gender of the person. An investigation is underway and tips from the public are welcome by St. Martinville Police.

Prepare for a hard freeze Thursday night and Friday morning. State Climatologist Barry Keim says even afternoon HIGHS won’t get higher than freezing until Saturday afternoon in northern Louisiana. He says wind chills will make it feel even colder than that…:

CUT 14  (07)        “…higher gusts.”

So how to protect your outside plants when it gets this cold? The LSU AgCenter’s Heather Kirk-Ballard says get your potted plant out of any direct wind chill effects…:

CUT 03(09)      “…temperature.”

She says plants that are in the ground and trees younger than five years old can be saved by wrapping them.

She filed suit against LSU alleging sexual harassment and retaliation for whistle-blowing, but a Baton Rouge judge tosses former LSU athletics executive Sharon Lewis’ case. Lewis alleged that LSU and it’s now former law firm Taylor Porter engaged in a criminal conspiracy against her. Sources say Lewis and her attorneys have also been sanctioned 330-thousand dollars for bringing RICO claims against Taylor Porter. Legal expert Franz Borghardt says you better have your facts straight when you accuse an organization of racketeering…:

CUT 10(08)      “…what happens.”

Get ready for a hard freeze Thursday night. State Climatologist Barry Keim says temperatures will drop like a rock as a cold front comes through, bringing low temperatures along the I-10 / I-12 corridor down to around 20-degrees on Friday morning…and wind chills will in the single digits, and below zero in north Louisiana…:

CUT 13(12)      “…bitterly cold.”

With a hard freeze coming Thursday night, lots of people are worried about how to protect their plants. LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk- Ballard says move plants in pots inside. For others, she recommends making a simple structure to hold coverings off of the foliage, and she says covers should be sealed with soil, stones, or bricks, and she adds that a surprising number of plants will survive the cold…:

CUT 05(09)      “…right back.”

Police in Baton Rouge seek two women who stole from a beauty supply store and left a store employee in a coma during their getaway. BRPD says 19-year-old Abdel Hamal chased the women and jumped on the back of their vehicle. He was thrown off as they roared off; suffering serious head injury. Sources say the women have been identified and police hope to make arrests soon.

A UL-Monroe student has been arrested for allegedly dealing drugs near the campus. Ironically, the student attends the ULM School of Pharmacy.

Governor John Bel Edwards says he has no regrets about the fallout from Ronald Greene’s 2019 death which led to the indictment of five law enforcement officers last week. Many are asking what did he know and when did he know it, but Mr. Edwards says he’s already addressed this…:

CUT 08(10)      “…can tell.”

A Baton Rouge judge has reportedly dismissed a lawsuit filed by former LSU athletics executive Sharon Lewis who claimed she faced harassment and retaliation after she reported sexual harassment allegations involving former coach Les Miles.  Legal analyst Franz Borghardt says it appears Judge Tim Kelley determined the lawsuit to be frivolous..:

CUT 09(11)      “…it didn’t stick.”

Lewis alleged that LSU and it’s now former law firm Taylor Porter engaged in a criminal conspiracy against her.

A hard freeze is on the way Thursday night, so we asked the LSU Ag Center for some tips on keeping your plants safe and alive…:

CUT 01  (30)        “…Golsby.”

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries warns us of potential fish kills throughout coastal Louisiana due to freezing water temperatures.  The evidence of such could be delayed, because fish often sink to the bottom of water bodies and may not be visible for a week or more. They expect fish kills in inland waters as well.

A hard freeze is on the way Thursday night, so we asked the LSU Ag Center for some tips on keeping your plants safe and alive. Marsanne Golsby has more.

Cut 1(30)  “…I’m Marsanne Golsby.”

______________________________________

Former LSU Athletic Executive Sharon Lewis’ lawsuit claiming she faced retaliation and harassment from former LSU Coach Les Miles and others after reporting sexual harassment allegations has been tossed out. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

______________________________________

With a hard freeze coming Thursday night, lots of people are worried about how to protect their plants. LSU ag center horticulturist Heather Kirk- Ballard says if the plants are in containers, you should move them, but they don’t all have to come all the way inside.

Cut 3 (09) “..temperature. ” 

She said if you do decide to move your plants indoors, cut back on the watering to only about once a week or when the plants start to wilt slightly. She says water is a good insulator for plants that are in the ground, so if the soil is dry, they should be watered thoroughly before a freeze.

She says plants that are in the ground and trees younger than five years old can be saved by wrapping them the right way.

Cut 4 (10)  “…those sheets 

She recommends creating a simple structure to hold coverings off of the foliage, and she says covers should be sealed with soil, stones, or bricks, and she adds that a surprising number of plants will survive the cold.

Cut 5 (09) “…right back”

_______________________________________________

Governor John Bel Edwards says he has no regrets about the fallout from Ronald Greene’s 2019 death which led to the indictment of five law enforcement officers last week. Edwards was asked if he will be testifying before a legislative committee investigating the incident.

Cut 6 (14)  “…reflect that.”

After body camera footage of Greene’s arrest showing law enforcement officers beating and tasing the black motorist before he died was made public in 2020, lawmakers questioned what Edwards knew and when about Greene’s death. Edwards has been asked twice to testify before the committee.

Cut 7 (06)  “… answered.”

One meeting where Edwards was asked to speak was canceled and the other meeting the governor had scheduling conflicts. Edwards says he’s already spoken about what he knew about the incident

Cut 8 (10)  “…can tell.“

___________________________________________

A Baton Rouge judge has reportedly dismissed a lawsuit filed by former LSU athletics executive Sharon Lewis who claimed she faced harassment and retaliation after she reported sexual harassment allegations involving former coach Les Miles.  Legal analyst Franz Borghardt says it appears Judge Tim Kelley determined the lawsuit to be frivolous

Cut 9 (11) “…it didn’t stick” 

Lewis alleged that LSU and it’s now former law firm Taylor Porter engaged in a criminal conspiracy against her. Sources say Lewis and her attorneys have also been sanctioned 330-thousand dollars for bringing RICO claims against Taylor Porter. Borghardt says you better have your facts straight when you accuse an organization of racketeering…

Cut 10 (08) “… what  happens.” 

A 150-page report by Husch Blackwell determined LSU mishandled numerous sexual misconduct cases involving former football players, which led to the suspensions of two former athletic department employees and a recommitment by the university to improve its Title IX office. Borghardt says it appears Lewis tried to take advantage of the situation…

Cut 11 (05)  “…bucket of money.”

_______________________________________________

An arctic blast will invade Louisiana tomorrow bringing bitterly cold temperatures with it. State Climatologist Barry Keim says temperatures will drop like a rock after the cold passes through…

Cut 12 (09) “…in Louisiana”  

Keim says low temperatures along the I-10-I-12 corridor will be around 20-degrees on Friday morning and wind chills will be in the single digits, and below zero in north Louisiana…

Cut 13 (12) “…bitterly cold”  

High temperatures on Friday will range from the low 30s in southeast Louisiana, while north Louisiana will not see temperatures get above freezing until Saturday afternoon. Keim says hard freeze and wind chill watches have been posted for Louisiana…

Cut 14 (07)   “…higher gusts”

With the cold weather in Louisiana comes the horror of house fires. Three people perished in fires within just over 24 hours; one in New Orleans, one in Leesville and one in Ruston. State Fire Marshal’s spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says check your smoke detectors and – if they don’t work – replace them now…:

CUT 10(09)      “…us yet.”

Governor John Bel Edwards says he wants to the federal government to help clean up the lakes adjacent to the State Capitol; which have been dangerously polluted for 40 years or more. Edwards says unfortunately the state doesn’t have the resources for remediation and he’s asking the EPA for assistance…:

CUT 14(10)      “…immediately.”

He says getting such a project rolling could take a couple years to get started.

The Louisiana Emergency Rental Assistance Program and the Louisiana Homeowner Assistance Fund will stop accepting applications tomorrow. The help was available for folks affected by the pandemic. Assistant Commissioner of Administration Desiree Thomas says the state will continue reviewing applications submitted by the deadline until all funds are expended…:

CUT 05(05)      “…Wednesday at 5.”

To learn more or to apply, go to “lacovidhousing.com”

The Corps of Engineers has given the green light to the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Project to use Mississippi River sediment to rebuild parts of Louisiana’s coast. Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority director Bren Haase says construction on the project could get underway next spring. He says once its operational, it will be able to build and sustain up to 26,000 acres of wetlands…:

CUT 08(09)      “…vegetation grows.”