Extremely cold this morning across the state, with record-tying readings of 20 degrees set in Baton Rouge and Slidell. Tonight will be cold, but not as bad…
CUT 10 (08) Q: “mid 20′s”
That’s Phil Grigsby, with the National Weather Service in New Orleans, who says extreme southeast Louisiana should be slightly above freezing.

One candidate for the empty LSU Defensive Coordinator position has withdrawn his name from consideration. Penn State defensive coordinator Bob Shoop reportedly interviewed, but decided to remain with the Nittany Lions. Gannett LSU sportswriter Glenn Guilbeau says Shoop was the best candidate so far…
CUT 13 (08) Q: ‘coach Chavis’
No front runner has emerged; at least not yet.

——————————–

Governor Bobby Jindal announces he’s planned a trip to Europe seeking new foreign trade and investment…
CUT 2 (27) “reporting”

The plea is not guilty on the charge of aggrevated rape from the former “Sons of Guns” reality TV star Will Hayden. He is accused of raping a young girl in East Baton Rouge Parish on multiple occasions in the span between March 2013 and August 2014. He is also to plead in the forcible rape of a Livingston Parish woman next week.

Governor Bobby Jindal announces he’s planned a trip to Europe seeking new foreign trade and investment. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Stephen Moret says Jindal visited Asia last year in January and the relationships they were able to build there will result in expected additional economic development announcements for Louisiana within the next couple of months. He says more jobs for citizens here has always been a major priority for the Governor’s Administration:
CUT 8 (10) “in Europe”
Jindal leaves Sunday and will be back January 20th.

It’s like it’s January 2014 all over again as the National Weather Service is forecasting a chance of a wintry mix for the Baton Rouge and Lafayette areas Friday morning. Today they say there is a 30-40 percent chance of rain, freezing rain and sleet before 9am in the morning. Transportation officials say they have one million pounds of salt ready to go in case highways start to ice over.

The freezing temperatures that have descended on the state has strawberry farmers working to minimize the damage the weather could have on their crops. William Fletcher, a strawberry farmer in Ponchatoula, says his crop did sustain some damage from the freezing temperatures but does not think it’s catastrophic…:
CUT 5 (09) “last night”
Experts think the spring harvest may be a little delayed due to damage to the crop from the winter weather.

The search for a new LSU defensive coordinator doesn’t appear to be going so well. Coach Les Miles has reportedly interviewed or spoke with several candidates, but a front-runner has yet to emerge. LSU beat reporter for Gannett Newspapers, Glen Guilbeau, says Miles may have to promote defensive line coach Brick Haley to replace the departed John Chavis…:
CUT 11 (07) “look good”
Penn State defensive coordinator Bob Shoop reportedly interviewed, but decided to remain with the Nittany Lions.

Governor Bobby Jindal is taking a 10-day business trip to Europe starting Sunday. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Stephen Moret says they’ll have meetings in Germany, the United Kingdom and Switzerland with corporate executives of manufacturing and services industries. He says major companies are considering projects in Louisiana…:
CUT 7 (08) “services firms”
Jindal returns January 20th.

The Thibodaux Police Department says a man is under arrest on DWI and other charges after he allegedly stole a vehicle and claimed an application on his smart phone told him it was his. They say 46-year-old Lionel Adams Jr of Thibodaux was located with the stolen vehicle and appeared to be intoxicated. He admitted there was no app on his phone tell him the car belonged to him. He is being held at the Lafourche Parish Detention Center.

The freezing temperatures that have descended on the state has strawberry farmers working to minimize the damage the weather could have on their crops. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

The former star of the reality TV show Sons of Guns pleaded not guilty to rape charges today in Baton Rouge. Will Hayden entered his plea to two counts of aggravated rape and one count of forcible rape.

On his continued quest to bring more business to Louisiana, Governor Bobby Jindal announces he’s planned a trip to Europe seeking new foreign trade and investment. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Stephen Moret says they want to go global in efforts to attract new jobs to Louisiana…:
CUT 6 (10) “in our state”
He says they’ll be going to Germany, the United Kingdom and Switzerland. Jindal leaves Sunday and will be back January 20th.

The Ouachita Parish Fire Department says a woman died in a house blaze early this morning in Monroe. They say the call came in around 330am and they were unable to get the flames out in time to save the woman. Investigators are currently working the scene to determine the cause of the blaze. No other details about the victim are being released at this time.

The freezing temperatures that have descended on the state has strawberry farmers working to minimize the damage the weather could have on their crops. Regina Bracy, with the LSU AgCenter, says sub freezing temps can have disastrous effects on the strawberry harvest. But Bracy adds that strawberry plants can take the cold…:
CUT 3 (09) “a few berries”
She says the spring harvest may be a little delayed due to damage to the crop from the winter weather.

Meanwhile Louisianians are bundled up on this extremely chilly day. The National Weather Service in New Orleans says the low temperature in Baton Rouge and Slidell tied a record of 20-degrees…:
CUT 9 (09) “interesting thing”
Meteorologist Phil Grisby says it will be cold all afternoon and again tonight with wind chill readings in the low 30s.

It’s what most everybody is talking about today, it’s cold outside. State Climatologist Barry Keim says we’re getting another blast of that polar vortex…:
CUT 8 (12) “Gulf coast”
He says we should see things get back to normal over the weekend.

Today Governor Bobby Jindal announced he’ll be taking an economic development mission to Europe to cultivate more foreign-direct investment opportunities and increased trade between Louisiana and the European region. Jindal says he has meetings in Germany, the United Kingdom and Switzerland with corporate executives of manufacturing and services industries. He leaves Sunday and will be back January 20th.

We’re almost to that predicted $2 mark. The American Automobile Association says the current statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is now $2.01.

Festivities begin today to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of New Orleans. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (28) “reporting”

Scratch another name off the list of potential defensive coordinators for LSU. Penn State’s Bob Shoop interviewed with head coach Les Miles but has decided to stay in Happy Valley and has signed a new 3 year contract with the Nittany Lions.

The Louisiana Lottery says there were no big winners in last night’s big drawings. The Powerball prize goes to an estimated $162 million dollars for Saturday.

It’s a cold morning in Louisiana as we’re experiencing some of the coldest temperatures we’ve seen in nearly a year. State Climatologist Barry Keim says these temps are the result of another polar vortex bearing down on the state. He says not only is the air temperature colder than normal, but we are also seeing some bone chilling wind chill readings…

cut 9 (10) “wind chill temperatures”

Keim says freezing temperatures are expected for the next two nights, as well.

Festivities are underway commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Battle of New Orleans. Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne says events include a Marine band concert, fireworks display, and battle reenactments…

cut 6 (09) “in Chalmette”

Dardenne says this is a great event to learn more about Louisiana history.

If you’d like to try to save money on your homeowners and auto insurance, the Department of Insurance has enhanced its online tool to help consumers find a better rate. Michelle Southern reports…

cut 3 (31) “reporting”

Shreveport Police has arrested a teenager accused of a Wednesday night shooting that sent a teenage girl to the hospital. Investigators say it appears 17-year-old Carlton Jenkins mishandled a handgun and accidentally shot the 14-year-old victim in the abdomen. Her injuries are considered non life-threatening. Jenkins is charged with illegal use of a weapon. The investigation is ongoing.

It’s a very frosty start to the morning in Louisiana. Scott Carwile has more…

cut 2 (27) “reporting”

The Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office is looking for the person responsible for knocking out a Monroe teacher’s aid and sending him to the hospital yesterday afternoon. In the incident caught on video, they say David Payne was trying to break up a fight between two teenage girls when someone came from behind and knocked him out cold. Payne suffered three facial fractures and bleeding on the brain and, at last report, was listed in stable condition. Authorities say the suspect will be charged with second degree aggravated battery.

If you want to save money on your homeowners and auto insurance, the Department of Insurance has enhanced its “Shop Your Rates” online tool to help consumers find a better rate. Commissioner Jim Donelon says there are substantial savings to be had by shopping around and comparing companies and rates…

cut 15 (09) “they are backed up”

You can shop around online at ldi-dot-la-dot-gov.

49-year-old Will Hayden, the former star of the now-cancelled reality TV series Sons of Guns, is set to be arraigned in Baton Rouge today. Hayden allegedly raped an 11-year-old girl sometime between March 2013 and August 2014 then again when she was 12. Legal analyst Tim Meche says this case will be largely based on what physical evidence is presented…

cut 11 (06) “cases”

Hayden also faces rape charges in Livingston Parish.

Freeze warnings remain in effect for all of Louisiana this morning. Temperatures are in the teens for the northern half of the state and not much warmer along the coast. State Climatologist Barry Keim says we are experiencing another polar vortex…

cut 8 (12) “Gulf coast”

Wind chill advisories are are also in effect for much of the state.

The former star of the now-cancelled reality TV series Sons of Guns is set to be arraigned in Baton Rouge today. 49-year-old Will Hayden of Greenwell Springs is accused of raping two preteen girls more that 20 years apart. Legal analyst Tim Meche says Hayden will likely plea not guilty…

cut 10 (12) “for the case”

Hayden also faces rape charges in Livingston Parish.

If you’re looking to save money on your homeowners and auto insurance, the Department of Insurance has upgraded its online tool to help you find a better rate. Commissioner Jim Donelon says Louisiana has done better than any state in the nation at replacing large insurance companies, with smaller regional carriers…

cut 14 (12) “substantial dollars”

The “Shop Your Rates” guides are online at ldi-dot-la-dot-gov.

Festivities begin today to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of New Orleans. Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne says special events will last throughout the weekend. He says today’s festivities include a concert by the Marine band in Jackson Square at 7PM…

cut 5 (07) “commemorate the battle”

Dardenne says this battle marked the end to hostilities between the US and Great Britain and the British Ambassador to the United States will be on hand to commemorate the event.