Shreveport could be without water for some time as the winter storm appears to have caused significant damage to the city’s infrastructure. The national guard has had to deploy a number of large water tankers to city hospitals and Willis-Knighton Chief Administrative Officer Brian Crawford says that’s helping them meet basic needs…

Cut 5 (11)“…MRI.”

Lake Charles is also facing serious water pressure issues and Mayor Hunter has formally requested assistance.
Gas prices have increased nearly three cents overnight and 15 cents on the month, now sitting at a statewide average of 2.28 a gallon for regular. Triple-A Fuel Analyst Don Redman says the winter weather has created the type of spike we would typically see during hurricane season.
Cut 3 (10) “…sscreeching hault”
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Beginning Monday schoolteachers and staff will be eligible to get vaccinated for COVID. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
State Police are investing a fatal police shooting in Mount Hermon. The shooting left 28-year-old Dustin Crain dead and occurred just after 10PM last night. Police allege they were responding to a domestic violence incident and when they arrived Crain had armed himself with two large knives and during a confrontation was shot and pronounced dead on the scene.

There’s still little to no water pressure in Shreveport two days after the city lost water due to the winter storm. Willis-Knighton Chief Administrative Officer Brian Crawford says not only are hospitals without water, but the roads are undrivable and they’re having to get creative just to get staff safely to work.

Cut 6 (11) “…patients.”

Staff are being housed at nearby hotels and staged on cots once they rotate out of their shifts.

Governor Edwards asks all residents to temporarily conserve power during peak consumption periods to help prevent further rolling blackouts. Rolling blackouts have plagued the state since the winter event began, and Edwards says local power providers needed to do a better job giving customers forewarning.

Cut 14 (11) “…too.” 

The life expectancy rate in the U-S has dropped by one year. According to the CDC the average life span in the US is now 77.8 years compared to 78.8 in 2019. LSU Health New Orleans Chief of Community and Population Medicine Dr. Benjamin Springgate says the COVID pandemic is the main reason for the decrease.

Cut 7 (10)  “…even more.”

The average life span for Blacks dropped 2.7 years to 72 and for Hispanics a decrease of 1.9 years to 79.9.

Starting Monday K-through-12 teachers and staff will be prioritized for the COVID vaccine. Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says each school system will handle how employees will be vaccinated…
cut 12 (10) “…an interest.’

Beginning on Monday, K-through 12 teachers will be eligible to be vaccinated. Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says it will be up to each school district on how educators and staff can get the vaccine…
cut 11 (10) “…hospitals”
Daycare staff and individuals between the ages of 55-and-64 with certain health conditions are also eligible for the vaccine on Monday.

The CDC has lowered the life expectancy rate in the United States by a full year to 77.8 years old. LSU Health New Orleans Chief of Community and Population Medicine Doctor Benjamin Springgate says it’s another sign of how deadly the COVID pandemic has been…
cut 8 (09) “…worse”

Governor John Bel Edwards says energy companies did an inadequate job earlier this week in explaining restoration timelines and warning of rolling blackouts. But he also understands the decision to initiate rolling blackouts was made at a level above Entergy, Cleco, or SWEPCO as energy demand soared…
cut 15 (12) “…to do”
Edwards says with another cold morning tomorrow, he’s still asking residents to do their part in conserving energy.

There’s little to no water pressure in Shreveport. That’s wreaking havoc on local hospitals. Willis-Knighton Chief Administrative Officer Brian Crawford says it’s a struggle to stay operational.
Cut 4 (12)“…toilets.”

Beginning Monday schoolteachers and staff will be eligible to get vaccinated for COVID. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The state is also expanding COVID vaccine eligibility to daycare staff and Louisianans aged 55 to 64 with certain health conditions. This will bring the total population eligible in Louisiana to nearly one-point-six million people. So far, 271-thousand residents have received both doses.

It’s another below-freezing morning with over 50-thousand utility customers without power. Water pressure is an issue in Lake Charles and Shreveport. In Shreveport, oil tankers full of water, and the National Guard are helping to provide water to hospitals. Willis-Knighton C-A-O Brain Crawford that’s helping them meet basic needs…
cut 5 (11) “…MRI

The C-D-C says the U-S Life Expectancy Rate has fallen by one year to just under 78-years-old. The average life span for blacks has dropped by nearly three years and Hispanics two years. LSU Health New Orleans Chief of Community and Population Medicine Doctor Benjamin Springgate says that’s two races hit hard by the COVID pandemic…
cut 9 (10) “….to die”

Over 50-thousand utility customers woke up today without power as a result of the one-two punch the state received from winter storms. And Power providers continue to ask customers to reduce electricity usage during peak periods through Saturday morning to help prevent further blackouts…
cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

We are looking at one more cold morning tomorrow and then the warmup begins.

Starting Monday, COVID vaccine eligibility increases by another 475-thousand as Louisianans aged 55 to 64 with certain health conditions, pregnant women, daycare staff, and K-through-12 teachers can get the shot. Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says each school system will handle how employees will be vaccinated…
cut 12 (10) “…an interest’

The life expectancy rate in the U-S has dropped by one year to 77.8 years, the largest decrease since World War II. LSU Health New Orleans Chief of Community and Population Medicine Dr. Benjamin Springgate says the COVID pandemic is the main reason for the decrease.
Cut 7 (10) “…even more.”
The report shows the average live span for blacks dropped by nearly three years.

The state is expanding who is eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. Starting Monday, individuals between the ages of 55 and 64 with one or more health conditions, pregnant women and teachers, along with support staff, and daycare workers can get the vaccine. Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says allowing K-through-12 employees to get the shot is vital to increase face-to-face instruction…
cut 10 (10) “….open”

Many schools remain closed today, because of extensive power outages across central and north Louisiana. With a couple more cold days coming up, Governor Edwards is asking residents to reduce energy consumption to avoid more rolling blackouts…
cut 13 (07) “….thing”

Shreveport has been without water for two days since water mains ruptured due to the winter storm. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

Shreveport has been without water now for two days since water mains ruptured due to the winter storm. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

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Beginning Monday schoolteachers and staff will be eligible to get vaccinated for COVID. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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Power providers ask residents to conserve power during peak periods through Saturday morning to help prevent further rolling blackouts. Matt Doyle has more…

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.”  

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There’s still little to no water preassure in Shreveport two days after the city lost water due to the winter storm.

That’s wreaking havok on area hospitals. Willis-Knighton Chief Administrative Officer Brian Crawford says it’s been a struggle to stay operational.

Cut 4 (12)“…toilets.”

Crawford says they’ve also had difficulty sterilizing equipment and washing linens without water.

Local companies are pitching in with oil tankers full of water and the National Guard has moved in to provide support. Crawford says that’s helping them meet basic needs.

Cut 5 (11)“…MRI.”

Governor Edwards warned the water situation in Shreveport will likely persist even after the winter weather conditions go away.

Not only are hospitals without water, the roads are undriveable and Crawford says they’re having to get creative just to stay staffed up.

Cut 6 (11) “…patients.”

Staff are being housed at nearby hotels and staged on cots once they rotate out of their shifts.

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The life expectancy rate in the U-S has dropped by one year, that’s the most it’s dropped sine World War II. According to the CDC the average life span in the US is now 77.8 years compared to 78.8 in 2019. LSU Health New Orleans Chief of Community and Population Medicine Dr. Benjamin Springgate says the COVID is the main reason for the decrease.

Cut 7 (10)  “…even more.”

The average life span for Blacks dropped 2.7 years to 72 and for Hispanics a decrease of 1.9 years to 79.9. The drop for Caucasians is .8 years to 78.

The pandemic began to take hold last spring in the US and Springgate says the numbers use to determine the current life expectancy rate are not from the entire year.

Cut 8 (09) “…be worse.”

With the larger decreases in life expectancies among Blacks and Hispanics in the US and Springgate says it is very concerning about minorities and the pandemic.

Cut 9 (10) “…to die.”

Springgate says statistics indicate while the US makes up only four percent of the global population but 20-percent of the COVID deaths suggests that the US is not handling the pandemic as well as other nations.

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Teachers and school staff will be among those eligible to be vaccinated for COVID beginning Monday.  Governor Edwards made the announcement Thursday allowing an additional 166-thousand K-12 employees to be prioritized. Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says it’s vital to increase face to face instruction.

Cut 10 (10) “…open.”

Brumley says currently 67-percent of public-school students attend in-person instruction.

As to how teachers and staff will be vaccinated, Brumley that’s based on each the school system.

Cut 11 (10) “…hospitals.”

Brumley said while he is thankful that teachers and school employees will soon be eligible to be vaccinated the Department of Education will not push nor incentivize employees to do so.

Each individual school system will handle how employees will be inoculated and Brumley says around half of employees have indicated they wish to be vaccinated.

Cut 12 (10) “…an interest.”

Brumley says when more students are able to return to the classroom it also allows more parents to return to the workforce.

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Governor Edwards asks all residents to temporarily conserve power during peak consumption periods to help prevent further rolling blackouts.

Edwards says the state needs you to cut back on consumption from 7 to 9 this morning, 7 to 10 tonight, and 7 to 9 once again Saturday morning.

Cut 13 (07) “…thing.”

Edwards says this request does not apply to the elderly or those living with medical conditions that could be impacted by keeping the heat turned down.

Rolling blackouts have plauged the state since the winter event began and Edwards says local power providers needed to do a better job giving customers forewarning.

Cut 14 (11) “…too.” 

Public Service Commision Chairman Craig Greene says the PSC will investigate the lack of communication from providers.

Edwards says ultimately the decision to initiate rolling blackouts was made at a level above Entergy, Cleco, or SWEPCO as energy demand far exceeded supply grid-wide.

Cut 15 (12)“…to do.”

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The Louisiana Tech men’s basketball team’s two-game series with Middle Tennessee has been moved to Saturday and Sunday due to the inclement weather.

The Bulldogs will bring a 17-6 overall record and a 10-4 conference record to Murfreesboro as they take on the Blue Raiders, who currently sit at 5-13.  Tech coach Eric Konkol says Middle Tennessee has played well as of late.

Cut 16 (20) “…good basketball team.”

Konkol says that no matter who his team is playing, their preparation is always the same.

Cut 17 (14) “…traveling that week or not”

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The seventh ranked LSU baseball team will open the 2021 season tomorrow by hosting Air Force. Potential first-round pick Jaden Hill is set to get the start on the mound for the Tigers in the season opener. Hill didn’t give up a run 11.2 innings last season. Coach Paul Mainieri says they plan to pitch the big right-hander three innings on Saturday…

Cut  18 (13) “…other guys.”

Because of the pandemic, only 25-hundred fans will be allowed inside Alex Box Stadium for at least the first few weeks of the season. Mainieri says in a normal year, 25-hundred fans at a game would be good for 18th best in the country.

Cut 19 (24) “…out there.” 

LSU has a lot of experienced pitchers, but the infield will be inexperienced. Freshman Will Hellmers could get the start at third base. Hellmers was recruited as a pitcher out of Jesuit High School in New Orleans, but Maineri says he’s got a good glove and also brings an edge to the field.

  cut 20  (20) “…(chuckles)” 

Governor Edwards announced today that beginning Monday K-12 teachers and those ages 55 to 64 with one or more preexisting conditions according to the CDC guidelines will be eligible to be vaccinated for COVID in Louisiana. Some of those preexisting conditions include cancer, heart disease, COPD, and down syndrome. Pregnant women will also be eligible to be vaccinated.

Entergy, along with CLECO and SWEPCO, are asking customers to conserve power to avoid overloads, due to historic demand. Utility providers have also conducted rolling blackouts to reduce usage. As the frigid temperatures continue, Entergy spokesperson Brandon Scardigli says more rolling blackouts are possible.

Cut 8 (10) “…the line”

Scardigli was unable to update the status of north Louisiana restoration due to the freezing precipitation last night.

The winter storm has passed but freezing cold temperatures are here to stay for the next few days.   National Weather Service Shreveport forecaster Gary Chatelain says roads across north Louisiana are still an icy mess but we’ll be treated to some dry weather and sunshine even if temps remain in the thirties into the weekend.  

Cut 13 (09)“…sun”

State Police says I-20 is a solid block of ice and it’s resulted in jack-knifed 18-wheelers and several vehicles sliding off the highway. Trooper Brent Hardy says the two winter storms have produced a four to five-inch block of ice and even Troopers who train to drive in these conditions are struggling…

Cut 4 (09) “…stay off.” 

Hardy said a majority of the drivers that were stranded after sliding off interstate were out sightseeing.