State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says COVID numbers hint that the state might be close to peaking with cases but yet it’s still too early to tell.

Cut 7 (12) “…very, very high.”

On Thursday the state reported 14,706 new cases.

According to DOTD 997 people were killed last year in traffic crashes, an alarming increase from previous years. Allison Kennedy, spokesperson for Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety says Louisiana is not immune because traffic fatalities are up nationwide. She says a recent survey indicates 75-percent of respondents were unaware of the increase however…

Cut 12 (10) “…being done.”

After missing two years due to COVID, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is back this spring. Kevin Gallagher has lineup highlights…:

Cut 1 (27) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

For the month of December 39.5  million was wagered in Louisiana casinos in the second full month of legalized sports betting. Eleven riverboats, racinos, and Harrah’s land bases casino recorded proceeds of close to 4.4 million according to figures released by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board. Of the eight operating in November 27.6 million was wagered and revenues of 5.7 million.

There have been no major impacts from the light freezing rain that fell across south Louisiana. But the cold weather is not going away anytime soon. A hard freeze warning is in effect for the southern half of the state. 50 degree high temperatures will return on Sunday.

The latest COVID numbers indicate the state may have reached a peak, but the stats also show the Omicron variant has been the hardest one yet for children…
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Louisiana receives a top grade when it comes to laws that prevent auto crashes. Allison Kennedy, spokesperson for Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety says their report looks at 16 different factors that are statistically proven to reduce traffics accidents and Louisiana has 10 of those laws on the books.
Cut 10 (07) “…passengers.”
But Kennedy also notes statistically only half of drivers and passengers are properly restrained in crashes.

The state’s premier music event will return this Spring as the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival says they will return to the Fair Grounds April 29th to May 1st and then May 5th to the eighth. The Who, Stevie Nicks, Willie Nelson and Jimmy Buffet headline this year’s Fest…
cut 6 (11) “….like three years now”
That’s Jazz Fest Producer Quint Davis.

The state health department says the Omicron variant is sending more kids to the hospital than the previous COVId variants. State health officer Doctor Joe Kanter says 199 children have been admitted to hospitals this month and they’ve seen more cases of the multisystem inflammatory syndrome, a condition where the heart, lungs, and brain can become inflamed…
cut 9 (06) “….marker as well”
Kanter says the highest percentage of pediatric cases are among ages four and younger as they are ineligible for the vaccine.

COVID will not stop Jazz Fest in New Orleans this year as the two-weekend spring music festival has announced they are returning after a two-year hiatus. Jazz Fest producer and director Quint Davis says this year’s top headliners are The Who, Foo Fighters, Jimmy Buffett, Lionel Richie, Willie Nelson, and dozens more. Davis says a number of artists planned their other shows AROUND being at Jazz Fest’s big return…
Cut 5 (11) “…we’re gonna be there.”

According to the 2022 Roadmap of State Highway Safety Laws, Louisiana ranks 9th in the nation. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Radar indicates we are still seeing some freezing rain falling in the Houma, Thibodaux, Morgan City area. Governor John Bel Edwards says slick spots are possible…
cut 15 (10) “….driving”

Radar indicates freezing drizzle is falling in south Louisiana from Morgan City to Hammond. No major accumulations have been reported.

Louisiana is also dealing with its coldest air of the winter as overnight temperatures over the next few days will dip below the freezing mark. Even the Houma-Thibodaux area could see lows in the mid-20s this weekend. The state has reported ten home fire deaths this year and Governor John Bel Edwards doesn’t want to see any more…
Cut 13 (04) “…generators.”
State Fire Marshal’s office spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says do not leave candles or space heaters unattended…
cut 24 (11) “…with others”
2022 is only 21 days old and the State Fire Marshal’s office says ten people, including two children, have lost their lives in home fires.

State health officer Doctor Joe Kanter says the Omicron variant has been much harder on children than the other variants. Kanter says this past week 33 children were admitted to the hospital with COVID and 199 children during January
cut 8 (12) “….be vaccinated”
According to Doctor Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the FDA could authorize Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for kids under five next month.

After missing two years due to COVID, the New Orleans Jazz Fest is back this spring….
Cut 1 (27) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

The latest COVID numbers indicate the state may have reached a peak, but the stats also show the Omicron variant has been the hardest one yet for children…
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Wintry precipitation is falling across south Louisiana this morning. So far no reports of any significant accumulation. The next couple of days will be colder than normal. Governor John Bel Edwards asks Louisiana residents to check on the elderly…
cut 14 (07) “…again”
High temperatures will return to the 50s on Sunday.

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is back for 2022; at the Fairgrounds and on its traditional dates, the last weekend in April and the first weekend in May. Jazz Fest director and producer Quint Davis says this year’s roster of performers has something for everyone…:
Cut 4 (10) “…Stevie Knicks, Billy strings, Nora Jones.”
There was no 2020 Jazz Fest due to the pandemic, and a planned FALL Jazz Fest for 2021 fell apart amid the Delta surge.

Governor John Bel Edwards was in Shreveport yesterday for the announcement of American Electric Power’s investment of $100-million to develop a transmission control center in the city. Edwards says the plant will create 20 direct jobs with an average annual salary of $115 thousand…:
CUT 26 (11) “…northwest region.”
Edwards says AEP has committed to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Governor John Bel Edwards visited Shreveport today for the announcement of a $100 million investment by American Electric Power to develop a transmission control center in the city. Edwards says the center will create 20 direct jobs with an average salary of $115 thousand.

AEP’s 77-thousand square foot transmission facility will be the first business to move into Shreveport’s Resilient Technology Park.

Cut 7 (9) “…reliable electricity.”

Edwards says the timing of the investment couldn’t be better, after so many experienced lengthy power losses due to weather last year.

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The new terminal at Lafayette Regional Airport is no longer on standby. Travelers were welcomed into the $150 million state of the art facility today. Airport Executive Director Steven Picou says this is just the beginning.

Cut 5 (11) “…go that direction.”

–

Senate Republicans were able to use the filibuster to defeat a voting rights bill that Democratic and civil rights leaders say is needed to protect our democracy. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy, an opponent of the bill, accuses the Biden administration of manufacturing a fake voting crisis to distract from more pressing issues.

Baton Rouge representative Ted James, outgoing chair of the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus, says the bill wasn’t partisan and would have made voting more accessible to millions of Americans.

Cut 12 (11) “…to the polls.”

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Today was just the beginning of severe winter weather, with low temperatures expected to remain below freezing for most of the state through Sunday morning.

Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain stresses that owners of livestock exercise the necessary precaution to protect their animals from these frigid temperatures.

Cut 15 (12) “…out of the weather.”

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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.”