The first fire fatality in Louisiana for the year happened Sunday night in West Monroe claiming the life of one man and his dog. State Fire Marshal Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says the victim had initially escaped but re-entered in an attempt to save his pet.

Cut 9 (12) “…your life for”

The victim’s identity has not been released

A 15-year has been arrested and charged with 2^nd Degree Murder in connection with a New Year’s Eve fatal shooting in St. Landry Parish. Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says the victim has been identified as 38-year-old Keith Adam Joseph from Washington, Louisiana. Guidroz says this is just another case in a larger issue…

Cut 14 (06)  “…it appears.” 

The investigation is ongoing.

The state is reporting 15-thousand COVID deaths since the pandemic started, Tulane Epidemiologist Doctor Susan Hassig says while it’s possible the rate of deaths from COVID may slow down, the concern remains about hospitals being inundated with COVID patients and not having the ability to properly treat other diseases…

Cut 8 (13) “…COVID there” 

And with COVID cases continuing to surge some school systems are reinstating mitigation practices. State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley says the decision about face masks is best made locally.

Cut 3 (10) “…their kids.”

Brumley says research shows it’s much better for everyone when students are in the classroom when it’s safe to do so.

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.

The first fire fatality in Louisiana for the year happened Sunday night in West Monroe claiming the life of one man and his dog. State Fire Marshal Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says the victim had initially escaped but re-entered in an attempt to save his pet…:

Cut 9 (12) “…your life for”

The victim’s identity has not been released

The state is reporting 15-thousand COVID deaths since the pandemic started, Tulane Epidemiologist Doctor Susan Hassig says the best way to prevent death from COVID is getting vaccinated, but that’s a concern in Louisiana, which has one of the nation’s lowest vaccination rates as only half of the population has completed the vaccine series…

Cut 7 (12) “…more people vaccinated” 

The school bell is ringing once again in Louisiana and with COVID cases back on the rise some school systems are reinstating mitigation practices. State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley says the decision about face masks is best made locally.

Cut 3 (10) “…their kids.”

Research indicates having students in the classroom is best for everyone and Brumley says systems should do all they can to do so as safely as possible. As for vaccines, Brumley says he’s thankful they are available for ages five and up and encourages parents to speak with their physician.

The Powerball jackpot is up to $610 million, it’s the seventh-largest jackpot in Powerball’s history. It has a cash option of $175.6 million and the drawing will be held Wednesday night. It’s been almost three months since someone has hit the jackpot. Drawings are on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 9:59 PM.

The state reports another increase in COVID hospitalizations, today the tally is at 1,226. Up 120 from the previous day’s report. As for new COVID cases, there are 9,290 and 17 additional fatalities.

The state is reporting more than 15 thousand COVID deaths since the pandemic started, 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 verge does not seem to be as severe as it was with the Delta surge…

 Cut 6 (11) “…the virus” 

Hassig says while it’s possible the rate of deaths from COVID may slow down, the concern remains about hospitals being inundated with sick COVID patients and not having the ability to properly treat other diseases.

As COVID cases increase and kids return to the classroom, State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley says the use of face masks in schools is a local school system decision. As for COVID vaccines Brumley says he’s thankful they are available for the majority of school-age children and advises parents to discuss the matter with their healthcare provider.

Cut 5 (11) “…parent’s decision.”

The city of Minden will be one of six featured on HGTV’s newest series, Home Town Kickstart. The TV show will help revitalize the Webster Parish town. Community activists Rachel Miller and Sarah McDaniel applied to HGTV to feature Minden on the show…

Cut 12 (08) “…we’re chosen.”
It’s expected to air late spring.

School is back in session and with COVID cases back on the rise some school systems are reinstating face masks. State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley says the department’s stance on the issue is that it’s a local decision, and because parents are very impassioned about face masks on both sides of the issue…

Cut 4 (07) “…for kids.”

Brumley credits students, facilty, and parents for keeping students in the classroom as much as possible during the pandemic along with other natural disasters they’ve faced.

Legendary LSU basketball coach Dale Brown will be honored tonight when the court inside the PMAC is officially named after him. Brown says it is a great honor, but he must share the credit…

Cut 13 (09) “…trusted in LSU in-game.”

Tip-off is a 6 pm against Kentucky.

A new and healthier type of white rice has been developed called Parish Rice that carries more and has the lowest glycemic level of any white rice on the market. Parish Rice owner Michael Fruge of Eunice says it allows diabetics to enjoy the rice without needing to worry as much about the sugar level and his ultimate goal is to increase the consumption of rice…

Cut 9 (10)  “…bring people back.”

For more information visit parishrice.com

The City of Minden will be one of six small towns featured on the new HGTV series of Home Town Kickstart, it’s a spin-off of Home Town Takeover. Community activist Rachel Miller says Takeover gave the city of Wetumpka, Alabama a huge boost in tourism and she’s are hopeful Kickstart will do the same for Minden.

Cut  11 (11)  “…again and again.”  

The show is expected to air late spring.