Senator Bill Cassidy’s Surprise Medical Bill legislation which helps patients avoid paying for out-of-network services has gone into effect. Erik Piccoli has more…:

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The state Department of Health reports statewide hospitalizations spiked to 1,106 over the New Year’s holiday weekend. That number is up from 514 a week ago, and up from 762 last Thursday. This is the highest number of COVID hospitalizations since September.

State police are investigating an officer-involved shooting in Jackson Parish. Trooper Michael Reichardt says the sheriff’s office received a call Saturday that 63-year-old Michael Dobbins broke into a home in Chatham, assaulted a person inside then fled the scene. But hours later he was found behind some abandoned cars…:

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As with all police-involved shootings, LSP is investigating.

Many of us woke up to some pretty cold weather this morning. Quite a switch of the sweatbox we were in last week. If you are using a space heater to stay toasty, here’s a useful reminder from Ashley Rodrigue with the state Fire Marshal’s Office…:

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These are the sorts of things that cause space heaters to short out and catch fire. Also, your range or oven should never be used to heat a room.