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.