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.