Virtually all of our state is in the grips of frigid winter temperatures, and it’s only going to get colder for a few nights. State Climatologist Barry Keim…:

CUT 04(11)      “…be a hard freeze.”

Keim says a slight warming trend will come in for early next week.

Detectives in Baton Rouge found over 100 stolen catalytic converters in a local couple’s chop shop. Matthew and Brooke Gibson are under arrest; facing numerous charges, including possession of narcotics. Baton Rouge Police Sergeant L’Jean (el-JEAN) McKneely says there’s been an increase in catalytic converter thefts and they are investigating ties to Gibson’s operation…:

CUT 06(10)      “…Texas for sale.”

He says preventing converter theft is tough, because thieves can get one off your car in just minutes.

Caddo Parish deputies report two people hurt today when an auto transport truck collided with a freight train on state Highway 169 in Greenwood. The highway was closed down for quite a long while the accident was cleared. The truck driver was not hurt, but two members of the train crew were taken to the hospital.

Is it too early to enjoy some hot boiled crawfish? No indeed, says Mark Shirley with the LSU Ag Center. With crawfish farmers enduring harsh conditions to deliver one of the state’s signature culinary staples, Shirley says there’s no better time to show support by buying a few pounds…:

CUT 10(12)      “…that they catch.”

Prices for mudbugs are up a bit this year, but then again so is the price of everything else.