By a 4-to-1 vote, the Public Service Commission approves Entergy’s request to charge customers an additional 8-to-10 bucks a month, for the next 15 years, to pay for the damage done to the power grid from four hurricanes and a winter storm a year ago. Shreveport area PSC member Foster Campbell was that lone “no” vote. He addressed this to Entergy executives…:

CUT 13(14)      “…explain that to them?”

St. Tammany Parish PSC member Eric Skrmetta voted for the surcharge…:

CUT 14(12)      “…to the money spent.”

Entergy says customers could see the surcharges as soon as May.

The state wide burn ban due to drought conditions has been lifted. Officials ask we keep using caution with any outdoor burning.

AARP data shows an alarming increase in COVID transmission among Louisiana nursing homes for the month of January.  AARP State Director Denise Bottcher says in December four COVID deaths were reported and in January it increased to 49…:

CUT 04(10)      “…previous surges.”

She says it could have been so much worse, but staff and residents were vaxxed and many also boosted.

Baton Rouge Police report one person critically hurt in a shooting that happened today in one of the Capital City’s busy retail areas. Officers say a person was shot inside a tailor shop just off Perkins Road. Few other details are available right now.

People using financial aid cards – commonly called Food Stamp cards – may now use them to buy groceries online at Wal-Mart stores. The Department of Children & Family Services made the policy change announcement today.