UPDATED LRN PM Newscall (Adds Super Bowl rooting interest story)

A&E is bringing back Duck Dynasty this summer, and the revival should bring tourism to northeast Louisiana.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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This arctic blast did a number on plants throughout the state. Andrew Greenstein has some tips on how you can deal with the damage.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Duck Dynasty is making a comeback. A&E has announced a new series, Duck Dynasty: The Revival, premiering this summer. The revival is already generating excitement beyond the Robertsons’ lives. Sheila Snow, Vice President of Marketing at the Monroe-West Monroe Visitors Bureau, anticipates a boost in tourism similar to the surge seen after the original series aired in 2012.

Cut 3 (13) “…Duck Commander warehouse.”

Snow says the Robertson family has done a great job expanding their warehouse and offering visitors more.  Now they have added retail space and a new attraction for visitors.

Cut 4 (07) “…cool things set up.”

The new series will feature 20 one-hour episodes across two seasons, Snow says in addition to the show returning Monroe expects fans of the show to visit the twin cities as well.

Cut 5 (04) “…really excited.”

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This arctic blast has certainly done a number on our plants. LSU Ag Center horticulturist Jason Stagg says when assessing damage to your plants, wait a week.

Cut 6 (06) “…green and living.”

Stagg says the parts of the plant that have died will be easy to distinguish from the parts of the plant that are still alive and growing. If you scrape the stem with a knife or pruners and you see green, that means it’s still alive. Stagg says while many winter plants likely survived, don’t expect a lot of color for the time being.

Cut 7 (09) “…the plant’s dead.”

Stagg says when cutting back your plants, don’t cut them all the way to the ground, because you’ll leave them more vulnerable in future freezes.

Cut 8 (09) “…to the ground.”

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State Police say a Hammond woman died a day after the snowstorm when she crashed head-on into a pickup truck driven by a Mississippi man who was allegedly impaired. Trooper Marc Gremillion says the two-vehicle crash occurred on Louisiana Highway 22 in Ponchatoula and 65-year-old Peggy Williams did not survive

Cut 9 (07)  “…her injuries.”

Gremillion says slick roads may have contributed to the crash…

Cut 10 (08) “…the crash.”

Gremillion says the impaired driver has been identified as Kody Lacour of Picayune, Mississippi….

Cut 11 (11) “…court order.”

Neither driver was buckled up, but Lacour only suffered minor injuries.

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A significant catalyst for regional growth in Richland Parish is the upcoming Meta AI Data Center in Rayville, which is expected to drive economic activity and create jobs in the area. Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis highlights the city’s commitment to economic development

Cut 12 (13) “…till 2030.”

Ellis emphasizes Monroe’s rich history as a foundation for future progress, promoting the city as a hub of opportunity. Key efforts include community development, creating a business-friendly environment, and infrastructure improvements.

Cut 13 (12)  “…leader in AI.”

Ellis underscores the importance of collaboration between local government, businesses, and residents to ensure Monroe thrives as a vibrant, forward-looking community.

Cut 14 (07) “…working great together.”

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Who’s America rooting for to win the Super Bowl? David Mason, the sportsbook brand manager for Bet Online-dot-A-G, says based on the number of hashtag mentions for the four remaining teams, America has a clear top choice.

Cut 15 (05) “…for the Bills.”

But Louisiana is not among those 33 states. With former LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels at the helm, Louisianians are rooting for the Washington Commanders.

Cut 16 (09) “…for the Commanders.”

Louisiana is one of 10 states rooting for the Commanders. Four states are rooting for the Chiefs, and three states are pulling for the Eagles.