The National Hurricane Center will issue storm surge watches and warnings during the 2017 hurricane season, which will be a first. Storm Surge Specialist Jamie Rhome says the amount of water that a named storm can push into a coastal area can be as destructive and deadly as damaging winds..:
cut 12 (10) “appropriate action”
A storm surge watch will be issued when there’s the possibility of life-threatening rising water moving inland within 48 hours, for a warning 36 hours.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana filed Freedom of Information request today with its local U.S. Customs and Border Protection office to expose how Trump administration officials are interpreting and executing the president’s immigration ban. The filing today is part of a coordinated effort from 50 ACLU affiliates.

New Orleans Police say a mother of 5 young children was gunned down and killed this morning in a hail of bullets at an apartment complex. The 29-year-old victim has not been identified.

The Acadiana-version of Groundhog’s Day Punxsutawney Phil, Pierre C Shadeaux, did not see a shadow today which means a nice spring can be expected in Louisiana. The Cajun Groundhog event is put on by the Daily Iberian and Publisher Christina Pace says a nutria is far more appropriate here…:
CUT 4 (07) “our region”
Pierce says this is the 19th year the Daily Iberian has celebrated Cajun Groundhog Day.

LSU Head Coach Ed Orgeron has made some staff changes. Coach O says running backs coach Jabbar Juluke has been re-assigned to a position within the athletic department, and wide receiver coach Ameyune Craig has been released. Orgeron added he will start an immediate search to find replacements for the two former coaches.