If you have all of your tax forms, you can now file your federal and state income tax returns. Andrew Greenstein has helpful information as you figure out how much you owe Uncle Sam or how much you will get back.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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About 100-thousand customers are without power on this cold morning. Andre Champagne says the work continues to get the lights and the heat back on in north Louisiana.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

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Generator safety is once again a major emphasis after an elderly DeSoto Parish man died as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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If you have all of your tax forms – W-2s, 1099s and others – you can now file your federal and state income tax returns. There seems to be something new every year, and this year is no different. Richard Tullier (TOO-yay), a CPA with Metairie-based accounting firm Wegmann Dazet (dah-ZETT), says those who make a good portion of their income in tips, like waiters and waitresses, are in for a huge tax break.

Cut 4 (08) “…to tip earnings.”

Tullier says while Congress failed in its effort to make Social Security income tax-free, it did possibly the next best thing.

Cut 5 (10) “…adjusted gross income.”

Tullier says if you took out a loan for a new car in 2025, you get a tax deduction – as long as certain requirements are met.

Cut 6 (11) “…in the U.S.”

The tax deduction does not apply to used vehicles, and it does not apply to leases. And if your loan is zero-percent interest, you don’t get a tax deduction, because there’s no interest to deduct.

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With January being Human Trafficking Awareness Month, the Office of Human Trafficking Prevention has been working to make people aware of how big of an issue that it is here. Director Mary Kate Andrepont (AHN-dre-pont) says human trafficking happens around the entire state at all times of the year.

Cut 7 (10) “…our small communities.”

Andrepont says as part of the office’s outreach, it does a lot of training programs to help personnel in schools, hospitals and law enforcement identify human trafficking.

Cut 8 (10) “…spot human trafficking.”

Andrepont says one thing that sets Louisiana apart in its response to human trafficking is its uniform referral system.

Cut 9 (09)  “…to victim services.”

Andrepont says the reason they’re seeing more victims is because through her office’s outreach efforts, officials are doing a better job at identifying trafficking victims.

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Restoring power, clearing the roads of ice and preventing more deaths are the main priorities as north Louisiana continues to deal with the aftermath of an historic ice storm. At least three people have died because of the storm, including an elderly DeSoto Parish man whose death was the result of carbon monoxide poisoning. Louisiana Health Secretary Bruce Greenstein (green-steen) says the victim was running a generator in his garage.

Cut 10 (09) “…from the home.”

A running generator needs to be properly ventilated. Governor Landry says if your home is without heat and power, find a warming shelter near you. Landry notes there are about 80 of them operating in the state.

Cut 11 (07) “…warm to go.”

State Climatologist Jay Grymes says a gradual warm-up will begin this afternoon. By Thursday, high temperatures will be back around 60 degrees, but then another blast of cold air will come.

Cut 12 (12) “…and Sunday mornings.”

Power companies SWEPCO and Cleco say most of their customers will have electricity by the end of today. Entergy President Phillip May says the company anticipates 90-percent of its customers along the I-20 corridor who can safely receive power will be restored by tomorrow night.

Cut 13 (13)  “…away from homes.”

May says the number of Entergy customers without power is nearly 80-thousand, with many of those in Ouachita Parish.

Cut 14 (06) “…power is restored.”

Many water systems are also struggling in this cold weather. Landry says this may become more of a problem as it warms up and pipes begin to burst.

Cut 15 (10) “…problems as well.”

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The 2026 LSU baseball team returns its entire starting outfield from last year’s  College World Series championship team. Sophomore centerfielder Derek Curiel says the group’s experience together will be an advantage going into the season.

Cut 16 (17) “…to score runs.”

Over the offseason, Curiel put on 20 pounds of muscle to add more power and speed to his swing. Curiel says he wants to make sure he’s a difficult at-bat for opposing pitchers this season.

Cut 17 (14)  “…do this year.”

Sophomore pitcher Casan Evans had one of the best freshman pitching seasons in program history last season. Evans had a 5-and-1 record with a 2.05 ERA after striking out 71 in just over 50 innings of work. As he continues to work for a weekend rotation spot, Evans is focusing on improving two parts of his game.

Cut 18 (16)  “…in the season.”

Tens of thousands of people remain without power as a result of this historic ice storm. Joe Gallinaro has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…Joe Gallinaro.”

At least three people have died because of the storm, including an elderly DeSoto Parish man whose death was the result of carbon monoxide poisoning by running a generator in his unventilated garage. Two men in Caddo Parish died of hypothermia. Governor Landry says they’re also investigating three more fatalities possibly tied to the storm.

Folks throughout the state – especially in North Louisiana – are bracing for another night of brutally cold temperatures. DeSoto Parish Sheriff Jayson Richardson says people who do not have an adequate way to warm their homes should find shelter.

Cut 12 (09) “…life-threatening temperatures”

The Red Cross has already opened shelters and warming centers throughout the state; but given the overnight forecast, it’s looking to open even more of them. As such, it needs volunteers to operate them. Kenneth St. Charles, the regional CEO of the American Red Cross Louisiana Region, says training only takes about two hours, and you can do it from the comfort of your own home.

Cut 15 (10) “…to move equipment.”

Thousands of people throughout the northern half of the state remain without power because of the deadly ice storm. Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell says buildup of ice on tree limbs has led to many of the outages.

Cut 6 (10) “…up here.”

USA Today Network reporter Greg Hilburn is among those who had the power knocked out at his home. He tells us he was able to stay warm inside his house, thanks to his fireplace. Looking at it on the bright side, he told us at least it looked pretty outside.

Cut 9 (11)  “…transportation.”

Campbell says restoring power has been a huge game of whack-a-mole – when one area gets its power restored, another area loses it.

The precipitation has moved out of Louisiana, and none is expected for the next several days. But Rodney Mallett with DOTD says those of you especially in North Louisiana still need to use extreme caution when venturing out onto the roadways.

Cut 3 (07) “…dangerous driving conditions.”

Among those who have died in the storm is an 86-year-old man in DeSoto Parish who died due to carbon monoxide poisoning. The death was confirmed by the parish coroner as winter storm related. DeSoto Parish Sheriff Jayson Richardson says his deputies have been busy conducting welfare checks.

Cut 11 (14) “…go check.”

Two deaths in Caddo Parish are being attributed to hypothermia.

Even though precipitation has moved out of Louisiana and none is expected for the next several days, lingering moisture is making some roadways in North Louisiana slick, especially on I-20, where it’s a slow-go between Monroe and Arcadia in both directions. Rodney Mallett with DOTD says this is despite crews working around the clock to keep roadways as passable as they possibly can.

Cut 4 (11) “…get hit first.”

Currently, there are more than 110-thousand customers without power throughout the state. Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell says it’s a game of whack-a-mole – when one area gets its power restored, another area loses it.

Cut 7 (11) “…warm weather.”

Almost 87-hundred customers are without power in DeSoto Parish, which is looking at another night with low temperatures in the teens. DeSoto Parish Sheriff Jayson Richardson says people who do not have an adequate way to warm their homes should find shelter.

Cut 12 (09) “…life-threatening temperatures”

The Red Cross has opened shelters and warming centers throughout the state; but with brutally cold temperatures forecast overnight, the organization is looking to open more of them. Thus, Kenneth St. Charles, the regional CEO of the American Red Cross Louisiana Region, is putting out a statewide call for volunteers.

Cut 14 (12) “…that we have.”

Training only takes about a couple hours, and it can be done virtually.

At this hour, about 120-thousand customers remain without power throughout the state. Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell says while no one likes living without power, the public understands Mother Nature has produced a difficult situation for Entergy, SWEPCO, Cleco and all of the power companies working around the clock to get the power restored.

Cut 8 (13) “…up here.”

USA Today Network reporter Greg Hilburn is among those without power in his home. Amid his shivering, Hilburn says most people are taking state and local officials’ advice and are staying home.

Cut 10 (12) “…they are doing.”

The precipitation has moved out of Louisiana, and none is expected for the next several days. But Rodney Mallett with DOTD says especially those of you in North Louisiana still need to use extreme caution when venturing out onto the roadways.

Cut 3 (07) “…dangerous driving conditions.”

Nowhere is that more evident than on westbound I-20, where stalled 18-wheelers had caused massive backups today.

If you have some extra time on your hands, the Red Cross could use your help. Kenneth St. Charles, the regional CEO of the American Red Cross Louisiana Region, is putting out a statewide call for volunteers.

Cut 13 (12)  “…ready to go.”

Training only takes a couple of hours, and you can do it from the comfort of your own home.

Despite the efforts of utility crews, more than 123-thousand customers statewide remain without power at this hour. Ouachita Parish leads the pack by a mile with more than 47-thousand in the dark. Michael Corbin with SWEPCO says especially given the dangerous road conditions, crews worked quickly and efficiently throughout the weekend in getting power restored as quickly as possible.

Cut 13 (11)  “…people so quickly.”

With brutally cold temperatures gripping the state, fire officials are very concerned that people are going to resort to creative – and dangerous – methods to heat their homes. State Fire Marshal Bryan Adams says do not try to use your oven to warm up your home. He says if you have a fire going in your fireplace, make sure it’s out before your head hits the pillow.

Cut 11 (07) “…fire as well.”

According to a conservative columnist, it’s not a slam dunk that Julia Letlow will win the Republican U.S. Senate primary just because she has the backing of President Trump. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Letlow is not the only Louisiana candidate to earn Trump’s endorsement. Trump has given his endorsement to Congressman Clay Higgins for his re-election bid in the state’s Third Congressional District. Higgins is in his fifth terms in the House and has thus far not drawn a primary challenger. Tia LeBrun is running as a Democrat in the heavily Republican district.

According to a conservative columnist, it’s not a slam dunk that Julia Letlow will win the Republican U.S. Senate primary just because she has the backing of President Trump. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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If it seems like you’re paying up the nose in sales taxes, the Tax Foundation says you’re right. Andrew Greenstein reports.

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Amid very cold temperatures, the state fire marshal’s office is concerned we’ll see a rash of house fires because of people trying to stay warm. Jeff Palermo has the story.

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Does President Trump’s endorsement of Julia Letlow make her the favorite to win the U.S. Senate Republican Primary over incumbent Bill Cassidy? Advocate newspaper columnist Tyler Bridges says this will be Letlow’s first tough political race.

Cut 4 (07) “…the money yet.”

Letlow was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in a 2021 special election to replace her husband Luke, who died of COVID-19 complications before he took office. She easily won re-election in 2022 and 2024.

Quin Hillyer, a conservative columnist for the Advocate, says Letlow will not only face attacks from Cassidy, but also from two of the other major candidates in the race — John Fleming and Blake Miguez.

Cut 5 (12) “…against Julia Letlow.”

The closed party primary is May 16th, with the runoff scheduled for June 27th. Following Trump’s endorsement of Letlow, Cassidy said endorsements will not decide the race; instead, the voters will select the candidate with the best record. Bridges says it will be interesting to see if Cassidy’s strategy will work.

Cut 6 (13) “…in the Senate.”

Bridges and Hillyer were guests on Talk Louisiana, hosted by Jim Engster on WRKF.

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If it seems like you’re forking over a lot of money in sales taxes, you’re right. In fact, the Tax Foundation says Louisiana has the highest average combined state and local sales tax rate in the country at just over ten-percent. Policy Analyst Janelle Fritts says it’s a reputation that Louisiana has had to deal with for many years.

Cut 7 (11) “…close with Tennessee.”

Fritts says while Tennessee’s combined state and local taxes are the second highest at just over nine and a half percent, Tennessee has a huge difference compared to Louisiana.

Cut 8 (12) “…the major taxes.”

While Louisiana did raise its state sales tax rate to five-percent a little more than a year ago, it did reduce income taxes across the board to a flat three-percent and cut other taxes as well. Fritts says that has allowed Louisiana to improve its ranking in overall tax burden.

Cut 9 (11)  “…used to be.”

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At least 12 people have died this year in house fires, and officials are concerned that number will increase over the next couple of days as people try to stay warm. State Fire Marshal Bryan Adams says when using a space heater, keep it away from anything that can easily catch fire.

Cut 10 (10) “…you stay warm.”

Adams says do not try to use your oven to warm up your home. He says if you have a fire going in your fireplace, make sure it’s out before your head hits the pillow.

Cut 11 (07) “…fire as well.”

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***Double check the latest numbers***

Throughout the weekend, utility crews statewide have been busy restoring power that got knocked out by the ice storm. As of late last night, more than 80-thousand Entergy customers were without power, and almost 30-thousand SWEPCO customers remained in the dark. Michael Corbin with SWEPCO says crews are working around the clock to get power restored.

Cut 12 (06) “…if not sooner.”

Corbin says at the height of the storm, SWEPCO had about 70-thousand customers without power in its three-state service area, with the majority being from Louisiana. He says especially given the dangerous road conditions, crews worked quickly and efficiently in getting power restored as quickly as possible.

Cut 13 (11)  “…people so quickly.”

SWEPCO is establishing a base camp in Natchitoches today, which is its hardest-hit area. The base camp will provide fuel service for trucks and will provide meals, laundry and sleeping quarters for about 600 workers.

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The winter precipitation has moved out of north Louisiana, the heavy rainfall in south Louisiana has moved on, and the bitterly cold air has arrived. Wind chill readings are below zero in north Louisiana and in the single digits for south Louisiana. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says it will be frigid all day today.

Cut 14 (15) “…degree or two.”

Keim says high temperatures will not get above freezing until Tuesday for north Louisiana, and we’ll see a slight warm-up as the week goes on.

Cut 15 (08) “…I-10, I-12.”

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The 2026 LSU baseball team returns four starting position players from last season. Among them is sophomore outfielder Derek Curiel. This offseason, Curiel added over 20 pounds of muscle and is now at 192 pounds. Head Coach Jay Johnson says the transformation will allow Curiel to elevate his game.

Cut 16 (17) “…really excited.”

Another key returner is sophomore catcher Cade Arrambide. Last year, Arrambide hit four home runs with 14 RBI in 62 at-bats. Johnson believes Arrambide is going to be an essential piece to this year’s team.

Cut 17 (20)  “…offense and defense.”

LSU has had great success when bringing in transfer pitchers over Johnson’s tenure, including Paul Skenes, Anthony Eyanson, Gage Jump and Luke Holman. This year, the Tigers brought in junior right-handed pitcher Cooper Moore from Kansas.

Cut 18 (14)  “…really successful here.”

The ice storm of 2026 has arrived in Louisiana and will continue working its way south throughout the day. LRN Meteorologist Bill Jacquemin tells us what we can expect from this storm as the day goes on.

Cut 19 (24) “…to fall”

And the road closures are starting to build up. Those of you near Shreveport and Bossier City, I-49 is closed in both directions between I-20 and 3132; northbound traffic is being diverted at 526. Several ramps onto and off of I-20 are also closed. Download the 511 mobile app to stay up to date on road conditions in your area.

With road conditions deteriorating throughout the day today, Governor Landry is urging you to stay home this weekend.

Cut 20 (28) “…the roads”

If you need to stay warm at home, don’t resort to creative techniques to do so. State Fire Marshal Bryan Adams says do not try to use your oven to heat your home. He says if you have a fire going in your fireplace, make sure it is out before your head hits the pillow.

Cut 11 (07) “…as well.”

We’re keeping a close eye on this major winter storm that’s coming through Louisiana this weekend. At this hour, far north Louisiana is being hit with freezing rain – all along the I-20 corridor from Shreveport to Monroe. Jason Hansford with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says those of you a little further south aren’t feeling the effects of this – yet.

Cut (17) “…early afternoon hours.”

Speaking of the I-20 corridor, we’re starting to see several closures – mainly certain on-ramps, off-ramps and overpasses. Remember, bridges freeze much faster than surface streets. You can get the latest information on the 511 mobile app. If you don’t have to be out on the roadways, please stay off them.

If power is knocked out where you live, it could be several days before it can be restored. Do know, however, that crews are working feverishly and around the clock to get it restored as quickly as possible. Nyka (NIGH-kah) Scott, the vice president of customer service for Entergy, says like all other utility companies throughout the state, Entergy is bringing in extra personnel to restore power.

Cut 6 (10) “…safely as possible.”

Brandon Frey, the executive secretary of the Public Service Commission, says if you encounter a downed powerline, do not touch it or approach it under any circumstances.

Cut 4 (09) “…to do anything.”

And again, you can help utility crews get to wherever they need to go safely and as quickly as they can by staying off the roads.

Those of you in north Louisiana could be in for cabin fever, as this ice storm could trap you indoors all weekend long. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (32) “…Jeff Palermo.”

While North Louisiana will be in for dangerous storms and the New Orleans area will be a little too warm for there to be any danger, the Baton Rouge area is right on the line. The winter storm watch does extend to the Capitol region, so those of you in that area should monitor conditions carefully.

Utility crews throughout the state are in position ready to restore power when the power gets knocked out by the ice storm. Brandon Frey, the executive secretary of the Louisiana Public Service Commission, says icy roads will make the response much trickier, so you can do your part by staying off the roads.

Cut 3 (10) “…into those areas.”

And while the precipitation will be over by Sunday, the start of the work week will be brutally cold, even for standards in areas much farther north of here – lows in the teens for north Louisiana, and upper teens for south Louisiana. Mark Wilson with the LSU Ag Center says to help protect outdoor plants from the extreme cold, make sure they’re thoroughly watered.

Cut 12 (09) “…start to drop.”