Many schools and all state offices will be closed on Tuesday as an arctic blast gets set to grip the state. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says Monday and Tuesday will be very cold days…

Cut 4 (11) “…above freezing.”

There’s a chance we’ll see snow on Tuesday. 

The state has moved almost 160 homeless people in New Orleans into a transitional shelter. The plan has drawn concern from a pair of state legislators and from nearby residents, even though there’s a concrete wall separating the neighborhoods from the street where the shelter is located off of. Scott Adams, the chief of staff at GOHSEP, says there is tight security in the area. 

Cut 14 (10) “…areas are impacted.”

The shelter will be open through Mardi Gras and later if need be.

To get around the state, Governor Landry has been flying in a five-point-five-million-dollar airplane. WRKF Capitol Access Reporter Brooke Thorington broke the story along with Julie O’ Donoghue from the Louisiana Illuminator. Thorington says they do know the plane is not just for the governor’s travels.

Cut 11 (12) “…in a hurry.”

Previous governors used helicopters; but according to State Police, the helicopters were 20 years old and difficult to maintain. The governor’s office says using the plane instead of the helicopters should save the state money.

Landry, meanwhile, issued a proclamation requesting Louisianans join him in flying their U.S. Flag and their Make America Great Again flag on January 20th in honor of the inauguration of Donald Trump. The Louisiana Democratic Party quickly responded by saying flying the MAGA flag at the Governor’s mansion is completely inappropriate and reckless.

Researchers from LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center are working with the Lancet Commission in developing new criteria to determine whether a person is obese. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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With temperatures getting ready to dive to new depths early next week, the Louisiana Department of Health is urging you to start preparing now. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain”

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The Sugar Bowl makes a sizeable donation following the New Year’s Day Bourbon Street tragedy. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Researchers at LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center are working with the Lancet Commission on Clinical Obesity, to come up with new guidelines to determine if a person is obese. Dr. Philip Schauer, the director of the Metamor Institute, says a person’s body mass index is the main tool used to determine if a person is obese, but the updated definition should also look at excess body fat and other health impairments.

Cut 4 (12) “…below the skin.”

The commission, comprising 56 global experts, aims to reframe obesity as a chronic disease requiring serious management. Schauer says as a physician, it’s crucial to understand exactly what the disease is.

Cut 5 (05) “…and overtreat obesity.”

The commission defines clinical obesity as excess fat causing reduced organ function or impaired daily activities, while pre-clinical obesity involves excess fat without current organ dysfunction but increased risk for future diseases like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular issues. Schauer says this model differentiates care strategies, promoting evidence-based treatments for those affected.

Cut 6 (13) “…extend their lives.”

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As Old Man Winter gets set to pay Louisiana an unwelcome visit, the Louisiana Department of Health has a few tips for you to stay safe. Deputy Secretary Dr. Pete Croughan (CROW-ghin) says even with temperatures getting into the 70s in some areas this weekend, now is the time to prepare for the brutal cold.

Cut 7 (16) “…compromise our infrastructure.”

Croughan says if you need to run any important errands, do them soon before temperatures start to plummet.

Cut 8 (08) “…tomorrow or Monday.”

Croughan says whatever you do, do not use your stove or oven to heat your home.

Cut 9 (07)  “…carbon monoxide poisoning.”

And Croughan says if you must use a space heater, plug it directly into the wall and not into a power strip or extension cord. They will not be able to handle the electricity needed to run it. Also, make sure you don’t have anything flammable within three to five feet of the space heater.

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An Arctic cold front will hit Louisiana next week, bringing temperatures in the 20’s all the way to the coastal parishes.  State Climatologist Jay Grymes says the cold weather will roll into North Louisiana tomorrow.

Cut 10 (14) “…for the afternoon.”

Grymes says the first half of next week north Louisiana will be flirting with single digit wind chills and some possible snowfall of one to two inches.

Cut 11 (14) “…over to Slidell.”

Grymes says if the state gets snowfall, it should be coming to an end Tuesday night into early Wednesday morning; but compared to last week there’s a good chance of some snow next week.

Cut 12 (13) “…first go around.”

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The Sugar Bowl is donating a half-million dollars to the Greater New Orleans Foundation in the wake of the tragedy on Bourbon Street the morning of the day when the game was originally scheduled to be played. Sugar Bowl President Walter Becker says the money will be evenly split two ways.

Cut 13 (09) “…the French Quarter.”

Becker says a steering committee at the foundation will determine exactly how the money earmarked for safety initiatives will be spent.

Cut 14 (08) “…EMS and fire.”

Becker says this donation shows exactly what the people of New Orleans are all about.

Cut 15 (11) “…and move on.”

This year’s Sugar Bowl was delayed until January 2nd, in which Notre Dame beat Georgia to advance to the semifinals. The postponement led to more than 11-thousand no-shows inside the Superdome.

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Former LSU Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jayden Daniels will be playing in the biggest game of his life tomorrow night as the Washington Commanders take on the Lions in Detroit. The Lions are the top seed in the NFC and tied for the best record in the NFL. Daniels says he and his office have their work cut out for them.

Cut 16 (11) “…challenge for us.”

The Commanders have won a lot of close games this season, including a memorable game in late October when they beat the Bears, 18-15, when Daniels connected with Noah Brown on a 52-yard Hail Mary with no time left. Daniels says that resiliency is what makes this Commanders team so special.

Cut 17 (15)  “…for those moments.”

Last week’s win over the Buccaneers was the Washington franchise’s first playoff win in 20 years, and it has fans in the nation’s capital buzzing with excitement. Daniels says he tunes out all the hype and focuses on the task at hand.

Cut 18 (10)   “…stay at home.”

Kickoff tomorrow night from Ford Field is seven p-m Central time.

Louisiana is preparing for an unusual winter weather event next week, bringing conditions the state rarely faces. Residents of Lafayette and Acadiana could experience freezing rain, sleet, icy roads, and possibly even snow.  National Weather Service Meteorologist Nick Slaughter says temperatures are expected to drop sharply, with highs in the 30s and lows in the 20s.

Cut 6 (05) “…Tuesday and Wednesday.”

Congressman Clay Higgins and other Republicans used a Congressional hearing to blast the former head of Social Security for agreeing to a telework agreement with SSA union employees. Higgins says it’s resulted in extremely long wait times when calling the Social Security helpline

Cut 12 (12) “…Social Security.”

Higgins called the helpline during the hearing and was on hold for an hour and a half without speaking with an employee.

The state is one step closer to building a statewide broadband network after securing final approval for federal funding. Veneeth Iyengar, the executive director of Connect L-A, says the state awarded contracts to many companies, several of which based in Louisiana, to build the broadband infrastructure in a robust way.

Cut 4 (13) “…and north Louisiana.”

Iyengar says the state should be connected by the end of summer.

A backup quarterback at LSU is hospitalized following a car crash near the campus. LSU Police say 17-year-old Colin Hurley crashed into a tree near the south gates shortly before three this morning. While the cause of the crash is still under investigation, investigators do not believe Hurley was impaired. Hurley was found unresponsive, and emergency personnel removed him from the car and took him to a hospital. Hurley is third on LSU’s depth chart, behind starter Garrett Nussmeier and Mississippi State transfer Michael Van Buren.

As the old saying goes – what goes up must come down. That will certainly be the case here in Louisiana in terms of the weather. This weekend, temperatures will be very pleasant, but that will quickly give way to brutal cold that would make Minnesota jealous. National Weather Service meteorologist Nick Slaughter says it’s still too early to determine whether any area will have wintry precipitation.

Cut 8 (10) “…still up in the air”

Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins and other Republicans used a Congressional hearing to blast the former head of Social Security for agreeing to a telework agreement with SSA union employees. Higgins says it’s resulted in extremely long wait times when calling the Social Security helpline

Cut 12 (12) “…Social Security.”

The federal government gives the final okay for the state to receive funding for the deployment of broadband statewide. Veneeth Iyengar, the executive director of Connect L-A, says construction will begin very soon, and that people across the state should be connected by the end of summer.

Cut 5 (10) “…of this year.”

A pair of government advocacy groups are joining forces. The Committee of 100 for Economic Development and the Council for A Better Louisiana, or CABL, have announced that they’re merging to form Leaders for a Better Louisiana. Barry Erwin, who was the president of CABL, says this merger was a long time in the making.

Cut 9 (09)  “…way, we hope.”

Erwin says CABL and the Committee of 100 have unique things to bring to a merged organization.

Louisiana is bracing for brutally cold temperatures next week – at least brutally cold in Louisiana standards.   National Weather Service in Lake Charles Meteorologist Nick Slaughter says freezing temperatures are expected to impact the region from Sunday night through at least Wednesday night, bringing extended subfreezing temperatures and dangerous wind chills.

Cut 7 (07) “…till at least Wednesday.”

The state is one step closer to building a statewide broadband network after securing final approval for federal funding. Veneeth Iyengar, the executive director of Connect L-A, says the state awarded contracts to many companies, several of which based in Louisiana, to build the broadband infrastructure in a robust way.

Cut 4 (13) “…and north Louisiana.”

Iyengar says the state should be connected by the end of summer.

Southwest Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins expresses his frustration with the customer service Americans are receiving when they call the Social Security Administration’s helpline. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Louisiana is preparing for an unusual winter weather event next week, bringing conditions the state rarely faces. Residents of Lafayette and Acadiana could experience freezing rain, sleet, icy roads, and possibly even snow.  National Weather Service in Lake Charles Meteorologist Nick Slaughter says temperatures are expected to drop sharply, with highs in the 30s and lows in the 20s.

Cut 6 (13) “…in the single digits.”

The federal government gives the final okay for the state to receive funding for the deployment of broadband statewide. Veneeth Iyengar, the executive director of Connect L-A, says Louisiana is the first state in the country to secure federal approval of broadband funds.

Cut 3 (08) “…our federal funds.” 

Three men are now under arrest in connection with the shooting at the bonfire in Webster Parish last weekend that injured six people, two critically. Sheriff Jason Parker says thankfully, all victims will survive.

Cut 15 (08) “…that they’re okay.”

Two men are charged with six counts of attempted first-degree murder, and one other is charged with accessory after the fact.

Nearly every genre will be represented at the 2025 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Cubes and show times have not yet been released, but producer Quint Davis says if you go to n-o-jazz-fest-dot-com you can find out which weekend the different artists will perform…

Cut 11 (11) “…zip code.”

The festival takes place at the Fair Grounds Race Course April 24th to May 4th.

Appearing before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Governor Landry urged the new Congress to provide more federal dollars for an improved Interstate system. The governor says connecting I-49 from Shreveport to New Orleans has been discussed since the early 1980s….

Cut 8 (10) “…been completed.”

The latest Small Business Optimism Index by the National Federation of Independent Business shows that small business owners are more optimistic today than they have been in the last six years. State Director Leah Long says here in Louisiana, the reduction in the income tax will be a big boost to small business owners.

Cut 21 (06)  “…hire more employees.”

Long says small business owners are looking forward to a new presidential administration, and one thing they want in the new term is the reauthorization of the Main Street Tax Act.

The lineup for the 2025 New Orleans Jazz Fest has been announced. Michelle Southern reports this year’s festival features a wide array of artists and something special for Louisiana residents…

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Michelle Southern.”

It’s going to be a nice weekend outside for much of the state – but come the outset of the next work week, temperatures will turn frigid – at least relative to what we’re used to. Overnight lows throughout most of the state will be below freezing starting by Sunday night; and depending on where you’re at, temperatures might not get out of the 30s during the day. Temperatures should warm up again by the end of next week.

Governor Landry testified before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, saying the state is moving forward on building a new I-10 bridge in Lake Charles. He says while tolls will help pay for the two-point-three-billion-dollar project, he can lower them if the state can receive more federal dollars.

Cut 9 (13)  “…can help.”

Three men are now under arrest in connection with the shooting at the bonfire in Webster Parish last weekend. 23-year-old Zyan Stanley of Minden and 21-year-old Kobe Sheppard of Sibley are each charged with six counts of attempted first-degree murder. 22-year-old Jacolby Snell of Doyline is charged with accessory after the fact and two counts of modifying a pistol to a machine gun. Sheriff Jason Parker says the organizers of the bonfire did not obtain a permit ahead of time.

Cut 13 (11) “…having get-togethers.”

New Orleans may become the new place to recharge… at least, recharge your electric vehicle, as the city just got over 9 million dollars to install EV chargers. Mel Bridges has more.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Mel Bridges.”

The NFL is teaming up with law enforcement to beef up security in New Orleans ahead of Super Bowl 59. ESPN is reporting the plan involves SWAT team members, armored vehicles, special agents on rooftops, government surveillance drones and extra security cameras throughout the city. Customs and Border Protection will patrol the Mississippi River, and the TSA will deploy more than 90 bomb-sniffing dogs.

New Orleans may become the new place to recharge… at least, recharge your electric vehicle, as the city just got over 9 million dollars to install EV chargers. Mel Bridges has more.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Mel Bridges.”

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Governor Jeff Landry testified before the U-S House Transportation Committee, asking for more federal dollars to pay for major highway projects. Andrew Greenstein has the story….

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein”

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The lineup for the 2025 New Orleans Jazz Fest has been announced. Michelle Southern reports this year’s festival features a wide array of artists and something special for Louisiana residents…

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Michelle Southern.”

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New Orleans has received over 9 million dollars from the Federal Highway Administration to install electric vehicle chargers across the city. New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter thinks this will help New Orleanians go greener.

Cut 4 (12) “…place to charge.”

The funding will add around 118 publicly available EV chargers at 58 locations across New Orleans. 66 percent of the chargers will be installed in federally designated disadvantaged communities.

Cut 5 (06) “…throughout our community.”

Gasoline- and diesel-based cars, trucks and buses account for almost 43% of New Orleans’ total greenhouse gas emissions. Carter hopes these chargers will help lower those emissions.

Cut 6 (12) “…that are available.”

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Governor Jeff Landry testified before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, urging the new Congress to provide more federal dollars for an improved interstate system, including new bridges for Baton Rouge and Lake Charles. Landry says a new Mississippi River bridge in the capital city is desperately needed to alleviate congestion on Interstate 10…

Cut 7 (07) “…back and forth.”

Landry says a modernized interstate system will boost the economy. He says a recent report found Louisiana will experience the third largest freight growth in the nation. The governor says connecting I-49 from Shreveport to New Orleans has been discussed since the early 1980s….

Cut 8 (10) “…been completed.”

The state is moving forward on building a new I-10 bridge in Lake Charles, but tolls will help pay for the two-point-three-billion-dollar project. Landry says if the state can receive more federal dollars, he can lower the tolls

Cut 9 (13)  “…can help.”

The tolls will range from $2.55 to $12.26 for commercial trucks depending on their size and whether it has a toll tags. Local motorists would pay 25 cents to cross the bridge while automobiles from the outside the area will pay anywhere from $1.25 to $3.75.

House Transportation Chairman Sam Graves says one of their priorities is to reauthorize the nation’s surface transportation programs, but that doesn’t mean everyone will get everything they want.

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The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival has released its 2025 line-up. Pearl Jam, Dave Matthews Band, Luke Combs, Lenny Kravitz and Kacey Musgraves are the headliners for the two-weekend musical festival that takes place at the Fair Grounds Race Course April 24^th to May fourth. Jazz Fest producer Quint Davis says weekend passes are on sale now and Louisiana residents receive a discount…

Cut 10 (10) “…local people.”

Cubes and show times have not yet been released, but Davis says if you go to n-o-jazz-fest-dot-com you can find out which weekend the different artists will perform…

Cut 11 (11) “…zip code.”

Davis says this year’s festival features a wide variety of musical performers, covering every genre…

Cut 12 (10) “…jazz singer.”

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Three men are now under arrest in connection with the shooting at the bonfire in Webster Parish last weekend. 23-year-old Zyan Adominick-Jaire Stanley of Minden and one other are each charged with six counts of attempted first-degree murder. 22-year-old Jacolby Tyrone Snell of Doyline is charged with accessory after the fact and two counts of modifying a pistol to a machine gun. Sheriff Jason Parker says the organizers of the bonfire did not obtain a permit ahead of time.

Cut 13 (11) “…having get-togethers.”

Parker says if they did obtain a permit as they were supposed to have done, the shooting may have been prevented.

Cut 14 (07) “…reduced the risk.”

Of the six people shot, two were injured critically. Parker says thankfully, all victims will survive.

Cut 15 (08) “…that they’re okay.”

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The Ragin Cajuns visit Arkansas State tonight the preseason favorites to win the Sun Belt Conference. Both teams enter the matchup with three and two records in league play. Interim UL Lafayette head coach Derrick Zimmerman says the Red Wolves have a lot of talented players, including former Cajun Kobe Julien…

Cut 16 (25) “…for them.”

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Louisiana Tech won two in a row at home last week and they are back on the road this week. Tonight, the Bulldogs visit Jacksonville State. The Gamecocks finished with a losing record last year, but Tech head coach Talvin Hester says Jax State is 9-and-7 overall this year…

Cut 17 (17)  “…mismatches.”

Louisiana Tech is third in Conference USA in defense, allowing 68 points a game. But Hester says his team can be better on the defensive end of the floor…

Cut 18 (10)   “…over enough.”

La Tech is only forcing 12 turnovers a game. Tip off tonight is at 6 PM.

President Biden delivers his farewell address tonight. ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross expects it to be a traditional one.

Cut 5 (13) “…some looking ahead.”

Cross says he expects Biden to tout his accomplishments over the last four years, and he may make at least a passing reference to his predecessor and successor. Biden’s address is at seven Central time.

Small businesses are more optimistic now than they have been in the last six years. NFIB State Director Leah Long says small business owners are looking forward to a new presidential administration, and one thing they want in the new term is the reauthorization of the Main Street Tax Act.

Cut 14 (12) “…small business owners.”

The Louisiana Department of Education launches its new website. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Some big names are lined up for the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival – from Pearl Jam and Dave Matthews to Santana and New Orleans’ own Harry Connick Junior. Just about every musical genre will be represented. The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival begins April 24th.