Flu activity is on the rise here in Louisiana; and as such, so are hospitalizations. Dr. Eric Griggs with the St. Tammany Health System says there are things that you can do to protect yourself and everyone else.

Cut 6 (09) “…to get vaccinated.”

Dr. Griggs says only about 42-percent of Louisianians are vaccinated against flu, COVID and RSV; and even though we’re now in the peak season, Griggs says it is by no means too late to get your shots.

Starting in April, the 1.36-percent property insurance assessment to pay off bonds that Louisiana Citizens Insurance incurred from claims after hurricanes Katrina and Rita goes away. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says even Citizens’ policyholders are getting a break, since according to a new law, a ten-percent surcharge on all new policies and renewals will be waived.

Cut 15 (09) “…decrease.”

St. Tammany Parish is one step closer to securing almost six-billion dollars for its flood risk management project. Parish President Mike Cooper says the structural solution includes 15 miles of earthen levee and a 3.5-mile-long flood wall in Slidell. As for the non-structural solution…

Cut 11 (10) “…along Lake Pontchartrain.”

The project was authorized under the 2024 Water Resources Development Act. 

If you want to live your healthiest life in 2025, you can do so by making just a few simple changes in your life. Jennifer Duhon with the LSU Ag Center says one thing you can do is add fiber to your diet – fruits, vegetables, whole grains and beans.

Cut 7 (10) “…increasing your fiber.”

The 1.36 percent Citizens assessment you pay on top of your premiums for property insurance is going away soon. Don Molino has more…

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Don Molino.”

Former LSU star wide receiver Kyren Lacy turns himself in to Lafourche Parish authorities. He was wanted for allegedly causing a deadly crash on Louisiana Highway 20 last month, just before he had declared for the NFL draft. Lacy was booked into the parish jail and was released on 151-thousand dollars bond. His charges include negligent homicide, felony hit and run, and reckless operation of a vehicle.

Flu activity is on the rise here in Louisiana – and so are hospitalizations. Dr. Eric Griggs with the St. Tammany Health System says only about 42-percent of Louisianians are vaccinated against flu, COVID and RSV. He says even though we’re now in the peak season, it is by no means too late to get your shots.

Cut 5 (08) “…and flu season.”

St. Tammany Parish is one step closer to securing almost six-billion dollars for its flood risk management project. The project was authorized under the 2024 Water Resources Development Act. Parish President Mike Cooper says this is the largest single investment in flood risk reduction in Louisiana history. 

Cut 10 (11) “…long flood wall.”

The St. Tammany Levee, Drainage and Conservation District will discuss the projects in a meeting this Wednesday evening.

We now know the names of the New Orleans police officers who shot and killed the terrorist who plowed a pickup truck into a crowd on Bourbon Street New Year’s Day. They are Nigel Daggs, Christian Byer and Jacobie Jordan, and Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick calls them national heroes.

Cut 11 (06) “…within the law.”

Body camera footage shows officers approaching Jabbar’s pickup truck after it crashed into construction equipment near the intersection of Bourbon and Bienville streets.

The agent for former LSU star wide receiver Kyren Lacy issues a statement following the issuing of a warrant for his arrest. Louisiana State Police say on December 17th, Lacy was driving recklessly when he caused a crash on Highway 20 in Lafourche Parish that killed 78-year-old Herman Hall of Thibodaux. Lacy’s agent says he is fully cooperating with authorities and that the facts will ultimately demonstrate the truth.

The New Orleans icon, Hubig’s Pies, debuts nostalgic King Cakes for this Carnival Season. Jeanne (ZHAHN) Burns has more.

Cut 2 (26) “…I’m Jeanne Burns.”

If indulging in those king cakes blows your new year’s resolution to smithereens, you can always get back on the wagon. Candida Rebello, the director of the nutrition and chronic disease program at LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center, says people tend to eat based on the size of the portion and not by the calorie content.

Cut 4 (13) “…lot more food.”

We now know the names of the New Orleans police officers who shot and killed the terrorist who plowed a pickup truck into a crowd on Bourbon Street New Year’s Day. They are Nigel Daggs, Christian Byer and Jacobie Jordan, and Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick calls them national heroes. Kirkpatrick says two officers that Shamsud-Din Jabbar shot in the ensuing gunfight have been treated and released .

Cut 11 (06) “…within the law.”

Body camera footage shows officers approaching Jabbar’s pickup truck after it crashed into construction equipment near the intersection of Bourbon and Bienville streets.

Two children are among three people stabbed to death in St. Helena Parish. The sheriff’s office there says it’s the end result of a domestic disturbance that took place in Amite. Sheriff Clay Chutz says 31-year-old Ryant Jones is arrested and charged with three counts of first-degree murder. The victims’ ages are 40, ten, and one years old.

With the help of Congresswoman Julia Letlow, Woman’s Hospital in Baton Rouge rolls out the Newborn Essential Support Toolkit. Congresswoman Letlow says it gives new parents peace of mind.

Cut 12 (09) “…that they need.”

Through a partnership between the Department of Health and Human Services and the non-profit organization Baby2Baby, the kits include things like diapers, wipes, skin cream, clothes and other essentials.

It’s king cake season; and for the first time in its 104-year history, Hubig’s Pies is selling King Cakes. The owner of the New Orleans staple, Andrew Ramsey, says the store-sold cakes measure 10×10 inches, while online orders will be slightly larger.

Cut 7 (04) “…continental United States.”

Ramsey says they have four flavors: traditional cinnamon, Hubig’s custard, Dutch apple, and cream cheese.

The New Orleans Police Department is bringing in an expert to recommend strategies to prevent another attack. It’s bringing aboard former New York City Police Commissioner Bill Bratton, a renowned security expert. At his introductory news conference, Commissioner Bratton says identifying strategies to bolster public safety will be a learning experience.

Cut 14 (12) “…that might evolve.”

Seven victims of the New Year’s Day terror attack on Bourbon Street are suing the city and two of its contractors. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says there is a lot of litigation to be done in these cases.

Cut 6 (07) “…would otherwise get.”

This lawsuit claims the defendants ignored repeated warnings about security risks.  

Centenary College in Shreveport is celebrating its 200th anniversary this year. College President Dr. Christopher Holloman says in recent years, the school has rolled out new majors, such as kinesiology and sports management. Speaking of sports, Centenary has recently added some new athletic teams.

Cut 9 (12)  “…baseball and gymnastics.”

Southeastern Louisiana University is offering Christmas tree recycling in Hammond and Ponchatoula to support wetland restoration efforts. Turtle Cove Environmental Research Station Manager Rob Moreau says this initiative marks its 30th year.

Cut 10 (11) “…trees a year.”

Instead of going into landfills, the discarded trees are used to combat erosion and create wildlife habitats in the Manchac (MAN-shack) Swamp Wetlands.

A lawsuit has been filed against the City of New Orleans and city contractors by seven victims of the terror attack on Bourbon Street. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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The oldest institute of higher education in Louisiana is celebrating a milestone this year. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The New Orleans Police Department is bringing in some outside assistance to help devise counterterrorism strategies ahead of two major events coming up. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Seven victims of the New Year’s Day terror attack on Bourbon Street have filed a lawsuit against the City of New Orleans and city contractors. The lawsuit claims the defendants ignored repeated warnings about security risks.  Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says it’s an interesting angle.

Cut 4 (14) “…were being constructed.”

They argue that stronger protections could have prevented the incident, which caused severe injuries and trauma. Ciolino says targeting private contractors instead of police officers could be successful.

Cut 5 (09) “…dead on arrival.”

The lawsuit seeks accountability for the oversight and damages to cover medical expenses and pain and suffering endured by the victims. Ciolino says there is a lot of litigation to be done in these cases.

Cut 6 (07) “…would otherwise get.”

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The oldest higher education institution in Louisiana is celebrating its 200th anniversary this year. Centenary College in Shreveport was founded in 1825, with its original campus in Jackson, Louisiana. Centenary President Dr. Christopher Holoman says the school takes a unique approach to its liberal arts curriculum.

Cut 7 (15) “…variety of situations.”

Dr. Holoman says for two centuries, the college has prepared students for a wide variety of professions, including the medical profession.

Cut 8 (09) “…200 years now.”

Holloman says in recent years, the school has rolled out new majors, such as kinesiology and sports management. Speaking of sports, Centenary has recently added some new athletic teams, who go by the nicknames “Ladies” and “Gentlemen.”

Cut 9 (12)  “…baseball and gymnastics.”

Dr. Holoman says a couple years ago, started the Centenary Affordability Pledge, in which the school does not charge any additional tuition for students who carry full Pell scholarship and a full TOPS scholarship. The school will be holding bicentennial celebrations throughout the year.

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Southeastern Louisiana University and its partners are offering Christmas tree recycling in Hammond and Ponchatoula to support wetland restoration efforts. Discarded trees, instead of going to landfills, are used to combat erosion and create wildlife habitats in the Manchac (MAN-shack) Swamp Wetlands. Turtle Cove Environmental Research Station Manager Rob Moreau says this initiative marks its 30th year.

Cut 10 (11) “…the 600 range.”

Moreau says residents can drop off trees at various locations, and trees must be free of decorations, stands, and flocking.

Cut 11 (06) “…discarded Christmas trees.”

This program continues thanks to local collaboration despite the end of state grants and Moreau says it’s a great hands-on activity to get people connected more to the environment.

Cut 12 (08) “…into the wetlands.”

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With the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras happening in New Orleans in the aftermath of a terror attack on Bourbon Street, the New Orleans Police Department is bringing in an expert to recommend strategies to prevent another attack. NOPD is bringing aboard former New York City Police Commissioner Bill Bratton, a renowned security expert. At his introductory news conference, Commissioner Bratton says he will be bringing in a team of experts.

Cut 13 (10) “…and counterterrorism issues.”

Commissioner Bratton says identifying strategies to bolster public safety will be a learning experience.

Cut 14 (12) “…that might evolve.”

Bratton says he and his team will be getting to work right away.

Cut 15 (10) “…already been generated.”

Bratton’s team will be an additional layer of counterterrorism, with both the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras being given the highest Special Event Assessment Rating by the Department of Homeland Security.

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Sean Payton has the Denver Broncos in the playoffs in his second season in Denver. The Broncos will visit the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. Payton was nine and eight in the postseason as the head coach of the Saints and he had Drew Brees as his quarterback. Rookie Bo Nix is the starting quarterback for the Broncos, and Payton expects the former Auburn and Oregon star to do just fine…

Cut 16 (15) “…bigger games.”

The Broncos beat the Kansas City Chiefs last Sunday to clinch a playoff spot.

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Rookie Jayden Daniels has led the Washington Commanders to the playoffs for the first time since 2020. The Heisman Trophy winning quarterback at LSU is not building up the matchup against the Buccaneers on Sunday night too much…

Cut 17 (17)  “…play ball” 

January 2006 is the last time the Washington franchise won a playoff game. Daniels says there’s no added pressure in trying to break the postseason victory drought…

Cut 18 (13)   “…through it all.”

We now have a report of a death from this arctic blast. The Louisiana Department of Health says a 65-year-old Rapides Parish man died of hypothermia. The department did not go into any further details of how the man died.

While temperatures in Rapides Parish are certainly much lower than normal, they’re not as low as those in areas further north, where a winter storm warning remains in effect. Snow is falling in Texas and Arkansas, but Louisiana is mainly dealing with rain.

SWEPCO is prepared to respond to power outages when they occur from the winter storm. Michelle Marcotte with SWEPCO says they’ve been getting the trucks and crews ready.

Cut 14 (13) “…to restore power.”

Marcotte says they also have extra personnel ready to respond.

The frigid temperatures have led to several house fires; and so far eight across the state have turned deadly. 11 people have been killed in those eight fires. State Fire Marshal Bryan Adams says at this time last year, they did not have a single house fire fatality.

Cut 9 (08)  “…my team.”

The Louisiana Office of the State Fire Marshal says there were no fire deaths last night, and it’s urging you to do your part in ensuring that it stays that way. That includes placing nothing within three to five feet of space heaters.

You can help those affected by the tragedy in New Orleans by buying special Saints and Pelicans “love for New Orleans” warm-up shirts. Brittany Whitsell, the director of charitable giving and development for the Saints and the Pelicans, says they’re designed to show solidarity with the city.

Cut 3 (08) “…really helping everybody.” 

The shirts sell for 35 dollars apiece.

Precipitation is falling in north Louisiana, and we’ll wait to see if it becomes freezing rain, sleet or snow. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says it could snow tomorrow morning near the Arkansas state line…

Cut 12 (09) “…slip and slide.”

Four parishes in northwest Louisiana, Caddo, Bossier, Webster and Claiborne, are under a winter storm warning, and a winter weather advisory is in place for several other north Louisiana parishes.

SWEPCO is prepared to respond to power outages when they occur from the winter storm. Michelle Marcotte with SWEPCO says they’ve been getting the trucks and crews ready.

Cut 14 (13) “…to restore power.”

Marcotte says they also have extra personnel ready to respond.

So far this year, 11 people have died in eight separate fires across the state amid brutally cold temperatures. State Fire Marshal Bryan Adams says none of the homes involved in these deadly fires had a working smoke detector…

Cut 10 (10) “…free of charge.”

Adams says at this time last year, they did not have a single house fire fatality.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries warns of potential fish kills along the coast amid these freezing temperatures. Fisheries biologist Jason Adriance notes that slower temperature drops give fish a better chance to acclimate and survive.

Cut 7 (07) “…more severe impact.”

One coastal species most at risk is the Spotted Seatrout which struggles when water temperatures drop below 40-degrees for over a day, while Red Drum begins to experience issues in the mid-30s.

Winter storm warnings and winter weather advisories are in effect for much of north Louisiana. LRN Meteorologist Bill Jacquemin reports Texas and Arkansas will get the brunt of this storm, not Louisiana…

Cut 2 (30) “…dark paved surfaces.”

Utilities are getting ready to respond to issues caused by the winter storm. SWEPCO has spent the last several days getting their trucks stocked and ready and making sure crews have proper winter attire so that they can go out and restore power. SWEPCO has more than a thousand additional personnel ready to respond should they be needed.

It’s the national day of mourning for President Jimmy Carter, who died on December 29th at the age of 100. One organization near and dear to President Carter’s heart was Habitat for Humanity. After leaving office, Carter helped the organization build a countless number of homes. Kathy Gardner, the CEO of Habitat for Humanity of North Louisiana, says Carter set the example for everyone else to follow.

Cut 4 (13) “…in North Louisiana.”

You can help those affected by the tragedy in New Orleans by buying special Saints and Pelicans “love for New Orleans” warm-up shirts. Brittany Whitsell, the director of charitable giving and development for the Saints and the Pelicans, says they’re designed to show solidarity with the city.

Cut 3 (08) “…really helping everybody.”

With the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras coming up, the big talk is how to make the French Quarter safe, especially in light of what happened early New Year’s Day. New Orleans Representative Alonzo Knox says he is open to any and all suggestions.

Cut 10 (10) “…least mitigate it.”

Some have suggested turning the entire French Quarter into a pedestrian mall. Knox says the problem there is that part of the French Quarter is residential, with people living there 365 days a year.

The legislature is expected to take up soaring homeowners and auto insurance premiums in its next regular session this year. Governor Landry has expressed frustration that a package of insurance industry-backed bills has not lowered premiums. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says he understands the frustration.

Cut 13 (08) “…understand the frustration.”

Temple says this crisis has been years in the making, and a fix will not happen overnight.

On this, the national day of mourning, Habitat for Humanity chapters across the country, including here in Louisiana, are mourning the passing of one of its biggest champions, President Jimmy Carter. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

We’re now learning of stories of heroism in the deadly terror attack on Bourbon Street New Year’s Day. Jack Bech, the brother of Tiger Bech, posted on social media that Tiger pushed a girl out of harm’s way as Shamsud-Din Jabbar plowed a pickup truck into a crowd at the entrance from Canal Street. Tiger Bech was one of 14 innocent people killed in the attack.