Get ready for another bone-chillingly cold weekend throughout the state. When you wake up tomorrow morning, it will be in the teens in north Louisiana and in the low to mid-20s in south Louisiana. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says while there will be no precipitation, it will be windy, and that will make the cold air feel much colder.

Cut 12 (11) “…like the teens.”

While flu cases are down in Louisiana, the state remains among the hardest hit. Of course, we’re in the middle of Carnival season, and that also means large crowds. Dr. Sandra Kemmerly, an infectious disease specialist at Ochsner (Ox-ner) Health, says the weather will be a major indicator of whether that will yield a spike in flu cases.

Cut 11 (12) “…could be sick.”

The state has set new records for both total nonfarm employment and total private employment. Seasonally adjusted nonfarm employment is a little more two-million jobs and private sector employment is nearly one-point-seven million jobs. Osmar Padilla with Louisiana Works says the state’s unemployment rate has also fallen nearly a half a percent over the last year to 4.2 percent, because employers are constantly hiring…

Cut 6 (11) “…different industries.”

Tomorrow night’s Rockin’1000 concert literally brings the whole world together in New Orleans. Rockin’1000 visionary Fabio Zaffagnini says the thousand is represented by 48 states – and 30 countries.

Cut 3 (12) “…North Africans.”

Get ready for more frigid temperatures. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says another arctic air mass moves into the state, and temperatures will drop like a rock later today.

Cut 4 (11) “…in coastal parishes.”

Keim says low temperatures on Sunday will also be in the 20s, albeit a lot less windy.

The one-thousand musicians that comprise the Rockin’1000 continue the process of coming together as one, as today is day two of rehearsals for tomorrow night’s show. Music Director Daniel Plentz has the unenviable task of getting them all to play in sync; he says to help accomplish this, the songs are specially arranged.

Cut 7 (11) “…endings and dynamics.”

Taking to the friendly skies will get even more expensive starting Sunday for those who don’t have a REAL ID, a passport, a military ID or one of the other acceptable forms of identification. Andre Champagne has more.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

The new indoor football team in Monroe has a name – the Greenheads. The logo is a forward-facing duck wearing a hunting bandana with its wings spread out. The name and logo pay homage to Monroe’s own Robertson family, which was the subject of the hit TV show Duck Dynasty.

Bone-chilling cold — Jeff Palermo reports that is how you can sum up this weekend’s forecast.

Cut 1 (27) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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The Rockin’1000 musicians are getting ready for tomorrow night’s big show – emphasis on the word “big.” Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Flying will get even more expensive starting on Sunday for those who do not have a REAL ID, a passport, a military ID or one of the other acceptable forms of identification. Andre Champagne has more.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

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Get ready for more frigid temperatures. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says another arctic air mass moves into the state, and temperatures will drop like a rock later today.

Cut 4 (11) “…in coastal parishes.”

Keim says it will also be very windy on Saturday.

Cut 5 (13) “…in some locations.”

Keim says low temperatures on Sunday will also be in the 20s, but at least it will be less windy on Sunday.

Cut 6 (08) “…and Baton Rouge.”

Keim says we’ll see below freezing temperatures for most of the state Monday morning too. But there will be no winter precipitation, so travel will not be impacted.

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The one-thousand musicians that comprise the Rockin’1000 started the process of coming together as one yesterday, as rehearsals for tomorrow night’s show got underway. As anyone who has played in a band would tell you, getting even the smallest group of musicians in sync with one another is a tall task; the task of getting one-thousand of them to play in sync is gargantuan. That’s a task bestowed on Music Director Daniel Plentz; he says first of all, the songs are specially arranged.

Cut 7 (09) “…endings and dynamics.”

As the first rehearsal got underway yesterday, each section – drums, guitar, bass, keyboard – rehearsed their parts individually so that they could get the tempo down. Plentz, who will also be one of the two conductors during tomorrow night’s show, says that’s also accomplished with a special track piped into each musician’s headphones.

Cut 8 (12) “…when to start.”

Plentz says the click track is far more advanced and much easier for the musicians than what organizers resorted to when they did their first video back in 2015.

Cut 9 (10)  “…of those lights.”

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While flu cases in Louisiana have decreased considerably since the holiday season, Louisiana remains one of the hardest-hit states for the virus. Dr. Sandra Kemmerly, an infectious disease specialist at Ochsner Health, says while a major cause of spreading the virus is being indoors, hunkering down during this past winter storm shouldn’t cause a spike.

Cut 10 (13) “…really realizing it.”

Of course, we’re in the middle of Carnival season, and that also means large crowds. Dr. Kemmerly says the weather will be a major indicator of whether that will yield a spike in flu cases.

Cut 11 (12) “…could be sick.”

Kemmerly says the flu is nothing to be taken lightly, and people need to protect themselves by practicing basic hygiene and getting their annual flu shots.

Cut 12 (09) “…which is preventable.”

So far this flu season in Louisiana, 26 people, including one child, have died from the flu.

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Starting Sunday, if you do not have proper identification it will cost you a little more to fly. Travelers that do not present an acceptable form of identification at the security checkpoint will have to pay a new 45-dollar “Identity Verification Fee.” TSA spokesman Gervais Joubert says there are certain acceptable forms of ID to fly.

Cut 13 (11)  “…on TSA.gov.”

If you do not have a valid ID to get through the security checkpoint at the airport, travelers can visit TSA’s  website to fill out a mandatory identity verification form. Joubert says the processing fee costs 45 dollars.

Cut 14 (14) “…identity verification process.”

The verification is valid for 10 days starting from the date of the initial flight. According to the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles, nearly 1.6-million people in Louisiana have a REAL ID-compliant drivers license or ID card. Joubert says there are still a few Americans who do not have any credentials needed in order to board a flight.

Cut 15 (10) “…over the years.”

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In 2025, LSU baseball had one of the best pitching staffs in the entire country. Not only did the Tigers have great starters in Kade Anderson and Anthony Eyanson, but they also had several reliable relievers. LSU pitching coach Nate Yeskie says junior left-handed pitcher Santiago Garcia, a transfer from Oregon, is going to be a key arm out of the bullpen this year.

Cut 16 (15) “…above average pitches.”

Yeskie says one of the best pitchers in the fall has been left-handed sophomore Ethan Plog, a junior college transfer from Iowa Western Community College. Yeskie says Plog’s unique delivery to the plate makes it tough on hitters.

Cut 17 (15)  “…comes into play.”

LSU is getting one of its season veterans back in 2026 with redshirt junior right-handed pitcher Gavin Guidry. Guidry missed last season due to a back injury, but Yeskie says the Lake Charles native is ready to contribute this season.

Cut 18 (12)  “…any given day.”

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Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis is in Mobile this week, along with other coaches and personnel, to evaluate players at the Senior Bowl. Loomis says this year’s draft class has an abundance of quality players.

Cut 19 (16) “…really good thing.”

One of the players at the Senior Bowl is LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, the son of Saints’ offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier. Loomis says evaluating Nussmeier presents a unique situation.

Cut 20 (15) “…can’t remember it.”

Last year, Louisiana had a net gain of 33-hundred residents. That pales in comparison to the net gains of nearby states like Texas, Florida and Tennessee, and that still puts Louisiana some 40-thousand people short of where it was at the start of the decade. Still, demographer Greg Rigamer says the fact that Louisiana had a net increase is a good sign, and the state needs to maintain the momentum.

Cut 9 (10)  “…or no growth”

It’s the show where one-thousand ordinary folks with extraordinary talent come together – the Rockin’1000 is rehearsing together for the first time today for Saturday’s show. Among them is 70-year-old Andy Chetta of Covington. He admits that he may have a little stage fright, but organizers are putting him at ease.

Cut 14 (09) “…won’t get noticed.”

It’s D-C Mardi Gras weekend in the nation’s capital. Jeff Palermo has more on the big social and political networking event.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Speaking of that fifth district seat, former Congressman Garret Graves is invoking the fifth – his words, not mine. Amid speculation that Graves may run for the seat that Letlow is vacating for her U.S. Senate run, Graves says he’s not going to do so, saying it’s not the time nor the office that makes sense.

While Louisiana had a modest gain in population last year, it still has a long road ahead. Andre Champagne reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

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It’s D-C Mardi Gras weekend in the nation’s capital. Jeff Palermo has more on the big social and political networking event.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Rockin’1000 is a gathering of one-thousand musicians on the same stage, and they come from all walks of life and of all ages. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Louisiana trails other Southern states in internships and apprenticeships for high school students. That’s why the Leaders for a Better Louisiana are alerting businesses about a new state tax credit employers can take advantage of if they hire interns or have an apprenticeship program. Better Louisiana Chief Policy Officer Barry Erwin…

Cut 4 (09)“…them do that.”

Erwin says providing internships and apprenticeships to young people can help enhance the workforce and help employers identify future full-time workers. He says the credit is available to businesses that make eligible hires this year, and they can claim the credit on their tax returns beginning in 2027.

Cut 5 (07) “…for that student.”

Erwin says employers must employ the individual for at least 100 hours in the tax year to qualify.

Cut 6 (11) “…dollars a year.”

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Louisiana had a net population gain last year. The U.S. Census Bureau says between July 1st, 2024, and June 30th, 2025, Louisiana added about 33-hundred people to its population total. Demographer Greg Rigamer says that net increase still does not get Louisiana’s population back to the level at the beginning of the decade.

Cut 7 (09) “…40-thousand people.”

Rigamer says Louisiana’s population growth last year still pales in comparison to the gains experienced by neighboring states like Texas, Tennessee, Florida and North Carolina.

Cut 8 (08) “…to a place.”

Rigamer says, however, the fact that Louisiana had a net increase is a good sign, and the state needs to maintain the momentum.

Cut 9 (10)  “…or no growth”

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One of Louisiana’s biggest political networking events of the year is underway in the nation’s capital, as it’s D-C Mardi Gras time. LaPolitics publisher and editor Jeremy Alford says there will be a dinner dance on Friday night and a Mardi Gras ball on Saturday, but before that there’s plenty of opportunities to rub elbows.

Cut 10 (11) “…governments to universities.”

Alford says there are big issues and storylines in the backdrop of this year’s D-C Mardi Gras.

Cut 11 (09) “…cycle as well.”

Alford says with this year being an election year, the candidates running for U.S. Senate and the now-open fifth congressional district seat will use this event secure campaign donations.

Cut 12 (11) “…in touch with.”

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This afternoon, after months of practicing on their own, the musicians who will make up the Rockin’1000 will gather on the Superdome floor to rehearse as a group for the first time ahead of Saturday night’s show. Unlike your typical rock concert which features musicians you’ve idolized your entire lives, these musicians are your average Joes – people from all walks of life, young and old. They include 70-year-old drummer Andy Chetta of Covington. Despite first taking up the drums at the age of 13, Saturday will be his very first gig.

Cut 13 (06)  “…couldn’t pass up.”

Chetta admits that he may have a little stage fright – understandable, since most people’s first gigs are in venues much smaller than the Superdome – but Rockin’1000 organizers are putting him and everyone else at ease.

Cut 14 (09) “…won’t get noticed.”

On guitar either behind Chetta – or on the other end of the floor, depending on where they put him – will be 10-year-old George Schafer, also of Covington. He’s been playing guitar since he was five – literally half his life – and he says being a part of the show will be an incredible experience.

Cut 15 (05) “…they were 10?”

Chetta, Schafer and the 998 other musicians will be busy rehearsing together today, tomorrow and Saturday afternoon.

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The sixth-ranked LSU women’s basketball team is currently riding a five-game winning streak, and the Lady Tigers look to make it six straight tonight against Arkansas at 7 p.m. Head Coach Kim Mulkey says this is one of the closest teams she’s ever had in her time in Baton Rouge.

Cut 16 (16) “…get too low.”

Sophomore guard Jada Richard (ree-SHARD) has made significant strides from her freshman to sophomore season. Through seven SEC games, Richard is averaging 13 points per game. Mulkey says Richard’s success this season stems from being more comfortable with running the offense.

Cut 17 (18)  “…level of college.”

Not only has Richard been able to score the ball as of late, but she’s also dishing out 3 assists per game. Mulkey says playing the point guard in her system comes with several responsibilities.

Cut 18 (18)  “…you shoot it.”

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Saints veteran linebacker Demario Davis becomes a free agent this offseason, and it sounds like he is open to testing the market. Davis appeared on Kay Adams’ “Up & Adams’ show on FanDuel TV earlier this week, and this is what he had to say on potentially returning to New Orleans for his 15th season in the NFL.

Cut 19 (18) “…we shall see.”

Davis, who has played for New Orleans since 2018, led the Saints in tackles this year with 143. Davis says he’s noticed a lack of veteran leadership on defenses around the league and believes he could help fill that role.

Cut 20 (17) “…your services more.”

With temperatures getting up to the mid-40s, north Louisiana is beginning to thaw out. Tens of thousands of customers, however, remain without electricity according to power-outage dot-us, with more than half of those being in Ouachita Parish. In nearby Lincoln Parish, the outages were not nearly as significant. Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker…

Cut 9 (12)  “…three hours.”

Things are back to normal along I-20, after crews were able to clear all the stalled 18-wheelers that had ground traffic to a standstill, stranding drivers for hours on end. Erin Buchanan with DOTD says you’ll still want to pay attention along I-20, as you should always do.

Cut 13 (10) “…the most part.”

Over the last seven days, Red Cross disaster action teams have responded to no fewer than 44 single-family home fires and two multi-family home fires throughout the state. Shelby Wells with the Red Cross of Louisiana says those teams are 100-percent volunteer-based.

Cut 7 (10) “…to anyone anywhere.”

The Red Cross helps those displaced with money for immediate needs like temporary housing, clothes and food, and all the money comes from donations.

The frigid temperatures this week put a temporary pause on the harvesting of crawfish. LSU Ag Center crawfish agent Todd Fontenot says when it gets really cold, crawfish bury themselves in the mud…

Cut 3 (07) “…the mud.”

Fontenot says we can still expect the peak supply of crawfish from late February and into April.

Life for many in north Louisiana is starting to get back to normal. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Tens of thousands of customers, however, are still without power in North Louisiana, according to Power Outage-dot-u-s, with the vast majority of those in the dark being in Ouachita Parish. Utility companies say crews have been working around the clock and are making headway, and they should have everyone back online by tomorrow at the latest.

With conditions evocative of New England winters gripping Louisiana, Red Cross disaster action teams have responded to no fewer than 44 single-family home fires and two multi-family home fires throughout the state over the last seven days. Shelby Wells with the Red Cross of Louisiana says the organization is able to help those displaced with immediate financial assistance. 

Cut 6 (08) “…really immediate needs.”

The arctic blast also put a pause in crawfish harvesting. LSU Ag Center crawfish agent Todd Fontenot says now that the temperatures are starting to warm, however, crawfishermen can get back on their ponds and resume harvesting.

Cut 5 (06) “…their bait.”

Fontenot says we can still expect the peak supply of crawfish from late February and into April.

Red Cross disaster action teams have responded to scores of home fires in the last week. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Life for many in north Louisiana is starting to get back to normal. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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The frigid temperatures this week put a temporary pause on the harvesting of crawfish. LSU Ag Center crawfish agent Todd Fontenot says when it gets really cold, crawfish bury themselves in the mud…

Cut 3 (07) “…the mud.”

Fontenot says not only did the cold temperatures halt harvesting activities, it also kept mudbugs from growing, because they just burrow deep into the mud to stay warm …

Cut 4 (04) “…somewhat.”

Fontenot says now that the temperatures are starting to warm, crawfishermen can get back on their ponds and resume harvesting…

Cut 5 (06) “…their bait.”

Fontenot says we can still expect the peak supply of crawfish from late February and into April.

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With conditions evocative of New England winters gripping Louisiana, Red Cross disaster action teams have responded to no fewer than 44 single-family home fires and two multi-family home fires throughout the state over the last seven days. Shelby Wells with the Red Cross of Louisiana says the organization is able to help those displaced with immediate financial assistance.

Cut 6 (08) “…really immediate needs.”

Wells says Red Cross home fire response teams are 100-percent volunteer-based.

Cut 7 (10) “…to anyone anywhere.”

Wells says the money that the Red Cross gives to those who are displaced by fires is never a loan.

Cut 8 (08) “…all donation-funded.”

Meanwhile, the Red Cross is currently managing six shelters serving more than 120 people. In addition, it’s supporting 21 partner shelters and 19 warming centers.

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With temperatures getting up to the mid-40s, north Louisiana is beginning to thaw out. About 70-thousand utility customers remain without electricity according to power-outage dot-u-s, more than half of those outages are in Ouachita Parish. In nearby Lincoln Parish, the outages were not nearly as significant. Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker…

Cut 9 (12)  “…three hours.”

According to the Lincoln Parish Journal, Mayor Walker and his wife Kay served gumbo to linemen, street workers and first responders. Walker says he also provided food and water to the hundreds of vehicles stranded on I-20 because of stalled out trucks..

Cut 10 (12) “…that much ice.”

Walker says hundreds of vehicles were stranded on I-20 in very cold temperatures….

Cut 11 (10) “…or whatever.”

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Those of you who need to drive from Shreveport to Monroe or vice-versa, you can once again do so with relative ease. Erin Buchanan with DOTD says crews were able to clear I-20 of all of those stalled 18-wheelers that had ground traffic to a halt for hours.

Cut 12 (13) “…the sunshine too.”

Buchanan says you’ll still want to pay attention along I-20, as you should always do.

Cut 13 (10) “…the most part.”

Buchanan says icy conditions, however, still have one significant section of roadway closed just south of I-20 on the far western edge of the state.

Cut 14 (09) “…quickly as possible.”

With temperatures getting up to the mid-40s, north Louisiana is beginning to thaw out. About 72-thousand customers remain without electricity according to power-outage dot-us, more than half of those being in Ouachita Parish. In nearby Lincoln Parish, the outages were not nearly as significant. Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker…

Cut 9 (12)  “…three hours.”

I-20 is flowing once again. DOTD crews were able to clear all the stalled 18-wheelers that had ground traffic to a halt, in some areas for hours on end. Erin Buchanan with DOTD says icy conditions, however, still have one significant section of roadway closed just south of I-20 on the far western edge of the state.

Cut 14 (09) “…quickly as possible.”

Over the last seven days, Red Cross disaster action teams have responded to no fewer than 44 single-family home fires and two multi-family home fires throughout the state. Shelby Wells with the Red Cross of Louisiana says those teams are 100-percent volunteer-based.

Cut 7 (10) “…to anyone anywhere.”

The Red Cross helps those displaced with money for immediate needs like temporary housing, clothes and food, and all the money comes from donations.

The frigid temperatures this week put a temporary pause on the harvesting of crawfish. LSU Ag Center crawfish agent Todd Fontenot says when it gets really cold, crawfish bury themselves in the mud…

Cut 3 (07) “…the mud.”

Fontenot says we can still expect the peak supply of crawfish from late February and into April.

With conditions evocative of New England winters gripping Louisiana, Red Cross disaster action teams have responded to no fewer than 44 single-family home fires and two multi-family home fires throughout the state over the last seven days. Shelby Wells with the Red Cross of Louisiana says the organization is able to help those displaced with immediate financial assistance. 

Cut 6 (08) “…really immediate needs.”

The latest numbers from PowerOutage.us show that almost 74-thousand customers in north Louisiana are still without power. Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis says if you are using a generator, make sure it’s 20 feet away from the home.

Cut 15 (11) “…any of us.”

Ouachita Parish has the highest number of power outages by far.

Senator Bill Cassidy is calling for a full joint federal and state investigation into a pair of deadly shootings in Minneapolis at the hands of federal agents, saying the credibility of ICE and the Department of Homeland Security are at stake. Cassidy says it seems that they may have lost sight of the purpose of the enhanced immigration enforcement operation, and that could have a profound effect on President Trump’s legacy.

Cut 8 (12) “…that primary vision.”

To put together its first U.S. show, the people of Rockin’1000 sought out a heavy-hitter – and they found one in New Orleans’ very own Harry Connick Junior. The legendary musician is serving as special guest artistic director for the show that will rock the Superdome Saturday night.

Cut 10 (09) “…to our city (2x).”