The state health department reported over one thousand COVID cases among nursing home residents last week, an increase of about 300 from the week before. But state health officer Doctor Joe Kanter says there is some good news…
Cut 14 (10) “…residents.”

AARP is calling on nursing homes to require booster shots for both residents and staff. In Louisiana, only 16-percent of staff is reportedly boosted.

Cynthia Posey, Legislative Director for the Louisiana Federation of Teachers is hopeful lawmakers will address the needs of educators in the upcoming legislative session, if not she fears the teacher shortage will continue to grow. Posey says education reforms over the last decade are only hurting students and driving away teachers.
Cut 10 (12) “…isn’t working.”
Posey says among the concerns is the amount of paperwork teachers are burdened with in addition to low pay.

Tax season officially begins today, as filers can begin sending in their returns. David Grubb has more…

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m David Grubb.” 

Baton Rouge Police have arrested 26-year old Terrione Thomas in connection with a Friday night shooting in Thibodaux that left two dead. His brother 38-year old Timothy Thomas is being held on two charges of second-degree murder In LaFourche Parish in connection with the deaths of 47-year old Alvin Turner and 70-year old Linda Johnson. Terrione Thomas was arrested at a hospital in Baton Rouge.

Freezing weather will continue into the rest of the weekend in Louisiana with temperatures remaining only in the 40s. State climatologist Barry Keim says it will begin to warm up on Sunday, but until then take the usual precautions when it gets this cold…
Cut 5 (10) “…exposed lines.”
Hard freeze warnings are posted for this morning
And a new partnership between the Crescent River Port Pilots and the New Orleans-Baton Rouge Steamship Pilots Associations is increasing awareness of career opportunities in the maritime industry for minorities. Captain Roy Vance says the newly formed alliance will be making an aggressive effort to increase awareness and most importantly, fill those jobs.
Cut 8 (12) “…get the word out.”

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The state health department is now reporting reinfections on its COVID dashboard. There are more than 49-thousand in Louisiana now and almost 14-hundred were added Friday. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says the state is following the CDC’s definition.
Cut 9 (12) “…as a reinfection.”
Boosters are advised for ages 12 and up, at least five months after the second dose of either the Pfizer of Moderna vaccines and at least two months after a Johnson and Johnson vaccine.

And the low temperatures in South Louisiana will make it more difficult to catch crawfish which don’t grow when it’s this cold. Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says temperatures are getting into the 40s today, so this arctic blast is just a hiccup for what should be a great crawfish season…
Cut 15 (11) “…crawfish”
LRN

The state adds COVID reinfections to the dashboard and the Omicron variant has caused them to grow considerably. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 2 (34)…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
And today’s cold temperatures are expected to continue for the remainder of the weekend. State climatologist Barry Keim says hard freeze and freeze warnings are posted for Louisiana this morning…
Cut 4 (10) “…across the whole state.”
Temperatures will only be in their 40s today
LRN
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A new partnership between the Crescent River Port Pilots and the New Orleans-Baton Rouge Steamship Pilots Associations aims to increase awareness of career opportunities in the state’s maritime industry for African-Americans and other minorities. Captain Roy Vance says that these jobs are not limited to on-ship positions and people from any number of backgrounds have the opportunity to find a job suited to their skills.
Cut 7 (11) “…to choose from.”
And with temperatures dropping down to the 20s in southeast Louisiana strawberry producers are expected to be impacted. Before this weekend, Louisiana was experiencing a mild winter, which Tangipahoa Parish Associate Extension Agent Mary Helen Ferguson says has allowed some strawberry growers to begin picking berries…
Cut 13 (09) “…back on.”
LRN

A new partnership aims to expand career opportunities in Louisiana’s thriving maritime industry. David Grubb has more.
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m David Grubb.”
And today’s cold temperatures are just the beginning of a frigid weekend in Louisiana. State climatologist Barry Keim says high temperatures will only be in the 40s today.
Cut 3 (04) “…this time of year.”
Freeze warnings will continue throughout the morning and another freeze is expected next week

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Reinfections are now reported on the state health COVID dashboard. These are included in the total case count which surpassed one million this week since the pandemic began. State Health Officer Dr. JoeKanter says they’ve been tracking reinfections since they started but Omicron caused reinfections to surge.

Cut 10 (10) “….boosters.”
And temperatures will get down to the low-to-mid 20s in southeast Louisiana this weekend where strawberries are produced. But Tangipahoa Parish Associate Extension Agent Mary Helen Ferguson says producers are prepared for below-freezing temps…
Cut 12 (11) “..protection.”
in addition to strawberries, the cold weather this weekend makes it hard for crawfish farmers to catch mudbugs that don’t grow in these temperatures.
LRN

Today’s cold temperatures are just the beginning of a frigid weekend in Louisiana. State climatologist Barry Keim says what may be the season’s coldest weather begins tonight and will last until morning…:

CUT 04(10)      “…across the whole state”

Another freeze is coming Sunday morning, then a slight warming to start the workweek.

The mild winter has allowed for boil-worthy crawfish in January. But Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says this weekend’s cold weather will make it difficult for crawfish farmers to catch mudbugs, but with high temperatures getting into the 40s the arctic blast is just a hiccup for what should be a great season…

Cut 15 (11) “…crawfish” 

A new partnership aims to expand career opportunities in Louisiana’s thriving maritime industry. David Grubb has more…:

CUT 01(33)  “…David Grubb.”

In Ascension Parish, a Gonzales man is under arrest for animal cruelty, after photos were posted online of his dog chained up in the back yard with no shelter. Neighbors also say they’ve frequently heard Frank Bell Jr. beating dogs. Bell’s dogs have been removed from the property. Most people don’t want to be outside in this weather, neither do pets.

A new partnership between the Crescent River Port Pilots and the New Orleans-Baton Rouge Steamship Pilots Associations aims to increase awareness of career opportunities in the state’s maritime industry for minorities. Captain Roy Vance says the jobs are not limited to on-ship positions.

Cut 7 (11) “…to choose from.” 

The association will begin an active recruitment campaign.

The state is reporting reinfections on its COVID dashboard. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says they’ve been tracking reinfections since they started but the Omicron variant caused reinfections to surge.

Cut 10 (10)  “….boosters.” 

There are more than 49-thousand reported reinfections in Louisiana.

Temperatures will get down to the low-to-mid 20s in southeast Louisiana this weekend where strawberries are produced. Tangipahoa Parish Associate Extension Agent Mary Helen Ferguson says producers are prepared for below-freezing temps…

Cut 12 (11) “..protection.”  

Before this weekend, Louisiana was experiencing a mild winter, which Ferguson says has allowed some strawberry growers to begin picking their crop.

Louisiana receives a top grade when it comes to laws to prevent auto crashes. Allison Kennedy, spokesperson for Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety says they look at 16 different factors proven to prevent crashes and Louisiana can improve its safety laws by adding booster seat laws and graduated drivers’ licenses.

Cut  28 (08)  “…impaired driving crashes.”  

Louisiana has 10 out of the 16 safety laws

State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says COVID numbers hint that the state might be close to peaking with cases but yet it’s still too early to tell.

Cut 7 (12) “…very, very high.”

On Thursday the state reported 14,706 new cases.

According to DOTD 997 people were killed last year in traffic crashes, an alarming increase from previous years. Allison Kennedy, spokesperson for Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety says Louisiana is not immune because traffic fatalities are up nationwide. She says a recent survey indicates 75-percent of respondents were unaware of the increase however…

Cut 12 (10) “…being done.”

After missing two years due to COVID, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is back this spring. Kevin Gallagher has lineup highlights…:

Cut 1 (27) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

For the month of December 39.5  million was wagered in Louisiana casinos in the second full month of legalized sports betting. Eleven riverboats, racinos, and Harrah’s land bases casino recorded proceeds of close to 4.4 million according to figures released by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board. Of the eight operating in November 27.6 million was wagered and revenues of 5.7 million.

A voting rights bill that Democrats and civil rights leaders say is needed to protect democracy fails in the U-S Senate. Republicans oppose the legislation. Outgoing chairman of the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus, Baton Rouge Representative Ted James, says Republicans are making it hard for people to cast a vote because they believe the last Presidential election was stolen…

Cut 10 (11)  “….to vote.” 

After three years of work, and at a cost of $150 million, the new terminal at Lafayette Regional Airport is officially open. Executive Director Steven Picou couldn’t be happier with today’s debut.

Cut 3 (12) “…passengers walking through.”

The facility was completed in three years, on-time and on budget.

American Electric Power is investing $100-million to develop a transmission control center at Resilient Technology Park in Shreveport. And like the state, Governor John Bel Edwards says AEP has made a commitment to net carbon emissions by 2050.

Cut 8 (11) “…going forward.”  

The control center is expected to create 20 direct jobs and 63 indirect jobs.

Louisiana will see the coldest temperatures of the Winter over the next few days as overnight lows will drop below freezing for most of the state through Sunday morning. State Fire Marshal Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says do not leave candles or space heaters unattended….

Cut 14 (11)  “…with others.” 

The State Fire Marshal’s office says so far in 2022 ten people, including two children, have lost their lives in home fires.

Governor John Bel Edwards was on hand in Shreveport for the announcement of American Electric Power’s investment of $100-million to develop a transmission control center in the city.  The governor also announced that AEP’s new 77-thousand square foot facility will be the first business to locate in the Resilient Technology Park in Shreveport.

Cut 7 (11) “…reliable electricity.” 

Louisiana will see the coldest temperatures of the Winter over the next few days as overnight lows will drop below freezing for most of the state through Sunday morning. State Fire Marshal Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says space heaters can keep you warm, but they are fire hazards if not used properly…

Cut 13 (10) “…curtains.”

Senate Republicans were successful in blocking a voting rights bill supported by Democrats and civil rights leaders. Jeff Palermo has local reaction…

Cut 2 (34)…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

Jazz Fest Organizers announce the lineup for the 2022 festival that’s scheduled for April 29^th to May 8^th. The Who, Stevie Nicks, Willie Nelson, Foo Fighters, Jimmy Buffett, Luke Combs, Lionel Richie, The Black Crows, and Erykah Badu are among the headliners. This will be the first Jazz Fest since 2019.

A voting rights bill that Democrats and civil rights leaders say is needed to protect democracy fails in the U-S Senate. Republicans oppose the legislation. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says this effort isn’t about protecting the right to vote, it’s about Democrats wanting to federalize elections to their advantage…

Cut 9 (09) “…Delaware.”

Governor John Bel Edwards was on hand in Shreveport for the announcement of American Electric Power’s plan to develop a $100-million transmission control center in the city.  Edwards says the investment will create 20 direct jobs with an average annual salary of $115 thousand.

Cut 6 Louisiana’s northwest region. :11

Among the misinformation about COVID vaccines is their effect on fertility. Shreveport OB/GYN Dr. Leonard Weather, Jr. says it’s actually just the opposite of the vaccine. Weather says for men it’s COVID that’s been shown to reduce sperm count, not the vaccine.

Cut 13 (11) “…get vaccinated.”

Weather says it’s extremely important for pregnant women to be vaccinated and boosted and even women who are trying to get pregnant to reduce miscarriages and premature births.

Temperatures took a dive last night as a powerful cold front moved into Louisiana. State climatologist Barry Keim says the winter weather could be here for a while.

Cut 7 (09) “…wintery precipitation.”

Keim recommends taking precautions to protect people, plants, pets, and pipes.