Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joe Lopinto says video evidence and witness reports show 27-year-old Jamal Williams was not confrontational while in a Gretna gun store over the weekend. Video shows Williams exiting and entering the store and moving through the building exchanging fire with store employees before being shot in the parking lot. Lopinto says it could’ve been worse…

Cut 14 (12) “…day”

Williams was killed along with a store employee and a customer.

A Bienville Parish man was fatally shot Sunday morning by a truck driver after allegedly attempting to break into his 18-wheeler. Bienville Sheriff John Ballance says 35-year-old Jonathan Raney of Ringgold kicked in the front door of a liquor store, then targeted a nearby semi…

Cut 9 (12) “…window out”

Louisiana officials are asking residents who suffered damage during last week’s winter weather to report it, as the state plans to submit that information to the federal government. Taylor Sharp has more

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Taylor Sharp.”  

Strawberry farmers are surveying crops after last week’s winter storms and it appears 30 to 35 percent of the crop is lost. Owner of Harris Farms Livingston Parish, Trey Harris says despite covering the berries, the length of the storm impacted the crops.

Cut 6 (09) “…stems.”

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joe Lopinto says video evidence and witness reports show 27-year-old Jamal Williams was not confrontational while in a Gretna gun store over the weekend. Lopinto says Williams held a concealed carry permit, had no major criminal history and was in the store for seven minutes before he began shooting. Lopinto says contrary to their initial impressions…

Cut 13 (11)“…training”

Three people were killed in the shootout.

The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is seeking information via survey on damage.la.gov from anyone who sustained damage from the winter weather, which could potentially lead to federal assistance.  GOHSEP Spokesperson Mike Steele says filling out a survey will help speed up the recovery process.

Cut 3 (11)  “…recovery process” 

A Bienville Parish man was fatally shot this morning after allegedly attempting to break into an 18-wheeler and being confronted by the trailer’s driver.   Beinville Sheriff John Ballance says 35-year-old Jonathan Raney allegedly kicked in the front door of a liquor store, then targeted a nearby 18-wheeler… Ballance says the driver fired four shots and they believe the shooting was justified.  

Cut 11 (09) “…break in”

Ballance speculates Raney’s erratic behavior was the result of drug use but says they are awaiting toxicology reports.

It looks like Strawberry farmers have lost 30 to 35 percent of their crop is lost after last week’s storm. Owner of Harris Farmers in Springfield, Trey Harris says strawberries prices should be up for a while because of lack of volume, and it’s not just Louisiana that’s having issues…

Cut 8 (09) “…volume.”

A Bienville Parish man was fatally shot this morning after allegedly attempting to break into an 18-wheeler and being confronted by the trailer’s driver.   Beinville Sheriff John Ballance says 35-year-old Jonathan Raney allegedly kicked in the front door of a liquor store, then targeted a nearby 18-wheeler… Balance says the truck driver woke up and warned Raney to leave… 

Cut 10 (06) “…shot” 

Balance speculates Raney’s erratic behavior was from the use of drugs, but they are awaiting toxicology results.

Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joe Lopinto will old press conference this afternoon to discuss Saturday’s fatal shootings at a gun range that resulted in three deaths and two others injured. Investigators say the shooting started when 27-year-old Joshua Williams of New Orleans started an argument with staff at the gun store. Williams was killed, so was a store clerk and a customer. The press conference will be at 2 o’clock.

The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is seeking information via survey on damage.la.gov from anyone who sustained damage from the winter weather, which could potentially lead to federal assistance.  GOHSEP Spokesperson Mike Steele says that reporting the damage will also help state officials determine where the most damage happened.

Cut 4 (10) “…assistance may be available.” 

Steele explains that this doesn’t guarantee federal assistance, but it could certainly help.

Strawberry farmers in the state are looking at a preliminary 30 to 35 percent loss in crops after the winter storms. Trey Harris of Harris Farms in Livingston Parish says the last time he saw damage this bad was the snow of December 2017, but it gave them enough time to recover because it takes 21 days for a bloom to produce a strawberry.

Cut 7 (10) “…coming in”

The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is seeking information via survey on damage.la.gov from anyone who sustained damage from the winter weather, which could potentially lead to federal assistance.  GOHSEP Spokesperson Mike Steele says filling out a survey will help speed up the recovery process.

Cut 3 (11)  “…recovery process” 

Strawberry farmers are surveying crops after last week’s winter storm and it appears 30 to 35 percent of the crop is lost according to one farmer. Owner of Harris Farmers in Springfield, Trey Harris says despite covering the berries, the length of the storm impacted the crops.

Cut 6 stems :09

Harris says the peak of the season is mid-April giving farmers time to salvage their season.

Teacher unions are celebrating as K-12 educators can receive a COVID vaccine starting today. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

Pregnant women are also eligible to be vaccinated today, there’s been some public concern the vaccine can affect fertility, but West Jefferson Medical Center OBGYN Doctor Jennifer Bigelow says there’s no evidence that it does…

cut 6 (08) “….future.”
Bigelow says the COVID vaccine is also safe for pregnant mothers.

Nearly half a million additional Louisianans are eligible for the COVID vaccine starting today and that includes over 50,000 K-through- 12 teachers. Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Larry Carter says even with vaccinating teachers’ education won’t return to normal until the pandemic ends, but this does help facilitate more in-person teaching.

Cut 8 (12) “..safe”

Pregnant women are also eligible to be vaccinated for COVID in Louisiana today. West Jefferson Medical Center OB/GYN Dr. Jennifer Bigelow says being pregnant puts you in a higher risk group if you contract COVID.

Cut 5 (10)“…progressed.”

Bigelow is recommending pregnant women be vaccinated along with the CDC and ACOG.

Louisiana suffered the nation’s largest spike in drug overdose deaths in the period between July 2019 and July 2020. That’s according to data from the C-D-C. Jefferson Parish Coroner Dr. Gerry Cvitanovich (Sah-tan-oh-vitch) says it was a 53 percent increase in overdose deaths, 1,720 in total. Cvitanovich says it was largely driven by increased use of opiates like Fentanil.

Cut 11 (09) “..potent”

One lawmaker is hoping to change the state motto in the next legislative session. St. Tammany Parish Representative Richard Nelson wants “We Live and Die for Those We Love,” to be the new state proverb.

Cut 13 (10) “…the seal.”

Nelson says the current state motto of “Union, Justice and Confidence” is not very well known even though it appears on the state flag.

Nearly half a million more Louisianans will be eligible to get vaccinated starting Monday, that includes K-12 teachers and those 55 and older with certain health conditions. Governor Edwards says this decision was made after the state was told we’re getting a big bump in our vaccine allocation.

Cut 7 (09) “…group”

Public Service Commission Chairman Craig Greene says once the winter weather has passed the PSC will investigate what went wrong and why power providers had such poor communication with customers. Greene says companies’ failure to give customers a heads up when they would be subject to a rolling blackout needs to be addressed. He says there must be a better system in place.  

Cut 10 (12) “…out” 

It won’t be until Saturday afternoon before the highways are free of ice in north Louisiana. State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says they had 14-hundred workers, primarily in north Louisiana before the storm arrived, salting and brining major roads
Cut 13 (06)“…in that”

With oil refineries shutting down due to the recent winter weather across the south, gas prices have risen almost 3 cents overnight to 2.28 a gallon for regular gas.  Triple-A Fuel Analyst Don Redman says prices were already on the rise before the storms and the weather only made things worse.  Redman believes that gas prices will continue to increase.

Cut 4 (10) “…a month ago.” 

On Monday another 475-thousand will be prioritized for the COVID vaccine in Louisiana. Edwards says with the winter storms causing delays in vaccine deliveries and administering doses, he’s urging those looking to be vaccinated to be patient.

Cut 8 (07) “…not.”

For a list of participating vaccine providers go to CovidVaccine.LA.Gov or call 211.

It won’t be until Saturday afternoon before the highways are free of ice in north Louisiana. State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says DOTD used three and a half million pounds of salt and thousands of gallons of brine in an effort to keep interstates from becoming too slippery.

Cut 14 (13) “…in trouble”

The Public Service Commission is planning to investigate just how the power situation went so wrong across much of the state this week. Matt Doyle has more. 

cut 2 (29) …I’m Matt Doyle”  

State Police are investigating an officer involved shooting in which Washington Parish Sheriff’s deputies shot and killed a man who confronted them with two large knives in Mount Hermon Thursday. Deputies were there to investigate a report of domestic violence when 28-year-old Dustin Crain reportedly confronted them with knives. The sheriff’s office is investigating the domestic violence while state police investigate the shooting.

With oil refineries shutting down due to the recent winter weather across the south, gas prices have risen almost 3 cents overnight to 2.28 a gallon for regular gas.  Triple-A Fuel Analyst Don Redman says prices were already on the rise before the storms and the weather only made things worse.  Redman believes that gas prices will continue to increase.

Cut 4 (10) “…a month ago.” 

It won’t be until Saturday afternoon before the highways are free of ice in north Louisiana. State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says some melting will occur today, but they expect re-freezing tonight as temperatures fall into the teens.

Cut 12 (12) “ …in the morning” 

Public Service Commission Chairman Craig Greene says once the winter weather has passed the PSC will investigate what went wrong and why power providers had such poor communication with customers. Greene says companies’ failure to give customers a heads up when they would be subject to a rolling blackout needs to be addressed. He says there must be a better system in place.  

Cut 10 (12) “…out” 

On Monday COVID vaccine eligibility will increase by another 475-thousand. The historic winter storms delayed COVID vaccine shipments across the state. But Governor Edwards says with an increase in weekly allocations he’s comfortable in allowing more to be vaccinated.

Cut 6 (14) “…this week.”

As 475-thousand will be eligible to get vaccinated in Louisiana Monday, Governor Edwards urges residents to be patient. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

_______________________________________

The Public Service Commission is planning to investigate just how the power situation went so wrong across much of the state this week. Matt Doyle has more. 

cut 2 (29) …I’m Matt Doyle”  

_____________________________

With oil refineries shutting down due to the recent winter weather across the south, gas prices have risen almost 3 cents overnight from 2.25 a gallon to 2.28 a gallon for regular gas.  Triple-A Fuel Analyst Don Redman says this is the type of spike we would typically see during hurricane season.

Cut 3 (10)  “…screeching halt” 

Gas prices were already on the rise before the winter storms and the weather only made things worse.  Redman believes that gas prices will continue to rise.

Cut 4 (10) “…a month ago.” 

Redman says you should keep your tank full because there could be a gas shortage for the coming days.

Cut 5  (10)  “…get it delivered” 

________________________

On Monday COVID vaccine eligibility will increase by another 475-thousand. The historic winter storms delayed COVID vaccine shipments across the state. But  Governor Edwards says with an increase in weekly allocations he’s comfortable in allowing more to be vaccinated.

Cut 6 (14) “…this week.”

Beginning Monday, those ages 55 to 64 with certain health conditions will be eligible for vaccinations, along with K-12 teachers and school support staff, day care staff and pregnant women.

Edwards says there will be enough doses to go around

Cut 7 (09) “…group”

Edwards says with the winter storms causing delays in vaccine deliveries and administering doses, he’s urging those seeking to be vaccinated to be patient.

Cut 8 (07) “…not.”

For a list of participating vaccine providers go to CovidVaccine.LA.Gov or call 211.

_______________________

Public Service Commission Chairman Craig Greene says once the winter weather has passed the PSC will investigate what went wrong and why power providers had such poor communication with customers.  

Greene says we just didn’t have the emergency capacity to keep everyone’s lights on during this historic week of winter weather. 

Cut 9 (12) “…affordability”

The order to initiate rolling blackouts was made by MISO, a super-regional entity in charge of maintaining power reliability.  

Greene says companies’ failure to give customers a heads up when they would be subject to a rolling blackout needs to be addressed. He says there must be a better system in place.  

Cut 10 (12) “…out” 

Governor Edwards has requested everyone limit energy consumption from 7PM to 10 PM tonight and 7 AM to 9 AM tomorrow to help reduce the need for rolling blackouts.  

Greene says they won’t have immediate answers to what went wrong, but they will conduct a thorough investigation.  

Cut 11 (09) “…mistakes.”

_____________________________

It will be until Saturday afternoon before the highways are free of ice in north Louisiana. State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says some melting will occur today, but they expect re-freezing tonight as temperatures fall into the teens

Cut 12 (12) “ …in the morning” 

The state transportation of department is facing criticism for not doing enough. Wilson says they had 14-hundred workers, primarily in north Louisiana before the storm arrived, salting and brining major roads

Cut 13 (06)“…in that”

Wilson says DOTD also used three and a half million pounds of salt and thousands of gallons of brine in an effort to keep interstates from becoming too slippery.

Cut 14 (13) “…in trouble”

He says mother nature can be their best ally by providing several hours of temperatures above freezing.

________________________

The LSU men’s basketball team will host Auburn in Baton Rouge on Saturday at 3 p.m.  While Auburn sits at 11-11 on the season, they’ve played well lately led by point guard Sharife Cooper.  Coach Will Wade says Cooper does a great job of distributing the ball to his teammates.

Cut 15 (09) “…around him” 

Auburn has a great transition offense and Wade says his team will need to be ready to defend after made baskets in order to slow them down.

Cut 16 (12) “…in transition” 

There’s still little to no water pressure in Shreveport two days after the city lost water due to the winter storm. Willis-Knighton Chief Administrative Officer Brian Crawford says not only are hospitals without water, but the roads are undrivable and they’re having to get creative just to get staff safely to work.

Cut 6 (11) “…patients.”

Staff are being housed at nearby hotels and staged on cots once they rotate out of their shifts.

Governor Edwards asks all residents to temporarily conserve power during peak consumption periods to help prevent further rolling blackouts. Rolling blackouts have plagued the state since the winter event began, and Edwards says local power providers needed to do a better job giving customers forewarning.

Cut 14 (11) “…too.” 

The life expectancy rate in the U-S has dropped by one year. According to the CDC the average life span in the US is now 77.8 years compared to 78.8 in 2019. LSU Health New Orleans Chief of Community and Population Medicine Dr. Benjamin Springgate says the COVID pandemic is the main reason for the decrease.

Cut 7 (10)  “…even more.”

The average life span for Blacks dropped 2.7 years to 72 and for Hispanics a decrease of 1.9 years to 79.9.

Starting Monday K-through-12 teachers and staff will be prioritized for the COVID vaccine. Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says each school system will handle how employees will be vaccinated…
cut 12 (10) “…an interest.’