A 22-year-old woman is behind bars in Livingston Parish after allegedly fatally shooting her father and sister. Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard says 22-year-old Kennetra Ary killed two of her family members at a mobile home near Walker…

Cut 12 (13)  “…their lives”  

In the first 18 days of 2024 there have been 131 fires across Louisiana and in the last four days, 38. Regional Disaster Officer for the Red Cross, Ed Bush says during these cold days keep safe by keeping space heaters and other heat producing electric items away from flammables in your home…

Cut 9 (08) “…inside the house.” 

The Foo Fighters and Chris Stapleton are among the headliners for JazzFest this year, that’s in addition to The Rolling Stones. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The great Cajun and Country Musician, Jo El Sonnier will be laid to rest Saturday in Sulphur Louisiana. Sonnier died on Saturday January 13^th while on tour. He had just received a standing ovation moments before suffering a massive heart attack. Sonnier brought Cajun music to the world and won a Grammy and was nominated 4 times. He was also an American Country Music Vocalist of the year nominee and member of seven music halls of fame.

Blood donations have dropped to critical levels in Louisiana. Spokesperson for The Blood Center, Paul Adams, says a combination of things has led to a lull in supply, the holidays, carnival season, and the cold weather.

Cut 3 (12) “…blood supply.”

Adams says they like to have a supply of 3 to 5 days on hand but at the moment it’s down to one day.

The line-up for JazzFest is out and in addition to The Rolling Stones headlining, the Foo Fighters, Chris Stapleton, and Queen Latifah are also on the bill. NOLA.com and Times-Picayune Entertainment Writer Keith Spera says they’ve also got some of the fresher younger bands playing.

Cut 6 (12) “…this year.” 

State Wildlife is holding the first of three meetings to receive public input on the proposed return of a black bear hunting season tonight. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (34)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Governor Jeff Landry is backing a congressional map that makes Republican Garret Graves’ sixth district the second Black voting district. Louisiana’s lone Black Congressman Troy Carter says the governor and the legislature are doing the right thing…

Cut 11 (05) “…African American districts.”

The map Landry supports is up for a vote in the Senate today. Graves calls it a crazy proposal because it runs from Baton Rouge to Shreveport.

As legislators debate changing to closed-party primary elections, US Senator Bill Cassidy worries the change will disenfranchise the state’s approximately 800-thousand Independent voters. The Republican also believes if the system isn’t broken don’t try to fix it and that taxpayers shouldn’t pick up the tab.

Cut 13 (07) “…you pay for it.” 

In recent town hall meetings, Cassidy says voters are concerned about the possibility of change.

The Bayou State is coming out of a deep freeze but don’t put away your hats and gloves just yet.  Montra Lockwood with the National Weather Service Lake Charles says to look for a short break from the freeze…

Cut 6 (08) “…on Friday.” 

Tonight, expect temperatures in the 20s north of I-10 and in the lower 30s in the southern part of the state.

Nicholls State University has received a $3-million donation, which is the largest in the school’s history. Nicholls’ spokesperson Jerad David says the Mary and Al Danos Family Foundation commitment will be used to construct a new College of Business Administration.

Cut 3 (11) “…State University.”

As legislators debate changing to closed-party primary elections, US Senator Bill Cassidy believes it’s a waste of money.  A fiscal note on the legislation quotes a $10 million figure for the 2024-25 fiscal year and $6 million for the following fiscal year. Cassidy references a $90 million tab that one pollster says the change will cost taxpayers.

Cut 12 (08)  “…on here.”  

U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson believes the Louisiana Legislature should not draw a new Congressional map. Jeff Palermo reports the Bossier Parish Republican says the state should press for a trial on the current map…

Cut 2 (35)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

Nicholls State University has received a $3-million donation, the largest in the school’s history. The Mary and Al Danos Family Foundation commitment will be used to construct a new College of Business Administration. Nicholls’ spokesperson Jerad David says the atrium in the new building will be named after The Brady Family, thanks to their recent donation. He says they hope these donations will inspire others.

Cut 5 (11) “…new facility.” 

Louisiana is thawing out today and expected to warm up into the mid 60’s Thursday but Montra Lockwood with the National Weather Service Lake Charles says After the quick reprieve, expect a frigid weekend says Lockwood…

Cut 7 (08) “…I-10 corridor.” 

Expect warmer temperatures next week.

U-S District Judge Shelly Dick ruled the congressional map the Louisiana Legislature approved in 2022 violates the Voting Rights Act, because only one of the six districts provides an avenue for a Black candidate to get elected.

U S House Speaker Mike Johnson says there should be a full blown trial on Louisiana’s current map, but Attorney General Liz Murrill says they have to follow Judge Dick’s order to draw a new map by January 30th…

Cut 10 (10) “…my remedies” 

Nicholls State University has received a $3-million donation, the largest in the school’s history. Nicholls’ spokesperson Jerad David says the Mary and Al Danos Family Foundation commitment will be used to construct a new College of Business Administration.

Cut 4 (11) “…Business Administration.”

Louisiana is looking at warmer temperatures up to the mid-60s Thursday but Montra Lockwood with the National Weather Service Lake Charles says another cold snap rolling in Friday will drop temperatures into the 20s again for North Louisiana by Saturday morning but as far as snow and freezing rain, Lockwood says…

Cut 8 (10) “…next week.” 

Lockwood says warmer weather, up into the 60s is coming next week.

At the special session, the first map to receive approval from the House Governmental Affairs Committee is a redesign of the seven-district Louisiana Supreme Court district map. Chief Judge of the First Circuit Court of Appeal John Michael Gray spoke in favor of the map

Cut  14 (14) “..re-election”

There is also a proposal to add two more districts to the Louisiana Supreme Court map to increase voting power in the Shreveport-Bossier area.

The frigid temperatures are causing problems with some water treatment facilities and several communities across Louisiana are under boil advisories. The town of Vivian, the Village of Elizabeth, Junction community and all customers served by Beauregard Parish Waterworks District 6, Basile, and Oberlin are currently advised to boil water by bringing it to a rolling boil for a full one minute then allow it to cool for at least 30 minutes. Authorities recommend boiling water before consuming it, making ice, brushing teeth and rinsing anything that will be consumed. If you are concerned about the quality of your drinking water, check with water provider.

There are numerous road closures in the Bayou State after an arctic cold front swept across the country Monday creating hazardous conditions. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett says Because elevated roads and bridges ice over first, DOTD crews in conjunction with State Police worked throughout the day and overnight…

Cut 4 (10) “…US-51.”

Hundreds of vehicles were stranded on the I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge after a single vehicle wreck led to a massive traffic jam. Westlake Police Chief Chrstopher Wilrye says the driver involved in the single vehicle wreck lost his life after either jumped or fell off the bridge…

Cut 9 (12) “…events yesterday.” 

The Special Legislative session to redraw congressional maps got underway Monday and The House Governmental Affairs Committee has approved a map proposed by Pineville Representative Mike Johnson. The proposal keeps District 7 in New Orleans as a majority-Black district. District two would be the second majority-Black District stretching from Monroe through the Delta Parishes into Baton Rouge. Baton Rouge Representative Denise Marcelle supports this redrawing…

Cut 13 (06) “…possible fix” 

Three Natchitoches police officers are recovering from injuries after attempting to arrest 25-year-old Lakendra Bolton who allegedly tried to steal from Super One Foods yesterday afternoon. Natchitoches police spokesperson John Greely says one of the officers was injured when she rammed a police-vehicle head on. He says all three officers injured were transported to local hospitals.

Cut 7 (10) “…the hospital.” 

There are numerous road closures in the Bayou State after an arctic cold front swept across the country Monday creating hazardous conditions. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett says even though crews began applying brine and salt to roadways Monday afternoon…

Cut 3 (12) “…our drivers.”

Windy and cold weather continues to grip Louisiana. Bill Jacquemin has the latest on the weather warnings…

Cut 2 (35)  “…untreated surfaces” 

At the special session, the first map to receive approval from the House Governmental Affairs Committee is a redesign of the seven-district Louisiana Supreme Court district map. Pineville Representative Mike Johnson’s proposal adds a second majority-minority district, which the courts have suggested is needed…..

Cut 12 (09)  “…federal judge does”  

25 years ago was the last time Louisiana’s Supreme Court map was drawn.

Three Natchitoches police officers are recovering from injuries after attempting to arrest 25-year-old Lakendra Bolton who allegedly tried to steal from Super One Foods yesterday afternoon. Natchitoches police spokesperson John Greely says two of the officers were injured when trying to arrest her in the parking lot

Cut 6 (05) “..over them.” 

The suspect, Bolton was not injured

State Transportation crews are working to keep motorists safe after an artic cold front blanketed Louisiana with frozen perception. Brooke Thorington has more…

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Hundreds of vehicles were stranded on the I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge after a single vehicle wreck led to a massive traffic jam. Westlake Police Chief Chrstopher Wilrye says the driver involved in the single vehicle wreck lost his life after either jumped or fell off the bridge. The accident blocked a portion of the westbound lanes. And while some drivers were able to move to the next lane to avoid the accident, one vehicle traveling west…

Cut 10 (08) “..drivers vehicle.” 

Two adults and a minor have been arrested in connection with the shooting outside Bogalusa High School that took the life of a 14-year-old body and left a 13-year-old hospitalized last week. Bogalusa Police say a 16-year-old has been charged with first degree murder. 21-year-old Jamichael Spikes has been charged with several offenses including principal to attempted second degree murder. 18-year-old Caleb Moss was arrested on several charges including accessory after the fact of first-degree murder. The investigation is ongoing.

An arrest has been made in the weekend murder of a mother and her young child in Gonzales over the weekend.  Investigators are calling the shootings of Christina Lynn Artus, 41, and Kaylee Forcell, 1 year a domestic violence situation.The Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office arrested Kalvin N. Forcell, 39, of Donaldsonville, on two counts of first-degree murder; simple burglary (vehicle); unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling; theft of a vehicle over $25,000; illegal use of weapons; and possession of a firearm by persons convicted of certain felonies.

Snow sleet and freezing rain has been falling across northern parishes of Louisiana. For south Louisiana light rain is expected to turn to freezing rain into tomorrow morning but only a glaze of ice is possible on roads and the ground. LRN meteorologist Bill Jacquemin

Cut 8 (09) “…into tomorrow” 

Louisiana and the world of Cajun and Country music morns Jo-El Sonnier, the man who took the music of South Louisiana to the world. Saturday, while on tour in Texas, Sonnier received a standing ovation for one of his biggest hits, Tear-Stained Letter, before he left the stage to rest before signing autographs. Minutes later he suffered a fatal heart attack. Cajun Music Historian, Wade Falcon…

Cut 12 (11)  “…this world.”  

Sonnier had a reputation for generosity. He performed and collaborated with many well-known Cajun and Country artists.

The Louisiana Legislature begins a special session at 4 PM today with the main priority of redrawing the Congressional boundaries with two majority minority districts. Senate President Pro Tem and Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow says House Democrats are proposing a second district that covers a significant portion of the Baton Rouge area, the Felicianas, Avoyelles Parish, the Mississippi River Delta parishes and northeast Louisiana…

Cut 10 (09) “..to be submitted.” 

Snow sleet and freezing rain has been falling across northern parishes of Louisiana. LRN meteorologist Bill Jacquemin says it’s been a light dusting so far…

Cut 6 (09) “..ice up first” 

Jacquemin says there’s a hard freeze warning out for most of the state…

Louisiana and the world of Cajun and Country music morns Jo-El Sonnier. He died while on tour in Texas Saturday doing what he had done his whole life, bringing joy to his audience with his songs like No More One More Time, Come on Joe, Raining in My Heart and others. Cajun Music Historian, Wade Falcon says the Emmy award winning Cajun brought music to the world on local and national record labels and stages, and his remarkable career started early…

Cut 13 (09) “…ever since then.” 

With the extreme Winter weather expected this week and lows predicted to be in the teens. Humane Society of Louisiana urge pet owners not to leave pets outside. Director Jeff Dorson says When it comes to larger animals like livestock, put them in stalls, sheds, or barns and give them enough food. He says its important for owners to bring pets inside when the temperature dips to freezing conditions.

Cut 4 (09) “…as well.”