Temperatures are dropping again today LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says another arctic air mass is moving in bringing lows in the 20s and brutal wind chill 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.

Louisiana is among the hardest hit states for flu this season and Dr. Sandra Kemmerly with Ochsner Health says that shouldn’t be taken lightly.

Cut 12 (09) “…which is preventable.”

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

If you don’t have a Real ID or other TSA approved identification, beginning Sunday you’ll have to go through a 45 dollar identity verification process with TSA before you can fly. According to the Office of Motor Vehicles, nearly 1.6-million people in Louisiana have a REAL ID-compliant drivers license or ID card. TSA Spokesperson Gervais Joubert says there are still a few Americans who do not have the documents they need to fly.

Cut 15 (10) “…over the years.”

The one-thousand musicians that make up Rockin’1000 take the stage tomorrow. Musical Director Daniel Plentz says they have a click track acting as a metronome that keeps the huge group on tempo. He says this method is much better than the previous one.

Cut 9 (10)  “…of those lights.”

The Show is tomorrow at the Superdome. Doors open at 7:00.

Two Children were airlifted to a New Orleans hospital yesterday with serious injuries after they were hit by an out-of-control car. The Thibodaux middle schoolers had just exited their school bus when a gold car witnesses say was speeding and tried to slow but lost control, hit a silver car, then flipped striking the children, flipped again and landed in a ditch. There are unconfirmed reports that four people in the silver car and two in the gold car also sustained injuries.

Starting Sunday, if you don’t have TSA acceptable identification like a Real ID, it will cost you more time and more money to fly. TSA Spokesperson, Gervais Joubert says travelers can visit TSA’s  website to fill out a mandatory identity verification form and pay a 45-dollar processing fee.

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

The verification is only valid for 10 days starting from the date of the initial flight.

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.”

Another arctic air mass moves into the state later today and Saturday wind chill will make it feel like the teens. LSU Health Climatologist, Barry Keim says low temperatures on Sunday will also be in the 20s, but it will be less windy.

Cut 6 (08) “…and Baton Rouge.”

We’re facing another bitterly cold weekend. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says temperatures will drop later today as another arctic air mass moves into the state.

Cut 4 (11) “…in coastal parishes.”

Keim says Saturday will also be windy and the wind chill will make it feel like the teens and possibly single digits in some areas.

Louisiana has one of the highest rates of flu this season and large crowds at Mardi Gras parades could increase the risk of contracting the virus. Dr. Sandra Kemmerly with Ochsner Health says the weather will play a major role in the chances of seeing a spike in infections.

Cut 11 (12) “…could be sick.”

Flying is about to get more expensive for those without TSA approved ID like a REAL ID. Andre Champagne has more.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Rockin’ 1000 is tomorrow night in the Superdome and the musicians were busy with section rehearsals yesterday. Music Director Daniel Plentz says keeping that many people on tempo is accomplished with a special track piped into each musician’s headphones.

Cut 8 (06) “…that tempo.”

Starting Sunday, if you do not have proper identification, it will cost you a more time and money 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.”

The verification is valid for 10 days starting from the date of the initial flight.

Rehearsals for the one thousand musicians chosen for Rockin’1000 show got underway yesterday. Getting that many rockers together is a tough task but Director Daniel Plentz is up for it and says the songs are specially arranged.

Cut 7 (11) “…endings and dynamics.”

The concert is tomorrow night. Doors open at 7:00

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

Cut 1 (27) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

While flu cases in Louisiana have decreased since the holiday season, Louisiana remains one of the hardest-hit states. Dr. Sandra Kemmerly, an infectious disease specialist at Ochsner (Ox-ner) Health, says while being indoors increases the risk of spreading the virus, staying in  during this past winter storm should not cause a spike.

Cut 10 (13) “…really realizing it.”

A teenage boy is arrested in connection with the killing of an elderly woman inside her Morehouse Parish apartment. On Tuesday evening, 73-year-old Ruby Lee Peterson was found stabbed to death inside her Bastrop apartment. Chief Deputy James Mardis with the Morehouse Parish Sheriff’s Office says the following day, deputies arrested 17-year-old Amir Dowles.

Cut 9 (06)  “…with the investigation.”

If you don’t have a Real ID or other acceptable form of travel identification, you can fly but beginning Sunday, it will cost you time and money. If you do not have a valid ID to get through an airport security checkpoint, travelers can visit TSA’s website to fill out a mandatory identity verification form. TSA spokesperson Gervais Joubert says the processing fee is 45-dollars…

Cut 14 (15) “…process.”

The verification is valid for 10 days starting from the date of the initial flight.

The clock is ticking towards another partial government shutdown. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

After almost a week, I-49 reopened in Shreveport this afternoon.  But there are still people in north Louisiana without power and some in northeast Louisiana may be in the dark till Saturday.  Nyka (NIGH-kah) Scott, with Entergy, says the job has been more challenging than anticipated.

Cut 6 (09) “…than we thought.”

The Broussard Middle School Teacher of the Year was arrested Wednesday for child sex abuse. Authorities say 37-year-old eighth grade math teacher, Christie Oster has been charged with felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile and indecent behavior with a juvenile. She is being held at the Lafayette jail on a $50,000 bond.

At the height of the storm related power outages, around 130,000 customers were without power in north and central Louisiana. Thursday afternoon, there are still almost 50,000 in the dark. Niyka(NIGH-kah) Scott with Entergy says restoring power in winter conditions is very challenging. Yesterday, workers found live powerlines beneath banks of ice.

Cut 7 (08) “…it’s warm weather.”

We could be facing another federal government shutdown, at least a partial shutdown – if the Senate fails to approve a House-passed funding package by midnight tomorrow night. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says before last weekend, the six pending bills were cruising towards passage.

Cut 3 (08) “…that want changes.”

Democrats are saying they will pass the budgets for the other five departments, but they want to pull Homeland Security from the package.

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 spokesperson Gervais Joubert on what is considered an acceptable form of ID to fly…

Cut 13 (11)  “…TSA.gov.”

A teenager has been arrested for the murder of 73-year-old Ruby Lee Peterson who was found stabbed to death inside her apartment in Bastrop Tuesday evening. Morehouse Parish Chief Deputy James Mardis says they quickly zeroed in on 17-year-old Amir Dowles.

Cut 10 (05) “…with a suspect.”

Authorities have not discovered a motive, but it is believed that Dowles knew the victim since they lived in the same apartment complex.

Many believe we are heading for another federal government shutdown – at least a partial one. Senate Democrats appear unwilling to fund Homeland Security. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says even if there is a partial government shutdown, don’t expect the ICE and Border Patrol raids to end at least for the time being – Homeland Security has enough money to keep them going for now.

Cut 5 (08) “…tremendous immediate impact.”

Hogan points out that if Democrats are successful in separating Homeland Security from the six-bill package, the funding bill would have to go back to the House for its approval, and the House is in recess for the rest of the week.

Some people in northeast Louisiana may have to wait a couple more days to get power restored. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

In the nineth storm related death, hypothermia is being blamed. The DeSoto Parish coroner says a 74-year-old man died at his home following an extended power outage. The department of health reported the tragedy as the ninth storm related death. And is reminds residents to take safety precautions in the cold includng taking advantage of the 44 open warming centers across the state.

Yesterday, around 130,000 homes and businesses in North Louisiana were without power. That number is down to around 96,000. Entergy President Phillip May says the number of Entergy customers without power is nearly 74-thousand, with many of those in Ouachita Parish.

Cut 14 (06) “…power is restored.”

Temperatures are expected to begin warming this afternoon but there will still be freezing temperatures overnight for most of the state and another arctic blast is expected over the weekend which could bring temperatures back down into the teens. Governor Landry will be in Ouachita Parish this morning meeting with local officials. He is urging those without power to go to one of the 80 warming shelters operating in the state.

Cut 11 (07) “…warm to go.”

A Texas man was killed in DeSoto Parish yesterday when the truck he was driving left the roadway, collided with a guardrail and overturned in a creek. State Police says 46-year-old John Hordge of Dallas was unrestrained and died at the scene. The cause of the crash that happened around 4:00 P.M. is under investigation. Impairment is not suspected.

As citizens begin filing federal income tax returns. CPA, Richard Tullier (TOO-yay) with Metairie-based accounting firm Wegmann Dazet (dah-ZETT), says there are changes that will benefit tip income earners, Senior Social Security recipients, and if you took out a loan for a new car in 2025, you may get a tax deduction.

Cut 6 (11) “…in the U.S.”

The tax deduction does not apply to used vehicles or leases. And of course, if your loan is zero-percent interest, there’s no interest to deduct.

Over 97 Thousand homes and businesses in North Louisiana are still without power this morning. SWEPCO and Cleco say most of their customers will have electricity by the end of today. Entergy President Phillip May says the company anticipates 90-percent of its customers along the I-20 corridor who can safely receive power will be restored by tomorrow night.

Cut 13 (13)  “…away from homes.”

State Climatologist Jay Grymes says a gradual warm-up will begin this afternoon. By Thursday, high temperatures will be back around 60 degrees, but then another blast of cold air will come which could take North Louisiana back down into the teens Saturday and Sunday morning.

Governor Landry is meeting with local officials in Ouachita Parish this morning and will update the media sometime after 11:00.

If you have all of your tax forms, you can now file your federal and state income tax returns. Andrew Greenstein has helpful information.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month and Director of the Office of Human Trafficking Prevention, Mary Kate Andrepont (AHN-dre-pont) says part of their outreach includes training programs to help personnel in schools, hospitals and law enforcement identify human trafficking.

Cut 8 (10) “…spot human trafficking.”

She says more victims are being identified because of the office’s outreach efforts.

At least four people have died in the weekend ice storm and continuing frigid cold. Hypothermia took the lives of two men in Caddo Parish over the weekend. In Franklin Parish a woman was found deceased outside her home early this morning. And in DeSoto Parish an elderly man died of carbon monoxide poisoning. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Grymes says we will see a brief warm up later today and then more cold.

Cut 12 (12) “…and Sunday mornings.”

If you are ready to file your federal taxes, you want to be aware of some changes. Richard Tullier (TOO-yay), a CPA with Metairie-based accounting firm Wegmann Dazet (dah-ZETT), says up to $25,000 in tip income can excluded from earnings. And while Congress failed to make Social Security income tax-free, they did give a break.

Cut 5 (10) “…adjusted gross income.”

The Office of Human Trafficking Prevention is recognizing Human Trafficking Awareness Month. Director Mary Kate Andrepont (AHN-dre-pont) says it’s an issue all over the state at all times of the year but one thing that sets Louisiana apart is its uniform referral system.

Cut 9 (09)  “…to victim services.”

Andrepont says they’re seeing more victims because of outreach efforts. She says officials are doing a better job at identifying trafficking victims.