Light snow in north Louisiana will come to an end this morning, but there’s plenty of the white stuff around to build a snowman. The winter storm has also led to numerous closures, especially bridges and overpasses that freeze in these types of conditions. State Police Trooper Brent Hardy says use the 5-1-1 system to get the latest on road closures…
cut 15 (110 “….have to travel”
State offices are closed in 29 parishes.

We are entering the tenth month of the coronavirus pandemic and hospitals are gearing up for an increase in births. Woman’s Hospital is expecting about 200 more births than normal next quarter. Chief Nursing Officer at Woman’s Cheri Johnson says families have adapted to the changes in visitation rules at hospitals….
cut 8 (07) “….virtually”

Lost in the crush of news last week was the fact that Democrats now control both chambers of Congress. Matt Doyle spoke with an analyst about what to expect in the short term from the new blue majority…
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

The Saints are heading to the NFL’s divisional round of the playoffs after a solid 21-9 win over the Chicago Bears yesterday. The defense didn’t allow a touchdown until the final play of the game and Quarterback Drew Brees threw for 265 yards and two TDs. New Orleans will host Tampa Bay this Sunday.

It’s a winter wonderland across north Louisiana this morning as at least a couple of inches of snow fell. It’s fun for the kids as they get a chance to build a snowman, but the winter precipitation also produces slick roadways. State Police Trooper Brent Hardy says if you do not have to drive anywhere stay at home…
cut 13 (10) “…want that”
The snow will not last long as high temperatures today will get into the low 40s.

It’s a new week, so that means thousands of more individuals will get a COVID vaccine. But will it protect you from coronavirus mutations? LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine, Doctor Lucio Miele, says the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines can be easily adapted…
cut 5 (12) “….the past”

The number of COVID-19 patients in the hospital has fallen below two-thousand to 1,960 and 225 of those individuals are on a ventilator. That’s according to the latest COVID numbers provided by the state health department. COVID-19 deaths rose by 40 on Sunday to 7,447 confirmed COVID related fatalities.

Even though the pandemic has changed hospital visitation, families are making unique adjustments when it comes to childbirth. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

It’s a snow day across north Lousiana as a winter storm has blanketed the region. The ULM Weather office reports that two-and-a-half inches of snow fell near Forsythe Park in Monroe. There are road closures as bridges and overpasses are icy. SWEPCO reports 15-thousand customers in northwest Louisiana are without power.

Mutations of the coronavirus raise concerns the vaccines will not be effective. Brooke Thorington spoke with a physician at LSU-Health New Orleans
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

This week, Democrats will push to impeach President Donald Trump over the riot that took place at the U-S Capitol last week. Democrats now have the Majority in the Senate and House and political analyst Clancy Dubos says once Joe Biden is sworn in as President look for COVID-19 relief legislation and there are two other issues that have widespread support within the caucus…
cut 11 (08) “…presidency”

Chief Nursing Officer at Baton Rouge Woman’s Hospital Cheri Johnson says they thought birth rates would decline due to uncertainty and financial fallout from the pandemic. But instead, they’re seeing a slight uptick and they believe changes in the work environment are why many are choosing to add a member to the family.
Cut 7 (05) “…childcare”
Johnson says they expect 200 more births than normal next quarter.

Much of north Louisiana is covered in snow this morning and numerous roads are closed. State Police Trooper Brent Hardy says if you do have to drive, reduce your speed, increase your following distance behind other vehicles, and anticipate stops…
cut 14 (12) “…too quickly”
Hardy says you can get more information on road closures by utilizing the state’s 5-1-1 system at 5-1-1-dot-la-dot-org.

As two new mutations of the coronavirus have been reported, questions arise if the current vaccines being rolled out in the US will provide adequate protection. Assistant Dean for Translational Science at LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine, Doctor Lucio Miele says they will.
Cut 4 (10) “…vaccine.”

U-S House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says Democrats will introduce Articles of Impeachment against President Donald Trump if Vice President Mike Pence doesn’t invoke the powers of the 25th Amendment to remove Trump from office. Baton Rouge Republican Congressman Garret Graves has called for President Trump to effectively resign.

Democrats now control the House and Senate and Political Analyst Clancy Dubos on the long-range goals for the party while they are in the majority…
cut 12 (11) “…change”

The Saints defeated the Chicago Bears 21-9 in the NFL wild-card round of the playoffs. New Orleans will host Tom Brady and Tampa Bay this Sunday for a trip to the NFC Championship game.

Starting today food stamp recipients in Louisiana will see roughly a 15-percent increase in benefits through June as a result of the coronavirus relief bill Congress passed and the President signed last month. DCFS Secretary of the Division of Family Support Shavana Howard says for a household of three…
cut 4 (11) “…a month”
Howard says the 300-dollars in extra federal unemployment benefits will not go towards a person’s income when determining SNAP eligibility.

On the steps of the Lousiana State Capitol yesterday, the chairperson of the Louisiana Democratic Party, Katie Bernhardt, held a press conference…
cut 8 (11) “….democracy”
The Louisiana GOP released a statement that said the party condemns violent protests and it is not part of the democratic process.

It will be a cold weekend and snow is in the forecast Sunday night into Monday morning for the northern half of the state….
cut 12 (12) “…Alexandria”
That’s Matt Hemingway with the National Weather Service in Shreveport, who says south Louisiana expect some cold rain.

Before the snow arrives, the Saints will face the Bears in the Superdome on Sunday afternoon. Running back Alvin Kamara is expected to be activated from the COVID-19-reserve list and Quarterback Drew Brees says their ability to run the football has been a key to their success…
cut 17 (15) “….good formula”
Kick-off for the NFL playoff game is at 3:40.