President-elect Donald Trump gets inaugurated today. Andrew Greenstein reports.

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The Humane Society of Louisiana urges pet owners to provide extra protection from the cold.  Sean Richardson has more.

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TikTok’s days in the U.S. could be numbered. Colleen Crain reports.

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Today is the day when the 45th President officially becomes the 47th President. Donald Trump takes the oath of office at 11 this morning. When Trump begins his second non-consecutive term, he will do so with a Republican-controlled House and a Republican-controlled Senate. Speaker Mike Johnson says he hopes that will lead to the passage of some of his key agenda items, like renewing his tax cuts from his first term.

Cut 4 (13) “…Trump tax cuts.”

Once a pair of Trump’s cabinet nominees are confirmed, Republicans will only have a 217-to-215 majority in the House, meaning the G-O-P cannot lose a single vote in the House to pass legislation without Democratic support until those vacancies are filled by way of special elections. Historically, the party in power almost always loses seats in the House in midterm elections, so Republicans may only have two years to pass some of Trump’s most ambitious goals. Congresswoman Julia Letlow says she’s not worried about that.

Cut 5 (08) “…I possibly can.”

Democrat Cleo Fields, who like Trump is making his return to Congress after being out of office, says both parties need to work together to pass common-sense legislation that will improve the lives of all Americans.

Cut 6 (07) “…care about education.”

Fields says with a House that’s split almost right down the middle, it’s more important than ever for the two parties to cooperate.

Cut 7 (04) “…to work together.”

Due to dangerously cold weather in Washington, DC, the swearing-in ceremony will take place in the Capitol Rotunda.

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With temperatures dropping into the 20s and 30s overnight across Louisiana, the Humane Society of Louisiana urges pet owners to provide extra protection from the cold. Pet owners should bring dogs and cats indoors.  Outdoor dogs should have fresh, dry straw in their shelters, and insulated plastic bins can serve as makeshift shelters for outdoor cats.

Cut 8 (12) “…your animals inside.”

Dorson says if bringing your pets indoors another option is moving them into a garage or storage area, but do so responsibly.

Cut 9 (12)  “…come to our state.”

To treat hypothermia, bring pets indoors, wrap them in warm blankets, and dry wet fur. Advanced care may include warm IV fluids, heated pads, or warm oxygen therapy. Dorson emphasizes that if you’re cold, your pets likely are too, urging owners to protect their animals from harsh weather conditions.

Cut 10 (10) “…the best policy.”

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TikTok could be on its last legs after the Supreme Court upholds a law that bans the popular app in the U.S. TikTok is owned by ByteDance, which the Chinese government controls. As such, the U.S. is concerned that the Chinese government has access to Americans’ data. LSU law professor Del Wright says ByteDance argued that the ban was about stifling free speech, and the Supreme Court rejected that.

Cut 11 (10) “…and national security.”

Last week, President Biden said he would not enforce the ban, essentially punting that task to his successor, Donald Trump. Wright says the law is still on the books regardless of what Trump does or does not do.

Cut 12 (15) “…by lawsuits.”

Wright says the Supreme Court’s ruling, however, isn’t necessarily the final nail in the coffin for TikTok. He says the law contains some out provisions.

Cut 13 (09) “…close the deal.”

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The biggest snowstorm in decades could take place in Louisiana tomorrow. The National Weather Service says four to six inches of snow could fall north of I-10 to south of Alexandria. Two to four inches could fall south of the I-10-12 corridor and one to two inches could fall between Alexandria and I-20. And NWS Meteorologist Donald Jones says temperatures Tuesday night into Wednesday will be in the teens for most of the state…

Cut 14 (13) “…like temperatures.”

But it’s the snow that everyone is talking about. Jones says predicted snowfall accumulation could fluctuate, but the current projection is four to six inches of snow along the I-10 corridor, but Alexandria, Bunkie, Houma, Morgan City, New Orleans, Hammond, and Slidell could see three inches and possibly more…

Cut 15 (13) “…verify.”

Jones says because temperatures will be below freezing for most of the day on Tuesday, freezing rain is less likely…

Cut 16 (16) “…freezing rain.”

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Jayden Daniels’ magical season for the Washington Commanders continues for at least another week. To the surprise of nearly everyone in the NFL world, perhaps except for Daniels himself, the Commanders ousted the NFC’s top seed, the Detroit Lions, 45-31, in the Divisional Playoffs. The Heisman Trophy-winning former LSU quarterback said the Lions didn’t go 15-and-2 in the regular season for nothing.

Cut 17 (06)  “…challenge for us.”

Daniels came up a yard short of 300 yards and threw two touchdown passes. Daniels says the game – just like the season – was a grind.

Cut 18 (13)   “…position like this.”

The Washington franchise will appear in the NFC Championship Game for the first time in 33 years. If the Commanders win next week, Daniels would be the first rookie ever to start at quarterback in the Super Bowl.

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The fifth-ranked LSU women’s basketball team improved to 20-0 with an 80-63 victory over Flroida. It’s the second time in program history the Lady Tigers won their first 20 games. Mikayla Williams had 22 points and Aneesah Morrow added 20 points and 10 boards. After allowing Florida to score 21 points in the first quarter, Coach Kim Mulkey’s team played much better defense…

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The win sets up a huge matchup on Thursday night in Columbia, South Carolina as LSU will face the defending national champion Gamecocks. After Sunday’s game, Mulkey was not ready to talk about Thursday’s tilt…

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You’ll need a warm coat, gloves, hats and boots next week as Louisiana could see a significant winter storm. Jeff Palermo has the details…

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The governor and attorney general react angrily to a Justice Department report saying Louisiana State Police troopers routinely use excessive force during drug arrests and vehicle pursuits. Andrew Greenstein reports.

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Many schools and all state offices will be closed on Tuesday as artic cold weather is expected to grip the state and there’s a chance we’ll see snow on Tuesday. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says we’re looking at the possibility of a widespread snow event in the Bayou State…

Cut 3 (11) “…very, very closely.” 

The cold air mass will begin moving into the state on Sunday. Long periods of subfreezing temperatures and dangerous wind chills are expected Sunday night through Thursday. Keim says Monday and Tuesday will be very cold days…

Cut 4 (11) “…above freezing.”

But Keim says the potential for snow is what can make this particular winter storm memorable. He says models are indicating that moisture from the Gulf, combined with cold temperatures will help produce snow, possibly multiple inches…

Cut 5 (10) “…very often.”

The last measurable snowfall in New Orleans was 2009.

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The University of New Orleans (UNO) will furlough approximately 290 staff and faculty members as part of ongoing efforts to close a 10-million-dollar budget deficit driven by low enrollment. This follows previous cost-cutting steps, including layoffs, administrative reductions, consolidating five colleges into two, and closing facilities. President Kathy Johnson says the decision was hard but necessary to secure UNO’s future.

Cut 6 (09) “…gut-wrenching.”

UNO CFO Edwin Litoff says the furloughs aim to save 1.7-million-dollars, with a hiring freeze projected to reduce the deficit by an additional 2.5-million-dollars. However, Litoff acknowledges that further cuts, layoffs, and retirement incentives will be needed.

Cut 7 (09) “…end of the year.”

Efforts to restructure UNO last year yielded limited savings, contributing to the current crisis, as the university faces additional debt obligations and potential revenue shortfalls. Litoff says UNO also plans stricter tuition collection.

Cut 8 (09) “…classes for next semister.”

Employees earning over $100,000 face the longest unpaid leave periods.

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To get around the state, Governor Jeff Landry has been flying in a five-point-five-million-dollar airplane. Previous governors used helicopters but according to State Police the helicopters were 20 years old and difficult to maintain. WRKF Capitol Access Reporter Brooke Thorington broke the story along with Julie O’ Donoghue from the Louisiana Illuminator…

Cut 9 (09)  “…traveling on it.”

Public flight records show the single-engine plane traveling between Baton Rouge and Lafayette, near where the governor lives. The plane also made several back-and-forth trips between Baton Rouge and New Orleans after the Bourbon Street terrorist attack. Thorington says the plane was purchased last September….

Cut 10 (07) “…turbo prop plane.”

Thorington says they do know the plane is not just for the governor’s travels

Cut 11 (12) “…in a hurry.”

The governor’s office says using the plane instead of the helicopters should save the state money.

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The state has moved almost 160 homeless people in New Orleans, who were living in encampments around the Superdome, into a transitional shelter in Gentilly. Scott Adams, the chief of staff at GOHSEP, says they wanted to make the area around the Dome more secure…

Cut 12 (12) “…for Mardi Gras.”

Adams says they’re doing a lot more for the homeless people besides simply giving them shelter, food, showers and laundry.

Cut 13 (07)  “…get to work.”

The plan has drawn concern from a pair of state legislators and from nearby residents, even though there’s a concrete wall separating the neighborhoods from the street where the shelter is located off of on France Road. Adams says there is tight security in the area. 

Cut 14 (10) “…areas are impacted.”

The shelter will be open through Mardi Gras and later if need be and it could cost the state up to 16-million dollars, depending on how long it stays open.