Louisiana Radio Network, I’m Jeff Palermo….

Cut 9 (11) “…transportation”

That’s Greg Hilburn, a reporter with the USA Today Network. Hilburn is like many in north Louisiana, hunkered down in his home with no power, but able to stay warm because of his fireplace. According to power-outage-dot-com, more than 120-thousand utility customers are without power, 47-thousand of the outages are in Ouachita Parish. Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell represents all of north Louisiana. Campbell says the buildup of ice on tree limbs has led to many of the outages…

Cut 6 (10) “…up here.”

Entergy says its crews are prepared to work long hours to restore service to customers as safely and quickly as possible.

If it seems like you’re paying up the nose in sales taxes, the Tax Foundation says you’re right.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Senator Bill Cassidy along with several other Republican members of Congress, has called for an in-depth investigation into federal immigration tactics after the fatal shooting in Minnesota of U.S. citizen, Alex Pretti by a U-S Border Patrol Agent. Cassidy said the events in Minneapolis are “incredibly disturbing” and the credibility of ICE and D.H.S. are at stake.”

The freezing rain is coming down in northwest Louisiana and the mixed precipitation has started to move into the Monroe area. Jason Hansford with the National Weather Service says an inch of ice could accumulate…

Cut 15 (16) “..those areas”

The state department of transportation has closed some roads, bridges and interstate ramps in Bossier, Caddo and Ouachita Parish. I-49 between south junction of MacArthur Drive and Rapides Station Road in Rapides Parish is also closed. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett…

Cut 9 (12) “…going to be”

At least 12 people have died this year in house fires and officials are concerned that number will increase over the next couple of days as people try to stay warm. State Fire Marshal Bryan Adams says when using a space heater, keep it away from anything that can easily catch fire…

Cut 10 (10) “…stay warm.”

Adams says do not try to use your oven to warm up your home. He says if you have a fire going in your fireplace, make sure it is out before you go to sleep.

the start of next week will be brutally cold by anyone’s standards, not just Louisiana’s – in the teens and possibly single digits in north Louisiana and in the upper teens or low 20s in south Louisiana. Mark Wilson with the LSU Ag Center says if you have shrubs and plants that were planted in the last two years, cover them now before the cold arrives.

Cut 13 (10)  “…insulation.”

Freezing rain is falling across the northern portions of Louisiana this morning and temperatures have dipped into the upper 20s in some places. Jason Hansford with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says the winter precipitation has started to cover roads and grassy surfaces….

Cut 15 (28) “…late tonight”

Natchitoches, Jonesboro, Homer, Monroe and Jena could see three quarters of an inch to an inch of ice. If get any snowfall, it will be less than inch. Once the precipitation moves out, the real cold air moves in. Temperatures in the single digits to low teens on Monday and Tuesday morning for north Louisiana.

As we told you in the first minute, areas of light to moderate sleet and freezing rain are moving through much of north Louisiana. The National Weather Service says road conditions are deteriorating along the I-20 corridor. Governor Jeff Landry is advising residents to stay home if the winter precipitation is falling…

Cut 20 (28) “…the roads”

The state transportation department has already closed several roads in Caddo Parish. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett says travelers can find information regarding road closures by downloading the 511 mobile app or by visiting the 511 Traveler information website….

Cut 10 (10) “…the notice.”

Freezing rain is falling this morning in Shreveport and in the towns of Minden, Farmerville and Bastrop. LRN Meteorologist Bill Jacquemin on what we can expect from this ice storm as the day goes on…

Cut 19 (24) “…to fall”

The power companies spent this week getting ready for this ice storm. Nyka (NIGH-kah) Scott, the vice president of customer service for Entergy, says Entergy crews have been working to minimize power outages by cutting back branches from powerlines.

Cut 5 (10) “…they do break.”

The 7:30 newscast on Saturday is usually devoted to sports…so let’s give some sports headlines now. The big story happened last night as offensive tackle Jordan Seaton signed with the LSU Tigers. Seaton has started the last two seasons at Colorado and he’s the best offensive lineman in the transfer portal. Coach Lane Kiffin signed the number one quarterback, edge rusher and offensive tackle in the transfer portal. ‘

In basketball….The Pelicans outscored the Grizzlies 40 to 26 in the fourth quarter last night and New Orleans defeated Memphis 133 to 127. Saddiq Bey scored 19 of his season-high 36 points in the fourth quarter.

Louisiana Tech had a big second half to erase a 12-point deficit and defeated Kennesaw State 82 to 76. Scooter Williams had 28 points to lead the way.

The LSU men’s basketball game against Arkansas has been moved up to 4 PM today, because of the snow storm in Fayetteville.

The wintry mix precipitation has made its way into Louisiana as light ice pellets are falling at Shreveport Regional Airport where the temperature is 30-degrees and the real feel temperature is 17-degrees. We still have overcast skies in Monroe and it’s 30 degrees there too. 39 degrees in Alexandria.

The National Weather Service in Shreveport says the freezing line is located just south of the I-20 corridor. So, any precipitation falling north of Winnsboro and Coushatta will be freezing rain, along with some sleet.

State Officials are urging people, especially those who live in north Louisiana, to stay off the roads. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett says with the storm hitting on a weekend, they hope that results in people staying home…

Cut 11 (11) “…on ice”

Power companies say they are prepared for what they are anticipating to be a major ice storm, which means thousands of people could be without power for multiple days. Executive secretary of the Louisiana Public Service Commission, Brandon Frey, says if you encounter a downed powerline do not touch it or approach it under any circumstances…

Cut 4 (09) “….to do anything”

Many homeowners are trying to protect outdoor plants, shrubs and trees that are sensitive to below freezing temperatures. Mark Wilson with the LSU Ag Center says if you can’t bring them inside, at least move them closer to your house if they are in a container…

Cut 14 (14) “…will help”

A powerful winter storm will hit Louisiana this weekend. The biggest threat is the ice north Louisiana will possibly see. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim…

Cut 8 (13) “…see something”

A quarter inch or more of freezing rain and ice is expected to form on Louisiana roads between the I-20 corridor and the Arkansas border.

Governor Landry has declared a state of emergency. Landry says while Louisiana had a historic snow event last year, snow is easier to deal with than ice.

Cut 26 (13)  “…them to fail.”

The last major ice storm to hit Louisiana was February 2021 and many customers were without power for two to four days.

With the ice storm’s imminent arrival, utility crews are ready to restore power when the power gets knocked out. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Many homeowners are trying to protect outdoor plants, shrubs and trees that are sensitive to below freezing temperatures. Mark Wilson with the LSU Ag Center says if you can’t bring them inside, at least move them closer to your house if they are in a container…

Cut 14 (14) “…will help”

The I-20 corridor in North Louisiana will be under a winter storm warning beginning at 6:00 this evening. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says a combination of freezing rain, sleet and snow are expected.

Cut 11 (13) “…some significant problems.”

Governor Landry says once the wintry precipitation starts falling, stay off the roads.

Cut 15 (13) “…is extremely dangerous.”

The biggest concern is for significant icing and snow north of I-20. Central Louisiana expected to see some icing, while the ice might miss south Louisiana. The entire state will not be able to avoid the cold temperatures, especially Monday morning.

A national animal rights group is weighing on an attempt to legalize cockfighting in St. Landry Parish. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A former St. Mary Parish high school teacher has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of attempted enticement of a minor. Court documents say Katherine Albarado used her personal email to send sexually explicit messages and video to a sixteen-year-old student. She was arrested in May of 2022. If convicted, she faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years in federal prison and could face a life sentence.