Entergy is reporting nearly 50-thousand people are still without power and customers in parishes like Union, Ouachita, East Carroll, Morehouse and West Carroll may have to wait until Saturday before the power is restored. Entergy’s vice president of customer service, Nyka Scott says they have opened information centers to help customers who are dealing with a prolonged outage. She says these are places where customers can charge devices and access assistance.

Cut 8 (12) “…their areas.”

A 73-year-old woman was stabbed to death in her apartment in Bastrop and a 17-year-old has been charged in her murder. Morehouse Parish Sheriff’s Chief Deputy James Mardis says they do not know why Amier Dolwes killed Ruby Lee Peterson. The two lived in the same apartment complex…

Cut 11 (06) “…knew him yes”

Louisiana had a net population gain last year. The U.S. Census Bureau says between July 1st, 2024, and June 30th, 2025, Louisiana added about 33-hundred people to its population total. Demographer Greg Rigamer says that net increase still does not get Louisiana’s population back to the level at the beginning of the decade.

Cut 21 (09) “…40-thousand people.”

Rigamer says that growth pales to the population gains seen in neighboring states like Texas, Tennessee, Florida and North Carolina.

We could see a partial federal government shutdown if the Senate does not pass a House approved funding package. Democrats saying they’ll pass the budgets for the other five departments, but they want to pull Homeland Security from the package, tying its funding approval to Republicans agreeing to a series of conditions, including ending roving patrols and establishing a universal code of conduct. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says whereas Republicans might not have previously acquiesced to those demands, this time they might.

Cut 4 (11) “…in this case.”

Some people in northeast Louisiana have been waiting a long time to get their power restored. Now, Entergy says they may have to wait a little longer. It says it may be as late as Saturday before it can restore power to everyone. Nyka (NIGH-kah) Scott, the vice president of customer service for Entergy, says that’s because the task was a lot more daunting than originally anticipated.

Cut 6 (09) “…than we thought.”

Entergy has opened information centers to help customers who are dealing with a prolonged outage. These are places where customers can charge devices and access assistance.

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 apartment in Bastrop. 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.”

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

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

According to police records, the Teacher of the Year at Broussard Middle School has been arrested on child sex abuse charges. Thirty-seven-year-old Christi Oster has been charged with indecent behavior with a juvenile and carnal knowledge of a juvenile. Lafayette Police say Oster had an inappropriate relationship with a former student.

It’s a huge political networking event and D-C Mardi Gras is happening this week in our nation’s capital. Events are underway all this week with a dinner dance on Friday and a Mardi Gras Ball on Saturday. But LaPolitics publisher and editor Jeremy Alford says amid all the parties and pageantry, there are big issues and storylines.

Cut 11 (09) “…cycle as well.”

Could we be headed for another government shutdown? That could happen – more specifically a partial shutdown – if the Senate fails to give its approval to a House-passed funding package by midnight tomorrow night. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says the six pending bills were cruising towards passage – but then, something happened last weekend.

Cut 3 (08) “…that want changes.”

Louisiana trails other Southern states in internships and apprenticeships for high school students. That’s why the Leaders for a Better Louisiana are alerting businesses about a new state tax credit employers can take advantage of if they hire interns or have an apprenticeship program. Better Louisiana Chief Policy Officer Barry Erwin…

Cut 30 (09)“…them do that.”

A really cool event happens in the Superdome on Saturday night as one-thousand musicians both amateur and professional will gather to play iconic rock songs. It started in Italy in 2015 and Saturday night in the Dome will be their first ever U-S performance. I told you, many of the musicians are amateurs, including ten-year-old George Schafer of Covington…

Cut 15 (05) “….they were 10”

Schafer say she’s been playing the guitar since he’s five years old.

Louisiana had a net population gain last year. The U.S. Census Bureau says between July 1st, 2024, and June 30th, 2025, Louisiana added about 33-hundred people to its population. But demographer Greg Rigamer says that growth pales to the population gains seen in neighboring states like Texas, Tennessee, Florida and North Carolina.

Cut 8 (08) “…to a place.”

Louisiana had the seventh worst-population growth in the nation in 2025 according to the latest Census data.

A new state tax credit available to businesses is designed to encourage employers to hire interns and have apprenticeships. Leaders for a Better Louisiana CEO Barry Erwin says employers must employ the individual for at least 100 hours in the tax year to qualify….

Cut 6 (11) “….dollars a year”

D-C Mardi Gras festivities pick up today in the nation’s capital. It’s one of the largest political networking events of the year. Lapolitics publisher Jeremy Alford says with this year being an election year, the candidates running for U.S. Senate and the now-open fifth congressional district seat will use this event to secure campaign donations.

Cut 12 (11) “…in touch with.”

The first ever U-S Rockin 1000 concert will take place at the Caesars Superdome on Saturday. It features one-thousand musicians playing iconic rock anthems and there will be musicians from Louisiana involved, including 70-year-old drummer Andy Chetta of Covington…

Cut 13 (06) “…couldn’t pass up”

The musicians begin rehearsals today and the concert is Saturday night.

LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier is at the Senior Bowl this week to showcase his talents to NFL scouts, coaches, and general managers. Nussmeier’s father, Doug Nussmeier, is currently the offensive coordinator of the Saints and has coached in the NFL for over eight years. Nussmeier says his father has helped him prepare for the NFL interviewing process.

Cut 19 (13) “…to be asked.”

LSU head coach Lane Kiffin and running backs coach Kevin Smith were in the 337 today to do some high school recruiting. Their first stop was in St. Martin Parish at Cecilia High School, likely checking in with four-star athlete Braylon Calais. Calais is rated as the No. 47 player in the country in the Class of 2027. Kiffin and Smith also stopped at Acadiana High School before ending their trip at Billy’s Boudin and Cracklins in Scott.

Saints’ linebacker Demario Davis hinted at testing the NFL free agency market yesterday. Davis appeared on Kay Adams’ “Up & Adams’ show yesterday, saying he would be returning to the NFL for a 15^th season in 2026, but didn’t specify that he’d be back in New Orleans. Davis has played for the Saints since 2018.

The LSU men’s basketball team looks to avoid their third straight loss tonight as the Tigers host Mississippi State at 6 p.m.

Louisiana Tech men’s basketball is at UTEP tonight at 8 p.m. as the Bulldogs look to win their second straight.

Last night, McNeese men’s basketball defeated Southeastern 76-66 to improve to 17-4. Freshman guard Larry Johnson led the team in scoring with 20 points. The Cowboys are still second in the Southland, one game behind Stephen F. Austin.

Last night, UNO dominated Nicholls 80-62 in Thibodaux to improve to 8-13 on the year. Junior center Churchill Abass scored 20 points in the Privateers’ win.

The No. 6 LSU women’s basketball team goes for its sixth straight win tomorrow night as the Tigers host Arkansas at 7 p.m.

The state health department has confirmed another winter storm-related death, but the number of deaths connected to the ice storm is still eight. That’s because the death of a 62-year-old man in Sabine Parish is no longer considered storm related. So, the eighth death tied to the storm is a 65-year-old man in Jackson Parish who died from hypothermia after his home lost power.

Red Cross disaster action teams have responded to scores of home fires in the last week. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Traffic is flowing smoothy once again on I-20 between Shreveport and Monroe.  Erin Buchanan with DOTD says crews were able to clear I-20 of all of those stalled 18-wheelers that had traffic halted for multiple days.

Cut 12 (13) “…the sunshine too.”

Ruston Mayor Ronnie Walker says with help from local police, he went to I-20 on Monday to provide the hundreds of stranded motorists with food and water…

Cut 10 (12) “…that much ice”

Another contributing factor….according to Governor Jeff Landry the brine sprayed on I-20 to prevent ice from forming, actually froze, so it was NOT able to act as an anti-icing agent.

The American Red Cross says over the last seven days they’ve responded to no fewer than 44 single-family home fires and two multi-family home fires throughout the state. Shelby Wells with the Red Cross of Louisiana says they are not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of Americans to perform its mission. Wells says the money that the Red Cross gives to those who are displaced by a fire is never a loan…

Cut 8 (08) “…all-donation funded”

The cold weather is not good for crawfish as mudbugs find warmth by burrowing into the mud. LSU Ag Center crawfish agent Todd Fontenot says that keeps them growing…

Cut 4 (04) “…somewhat”

Another blast of arctic air is expected this weekend, but Fontenot says we are still on pace for a normal peak crawfish season that runs from late February through April.

Vehicles are finally moving at a normal speed on I-20 as the interstate that crosses north Louisiana is finally free of the dangerous ice that had traffic at a standstill for multiple days. DOTD spokesperson Erin Buchanan says drivers on I-20 still need to be careful…

Cut 13 (10) “….the most part”

Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker says hundreds of vehicles were stranded on I-20 in very cold temperatures…

Cut 11 (10) “…or whatever”

You may have heard about a private jet crash in Maine that killed six people last Sunday. One of the victims is Sabine Parish native and Tulane graduate Tara Arnold. Arnold was a personal injury attorney in Houston. The plane was on its way to France and it stopped in Maine. The aircraft crashed shortly after take off in snowy conditions in Maine.