A major cold front will enter the state Saturday bringing rain, wind, and near-freezing temps. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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The state announces it will receive a billion dollars over the next five years from the federal government to rebuild bridges. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (31)…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

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Fans of Betty White are giving the beloved actress a true Mardi Gras send-off on what would have been the day before her 100^th birthday Sunday. Retired New Orleans realtor, Santa T Claus says it began as a passing thought the day after her death and has now grown into a full-blown parade and fundraiser.

Cut 3 (04) “…think now.”

White’s birthday would have been on Monday but due to the Martin Luther King holiday, the parade was moved to Sunday. Claus says because the first lady of television loved animals’ attendees are more than welcome to bring their well-behaved four-legged friends. The parade begins at 4 o’clock at the corner of Bourbon and Canal.

Cut 4 (10) “…Jackson Square(x2).”

Claus says attendees are also encouraged to bring a pet toy to donate and they are also raising money for the Villalobos Rescue Center in memory of the actress.

Cut 5 (09) “…to California.”

It’s not the first time a Mardi Gras parade has memorialized an out-of-town celebrity, in 2017 actress Carrie Fisher was honored, and in 2016 both David Bowie and Prince received memorial parades.

For more information visit FaceBook forward-slash Santa Claus New Orleans

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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries reports thousands of fish – and over one hundred birds, snakes and other animals – died as a result of a pipeline spill in St. Bernard Parish. LDWF Oil Response Coordinator Laura Carver says 75 alligators have also been captured for rehabilitation…

 Cut 6 (06) “…for rehab” 

The spill from a severely corroded & ruptured pipeline was discovered in late December. Most of the diesel fuel spilled into two artificial ponds. Cleanup work continues. Carver says the spill killed 25-hundred fish…

Cut 7 (05) “…shad.” 

Dozens of snakes and birds were also killed.

Carver says in addition to rehabbing alligators, they are also rehabbing birds, snakes and turtles…

Cut 8 (07) “…rehabilitation center.” 

Carter says at least cleanup work is moving quickly since the spill was contained to a small area. Collins Pipeline Company operates the pipeline and federal records reportedly show the operator delayed needed repairs on the pipeline.

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Get your winter coat ready because it’s going to be a chilly weekend as a cold front enters the state Saturday. According to State Climatologist, Barry Keim areas north of I-20 could experience a wintery mix of precipitation tomorrow.

Cut 9 (13) “…Floriday parishes”

Keim says Saturday will be a big transitional day with rain and possibly a wintery mix in the northern parishes.

Cut 10 (08)  “…most of the state.”

Keim says the wind chill will make it feel even colder on Sunday and you’ll need that extra blanket for a few more nights because it will be even colder on Monday

Cut  11 (10)  “…behind that.”

Keim says it shouldn’t be a deep enough freeze to wrap your pipes but definitely bring in the pets and plants.

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The governor’s office announces Louisiana is receiving a billion dollars to repair crumbling bridges The money comes from the recently approved Infrastructure Law. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says the federal government allocated the dollars based on need and Louisiana is getting a big slice of the pie…

Cut 12 (08) “…our condition.”  

The state owns 78-hundred bridges with nearly 800 of them needing to be replaced or in need of major repair. About another 800 locally owned bridges are also in desperate need of rehab or replacement.

Wilson says the state will spend about 200-million of the one billion this year and they’ve released a list of bridge projects that will see funding this year…

Cut 13 (11) “…this year”

Among the projects that will see funding…The Jimmie Davis Bridge Replacement in Caddo Parish, I-20 Orange Street Overpass Repair in Ouachita Parish, and Berwick Bay Bridge Rehabilitation in St. Mary Parish.

Wilson says Louisiana will receive the one-billion dollars over the next five years. He says more planning is needed to use any of it on a new Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge, but for Lake Charles…

Cut 14 (12)  “…one project” 

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The State Fire Marshal’s office says a Lacombe man died after going back into a burning home to rescue his pets. Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says the home caught fire early Tuesday morning. Two people in their 60’s made it safely outside, but the man went back inside to save the family dogs…:

Cut 15 (07) “…died a day later.” 

The 60-year-old man’s name is withheld for now. He died in the hospital a day after the fire. Firefighters say the damage was too bad to determine if the home had working smoke detectors. Rodrigue has this advice for everyone who finds themselves escaping a burning building..:

Cut  16 (12) “…if we lose that.”

The U.S. Supreme Court blocks the Biden White House mandate ordering COVID shots for employees of private companies. Kevin Gallagher gets some reaction…:

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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Governor Edwards warns of a dangerous trend to intentional contract COVID. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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A new report shows the number of smokers in Louisiana at an all-time low. More on that from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

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President Biden announced the administration is purchasing another 500-million home COVID tests in addition to the 500-million already ordered to assist with COVID testing.  Louisiana Senator and physician, Bill Cassidy says while he agrees with testing, the effort comes too late amid the Omicron surge.

Cut 4 (08) “…didn’t prioritize it.” 

The White House also plans to distribute high-quality masks at no cost and next week a website will be launched so Americans can order the free home COVID tests. It’s not clear when those free tests will be available, but Cassidy says home tests should be readily available now.

Cut 5 (08) “…tests now.”

Cassidy shared with reporters that his own wife told him she’s also unable to locate a home test.

Cut 6 (10) “…herself.”

To locate the nearest testing site call 2-1-1.

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Upon hearing of a trend to intentionally catch COVID so individuals can put the virus behind them, Governor Edwards alerted the public not to and says for some the Omicron variant has severe consequences.

Cut 7 (10) “…can’t do that.”

Edwards says the danger of exposing yourself on purpose to COVID increases the chances of overwhelming the healthcare delivery system. He says even the cases that are referred to as mild will make you feel sick.

Cut 8 (10) “…long time.”

Because the Omicron variant is the most highly transmissible form of COVID to date Edwards says if individuals deliberately infect themselves the outcome affects more than just that one person.

Cut 9 (12)  “…if that happens.”

As for a statewide mask mandate, Edwards says that would be dictated by COVID hospitalizations.

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New data shows the number of Louisianans who smoke cigarettes is at an all-time low. A report from the Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living says the percentage of adults who smoke is down to just over 18-percent; down from about 22-percent in 2019. TFL director Dr. Earl Benjamin Robinson says the crunching of data continues, but the numbers are welcome news…:

Cut 10 (07) “…contextualize that drop.”

The numbers come from TFL’s 2020 Behavioral Risk study. Demographically, the biggest group to quit smoking were adults without a high school diploma; a drop of over 6-percent. People in lower income households also quit at a high rate; indicating that additional tobacco taxes are having a chilling effect on the unhealthy habit. Dr. Robinson says the report is an indicator that TFLs efforts are paying off…:

Cut  11 (12)  “…second-hand smoke can do.”  

Robinson says Shreveport recently became the 30^th municipality in the state to enact a citywide smoking ban in all public buildings, bars, and casinos. He says the report is encouraging and inspires optimism…:

Cut 12 (11) “…individuals are protected.”

Robinson hopes to see an even lower number in the next study. For help kicking the tobacco habit, visit “QuitWithUsLA.org”.

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The U.S. Supreme Court has blocked the White House COVID vaccine mandate for private businesses. The Biden Administration sought to use the federal Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) to enforce shots for all companies with 100 or more workers. Six conservative justices voted for the block, while 3 liberal justices voted against. Loyola University law professor Dan Ciolino says he doesn’t see it as a purely partisan decision…:

Cut 13 (13) “…a democratic president.”

One person happy to hear the Supreme Court decision is businessman Brandon Trosclair, who owns supermarkets in Louisiana & Mississippi; employing about 500 people. He was among the first business owners to legally challenge the Biden/OSHA mandate. He says the High Court got this one right…:

Cut 14 (09)  “…just super-relieved.”

Trosclair says he is not against the idea of getting the vaccine but doesn’t need the government to intrude between him and his staff. Trosclair says whether his workers get the shot or not is their business, not his or anyone else’s…:

Cut 15 (06)  “…the vaccine itself.”

But the court ruled to uphold another mandate – the one demanding the shots for employees of health care providers who accept Medicare or Medicaid – by a 5-4 vote. Professor Ciolino feels the justices got this one right as well…:

Cut  16 (15) “…surely does have that.”

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Former LSU quarterback Joe Burrow makes his NFL playoff debut on Saturday when the Bengals host the Raiders to kick off the NFL’s Wildcard weekend. Burrow led Cincinnati to its first AFC North Championship since 2015 and is getting a lot of credit for Cincy’s turnaround. But Burrow says he’s playing with the best group of receivers in the NFL…

Cut 17 (21) “ .in the league” 

Former LSU wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase set an NFL record with most receiving yards for a rookie. Chase said after he was drafted that he would break records and says he meant it…

Cut 18 (11) “ ..playoff records” 

1991 was the last time the Bengals won a playoff game, but Burrow is not bothered by it…

Cut 19 (19)_“…try to do” 

A study by personal finance website WalletHub ranks our state among the worst in which to raise a family. Jeff Palermo has that…:

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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The Omicron variant has yet to peak in Louisiana and Governor Edwards says COVID is having a greater impact on children now. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (32)…I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

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A new report from the personal finance website “WalletHub” ranks Louisiana among the worst states in which to raise a family. WalletHub data analyst Jill Gonzales says factors like health & safety, education, costs of child care, poverty, child mortality & more were considered…:

Cut 3 (07) “…raising a family.”

The WalletHub study compared all 50 states across 51 key socio-economic indicators of family-friendliness. Gonzales says Louisiana’s performance in these area are why it ranks Third Worst as a place to raise a family…:

Cut 4 (12) “…to zone in on.”

Gonzales says families should view the report if they are considering moving their family to the Bayou State for a job opportunity…:

Cut 5 (15) “…be a little bit better.”

To see the report, go to “WalletHub.com/edu”

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The state health department reports 2,081 COVID hospitalizations today; an increase of 82 from Wednesday. Governor John Bel Edwards says hospitalizations among children from the Omicron variant are also on the rise and he wantsd to dispel any rumors that COVID is not impacting children.

 Cut 6 (11) “…than Delta surge.” 

Edwards says some of those children admitted are between the ages of zero to four, which are not eligible to be vaccinated.

The state is also tracking COVID re-infections, Edwards says those cases are available on the Department of Health’s COVID Dashboard. LDH is also in the process of analyzing those cases and will soon share the percentage of reinfections among the unvaccinated.

Cut 7 (10) “…start of the pandemic.” 

According to the CDC, 60-percent of reinfections from September to December in the US are among the unvaccinated.

Edwards continues to remind the public of the importance of being fully vaccinated and boosted with the Omicron variant. He says statistics show that being inoculated is in your favor.

Cut 8 (11) “…to die.” 

Edwards also encouraged indoor masking to decrease COVID transmission in a concerted effort not to overwhelm the health care delivery system. When asked about reinstating the mask mandate Edwards says the topic will be discussed with hospital leaders next week at their weekly meetings.

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Central Louisiana authorities have arrested two people in connection with the kidnapping and murder of 27-year-old Deven Brooks. Ball Police Cheif Marshall Deen says Brooks was taken from his home earlier this week in Ball and his body was discovered two days later along the Red River…

Cut 9 (09) “…kidnapping”

Two people arrested for Brooks’ death are Terrance Lavalais and Jamaria Randle. Both are 21-years-old and from Alexandria. Deen says they believe Brooks knew one of the suspects, but they are not sure of an exact motive…

Cut 10 (12)  “…the murder”

Brooks’ body was found on Tuesday. Officers say he was shot in the head. Deen credits good collaboration with the Alexandria Police Department in making an arrest so quickly…

Cut  11 (12)  “…theres.”

Lavalais and Randle are both charged with second-degree murder and aggravated kidnapping. Bond has been set at 400-thousand dollars for each.

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A Lake Charles man and woman are arrested after detectives discovered one-million dollars’ worth of illegal narcotics in their possession. Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Tony Mancuso says the combined anti-drug task force arrested 43-year-old Caleb Barfield and 30-year-old Kimberly Breaux last week.

Cut 12 (11) “…that also.”  

Among the drugs seized were 170 grams of the synthetic opioid fentanyl, Lake Charles Police Chief Shawn Caldwell explains what a lethal dose of fentanyl is.

Cut 13 (10) “…rice worth of fentanyl.”

With the seizure of such a large amount of illegal drugs, both Mancuso and Caldwell credit the task force with saving numerous lives. Caldwell says the number of drug overdose deaths has doubled in the parish.

Cut 14 (11)  “…are OD-ing.” 

The two face a plethora of drug charges including intent to sell, possession of illegal firearms, and in the presence of a juvenile. Barfield’s bond was set at $803-thousand and Breaux’s at $59 thousand. She was released on bond Friday.

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The U.S. Supreme Court has blocked President Biden’s vaccine mandate on private businesses. The mandate would have required employees with over 100 workers to mandate the COVID vaccine or weekly testing. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says today’s ruling rejects federal government overreach…

Cut 15 (06) “…this decision.” 

Cassidy he advises people to get the COVID vaccine, but….

Cut  16 (05) “..Supreme Court agrees”