It’s a wet winter day across much of Louisiana. Jeff Palermo has more.:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne announced the closure of state government offices in 44 parishes as of noon today.

Additionally, The Governor’s Office says the Restore Louisiana Task Force meeting has been cancelled. Governor Edwards says they will instead hold a news conference this afternoon to address important updates related to ongoing flood recovery efforts and the plan for aid disbursement.

LSU All-American Safety Jamal Adams announces he’s skipping his senior season and entering the NFL draft. Adams held a press conference this morning to thank all of those who helped him become a likely first-round draft choice. Adams was emotional when talking about his parents…:
Cut 15 (15) “thank em enough”
Adams joins running back Leonard Fournette and defensive lineman Davon Godchaux, who previously declared their intentions to leave.

FedEX is getting the word out that delivery delays are highly likely due to winter weather that’s swept across its home base in Memphis. The company said costumers should expect “substantial disruptions at its hub overnight.

A winter storm warning has now been issued for 5 parishes in Northeast Louisiana: Catahoula, Concordia, Franklin, Madison and Tensas, until midnight tonight. This means a combination of Snow/sleet/ice accumulations are imminent — possibly up to two inches. Mark McAllister with the National Weather Service says temperatures may not get above freezing — teens and low 20s, with even lower wind chills..:
CUT 5 (07) “lower teens”
South Louisiana won’t be spared from the winter weather. Christopher Bannan with the National Weather Service in Slidell says winter weather advisories are in effect for the Baton Rouge area and parishes along the Northshore…:
Cut 6 (09) “surge in”
They say the main concern with all this is that this cold air is moving in much faster than expected.

Two Washington Parish parents have been arrested amid allegations they were mistreating young children. Acting on a call from a concerned citizen, Chief Deputy Mike Haley says authorities were shocked with they looked into the complaint…:
Cut 9 (12) “very, very spoiled”
28-year-old Jessie Hoyt and 26-year-old Kayla Hoyt were arrested and booked on four counts of cruelty to juveniles. The children are now in state custody.

The Humane Society of Louisiana says an arrest was made this morning in Iberia Parish after a German Shepard was found to be tied to a tree in this freezing weather. The owner was charged with simple cruelty to animals. Officials say whenever we get a freeze or hard rain, pet owners are required by law to provide adequate shelter for all animals and livestock.

State Police in Ouachita Parish has already started closing on ramps along I-20 due to icy and slippery roads as temperatures continue to rapidly drop throughout the state. Schools as far south as St. Helena and the Felicianas are closing early today due to the threat of winter weather.

As the Restore Louisiana Task Force is slated to meet again today to discuss federal flood relief distribution, members are asking victims to please be patient as the process is going slower than anyone wants. Pat Forbes with the State Office of Community Development, says it’s been 147 days since the flooding began in south Louisiana, and the state has had just 20 of those to discuss funding plans…:
Cut 5 (09) “are done”
An item on the agenda today is to finalize the path to getting the initial $438 million dollars in federal aid to those who need it most.

Nutritionists urge people setting New Year’s health resolutions not to fall for fad diets. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

President-elect Donald Trump supporters in Louisiana are gathering to drum up support for the new administration’s agenda. Co-chair of the Donald Trump for Louisiana campaign Brian Trascher says Mr. Trump’s priorities in his first hundred days will be the same issues he raised on the campaign trail…:
Cut 15 (10) “replace Obamacare”

Louisiana is bracing for cold temperatures today into tomorrow. This is prompting winter weather advisories and freeze watches and warnings in some areas. State Climatologist Barry Keim…:
Cut 8 (08) “into tonight”
He says temperatures are expected to easily dip into the 20s tonight and tomorrow night.

Donald Trump’s transition team is drumming up support for the President-elect’s agenda for his first 100 days in office. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The Restore Louisiana Task Force is meeting today to again discuss plans for distributing federal flood relief funds. The state initially secured 438-million and then another 1.2 billion was appropriated in December. Pat Forbes, executive director of the State Office of Community Development, says the total $1.6 billion pledged by Congress is greatly appreciated…:
Cut 6 (08) “full recovery”
He urges flood victims to be patient during this arduous process.

Many people make New Years resolutions to lose weight, but nutritionists are urging caution with fad diets. Registered Dietitian with the LSU AgCenter Sandra May also says juicing or detoxing can be very dangerous, especially if you have a medical condition like diabetes…:
cut 12 (10) “an option”
She says the best way to lose weight is to eat a balanced diet, and exercise.

The Restore Louisiana Task Force meets today to discuss plans to spend federal flood relief dollars. In the weeks after the August flood, the state secured 438-million and then another 1.2 billion was appropriated in December. Pat Forbes, executive director of the State Office of Community Development, says today they’ll discuss plans for the initial payment to go to the state’s most vulnerable population…:
cut 4 (11) “for everybody”

The meeting will be held in Livingston Parish today where two cities, Denham Springs and Walker, have filed a lawsuit against the state alleging a concrete wall on the interstate contributed to the flooding. While the suit doesn’t seen monetary damages, it asks DOTD to either remove or replace the barrier along I-12.

Winter weather advisories and freeze watches/warnings are posted throughout the state today as temperatures dip to a point where sleet, and in some cases snow, could cause slippery roads mainly on bridges and overpasses. Today’s weather could also impact pipes, pets and plants.

Donald Trump supporters in Louisiana are rallying to drum up support for the president-elect’s agenda during his first 100 days in office.Co-chair of the Donald Trump for Louisiana campaign Brian Trascher says one of the first orders of business is to make sure Louisiana’s Congressional delegation support Mr. Trump’s cabinet picks…:
CUT 13 (08) “these nominees”
Trascher says the team plans to create a special fund that will be used to run ads so that people can get the full story on what the president-elect hopes to do.

It’s reported that former LSU head coach Les Miles met with University of Minnesota officials about the Golden Gophers’ coaching vacancy.

Today the Restore Louisiana Task Force will meet to discuss how the state plans to spend $1.2 billion dollars federal flood relief. Jeff Palermo reports…:
CUT 1 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

There are freeze watches and warnings throughout much of the state today as forecasters say light rain will begin to change to a mix of freezing
precipitation and sleet during the morning hours into the afternoon. State climatologist Barry Keim says the region north of the I-10 corridor will likely see a wintry mix…:
CUT 7 (12) “snow event”‘

Many people set New Year’s resolutions to become healthier for 2017 but nutritionists are cautioning people about the dangers of fad diets. Registered Dietitian with the LSU AgCenter Sandra May says she sees the popularity of these name brand diets ramp up at the beginning of each year. She urges consumers to eat a balanced diet…:
Cut 10 (11) “food groups”
She says juicing or detoxing can be very dangerous, especially if you have a medical condition like diabetes.

The Saints have made major changes with their coaching staff. Five assistant coaches were let go including long-time assistant head coach Joe Vitt.

Precipitation is moving into Louisiana over the next 24 hours bringing in the possibility of light snow. That’s according to Patrick Omundson with the National Weather Service in Shreveport who says Louisiana likely won’t see any snow accumulation and the majority will fall along the Arkansas state line. He says the snow will start mid-day tomorrow.

Cut 6 (09) “mid-evening”

Omundson says south of I-20 can expect a sleet mix, but no freezing rain.

Tonight in New Orleans, Louisiana residents are meeting to discuss the possible repeal of the Affordable Care Act. Jeanie Donovan from Loyola’s Social Research Institute says the forum is a call to action to get people in touch with their elected officials so they can voice how a repeal would impact Louisianans.

Cut 13 (09) “coverage”

Quite a few stores in the Bayou State are closing their doors for good this year. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The Saints have made major changes with their coaching staff. Five assistant coaches were let go, including long-time assistant head coach Joe Vitt. Vitt and James Willis both coached the linebackers and they were let go. Defensive line coach Bill Johnson will also not be back, and special teams assistant Stan Kwan and special teams coordinator Greg McMahon were also let go.

Precipitation is moving into the Bayou State over the next 24 hours, bringing the possibility of snow north of I-20. Patrick Omundson with the National Weather Service says south of I-20 can expect a sleet mix, but no freezing rain. He doesn’t expect ravel issues, but…

Cut 7 (10) “Saturday morning”

He says a cold rain is in the forecast for south Louisiana.

Four workers on a Renaissance Offshore platform were forced into the water early this morning, when a fire broke out on the platform. US Coast Guard Petty Officer Travis Magee says they received reports of a fire on a platform 80 miles off the coast of Grand Isle.

Cut 9 (11) “the situation”

The workers were reportedly taken to Terrebonne General Medical Center for observation.

Louisiana residents are meeting in New Orleans tonight to voice their concerns about repealing the Affordable Care Act. Jeanie Donovan with Loyola’s Social Research Institute says not only would this impact coverage, it would also affect the state budget.

Cut 14 (08) “is repealed”

She says unless Republicans come up with a plan to reduce premiums, repealing Obamacare isn’t a wise decision.

Kmart and Sears announces they are closing two locations in south Louisiana by April. LSU marketing professor Dan Rice says Sears may have looked at places where there’s overlap, like in Baton Rouge.

Cut 3 (12) “those consumers”

Kmart is closing in Gonzales and Jefferson Parish, while Sears will shut down in Gretna and Cortana Mall.