Governor Edwards asks everyone participating in this weekend’s protests to stay peaceful and follow the law. Law enforcement agencies report they will be closely monitoring demonstrations at the State Capitol this weekend. Edwards says the state will protect your right to protest, but not to riot.

Cut 9 (10) “…law”

Law enforcement agencies released a statement saying they have not identified any specific or substantiated threat to life or property.

Louisiana Tech’s Forever Loyal Campaign and exceeded its goal and raised more than $171 million for the University.  LA Tech President Dr. Les Guice says the campaign which began November 2018 originally set out to raise $125 million.

Cut 6 (10) “..raise funds”

The Mega Millions and Powerball jackpots keep growing with both games up over 600 million dollars now. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin says if you end up winning tonight’s 750 million dollar Mega Millions jackpot, you’d be the first Louisianan to do so in awhile…

Cut 15 (09)“…we’re due.”

Chopin says both Jackpots are in their respective games Top five,

About 50 Louisiana small business owners had a zoom call this week with staff members of Louisiana’s Congressional delegation as they seek a liability shield against COVID-infection related lawsuits and the owner of Lafayette-based I-T company Techneaux, Ben Johnson, says the rising cost of healthcare coverage for employees is another concern.

cut 11 (10) “….safe”

Monroe native and ULM grad Julia Letlow will run in the 5^th district special election in March to fill the seat left vacant after her late husband, 41-year-old Luke Letlow, died of COVID-19 last month.  Julia Letlow wants to continue Luke’s legacy of being a public servant…

Cut 5  (11) “…great work” 

Alexandria businesswoman Candy Christophe, who is a Democrat is also a candidate. Qualifying is next week.

The average price of a gallon of gas in Louisiana is just over two dollars, up nine cents over last week and up nearly 20 cents from last month. AAA spokesperson Don Redman says the increase in gas prices is good news for Louisiana’s oil sector which has been battered by months of low prices.

Cut 7 (09) “…barrel.”

Between late November and late December AARP logged a doubling of COVID-19 cases and fatalities in Louisiana nursing homes. AARP Louisiana Director of Advocacy Andrew Muhl says the crisis can’t wait to be addressed and we can’t just depending on the vaccine’s full impact a month from now…

Cut 9 (09) “…coronavirus.”

Vaccine rollout among nursing homes began December 28^th

A suspect who allegedly stole a Dodge Charger in New Orleans died in a fiery wreck and injured three workers on I-10 just outside Lafayette after being pursued by police. State Police Trooper Thomas Gossen says obviously this is a different situation than most crashes but it should serve as a reminder to be cautious when driving through construction zones.

Cut 14 (11) “.workzones.” 

Julia Letlow, the wife of the late Congressman-elect Luke Letlow, has announced she will run for Louisiana’s 5th Congressional District seat. 41-year-old Luke Letlow died last month from COVID-19 less than a week before he was set to be sworn in. Julia Letlow announced her candidacy on K-W-C-L Radio just like her husband did last March…

Cut 3 (09)  “..so proud”

Julia is a Monroe native and has served as an executive-level administrator in higher education.

Gas is up nine cents a gallon from last week and 20 cents a gallon from last month, putting us over two dollars a gallon on average across the state for the first time in ages. AAA spokesperson Don Redman expects prices to hang in this area for awhile…

Cut 8 (07) “..toilet.”

COVID Nursing Home data from AARP indicates cases and fatalities in Louisiana have more than doubled as facilities face substantial staffing shortages. AARP Louisiana Director of Advocacy Andrew Muhl says 31-percent of facilities are reporting shortage and 17-percent of nursing homes report less than a one-week supply of PPE.

Cut 11 (10) “… facilities.”

A man who allegedly stole a car in New Orleans dies in a fiery wreck on the interstate just outside of Lafayette after a police chase. State Police Trooper Thomas Gossen says the driver was speeding down Louisiana Avenue Westbound Lane on I-10 when he crossed into construction cones and struck a construction vehicle…

Cut 13 (12)“..be ok.”

The US House of Representatives votes to impeach President Donald Trump for Incitement of Insurrection on a 232 to 197 vote with ten Republicans joining all Democrats in support and four Republicans choosing not the vote.

The day saw some impassioned speeches on the floor for and against the impeachment. Democrats say the President must be held accountable for his role in spurring on a violent mob of his supporters who stormed the Capitol. Most Republicans argued impeachment would be too divisive.

Congressman Garret Graves voted against impeachment, calling the President’s behavior unacceptable but saying it would be too divisive. Graves says Democrats rushed the process…

Cut 9 (08) “…aim later.”

Graves says he would like a full investigation of how the Capitol was stormed to be conducted before any further action is taken.

The Fairgrounds in Shreveport is now the site of a COVID vaccine drive-thru clinic for state residents 70 and older. Brooke Thorington has more

cut 2 (32) ….I’m Brooke Thorington”  

The third wave of the COVID pandemic surged on today with the state reporting 51 additional deaths from the disease, putting us over the 8,000 COVID death mark since the pandemic begin in March. On a brighter note hospitalizations appear to have plateaued and the number of new cases is beginning to fall. Just under 300,000 Louisianans are thought to have been infected by COVID and recovered.

The US House of Representatives is in a heated debate over whether to impeach President Trump for the second time, this time over his alleged role in spurring on a violent mob attack on the Capitol. Baton Rouge Republican Congressman Garret Graves says impeachment is pointless because the President is no threat to incite further violence. Since January 6^th…

Cut 10 (11) “…megaphone.”

He reiterated his denouncement of the President’s behavior January 6^th.

Those 70 and older can get vaccinated in Shreveport at the Fairgrounds 8 AM in the morning until 3:30 in the afternoon through Friday. LSU-Health Shreveport Chancellor Dr. G.E. Ghali this Pfizer vaccine is safe, and low on side effects…

Cut 13 (09)“…vaccines.”

State Police is investigating the fatal police shooting of 54-year-old Gary Rodriguez of Montegut who the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office says shot at their deputies. Trooper Jesse LaGrange says the T-P-S-O responded to a home in Montegut in reference to an aggravated assault. He says when deputies arrived, they located the suspect and tried to talk with him

Cut 3 (09)  “..returned fire”

No one else was injured during the encounter.

New ULM football coach Terry Bowden has hired former West Virginia, Michigan and Arizona head coach Rich Rodrigeuz as his offensive coordinator. Monroe News Star sports reporter Adam Hunsucker says it will certainly be a challenge to rebuild a program that finished last season 0-10, but fans are excited about the new high-profile coaching staff.

Cut 7 (15) “…a life of its own.”

Baton Rouge Republican Congressman Garrett Graves says today’s impeachment vote risks further ripping the country apart with only a week left in the Trump Presidency. Democrats are expected to impeach the President for Incitement of Insurrection, but Graves says they haven’t given this impeachment due process…

Cut 9 (08) “…aim later.”

Graves reiterated his call for the President to lay low and not speak publicly until he leaves office.

LSU-Health Shreveport is hosting a drive-thru clinic to administer the Pfizer COVID Vaccine. Chancellor Dr. G.E. Ghali says the clinic at the fairgrounds in Shreveport is open to any eligible state resident, just bring your ID and insurance care.

Cut 11 (09) “…a mask.”

State Police is investigating a fatal police shooting in Montegut by Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Officers. Trooper Jesse LaGrange says they were told deputies arrived at a residence in response to a call about aggravated assault and encountered a man with a rifle who fired at them. They returned fire, striking the suspect.

Cut 4 (06) “…his injuries” 

No one else was injured during the encounter and the State Police Crime Lab is assisting with the investigation.

Governor Edwards extended the current modified Phase Two COVID public health order for another 28 days, citing the ongoing third surge of cases. He says restaurants are still capped at 50 percent inside capacity, but that doesn’t mean you have to dine-in to support them…

Cut 15 (07)“…you can.”

Edwards says every region of the state has a positivity rate above ten percent. The state also reported an additional 51 deaths today from COVID.

The Saints will be looking for a three-game sweep of the Buccaneers this Sunday in the Divisional Round of the playoffs.  A key for Tampa Bay to win this game will be to put pressure on quarterback Drew Brees, which is no easy task.  Bucs coach Bruce Arians says it’s tough to get to Brees because he makes quick decisions.

Cut 19 (12) “get him there free”

Former West Virginia, Michigan, and Arizona head coach Rich Rodriguez has joined Terry Bowden’s staff at ULM as offensive coordinator.  Rodriguez recently served as the Ole Miss offensive coordinator in 2019.  His son, former Arizona quarterback Rhett Rodriguez, will join the Warhawks program for spring practice.  He has two years of eligibility remaining.

LSU continues its search for a defensive coordinator after meeting with Mississippi state DC Zach Arnett.  Arnett was in town yesterday to discuss the coaching vacancy, but he left Baton Rouge without a contract.

The LSU men’s basketball team will host Arkansas tonight in the Maravich Center.  LSU enters the game with an 8-2 record, 3-1 in conference play, while the Razorbacks are 10-2, 2-2 in the SEC.  The Hogs lead the league in scoring and Coach Will Wade says they like to push the ball up the court.

Cut 17 (20) “three-point line”

When the Pelicans take on the Clippers tonight they will be without a key contributor as guard Lonzo Ball will miss the game due to a knee injury.  Ball is averaging 12.4 points and 4.4 rebounds per game.  Also, starting guard Eric Bledsoe is listed as questionable.

The Grambling State men’s basketball team took down SWAC opponent Alcorn St. 79-74 on Tuesday.  Guard Cameron Christon tied his career-high with 24 points and three Tigers scored in double figures.

North Louisiana woke up to a light layer of powder on the ground Monday morning but unfortunately that snow event has left just over 8,000 SWEPCO customers in Texas and Louisiana still without power. SWEPCO spokesperson Carey Sullivan expects all of those customers will be restored by the end of the day.

Cut 8 (10) “…back on.”

About 200 Cleco customers remain without power.

The FBI is reportedly warning law enforcement that armed protests are being planned at all 50 state Capitols in the lead up to President-elect Biden’s inauguration next week. Louisiana State Police say they are aware of the warning and Lt. Nick Manale says they’re communicating with other agencies…

Cut 3 (12)  “..and staff”

House Democrats are forging ahead with another impeachment attempt, this time for alleged Incitement of Insurrection. The vote is set for Wednesday and if impeached President Trump will be the only President to ever be impeached twice. UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says this could be setting a new precedent.

Cut 11 (11) “…routine”

It appears unlikely two-thirds of the US Senate would vote to convict and remove the President before his term ends.

The Louisiana Supreme Court has ordered all criminal and civil jury trials to be halted until March 1^st due to the pandemic. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says this is yet another unavoidable pandemic problem and will cause ongoing lawsuits to remain unresolved.

Cut 13 (10)“…understandable.”

Last spring court proceedings were put on hold at the beginning of the pandemic. 

Louisiana State Police is planning for increased security at the State Capitol in Baton Rouge in the days leading up to President Joe Biden’s inauguration…

Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

Governor Edwards will address the state at 330 PM with news of whether we remain in the current modified Phase Two for COVID restrictions, or move back a Phase and implement tighter limits. This comes as the state reports another 4,673 cases and 53 deaths today, but hospitalizations for COVID-19 appear to be plateauing.

President Donald Trump briefly spoke with reports this morning saying the House Democrat backed impeachment vote Wednesday is causing “tremendous danger to our country and causing tremendous anger.” UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says most Republicans, including Louisiana’s Congressional delegation, will argue impeaching the President for a second time less than two weeks before he leaves office is unnecessary.

Cut 10 (10) “.constitution.”

President Trump is being impeached for “Incitement of Insurrection”.

Fewer than 10,000 SWEPCO customers are still without power after Sunday night’s rare snow event in north Louisiana. SWEPCO spokesperson Carey Sullivan says they’re pulling in extra crews to help deal with the unusual damage…

Cut 7 (08) “…melting.”

Sunday’s snow was the first measurable snow event in the region since 2018.