The freezing grip from the polar vortex is about to loosen in Louisiana. Forecasters say we have one more night of below freezing temperatures statewide before a warm front moves in. State climatologist Barry Keim says it will soon feel like paradise after the freezing past month…:
Cut 3 (06) “near 70”
He says it will still be cold tomorrow but we’ll wake up to temperatures around 20 statewide — about 10 degrees warmer that yesterday.

Louisiana continues to suffer through its worst flu season on record, with nearly 10 in 100 doctors visits in the last month for influenza related symptoms. Frank Welch, medical director for the Louisiana Department of Health Immunization Program, says he hasn’t seen this in his 20 year tenure:
Cut 25 (06) “in Louisiana”
Welch says complications from the flu kills roughly 700 Louisianans a year.

Water pressure has become a concern across Louisiana in the wake of the recent arctic blast, which has prompted some parishes to issue boil water advisories. So why does this happen? Louisiana Department of Health Chief Engineer Amanda Laughlin (Loff-Lin) says when a hard freeze event takes place, pipes burst and there are an extremely high number of line breaks:
CUT 6 (12) “contamination event”
She says there are about 48 boil advisories posted in the state right now, and that number is expected to go up.

Governor John Bel Edwards has moved the unveiling of his budget proposal to Monday due to winter weather in Louisiana. He had intended to show the administration’s proposed spending plan tomorrow, which includes $1 billion dollars in state budget cuts. The meeting will now be held Monday because of concern about how lawmakers would get to Baton Rouge with the interstates closed.

Cold temperatures claimed the life of a man in New Roads early Wednesday.  Pointe Coupee Parish Sheriff Bud Torres says they were notified by a neighbor that 84-year-old Paul Maker was found dead due to hypothermia in his home.  The victim’s wife was found alive, but Torres says she’s in critical condition…

Cut 8 (09) “the cold.”

The home was not equipped with central heat and the cold weather lowered the inside temperatures to just 20 degrees.

The Wakefield Fire Chief died in the line of duty Wednesday morning.  48-year-old Russell Achord of St. Francisville was killed responding to another accident in West Feliciana Parish.  State Police Senior Trooper Bryan Lee says 51-year-old Robert McCoy of Talluah was driving a vehicle and trailer and lost control on the ice…

Cut 17 (10) “as well.”

Every few years the country is hit with a particularly nasty strain of flu, known as H3-N2, but this year’s flu strain is even more resilient than usual, adding to one of the worst flu seasons on record.  The State Health Department’s Dr. Frank Welch says this means more severe symptoms…

Cut 5  (08)  “seven days.”

He says if you’re sick, the best advice is to stay at home…

Travel review website RewardExpert finds people vacationing in Louisiana are the “happiest and most satisfied of tourists.”  The LA Times and the New York Times says New Orleans is the number one destination for visitors.  Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says his office will use this survey to their advantage in promoting the state as a travel destination to tour operators in Asia…

Cut 11 (10) “international travelers.”

The state’s electricity companies are asking residents to conserve power use today as the grids are being overloaded because of unusually high demand due to winter weather. SWEPCO is reporting that nearly 3,000 customers still don’t have power in the Shreveport area, and Entergy has about 5300 in the dark. Recommendations include keeping thermostats at or below 68, and delay bathing and doing clothes or dishes until later today.

Many major interstates are still closed at this time due to icy conditions. Department of Transportation spokesperson Rodney Mallett says temperatures were so low for so long, causing the most severe freezing of roadways seen here in quite some time. He says they worked to do all they could to keep roads open…:
Cut 13 (10) “on I-12″
He says they will open roads when it is safe to do so.

Louisiana continues to suffer through its worst flu season on record, with nearly 10 in 100 doctors visits in the last month for flu related symptoms. State Health Department Immunization Director Frank Welch says a nasty strain of flu, known as H3-N2, is more resilient than usual this year:
Cut 5 (08) “seven days”
Welch says complications from the flu kills roughly 700 Louisianans a year.

There were tragic deaths reported in the state this week due to winter weather events. An infant died in Metairie Wednesday morning after a car slid into a canal from an icy road. And cold temperatures claimed the life of an elderly man in New Roads early yesterday. Pointe Coupee Parish Sheriff Bud Torres says 84-year-old Paul Maker was found dead due to hypothermia in his home. He says this is why they urge folks to check on neighbors…:
Cut 9 (11) “to safety”

At least four deaths are attributed to the extreme winter weather in Louisiana…:
Cut 2 (32) “I’m Kelley Ray”

While the ice is expected to melt off some time today, DOTD will not re-open interstates until they are safe to travel. Spokesman Rodney Mallett says the closures are for our own good…:
Cut 15 (11) “for disaster”

Health officials are urging folks who are still home with their kids out of school today, to use the day off to wash coats, jackets and lunchboxes to help avoid the spread of the widespread flu cases in Louisiana. It’s the worst on record here with nearly 10 in 100 doctor visits being for influenza related symptoms. LDH’s Dr. Frank Welch says know the signs of being sick:
Cut 6 (12) “your doctor”
He says he hasn’t seen it this bad in his 20 years as the state’s flu-bug expert.

A travel review website finds 98% of visitors to Louisiana are happier with their trip here than other states. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser credits the hospitality industry…:
Cut 10 (12) “treat visitors”

Today’s weather calls for sunshine and above-freezing temperatures which will help in the attempt to re-open all roads currently closed. I-10 from I-49 in Lafayette to near Slidell is still closed, so is I-12 from Baton Rouge to near Covington. DOTD spokesman Rodney Mallett…:
Cut 14 (07) “freeze over”
He says crews are working hard salting, brining, and sanding key bridges and roads.

The Wakefield Fire Chief died in the line of duty Wednesday morning. 48-year-old Russell Achord of St. Francisville was killed while responding to another accident on Highway 61 in West Feliciana Parish. State Police Senior Trooper Bryan Lee says that’s when 51-year-old Robert McCoy of Tallulah came around a curve..:
Cut 16 (11) “Chief Achord”

Louisiana is in the midst of one of the worst flu seasons on record. Matt Doyle spoke with state Department of Health’s Frank Welch…:
Cut 1 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Travel review website RewardExpert finds people vacationing in Louisiana are the “happiest and most satisfied of tourists.” Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser believes it’s the people which make Louisiana a great travel destination.:
Cut 12 (07) “greatest assets”
The site found that 98-percent of Louisiana’s visitors are happier with their trip here than other states.

Major roads are still closed across the state today as one of the the most severe icing events in recent memory grinds Louisiana travel to a halt…:
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Entergy is asking customers to voluntarily reduce electricity usage this morning, because it’s possible the grids won’t be able to handle the higher than expected demand which would result in forced outages. They say this is due to the extended cold temperature period. Recommendations include keeping thermostats at or below 68, delay bathing and doing clothes or dishes until later today, and don’t let warm air escape your home.

Louisiana continues to suffer through its worst flu season on record, with nearly 10 in 100 doctors visits in the last month for influenza related symptoms. Frank Welch, medical director for the Louisiana Department of Health Immunization Program, says he hasn’t seen this in his 20 year tenure:
Cut 4 (06) “in Louisiana”
Welch says complications from the flu kills roughly 700 Louisianans a year.

Cold temperatures claimed the life of a man in New Roads early Wednesday. Pointe Coupee Parish Sheriff Bud Torres says they were notified by a neighbor that 84-year-old Paul Maker was found dead due to hypothermia in his home. He says the couple chose not to heat their home Tuesday night:
Cut 7 (09) “below freezing”
Maker’s wife was sent to the hospital and is expected to survive.

Louisiana is in the midst of one of the worst flu seasons on record. Matt Doyle spoke to the Department of Health Immunization Director Frank Welch…

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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The Governor’s Office says as of late Wednesday, four deaths are attributed to the extreme winter weather in Louisiana.  Kelley Ray has more…

Cut 2 (32) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

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Major highways are still shuttered across the state this morning as one of the most severe icing events in recent memory grinds Louisiana travel to a halt. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Louisiana continues to suffer through its worst flu season on record, with nearly 10 in 100 doctors visits in the last month for flu related symptoms. State Health Department Immunization Director Frank Welch says in his 20 years of doing this, he’s never seen so many cases

Cut 4  (06) “in Louisiana” 

Welch says the worst outbreak he’s seen previously was 8 in 100 visits, and that only lasted a week.

Every few years the country is hit with a particularly nasty strain of flu, known as H3-N2, but this year’s strain is even more resilient than usual. Welch says that means more severe symptoms…

Cut 5  (08)  “seven days.”

Welch says if you come down with flu like symptoms, you need to isolate yourself…

Cut 6 (12)  “your doctor”

Welch says complications from the flu kills roughly 700 Louisianans a year.

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Cold temperatures claimed the life of a man in New Roads early Wednesday.  Pointe Coupee Parish Sheriff Bud Torres says they were notified by a neighbor that 84-year-old Paul Maker was found dead due to hypothermia in his home.  They had some space heaters, but weren’t running them overnight…

Cut 7 (09)  “below freezing.”

Torres says Maker and his wife lived in a home not equipped with central heat. The home’s temperature when they arrived was 20 degrees.  Torres says Maker’s wife was alive when they found her but is suffering from the extreme temperatures…

Cut 8 (09) “the cold.”

Torres says the sad outcome of this story shows people should check on their neighbors during this cold snap, especially elderly ones…

Cut 9 (11)  “to safety.”

The Governor’s office says Maker’s death is one of four statewide related to the cold weather.

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Travel review website RewardExpert finds people vacationing in Louisiana are the “happiest and most satisfied of tourists.”  The site found that 98-percent of visitors to the Bayou State are happier with their trip here than other states.  Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser credits Louisiana’s hospitality…

Cut 10 (12) “treat visitors.”

Nungesser says the information is timely as they are getting ready to promote Louisiana as a travel destination to tour operators in Asia…

Cut 11 (10) “international travelers.”

The Los Angeles Times also listed Louisiana as one of 25 must-see places this year and the New York Times says New Orleans is the number one place to go this year as the city celebrates its 300^th birthday this year. Nungesser says while there are places to visit in the Bayou State, he believes it’s the people who make Louisiana a great place to vacation in…

Cut 12 (07) “greatest assets.”

Other states which came in the top five for the happiest visitors included Mississippi, New Hampshire, Delaware and Iowa.

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Major highways are still shut down this morning to protect drivers from icy conditions. Could the state have done a better job keeping interstates open. State Department of Transportation spokesperson Rodney Mallet says crews worked hard to keep a few key areas open…

Cut 13 (10)  “on I-12.”

I-12, which passes over several large waterways, is still shut down. Mallet says its some of the most severe freezing he’s seen in a while…

Cut 14 (07) “freeze over.”

Mallet says crews are working hard salting, brining, and sanding key bridges and roads. There’s been some criticism of how the state is handling the closings, but Mallet says his department puts safety first…

Cut 15 (11) “for disaster.”

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The Wakefield Fire Chief died in the line of duty Wednesday morning.  48-year-old Russell Achord of St. Francisville was killed while responding to another accident on Highway 61 in West Feliciana Parish.  State Police Senior Trooper Bryan Lee says that’s when 51-year-old Robert McCoy of Tallulah came around a curve…

Cut 16 (11)  “Chief Achord.”

Lee says they will continue their investigation into the exact cause of the accident to see if speed or the loss of control of the vehicle was a factor…

Cut 17 (10) “as well.”

There were no injuries reported in the initial accident.

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The Ragin Cajuns put their perfect 5-0 Sun Belt record on the line tonight when they visit U-T Arlington, who was the preseason favorite to win the league. In four of U-L Lafayette’s conference wins, they’ve allowed 64 points or less. Coach Bob Marlin says that’s been a big key to their success…

Cut 18 (17) “help us win”

Frank Bartley leads UL-Lafayette in scoring, averaging 16 points a game. But Marlin says the senior from Baton Rouge is more than a scorer…

Cut 19 (09)  “better team” 

The Mavericks are 3-3 in the Sun Belt, but have won three of their last four after starting league play with losses at Coastal Carolina and Appalachian State.

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Louisiana Tech is in last place in Conference USA with a 1-and-5 record. But they play the next seven of their next nine at the Thomas Assembly Center. The Bulldogs host North Texas tonight and Coach Eric Konkol says his team has lost some close games and he knows why…

Cut 20 (10) “the stretch”

The state is trying to thaw out from record breaking cold. Chris Bannon with the National Weather Service says 40 year-old records were broken this morning in Baton Rouge and New Orleans….

Cut 5  (13)  “1977.”

Temperatures were reported in the low teens in north Louisiana this morning as well.

Governor John Bel Edwards says officials are very concerned about tonight’s cold temperatures as driving dangers on icy roads may remanifest themselves again…

Cut 13 (09) “freeze again”

Interstate 10 between Grosse Tete and Slidell are closed and the Mississippi River bridge will be shut down through at least tomorrow morning.   Numerous other interstates around Louisiana are also closed.  Drivers can check 5-1-1-L-A for the latest driving conditions…

The Wakefield Fire Chief died in the line of duty Wednesday morning. State Police Senior Trooper Bryan Lee says 51-year-old Robert McCoy of Tallulah lost control of his vehicle on a curve and hit 48-year-old Russell Achord of St. Francisville while he was on the scene from an earlier accident. Lee says they will continue their investigation into the exact cause of the accident to see if speed or the loss of control of the vehicle was a factor…

Cut 17 (10) “as well.”

Cold temperatures claimed the life of a man in New Roads early Wednesday.  Pointe Coupee Parish Sheriff Bud Torres says they were notified by a neighbor that 84-year-old Paul Maker was found dead due to hypothermia in his home.  They had some space heaters, but weren’t running them overnight…

Cut 7 (09)  “below freezing.”

Temperatures went back above freezing this afternoon, but Chris Bannon with the National Weather Service says we’ll see another hard freeze tonight, which isn’t good for already iced over roads…

(Cut 6) (09) “over night.”

Governor John Bel Edwards issued a State of Emergency this morning.  He is urging people to stay home while DOTD crews get salt and deicing agents on the roadways to prevent refreezing…

(CUT 11) (10) “refreeze again.”

The Governor’s office says four people, including a first responder, have died as a result of the icy conditions.  Three fatalities are related to traffic accidents and the fourth death is from hypothermia in Pointe Coupee Parish.

Cars have been slipping and sliding all over icy roads today. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 1 (32) “I’m Michelle Southern”

Many SWEPCO customers in northwest Louisiana are without electricity and heat.  SWEPCO spokesperson Carey Sullivan says the heavy ice accumulation is the main cause of the power outages…

Cut 9 (12) “our outages.”