If you have all of your tax forms, you can now file your federal and state income tax returns. Andrew Greenstein has helpful information as you figure out how much you owe Uncle Sam or how much you will get back.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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About 100-thousand customers are without power on this cold morning. Andre Champagne says the work continues to get the lights and the heat back on in north Louisiana.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

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Generator safety is once again a major emphasis after an elderly DeSoto Parish man died as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning. Jeff Palermo has the story.

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If you have all of your tax forms – W-2s, 1099s and others – you can now file your federal and state income tax returns. There seems to be something new every year, and this year is no different. Richard Tullier (TOO-yay), a CPA with Metairie-based accounting firm Wegmann Dazet (dah-ZETT), says those who make a good portion of their income in tips, like waiters and waitresses, are in for a huge tax break.

Cut 4 (08) “…to tip earnings.”

Tullier says while Congress failed in its effort to make Social Security income tax-free, it did possibly the next best thing.

Cut 5 (10) “…adjusted gross income.”

Tullier says if you took out a loan for a new car in 2025, you get a tax deduction – as long as certain requirements are met.

Cut 6 (11) “…in the U.S.”

The tax deduction does not apply to used vehicles, and it does not apply to leases. And if your loan is zero-percent interest, you don’t get a tax deduction, because there’s no interest to deduct.

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With January being Human Trafficking Awareness Month, the Office of Human Trafficking Prevention has been working to make people aware of how big of an issue that it is here. Director Mary Kate Andrepont (AHN-dre-pont) says human trafficking happens around the entire state at all times of the year.

Cut 7 (10) “…our small communities.”

Andrepont says as part of the office’s outreach, it does a lot of training programs to help personnel in schools, hospitals and law enforcement identify human trafficking.

Cut 8 (10) “…spot human trafficking.”

Andrepont says one thing that sets Louisiana apart in its response to human trafficking is its uniform referral system.

Cut 9 (09)  “…to victim services.”

Andrepont says the reason they’re seeing more victims is because through her office’s outreach efforts, officials are doing a better job at identifying trafficking victims.

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Restoring power, clearing the roads of ice and preventing more deaths are the main priorities as north Louisiana continues to deal with the aftermath of an historic ice storm. At least three people have died because of the storm, including an elderly DeSoto Parish man whose death was the result of carbon monoxide poisoning. Louisiana Health Secretary Bruce Greenstein (green-steen) says the victim was running a generator in his garage.

Cut 10 (09) “…from the home.”

A running generator needs to be properly ventilated. Governor Landry says if your home is without heat and power, find a warming shelter near you. Landry notes there are about 80 of them operating in the state.

Cut 11 (07) “…warm to go.”

State Climatologist Jay Grymes says a gradual warm-up will begin this afternoon. By Thursday, high temperatures will be back around 60 degrees, but then another blast of cold air will come.

Cut 12 (12) “…and Sunday mornings.”

Power companies SWEPCO and Cleco say most of their customers will have electricity by the end of today. Entergy President Phillip May says the company anticipates 90-percent of its customers along the I-20 corridor who can safely receive power will be restored by tomorrow night.

Cut 13 (13)  “…away from homes.”

May says the number of Entergy customers without power is nearly 80-thousand, with many of those in Ouachita Parish.

Cut 14 (06) “…power is restored.”

Many water systems are also struggling in this cold weather. Landry says this may become more of a problem as it warms up and pipes begin to burst.

Cut 15 (10) “…problems as well.”

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The 2026 LSU baseball team returns its entire starting outfield from last year’s  College World Series championship team. Sophomore centerfielder Derek Curiel says the group’s experience together will be an advantage going into the season.

Cut 16 (17) “…to score runs.”

Over the offseason, Curiel put on 20 pounds of muscle to add more power and speed to his swing. Curiel says he wants to make sure he’s a difficult at-bat for opposing pitchers this season.

Cut 17 (14)  “…do this year.”

Sophomore pitcher Casan Evans had one of the best freshman pitching seasons in program history last season. Evans had a 5-and-1 record with a 2.05 ERA after striking out 71 in just over 50 innings of work. As he continues to work for a weekend rotation spot, Evans is focusing on improving two parts of his game.

Cut 18 (16)  “…in the season.”

Tens of thousands of people remain without power as a result of this historic ice storm. Joe Gallinaro has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…Joe Gallinaro.”

At least three people have died because of the storm, including an elderly DeSoto Parish man whose death was the result of carbon monoxide poisoning by running a generator in his unventilated garage. Two men in Caddo Parish died of hypothermia. Governor Landry says they’re also investigating three more fatalities possibly tied to the storm.

Folks throughout the state – especially in North Louisiana – are bracing for another night of brutally cold temperatures. DeSoto Parish Sheriff Jayson Richardson says people who do not have an adequate way to warm their homes should find shelter.

Cut 12 (09) “…life-threatening temperatures”

The Red Cross has already opened shelters and warming centers throughout the state; but given the overnight forecast, it’s looking to open even more of them. As such, it needs volunteers to operate them. Kenneth St. Charles, the regional CEO of the American Red Cross Louisiana Region, says training only takes about two hours, and you can do it from the comfort of your own home.

Cut 15 (10) “…to move equipment.”

LSU has had great success when bringing in transfer pitchers over Jay Johnson’s tenure, including Paul Skenes, Anthony Eyanson, Gage Jump, Luke Holman, and Riley Cooper. This year, the Tigers brought in junior right-handed pitcher Cooper Moore from Kansas.

Cut 18 (14)  “…really successful here.”

LSU opens up their season against Milwaukee on February 13 at 2 p.m.

According to Dianna Russini of the Athletic, LSU offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. spoke to the Philadelphia Eagles about their offensive coordinator vacancy but informed the team he will remain with Lane Kiffin and the Tigers for the 2026 season.

The sixth-ranked LSU women’s basketball team is back in action tonight as the Tigers host Florida at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center at 6 p.m.

Former LSU and current Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte is among five former Tigers who will be playing in Super Bowl 60. In yesterday’s AFC Championship, New England did just enough on offense to get past Denver and Boutte says his team wasn’t going to let the harsh conditions get in the way of getting to Santa Clara.

CUT 22 (13): “to the Super Bowl.”

A couple of men’s basketball games in the Southland have been postponed to tomorrow due to winter weather conditions. Instead of playing tonight, Southeastern will host McNeese tomorrow at 6 p.m. Nicholls will host the University of New Orleans tomorrow at 3:30 p.m., replacing tonight’s 6 p.m. game.

Jennings High School announced on social media on Friday that former football head coach Rusty Phelps has died at the age of 62. Phelps coached for 35 years, including 31 as a head coach with three years at Newellton High School and 28 at Jennings.

Currently, there are about 110-thousand customers without power throughout the state. Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell says it’s a difficult restoration

Cut 7 (11) “…warm weather.”

Unfortunately, a heat wave is not coming soon. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says we are looking at another cold night tonight…

Cut 19 (16) “…tonight”

State officials are imploring those who do not have power and heat, to seek out a warming shelter. At 2 PM press conference, it was announced there are 76 warming shelters available and more than a dozen more are opening soon.

The winter precipitation is gone, but those of you in the northern part of the state should still use extreme caution when venturing out onto the roadways.

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USA Today Network reporter Greg Hilburn is among those without power in his Monroe home. Hilburn says it seems most people are taking state and local officials’ advice and are staying home.

Cut 10 (12) “…they are doing.”

Thousands of people throughout the northern half of the state remain without power because of the deadly ice storm. Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell says buildup of ice on tree limbs has led to many of the outages.

Cut 6 (10) “…up here.”

USA Today Network reporter Greg Hilburn is among those who had the power knocked out at his home. He tells us he was able to stay warm inside his house, thanks to his fireplace. Looking at it on the bright side, he told us at least it looked pretty outside.

Cut 9 (11)  “…transportation.”

Campbell says restoring power has been a huge game of whack-a-mole – when one area gets its power restored, another area loses it.

The precipitation has moved out of Louisiana, and none is expected for the next several days. But Rodney Mallett with DOTD says those of you especially in North Louisiana still need to use extreme caution when venturing out onto the roadways.

Cut 3 (07) “…dangerous driving conditions.”

Among those who have died in the storm is an 86-year-old man in DeSoto Parish who died due to carbon monoxide poisoning. The death was confirmed by the parish coroner as winter storm related. DeSoto Parish Sheriff Jayson Richardson says his deputies have been busy conducting welfare checks.

Cut 11 (14) “…go check.”

Two deaths in Caddo Parish are being attributed to hypothermia.

Even though precipitation has moved out of Louisiana and none is expected for the next several days, lingering moisture is making some roadways in North Louisiana slick, especially on I-20, where it’s a slow-go between Monroe and Arcadia in both directions. Rodney Mallett with DOTD says this is despite crews working around the clock to keep roadways as passable as they possibly can.

Cut 4 (11) “…get hit first.”

Currently, there are more than 110-thousand customers without power throughout the state. Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell says it’s a game of whack-a-mole – when one area gets its power restored, another area loses it.

Cut 7 (11) “…warm weather.”

Almost 87-hundred customers are without power in DeSoto Parish, which is looking at another night with low temperatures in the teens. DeSoto Parish Sheriff Jayson Richardson says people who do not have an adequate way to warm their homes should find shelter.

Cut 12 (09) “…life-threatening temperatures”

The Red Cross has opened shelters and warming centers throughout the state; but with brutally cold temperatures forecast overnight, the organization is looking to open more of them. Thus, Kenneth St. Charles, the regional CEO of the American Red Cross Louisiana Region, is putting out a statewide call for volunteers.

Cut 14 (12) “…that we have.”

Training only takes about a couple hours, and it can be done virtually.

The Louisiana Department of Health has reported a third winter-storm related death. An 86-year-old man in DeSoto Parish died due to carbon monoxide poisoning. The death was confirmed by the parish coroner as winter-storm related. DeSoto Parish Sheriff Jayson Richardson says his deputies have been busy conducting welfare checks…

Cut 11 (14) “…go check.”

The state health department says the other two winter-storm related deaths happened in Caddo Parish as two men died due to hypothermia.

Numerous roads are closed, especially in Caddo and Ouachita Parishes. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett says they have been working around the clock, even before the storm arrived…

Cut 5 (10) “…a day”

Mallett says they are advising the public to avoid I-20 westbound in Bienville, Lincoln and Ouachita parishes due to stalled or stopped 18-wheelers.

More than 100-thousand people are without power as a result this historic ice storm. Joe Gallinaro has the story…

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And we are looking at another cold morning tomorrow with low temperatures in north Louisiana ranging from the single digits to the teens and wind chill readings in the teens for south Louisiana. It will begin to warm up on Tuesday afternoon, but looking at another cold front at the end of the week and another cold weekend.

At this hour, about 120-thousand customers remain without power throughout the state. Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell says while no one likes living without power, the public understands Mother Nature has produced a difficult situation for Entergy, SWEPCO, Cleco and all of the power companies working around the clock to get the power restored.

Cut 8 (13) “…up here.”

USA Today Network reporter Greg Hilburn is among those without power in his home. Amid his shivering, Hilburn says most people are taking state and local officials’ advice and are staying home.

Cut 10 (12) “…they are doing.”

The precipitation has moved out of Louisiana, and none is expected for the next several days. But Rodney Mallett with DOTD says especially those of you in North Louisiana still need to use extreme caution when venturing out onto the roadways.

Cut 3 (07) “…dangerous driving conditions.”

Nowhere is that more evident than on westbound I-20, where stalled 18-wheelers had caused massive backups today.

If you have some extra time on your hands, the Red Cross could use your help. Kenneth St. Charles, the regional CEO of the American Red Cross Louisiana Region, is putting out a statewide call for volunteers.

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Training only takes a couple of hours, and you can do it from the comfort of your own home.

Louisiana Radio Network, I’m Jeff Palermo….

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That’s Greg Hilburn, a reporter with the USA Today Network. Hilburn is like many in north Louisiana, hunkered down in his home with no power, but able to stay warm because of his fireplace. According to power-outage-dot-com, more than 120-thousand utility customers are without power, 47-thousand of the outages are in Ouachita Parish. Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell represents all of north Louisiana. Campbell says the buildup of ice on tree limbs has led to many of the outages…

Cut 6 (10) “…up here.”

Entergy says its crews are prepared to work long hours to restore service to customers as safely and quickly as possible.

If it seems like you’re paying up the nose in sales taxes, the Tax Foundation says you’re right.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Senator Bill Cassidy along with several other Republican members of Congress, has called for an in-depth investigation into federal immigration tactics after the fatal shooting in Minnesota of U.S. citizen, Alex Pretti by a U-S Border Patrol Agent. Cassidy said the events in Minneapolis are “incredibly disturbing” and the credibility of ICE and D.H.S. are at stake.”

Despite the efforts of utility crews, more than 123-thousand customers statewide remain without power at this hour. Ouachita Parish leads the pack by a mile with more than 47-thousand in the dark. Michael Corbin with SWEPCO says especially given the dangerous road conditions, crews worked quickly and efficiently throughout the weekend in getting power restored as quickly as possible.

Cut 13 (11)  “…people so quickly.”

With brutally cold temperatures gripping the state, fire officials are very concerned that people are going to resort to creative – and dangerous – methods to heat their homes. State Fire Marshal Bryan Adams says do not try to use your oven to warm up your home. He says if you have a fire going in your fireplace, make sure it’s out before your head hits the pillow.

Cut 11 (07) “…fire as well.”

According to a conservative columnist, it’s not a slam dunk that Julia Letlow will win the Republican U.S. Senate primary just because she has the backing of President Trump. Jeff Palermo has the story.

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Letlow is not the only Louisiana candidate to earn Trump’s endorsement. Trump has given his endorsement to Congressman Clay Higgins for his re-election bid in the state’s Third Congressional District. Higgins is in his fifth terms in the House and has thus far not drawn a primary challenger. Tia LeBrun is running as a Democrat in the heavily Republican district.