The state is waking up to temperatures in the low 20s and teens this morning, with wind chills making it feel much colder.

Utility companies have decided to suspend shutoffs due to non-payment through the New Year, so there is no need to worry about going without heat as temperatures struggle to get above freezing.

To help those who are displaced from last week’s deadly tornadoes, the State Office of Tourism is providing a little Christmas cheer. Brooke Thorington has more…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

If you were impacted by hurricanes in 2020 and 2021, the Office of Community Development wants you to know you can apply for federal aid online at restore.la.gov…:
Cut 14 (12) “into the process”
That’s O.C.D. director Pat Forbes who says if you don’t have internet you can apply by calling 866-735-2001.

On his last monthly radio show of the year this week, Governor John Bel Edwards reflected on his time in office. His current term ends on January 8, 2024. Mr. Edwards said one of his biggest accomplishments was reforming the state’s healthcare system…:
Cut 10 (13) “as well”

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Low temps in parts of Louisiana will dip into the tens and twenties tonight and gusty winds of 40 miles per will make it feel below zero. LRN’s John Weatherby says the hard freeze begins tonight and lows in the state will remain below freezing into the following week.

Cut 8 (04)  “…you’re prepared.“

Louisiana Humane Society director Jeff Dorson says the arrival of very cold winter weather has led to a sharp increase in calls about pets left outside without adequate shelter. Dorson says many complaints are overlooked or never investigated because more than half of the parishes don’t have animal control agencies.

Cut 4 (07)  “…put it.” 

The artic weather will continue into next week.

According to AARP’s COVID dashboard, the nation saw a 26-percent increase in nursing home deaths in the four-week period ending November 20^th.   Louisiana AARP Director of Advocacy Andrew Muhl says as we enter the winter months and holidays urges residents and staff to get updates on their boosters.

Cut 14 (10)   “…and the CDC”

He says the vaccination rate in Louisiana among nursing home residents is 42% and for staff, it’s 15%.

State police are investigating a head-on collision in Ascension Parish that claimed a Geismer man this afternoon. Troopers say 62-year-old Michael Head was killed in the crash on LA 928 east near LA 74. The initial investigation says the vehicle Head was driving crossed the center line and collided with another vehicle.

Get prepared for a hard freeze overnight…pretty much anywhere you are in Louisiana. Temperatures are expected to drop into the teens, withstiff winds making it feel even colder. LRN meteorologist John Weatherby…:

CUT 06  (10)        ”…many locations.”

The Louisiana ASPCA worries that too many of us will leave our pets outside in tonight’s bitterly cold weather. Executive Director Jeff Dorson reminds us that leaving the pets out with no proper food or shelter in such conditions is also ILLEGAL…:

CUT 03  (10)        “…with nothing.”

Dorson says your pets can suffer frostbite, hypothermia and even freeze to death if you leave them out. So, bring them in…please.

A new head of the state Department of Children & Family Services has been appointed. Terri Ricks takes over after the resignation of Marketa Walters a few weeks ago. Governor Edwards says DCFS is understaffed and underfunded, and he hopes to fix that…:

CUT 09  (11)        “…they have.”

Edwards says the state will have a surplus of over $600-million for the fiscal year that starts in July and he’ll work to get DCFS a bigger budget from those funds. DCFS has seen two children under its watch die from drug poisoning and had a foster parent sexually assault a number of kids under his care.

One last note about the coming frigid weather: Entergy, CLECO and other utility says they will suspend cutting off anyone’s power for non-payment right through New Year’s day, so no one need to worry about the heat going out with temperatures below freezing.

The Bayou State will become the Frozen State tonight with temps dipping into the teens tonight. LRN’s John Weatherby says make sure to protect plants, pets and pipes from freezing, and – if going outside – dress in layers…:

CUT 07(07)      “…Christmas Day.”

Weatherby says temperatures should drop into the teens over most of the state tonight, but we’ll also experience strong northwest winds with gusts up to 40 miles per hour.

Let’s talk about folks that leave the pets out in cold like this. Louisiana ASPCA’s Jeff Dorson reminds us that is actually illegal, and you do not want animal Control coming to your house…:

CUT 05(07)      “…take the animal.”

Think of it this way: if you wouldn’t want to be out there, neither would they. Bring them inside.

A surge in COVID cases is impacting nursing homes across the country. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 02(34)      “…Thorington.”

A Jennings man is behind bars after he allegedly uploaded a brief, but graphic video depicting a sex act with a child to Instagram. 22-year-old Logan Crochet is accused of posting the video last summer. He’s charged with pornography involving juveniles.

A surge in COVID cases is impacting nursing homes across the country. Louisiana AARP’s Andrew Muhl says if you have a loved one in a nursing home, you should question the facility about its COVID protocols and vaccination rates…:

CUT 13(08)      “…they accessible?”

He says only about 42-percent of nursing home residents are vaccinated and only 15-percent of staff are up-to-date on boosters.

Terri Ricks has been appointed to oversee the Department of Children and Family Services, after the resignation last month of Marketa Walters. DCFS has had problems with keeping kids safe and internal troubles. Governor John Bel Edwards says he plans to increase the agency’s budget next year…:

CUT 11(11)      “…for DCFS.”

The state should have a $600-million surplus in the budget for 2023-24.

The Louisiana Humane Society says they’re getting a LOT of calls about pets left out in the freezing weather, even though it’s illegal…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Golby.”

LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels says he will be staying on another season with the Tigers. Daniels tweeted today, ”this has been an amazing ride and honestly, I am not ready to get off just yet.”

The Louisiana Humane Society says they are receiving an alarming number of calls about pets left out in the freezing weather, even though it’s illegal. Marsanne Golsby has more.

Cut 1(30)  “…I’m Marsanne Golsby.”

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A surge in COVID cases is impacting nursing homes across the country. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (34)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

______________________________________

Louisiana Humane Society director Jeff Dorson says the arrival of very cold winter weather has led to a sharp increase in calls about pets left outside without adequate shelter.

Cut 3 (10) “…with nothing.” 

State law requires pet owners to provide proper food, water, and shelter, but more than half of Louisiana’s parishes don’t have animal control agencies to enforce the laws, so Dorson says many complaints are overlooked or never investigated. He says that is the norm in parishes without animal control agencies.

Cut 4 (07)  “…put it.” 

According to the Humane Society, animals can suffer from frostbite, hypothermia, and even freeze to death. The Humane Society also asks large animal owners to provide them with access to lean-tos, stalls, sheds, or barns. He says neglected animals in the parishes with animal control agencies do better than those without if their owners get a complaint.

Cut 5 (07) “…take the animal.”

Owners who are found in violation can face fines and even up to six months in jail.

_______________________________________________

The Bayou State will become the Frozen State tonight with temps dipping into the teens tonight. LRN’s John Weatherby says we’ll experience strong northwest winds with gusts up to 40 miles per hour.

Cut 6 (10)  “…many locations.”

Don’t forget to prep your pipes for the deep freeze that begins tonight and Weatherby says to be sure to dress in layers.

Cut 7 (07)  “…Christmas Day.”

Weatherby says if you’ll be traveling over the holiday weekend, be sure to pack accordingly, check the antifreeze in your vehicle and bring extra layers in case you have car trouble and you’re stranded for an extended period of time.

Cut 8 (04)  “…you’re prepared.“

___________________________________________

Terri Ricks has been appointed to oversee the Department of Children and Family Services. The agency has been under fire after two high-profile child deaths. Former Secretary Maketa Walters says the agency’s difficulties are a result of severe staffing shortages.  Governor Edwards says he’s recommending the legislature use a portion of the budget surplus to assist the agency.

Cut 9 (11) “…they have.” 

Edwards says since he took office the state general fund for DCFS has almost doubled, he says it’s approximately 90 more than in 2016. But he believes the agency needs additional financial support.

Cut 10 (09) “…qualified workers.” 

Edwards says the Revenue Estimating Conference says the state has approximately $935 million in surplus for the current budget year and the forecasted surplus for next year’s budget is $608 million.

Cut 11 (11)  “…for DCFS.”

_______________________________________________

A surge in COVID cases is impacting nursing homes across the country. Louisiana AARP Director of Advocacy Andrew Muhl says their dashboard shows an increase in cases among residents and staff, and deaths nationwide are up 26 percent from the four-week period that ended November 20, compared to the previous four-week period.

Cut 12 (10) “…in Louisiana”  

Muhl says if you have a loved one in a nursing home, you should question the facility about its COVID protocols and vaccination rates.

Cut 13 (08) “…are they accessible.”  

As we enter the winter months when cases tend to surge along with community spread and holidays Muhl urges residents and staff to get updated on their boosters.

Cut 14 (10)   “…and the CDC”

The state reported approximately new 4,000 COVID cases this week.

___________________________________________

Cut 15 (10) “…can qualify.”

Cut  16 (07)  “…coroners office.”

The Bayou State will become the Frozen State tonight with temps dipping into the teens tonight. LRN’s John Weatherby says we’ll experience strong northwest winds with gusts up to 40 miles per hour.

Cut 6 (10)  “…many locations.”

Don’t forget to prep your pipes for the deep freeze that begins tonight and Weatherby says to be sure to dress in layers.

Louisiana Humane Society director Jeff Dorson says the arrival of very cold winter weather has led to a sharp increase in calls about pets left outside without adequate shelter. Dorson says many complaints are overlooked or never investigated because more than half of the parishes don’t have animal control agencies.

Cut 4 (07)  “…put it.” 

The artic weather will continue into next week.

Terri Ricks has been appointed to oversee the Department of Children and Family Services. The agency has been under fire after two high-profile child deaths. Since Governor Edwards took office, he says the state general fund for DCFS has almost doubled, he says it’s approximately 90 more than in 2016. Edwards says he plans to recommend part of the budget surplus go to DCFS to increase staffing.

Cut 10 (09) “…qualified workers.” 

A surge in COVID cases is impacting nursing homes across the country. Louisiana AARP Director of Advocacy Andrew Muhl says their dashboard shows an increase in cases among residents and staff, and deaths nationwide are up 26 percent from the four-week period that ended November 20, compared to the previous four-week period.

Cut 12 (10) “…in Louisiana”  

Low temps in parts of Louisiana will dip into the tens and twenties tonight and gusty winds of 40 miles per will make it feel below zero. LRN’s John Weatherby says the hard freeze begins tonight and lows in the state will remain below freezing into the following week.

Cut 8 (04)  “…you’re prepared.“

Terri Ricks has been appointed to oversee the Department of Children and Family Services. The agency has been under fire after two high-profile child deaths. Former Secretary Maketa Walters says the agency’s difficulties are a result of severe staffing shortages.  Governor Edwards says he’s recommending the legislature use a portion of the budget surplus to assist the agency.

Cut 9 (11) “…they have.” 

Ricks was named interim after Walters resigned last month.

The Louisiana Humane Society says they are receiving an alarming number of calls about pets left out in the freezing weather, even though it’s illegal. Marsanne Golsby has more.

Cut 1(30)  “…I’m Marsanne Golsby.”

The Bayou State will become the Frozen State tonight with temps dipping into the teens tonight. LRN’s John Weatherby says we’ll experience strong northwest winds with gusts up to 40 miles per hour. Don’t forget to prep your pipes for the deep freeze that begins tonight and Weatherby says to be sure to dress in layers.

Cut 7 (07)  “…Christmas Day.”

Many locations in the state could experience wind chills below zero.

Louisiana Humane Society director Jeff Dorson says the arrival of very cold winter weather has led to a sharp increase in calls about pets left outside without adequate shelter.

Cut 3 (10) “..with nothing. ” 

State law requires pet owners to provide proper food, water, and shelter

On his monthly radio show Ask the Governor John Bel Edwards discussed the hypothetical question who would appoint the state’s US Senator should John Kennedy run for governor and win. Edwards says would be able to until an election can be held for a permanent replacement. Where it gets interesting is that Edwards a Democrat would be filling the seat recently won by a Republican with most likely a Democrat.

Cut 8 AM (12)  “…(x2) my inclination.”

And Governor Edwards has appointed Terri Ricks to oversee the Department of Children and Family Services. When former secretary Marketa Garner Walters resigned last month, after a public outcry over two child deaths the department has been warned were in danger, Ricks was named secretary on an interim basis. Ricks has served at deputy secretary since 2016 and was an undersecretary from 2004 to 2008.