U. S. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh is in New Orleans today meeting with state and local officials to discuss workforce development and the trillion-dollar infrastructure bill. New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter wants to highlight the need to fund organizations that assist the formally incarcerated with employment:
CUT 12 (09) “the workforce”
Roundtable discussions at Delgado Community College will also include nonprofit leaders that focus on post-disaster workforce issues.

Two years into the pandemic, behavioral health experts warn of long term mental health impacts that COVID has made on society. Patrick Bordnick, Dean of Tulane University’s School of Social Work says they know from previous traumas there’s a high rate of substance abuse relapse under stressful events…:
Cut 5 (11) “more severe”

If you’ve always wanted to wear an LSU jersey with your favorite player’s name on it, David Grubb reports some historic news for fans and players…:
CUT 3 (31) “I’m David Grubb”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announces a feeding and carcass export ban on deer in Tensas, Franklin and Madison Parishes in response to a buck harvested in the area being diagnosed with chronic wasting disease. To see the complete declaration of emergency, go to wlf.louisiana.gov.

New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter will accompany U.S. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh today as he meets with local leaders to discuss workforce development.
Cut 2 (33) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

Saints running back Alvin Kamara was arrested for battery just hours after playing in the NFL’s Pro Bowl on Sunday. Las Vegas Police said they met with someone at a hospital Saturday evening who told cops he was beaten up by Kamara at a nightclub earlier that day. Kamara is scheduled to appear in court Monday after posting $5,000 bond.

The state office of motor vehicles is kicking off a “If You Suspect, Speak” campaign with billboards aimed in the fight against human trafficking. OMV spokesman Matt Boudreaux says, if you think you’ve encountered a human trafficker and one or more victims call 888-373-7888, but do NOT intervene…:
Cut 9 (07) “potentially themselves”
The billboards will be placed along the state’s busiest highways reminding travelers to report anything suspicious that could be a sign something is not right.

LSU inked a historic deal Friday which will allow Tiger fans to wear jerseys with player names in 2022 — and the players will earn money for each one sold. Cody Worsham with LSU Athletics says this is a win-win…:
Cut 15 (07) “the LSU brand”
The customizable Nike jerseys will feature the name and number of every player.

The state Office of Motor Vehicles will help fight human trafficking on Louisiana roadways with a new campaign. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 1 (35) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

The first Louisiana case of the deadly deer sickness, chronic wasting disease, has been identified in Tensas Parish. As a result, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has imposed a feeding and carcass export ban on dear in Tensas, Franklin, and Madison Parishes. The feeding ban reduces the risk of the potential spread of CWD when deer gather around feeding sites.

Almost two years into the pandemic, behavioral health experts warn of the long-term mental health impacts that COVID has made on society. Patrick Bordnick, Dean of Tulane University’s School of Social Work says the mental consequences of the pandemic won’t go away overnight…:
Cut 4 (12) “years to come”
He says mental health challenges have risen 33 percent since the pandemic.

LSU is the first college football program to partner with Fanatics that will allow fans to by customizable jerseys of players, with the athletes getting paid per item. Athletic department spokesperson Cody Worsham says this makes LSU more competitive in the new world of NIL…:
Cut 13 (11) “to help launch”
He says The Tigers voted to fully opt-in to the program in less than a day’s time.

The Las Vegas Police Department announces Saints running back Alvin Kamara has been arrested in connection to an incident at a club the night before he played in the Pro Bowl. They say the investigation began Saturday after an individual reported they had been battered by the suspect – later identified as Kamara. He was arrested Sunday evening and booked into the Clark County Detention Center.

U. S. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh is in New Orleans today meeting with state and local officials to discuss workforce development and the trillion-dollar infrastructure bill. New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter says discussions with the secretary will include the need to hire locally…:
Cut 10 (09) “and rebuilding”
Roundtable discussions at Delgado Community College will also include nonprofit leaders that focus on post-disaster workforce issues.

The state Office of Motor Vehicles is getting involved in the fight against human trafficking. Called “If You Suspect, Speak!” the campaign will place billboards along the state’s busiest highways reminding travelers to report anything suspicious that could be a sign something is not right. OMV spokesman Matt Boudreaux…:
Cut 7 (15) “and report it”
The billboards will reinforce the message asking travelers to text help to 233733.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announces a feeding and carcass export ban on deer in Tensas, Franklin and Madison Parishes in response to a buck harvested in the area being diagnosed with chronic wasting disease.

LSU fans and players are about to reap the benefits of a historic agreement…:
Cut 3 (31) “I’m David Grubb”

Even though crawfish boils are commonly associated with spring and summer, the season is already underway despite the cold. LSU AgCenter crawfish specialist Mark Shirley says farmers could use the support if you pick up a few pounds…:
Cut 10 (12) “that they catch”

The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office says two men have been arrested for allegedly stealing then selling someone’s catalytic converter taken off a truck at a boat launch in Vinton. They say during the execution of the arrest warrant, they obtained more evidence the suspects were involved in additional catalytic converter thefts across Calcasieu Parish. Kory Moss of Sulphur and William Hawkins of Kinder were booked on theft charges and police believe more charges are likely.

Baton Rouge Police Sergeant L’Jean McKneely whose agency was also involved in a busting a catalytic converter theft ring this week says it’s hard to prevent it from happening because the equipment can be removed in a matter of minutes…:
CUT 7 (11) “leave the area”
According to State Farm insurance, theft claims for catalytic converters rose almost 300-percent from July of 2020 to July 2021 in the US.

The state woke up to sub-freezing temperatures this morning and State Climatologist Barry Keim says you can expect the same tonight. He says keep an eye out for the Ps this weekend…:
Cut 5 (11) “the state”

If you’re one of the hundreds of people who have had a catalytic converter stolen off a vehicle, you’ll be happy to hear about the bust in East Baton Rouge Parish this week. Matthew and Brooke Gibson were booked in connection to a catalytic converter theft ring and Baton Rouge Police Sergeant L’Jean McKneely says they hope to make more arrests of others associated in the operation…:
CUT 8 (10) “wholesaler”
Catalytic converter thefts have been reported from the likes of school busses and even a van used to deliver meals to people in need.

The House and Senate Governmental Affairs Committees approved new Congressional district maps similar to the current one, which means just one majority-minority district…:
Cut 2 (35) I’m Jeff Palermo”

LSU has become the first school to partner with Fanatics and OneTeam to create custom jerseys of their favorite players which the student athletes will profit from under NIL. Cody Worsham with LSU Communications expects more schools will follow…:
CUT 14 (09) “they will now”

Well, the good news about the weather this weekend is that the sun will be shining in Louisiana, but State Climatologist Barry Keim says the freezing temps are hanging around…:
CUT 4 (11) “hard freeze”
He says keep an eye on the Ps this weekend: People, Pets, Plants and Pipes.

LSU inked a historic deal Friday which will allow Tiger fans to wear jerseys with player names in 2022 — and the players will earn money for each one sold. Cody Worsham with LSU Communications says this is a win-win deal for the university and the players, with the exposure of one of the nation’s premier athletic programs paired with the extraordinary talents of these student-athletes…:
Cut 15 (07) “the LSU brand”
The jerseys will be available on Fanatics before the start of the season.

Though we typically associate crawfish boils with spring and summer, the season is actually already underway. David Grubb reports it’s not too early for mudbugs
CUT 1 (30) “I’m David Grubb”

If you’ve got a mobile wager on Joe Burrow and the Bengals in the Super Bowl next weekend, you’re not the only one. Texas businessman “Mattress Mac” hopped into the Bayou State and placed a $4.5 million dollar bet on Cincinnati to upset the Rams outright. It’s the largest mobile wager of all time in just a little over a week after sports betting on your phone in Louisiana became legal.

Virtually all of our state is in the grips of frigid winter temperatures, and it’s only going to get colder for a few nights. State Climatologist Barry Keim…:

CUT 04(11)      “…be a hard freeze.”

Keim says a slight warming trend will come in for early next week.

Detectives in Baton Rouge found over 100 stolen catalytic converters in a local couple’s chop shop. Matthew and Brooke Gibson are under arrest; facing numerous charges, including possession of narcotics. Baton Rouge Police Sergeant L’Jean (el-JEAN) McKneely says there’s been an increase in catalytic converter thefts and they are investigating ties to Gibson’s operation…:

CUT 06(10)      “…Texas for sale.”

He says preventing converter theft is tough, because thieves can get one off your car in just minutes.

Caddo Parish deputies report two people hurt today when an auto transport truck collided with a freight train on state Highway 169 in Greenwood. The highway was closed down for quite a long while the accident was cleared. The truck driver was not hurt, but two members of the train crew were taken to the hospital.

Is it too early to enjoy some hot boiled crawfish? No indeed, says Mark Shirley with the LSU Ag Center. With crawfish farmers enduring harsh conditions to deliver one of the state’s signature culinary staples, Shirley says there’s no better time to show support by buying a few pounds…:

CUT 10(12)      “…that they catch.”

Prices for mudbugs are up a bit this year, but then again so is the price of everything else.

The House and Senate Governmental Affairs Committees both approved new Congressional district maps similar to the current one, which means just one majority-minority district. Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt says, based on the 2020 Census data, she doesn’t believe a second majority-Black district can be drawn and pass legal muster. She says proposals that DID do that would actually reduce the chances of a Black candidate being elected…:

CUT 13(12)      “…majority-minority district.”

In the House Committee, New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis was not happy with a bill moved forward that has only one majority black district. He questions bill sponsor, Speaker Clay Schexnayder, about fairness…:

CUT 15(13)      “…they want.”

The maps passed by the committees next face debate on the House & Senate floors.

COVID. The state Health Department reports today that there are 70 fewer people hospitalized with the virus than yesterday. By number, that’s 1821. About 70-percent of those still in hospital beds are not fully vaxxed. Just over 7000 new cases reported today; mostly the Omicron variant. This leads to hope the pandemic may winding down.

Crawfish season is typically associated with spring and summer backyard boils, but the season actually begins in January. David Grubb tells us why it’s not too early to start grabbing some mudbugs…:

CUT 01(30)      “…David Grubb.”

Though the chances of hazardous wintery precipitation are passing us by, look for hard freezes tonight and Saturday night across Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim says get ready…:

CUT 05  (11)        “…the state.”

A slight warming trend will come in for early next week.

Baton Rouge Police bust a couple believed responsible for stealing over a hundred catalytic converters from people’s cars. A thief can get anywhere from $900 to $2500 for a stolen converter, because of the precious metals inside. BRPD spokesman Sgt. L’Jean (EL-jeen) McKneely says Matthew and Brooke Gibson are under arrest and more they hope to make more busts…:

CUT 08  (10)        “…to another wholesaler.”

McKneely says as for preventing someone from stealing one for your car it’s almost impossible because they can be removed in a matter of minutes.

The House and Senate Governmental Affairs committee approves new Congressional district maps. They do not include a second majority-minority district. Jeff Palermo has more…:

CUT 02(35)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

A man’s body found in a Natchitoches Parish oxidation pond Thursday has been identified as a missing man from LaSalle Parish. 35-year-old Josh Humphries hadn’t been seen since January 8^th. Natchitoches cops found his car on the 13^th. Though cause of death has not been determine, his death is ruled a homicide. An investigation is underway.