Today’s cold temperatures are just the beginning of a frigid weekend in Louisiana. State climatologist Barry Keim says what may be the season’s coldest weather begins tonight and will last until morning…:

CUT 04(10)      “…across the whole state”

Another freeze is coming Sunday morning, then a slight warming to start the workweek.

The mild winter has allowed for boil-worthy crawfish in January. But Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says this weekend’s cold weather will make it difficult for crawfish farmers to catch mudbugs, but with high temperatures getting into the 40s the arctic blast is just a hiccup for what should be a great season…

Cut 15 (11) “…crawfish” 

A new partnership aims to expand career opportunities in Louisiana’s thriving maritime industry. David Grubb has more…:

CUT 01(33)  “…David Grubb.”

In Ascension Parish, a Gonzales man is under arrest for animal cruelty, after photos were posted online of his dog chained up in the back yard with no shelter. Neighbors also say they’ve frequently heard Frank Bell Jr. beating dogs. Bell’s dogs have been removed from the property. Most people don’t want to be outside in this weather, neither do pets.

The state health department is now reporting reinfections on its COVID dashboard. There are more than 49-thousand of those in Louisiana now, and almost 14-hundred were added Friday. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says the state is following the CDC’s definition…:

CUT 09(12)      “…as a reinfection.”

Kanter says boosters will give you Delta-level protection against Omicron COVID.

Today’s cold temperatures are just the beginning of a frigid weekend in Louisiana. State climatologist Barry Keim says high temperatures will only be in the 40s today and tomorrow..:

CUT 03(04)      “…this time of year.”

Overnight lows will go into the 20’s for much of the state. Things will start to warm up a bit by Sunday afternoon. Freezing precip is not expected.

So, with all this freezing weather, what’s the concern for the state’s strawberry crop? Tangipahoa Parish Extension Agent Mary Helen Ferguson says berry farmers ARE prepared…:

CUT 12(11)      “…ten degrees of protection.”

Because of the warm weather earlier this winter, some farmers have already picked a large portion of their crops.

A new partnership between the Crescent River Port Pilots and the New Orleans-Baton Rouge Steamship Pilots Associations seeks to increase awareness of career opportunities in the state’s maritime industry for African-Americans and other minorities. Captain Roy Vance believes the industry has flown under the radar for too long…:

CUT 06(13)      “…life-changing jobs.”

What may prove to be some of the coldest weather of the winter is moving into Louisiana as freezing temperatures are expected overnight across the whole state. State Climatologist Dr. Barry Keim says expect overnight lows going into the 20’s in northern parishes and the lower 30’s nearer to the coast. Keim says it will begin to warm up Sunday, but until then take the usual precautions when it gets this cold…:

CUT 05 (10)      “…exposed lines.”

Two maritime pilots groups are teaming to make more folks aware of job opportunities on Louisiana’s working ships and barges.  Captain Roy Vance, speaking for the Crescent River Port Pilots and the New Orleans-Baton Rouge Steamship Pilots, says it’s an aggressive effort to reach out – particularly to persons of color – and fill those jobs…:

CUT 08 (12)      “…get the word out.”

The state adds COVID re-infections to the LDH data web page, and the Omicron variant is causing them to grow. Brooke Thorington explains…:

CUT 02  (34)        “…Brooke Thorington.”

In Ascension Parish, a Gonzales man is under arrest for animal cruelty, after photos were posted online of his dog chained up in the back yard with no shelter whatsoever. Neighbors also say they’ve frequently heard Frank Bell Jr. beating the dogs. Bell’s dogs have been removed from the property. If you don’t want to be outside in this weather, neither should they

Today’s cold temperatures are just the beginning of a frigid weekend in Louisiana. State climatologist Barry Keim says what may be the season’s coldest weather begins tonight and will last until morning…:

CUT 04(10)      “…across the whole state”

Another freeze is coming Sunday morning, then a slight warming to start the work week.

The state health department now reports reinfections on its COVID dashboard. There are more than 49-thousand in Louisiana now and almost 14-hundred were added Friday. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says this stresses the need to get boosters, because studies show Omicron evades the protection of just the two-dose mRNA vaccines. He says once you are boosted, it brings you to Delta-level protection…:

CUT 11(07)      “…so many reinfections.”

A new partnership aims to expand career opportunities in Louisiana’s thriving maritime industry. David Grubb has more…:

CUT 01(33)      “…David Grubb.”

Deputies in Calcasieu Parish arrest a Sulphur man for stealing from a non-profit while serving at its Treasurer. Investigators say Richard J. Cole took over $300-thousand; much it in the form of checks made out to himself. Cole was charged with theft, and has been released on bond. The investigation is still underway.

Today’s cold temperatures are just the beginning of a frigid weekend in Louisiana. State climatologist Barry Keim says temperatures won’t climb higher than the mid-40s either today or tomorrow.

Cut 3 (04) …”this time of year.”

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The state adds COVID re-infections to the dashboard, and the Omicron variant has caused them to grow considerably. Booke Thorington has more…

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

—

For the month of December $39.5 million was wagered in Louisiana casinos in the second full month of legalized sports betting. Eleven riverboats, racinos, and Harrah’s land based casino recorded proceeds of close to 4.4 million according to figures released by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board. Of the eight operating in November 27.6 million was wagered with revenues of 5.7 million.

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This weekend’s low temperatures will be felt throughout the state, but strawberry producers are prepared for the cold. Tangipahoa Parish Associate Extension Agent Mary Helen Ferguson says the relatively mild winter up until now allowed some growers to begin picking up their crops…

Cut 13 (09) “…back on.”

The mild winter has also allowed for boil-worthy crawfish in January. However, Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says this weekend’s weather increases the difficulty for crawfish farmers to catch mudbugs, and cold temperatures don’t help them grow…

Cut 14 (07) “…in action.”

A new partnership between the Crescent River Port Pilots and the New Orleans-Baton Rouge Steamship Pilots Associations aims to increase awareness of career opportunities in the state’s maritime industry for minorities. Captain Roy Vance says the jobs are not limited to on-ship positions.

Cut 7 (11) “…to choose from.” 

The association will begin an active recruitment campaign.

The state is reporting reinfections on its COVID dashboard. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says they’ve been tracking reinfections since they started but the Omicron variant caused reinfections to surge.

Cut 10 (10)  “….boosters.” 

There are more than 49-thousand reported reinfections in Louisiana.

Temperatures will get down to the low-to-mid 20s in southeast Louisiana this weekend where strawberries are produced. Tangipahoa Parish Associate Extension Agent Mary Helen Ferguson says producers are prepared for below-freezing temps…

Cut 12 (11) “..protection.”  

Before this weekend, Louisiana was experiencing a mild winter, which Ferguson says has allowed some strawberry growers to begin picking their crop.

Louisiana receives a top grade when it comes to laws to prevent auto crashes. Allison Kennedy, spokesperson for Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety says they look at 16 different factors proven to prevent crashes and Louisiana can improve its safety laws by adding booster seat laws and graduated drivers’ licenses.

Cut  28 (08)  “…impaired driving crashes.”  

Louisiana has 10 out of the 16 safety laws

A new partnership between the Crescent River Port Pilots and the New Orleans-Baton Rouge Steamship Pilots Associations aims to increase awareness of career opportunities in the state’s maritime industry for African-Americans and other minorities. Captain Roy Vance believes that the industry has flown under the radar for too long.
Cut 6 (13) “…life-changing jobs.”
Vance also said that these jobs are not limited to on-ship positions. People from any number of backgrounds have the opportunity to find a job suited to their skills.

The state health department is now reporting reinfections on its COVID dashboard. There have been 47-thousand of them, nearly 19-hundred were added this week. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says the state is following the CDC’s definition.
Cut 9 (12) “…as a reinfection.”
Reinfections are also included in the total case count which surpassed one million this week since the pandemic began.

According to the 2022 Roadmap of State Highway Safety Laws, Louisiana ranks 9th in the nation. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is back for 2022; at the Fairgrounds and on its traditional dates. Jazz Fest producer Quint Davis says this year’s roster of performers has something for everyone…:
Cut 4 (10) “…Stevie Knicks, Billy strings, Nora Jones.”

State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says COVID numbers hint that the state might be close to peaking with cases but yet it’s still too early to tell.

Cut 7 (12) “…very, very high.”

On Thursday the state reported 14,706 new cases.

According to DOTD 997 people were killed last year in traffic crashes, an alarming increase from previous years. Allison Kennedy, spokesperson for Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety says Louisiana is not immune because traffic fatalities are up nationwide. She says a recent survey indicates 75-percent of respondents were unaware of the increase however…

Cut 12 (10) “…being done.”

After missing two years due to COVID, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is back this spring. Kevin Gallagher has lineup highlights…:

Cut 1 (27) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

For the month of December 39.5  million was wagered in Louisiana casinos in the second full month of legalized sports betting. Eleven riverboats, racinos, and Harrah’s land bases casino recorded proceeds of close to 4.4 million according to figures released by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board. Of the eight operating in November 27.6 million was wagered and revenues of 5.7 million.

There have been no major impacts from the light freezing rain that fell across south Louisiana. But the cold weather is not going away anytime soon. A hard freeze warning is in effect for the southern half of the state. 50 degree high temperatures will return on Sunday.

The latest COVID numbers indicate the state may have reached a peak, but the stats also show the Omicron variant has been the hardest one yet for children…
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Louisiana receives a top grade when it comes to laws that prevent auto crashes. Allison Kennedy, spokesperson for Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety says their report looks at 16 different factors that are statistically proven to reduce traffics accidents and Louisiana has 10 of those laws on the books.
Cut 10 (07) “…passengers.”
But Kennedy also notes statistically only half of drivers and passengers are properly restrained in crashes.

The state’s premier music event will return this Spring as the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival says they will return to the Fair Grounds April 29th to May 1st and then May 5th to the eighth. The Who, Stevie Nicks, Willie Nelson and Jimmy Buffet headline this year’s Fest…
cut 6 (11) “….like three years now”
That’s Jazz Fest Producer Quint Davis.

The state health department says the Omicron variant is sending more kids to the hospital than the previous COVId variants. State health officer Doctor Joe Kanter says 199 children have been admitted to hospitals this month and they’ve seen more cases of the multisystem inflammatory syndrome, a condition where the heart, lungs, and brain can become inflamed…
cut 9 (06) “….marker as well”
Kanter says the highest percentage of pediatric cases are among ages four and younger as they are ineligible for the vaccine.

COVID will not stop Jazz Fest in New Orleans this year as the two-weekend spring music festival has announced they are returning after a two-year hiatus. Jazz Fest producer and director Quint Davis says this year’s top headliners are The Who, Foo Fighters, Jimmy Buffett, Lionel Richie, Willie Nelson, and dozens more. Davis says a number of artists planned their other shows AROUND being at Jazz Fest’s big return…
Cut 5 (11) “…we’re gonna be there.”

According to the 2022 Roadmap of State Highway Safety Laws, Louisiana ranks 9th in the nation. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Radar indicates we are still seeing some freezing rain falling in the Houma, Thibodaux, Morgan City area. Governor John Bel Edwards says slick spots are possible…
cut 15 (10) “….driving”