Louisiana is expected to pass the one-million mark in total COVID cases this week. Many are hoping the peak of the Omicron surge is near. Children younger than 18 represent 27-percent of all COVID cases reported on Friday and State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says that’s a possible sign the peak could be near

Cut 10 (11) “…prior surges.”

Some are complaining the price of medical marijuana in its smokable form is too high. For example, up to $480 per ounce. Gretna Representative Joe Marino, Chair of the state’s Medical Marijuana Commission, says the high price is due to the limited supply from two growing operations.

Cut 5 (13) “…where it can be sold?”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says the hurricanes in 2020 and 2021 produced 579-million dollars in damages to the state’s fishing industry. LDWF biologist administrator Jason Froeba says a comprehensive study looked at monetary losses for infrastructure which includes vessels and revenue…

Cut 7 (07) “…that nature.”

The total amount of damages from the hurricanes to infrastructure was 304-million.

You can impress your friends during Shark Week and tell them shark attacks could be related to lunar phases. Research from LSU and the University of Florida compared attacks with the lunar phases and LSU Associate Professor Steve Midway says the moon’s influence is not from illumination because the vast majority of attacks take place during the day.

Cut 14 (08)  “…magnetic fields.”

A study finds that hurricanes in 2020 and 2021 caused 579-million dollars in damages to the Louisiana fishing industry. Michelle Southern has the story…
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Michelle Southern”

Snow flurries were seen in south Louisiana yesterday, but sunny and warmer today. Another cold front arrives on Wednesday, bringing us another round of cold weather for the end of the work week.

Today is Martin Luther King Day, state and federal offices are closed and there are many events scheduled today to honor the civil rights leader.

Now that medical marijuana is available in a smokable form, some are complaining of the high price. One of the state’s 9 cannabis pharmacies is asking between $440 and $480 per ounce. Gretna Representative Joe Marino chairs the state’s Medical Marijuana Commission, and says the high price is due to the limited supply from only two growing operations…:
Cut 4 (11) “…of the program.”
Marino says in the upcoming legislative session, lawmakers will look at expanding the number of growers and pharmacies in the hopes that will bring the price down.

The next time you want to impress your friends during Shark Week you can tell them that shark attacks are related to lunar phases. New research from LSU and the University of Florida compared attacks with the lunar phases and LSU Associate Professor Steve Midway says there appears to be a connection.
Cut 13 (10) “…closer to the new moon.”
Midway says their data serves as a building block towards better understanding shark attacks.

This week, the state is expected to reach one-million COVID cases since the pandemic started. Louisiana is dealing with its fifth surge of cases as a result of the Omicron variant. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says based on what they’ve seen in other parts of the world, Omicron rages and then fades away…
Cut 11 (12) “…right now.”

A new study finds hurricanes Laura, Delta, Zeta, and Ida resulted in an estimated 579-million dollars in losses to the state’s fisheries, infrastructure, revenues and biological resources. Jason Froeba with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says this report could convince Congress the state’s fishing industry needs federal assistance…
cut 9 (09) “…..Louisiana’s fisheries’

Patients are complaining the cost of legal medical cannabis is out of their reach. Is it time to further expand medical marijuana laws? Kevin Gallagher reports…:
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Family and friends of a Hammond man who died last week when he was crushed in a garbage truck have a lot of unanswered questions. Police say 42-year-old Jermaine Watts was seeking shelter and fell asleep in a dumpster, but people who know Watts say he had a home just six blocks away from the dumpster. An autopsy on his death has yet to be completed.

Louisiana is expected to surpass one million COVID cases since the start of the pandemic this week. The state is experiencing its fifth surge of cases with the Omicron variant and State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter wishes he can provide an answer on when the Omicron peak will arrive, but there’s no good modeling to predict this…
cut 12 (10) “…I’ve seen”

Gretna Representative Joe Marino also chairs the state’s Medical Marijuana Commission and he expects we’ll see more legislation during the 2022 regular session to help bring the price down for medical marijuana…
cut 6 (070 “….expand this program”
Marino believes the state needs more growers and licensed pharmacies to bring the price of the product down.

A new study from LSU and the University of Florida compared shark attacks and moon phases and they found a trend. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Sunshine and warmer today, but the cold weather returns on Thursday.

Get your winter coat ready because the temps are going to drop after rain enters the state and hold on to your hat also because it’s going to be windy too. State Climatologist, Barry Keim areas north of I-20 could experience a wintery mix of precipitation overnight.  Keim says the wind chill will make it feel even colder on Sunday and you’ll continue to need that extra blanket for a few more nights because the cold temps continue.

Cut  11 (10)  “…behind that.”

A helicopter crash in Lafourche Parish Friday morning killed two people on board. A spokesperson for the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office says a caller reported seeing a helicopter go down on the west side of the parish near the edge of the levee system in Larose around 10 am. Search crews spent hours circling an area south of Larose and spotted the wreckage. Officials are working to notify next of kin.

Thanks to the recently passed federal Infrastructure Bill, Louisiana will get a billion dollars over 5 years to repair or rebuild a significant amount of the state’s crumbling bridges. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says the state will spend about 200-million of the one billion this year and they’ve released a list of bridge projects.

CUT 13(11)      “…this year.”

Bridges in Caddo, Ouachita St. Mary Parish – all expected to get some attention in the coming year.

Fans of Betty White are giving the beloved actress a true Mardi Gras send-off tomorrow. Retired New Orleans realtor, Santa T Claus says attendees are encouraged to bring their well-behaved four-legged friend and a pet toy to donate.

Cut 5 (09) “…to California.”

The parade begins at 4pm at the corner of Bourbon and Canal.

It’s about to get cold and windy in the Bayou State as a major cold front moves across the country for the Martin Luther King holiday weekend. Northwestern areas of the state could see snow overnight, but the wind appears as if it’s going to be the issue for the majority of the state as rain enters the state leaving behind chilly temps.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries reports thousands of fish – and over one hundred birds, snakes and other animals – died as a result of a pipeline spill in St. Bernard Parish. LDWF Oil Response Coordinator Laura Carver says 75 alligators have also been captured for rehabilitation…

 Cut 6 (06) “…for rehab” 

The spill from a severely corroded & ruptured pipeline was discovered in late December. Most of the diesel fuel spilled into two artificial ponds. Cleanup work continues.

The State Fire Marshal’s office says a Lacombe man died after going back into a burning home to rescue his pets. Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says the home caught fire early Tuesday morning. Two people in their 60’s made it safely outside, but the man went back inside to save the family dogs…:

Cut 15 (07) “…died a day later.” 

The 60-year-old man’s name is withheld for now. He died in the hospital a day after the fire

The governor’s office announces Louisiana is receiving a billion dollars to repair crumbling bridges The money comes from the recently approved Infrastructure Law. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says the federal government allocated the dollars based on need and Louisiana is getting a big slice of the pie…

Cut 12 (08) “…our condition.”  

The state owns 78-hundred bridges with nearly 800 of them needing to be replaced or in need of major repair

The governor’s office announces the state will receive one-billion dollars over the next five years to rebuild bridges that are decades old that need to be rehabilitated or replaced. State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says some of the money could go towards a new bridge in Lake Charles…
cut 14 (12) “….are one project”
Wilson says they plan to use this federal money on about 400 different bridges.

A corroded pipeline is being blamed for a diesel fuel spill in St. Bernard Parish. Hundreds of land animals are reported dead as a result. LDWF’s Lara Carver says as many as 2500 fish were killed as well…:
CUT 07(05) “…and shad.”
Cleanup crews are on the job, and animals found alive are being trapped and taken for rehabilitation.

Governor Edwards is extremely concerned over a trend where people intentionally expose themselves to COVID. Edwards says if individuals deliberately infect themselves the outcome affects more than just that one person.
Cut 29 (12) “…if that happens.”
Edwards says those cases could overwhelm the healthcare system.

The weather will turn much colder on Saturday as a result of a powerful cold front that could produce some winter precipitation north of I-20. State Climatologist Barry Keim says Sunday will be a good day to stay inside and morning lows will be near the freezing mark to start the next work week…
cut 11 (10) “…behind that”
Keim says some of the coldest air of the winter could be here late next week.

The state announces it will receive a billion dollars over the next five years from the federal government to rebuild bridges. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 02(31)      “…Palermo.”

This Sunday in New Orleans, a parade to honor the late Betty White. The entertainer died just days shy of her 100^th birthday. Animal rescue was a favorite cause for Betty, so the parade will also raise money for animal care & adoption programs. The parade starts Sunday at 4, at the corner of Canal and Bourbon.

A corroded pipeline in St. Bernard Parish is being blamed for a massive diesel spill that has killed thousands of fish and hundreds of land animals. LDWF spokesperson Laura Carver says animals found alive are being trapped, cleaned up and rehabilitated. She says that includes birds, snakes, turtles and gators…:

CUT 08(07)      “…rehabilitation.”

Cleanup of the spill is fully underway.

Keep that heavy coat handy. It’s going to be a chilly weekend as a cold front enters the state again Saturday. State Climatologist Barry Keim says tomorrow will be a big transitional day, with rain and possibly a wintery mix in the northern parishes…:

CUT 10(08)      “…most of the state.”

He says he still does NOT expect we will see a hard freeze.

Thanks to the recently passed federal Infrastructure Bill, Louisiana will get a billion dollars over 5 years to repair or rebuild a lot of the state’s crumbling bridges. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says the state will spend about 200-million of the one billion this year and they’ve released a list of bridge projects that will see funding…:

CUT 13(11)      “…this year.”

Bridges in Caddo, Ouachita St. Mary Parish – all expected to get some love in the coming year.

Sunday in New Orleans, a parade to honor the late, great Betty White. She passed away just days shy of her 100^th birthday. Parade organizer Santa T. Claus (his legal name) says the parade will raise money to benefit animal rescue – one of White’s favorite causes – and starts Sunday at 4, Bourbon and Canal…:

CUT 04(10)      “…Jackson Square.”

The State Fire Marshal’s office says a Lacombe man died after going back into a burning home to rescue his pets. Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says the home caught fire early Tuesday morning. Two people in their 60’s made it safely outside, but the man went back inside to save the family dogs. He died in the hospital a day after the fire. Rodrigue has this advice for anyone able to escape a burning building..:

CUT 16(12)      “…if we lose our own.”

A Shreveport man is in jail after a police search warrant turned up over 21 pounds of illegal marijuana. They also confiscated seven guns, over $12-thousand in cash and a Cadillac Escalade. 27-year-old Harlann Stewart face drug and weapons charges. No word on bail.

Coronavirus. The health Department reports just over 14-thousand new cases with almost 2200 in the hospital with the virus. Of those, nearly 75-percent are not fully vaccinated. Ten COVID patients have recently died.

The state highway department will get a billion federal dollars over the next five years to rebuild Louisiana’s old and dilapidated bridges. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 02(31)      “…Palermo.”

An air & water search is underway in Lafourche Parish, after residents report seeing a helicopter go down in wetlands near the town of Larose. The crash reportedly happened around 10 this morning. Sheriff Craig Webre says deputies are searching the area now for wreckage and possible survivors. More as it develops.

A corroded pipeline is being blamed for a diesel fuel spill in St. Bernard Parish. Hundreds of land animals are reported dead as a result. LDWF’s Lara Carver says as many as 2500 fish were killed as well…:

CUT 07(05)      “…and shad.”

Cleanup crews are on the job, and animals found alive are being trapped and taken for rehabilitation.

Cold winter weather revisits the state, as rain and another front move through this weekend. State Climatologist Barry Keim says areas around I-20 should be prepared for he calls a “wintery mix” of precipitation…:

CUT 09(13)      “…the Florida parishes”

Keim expects it get plenty cold, but no hard freeze is expected. Bundle up.