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.

The House and Senate Governmental Affairs Committees 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…

Cut 12 (11) “…District 2″

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The House Governmental Affairs Committee also approved a congressional map that does not create a second majority-minority district. The vote was 13-to-5 in favor of House Speaker Clay Schexnayder’s proposal which features one majority-minority district, but changes current existing lines to reflect population changes. New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis voted against it…

Cut 14 (11) “…of choice.”

—

Louisianans awoke to freezing temperatures this morning, with a major cold front moving through the state. State climatologist Barry Keim says the cold conditions are expected to stick around for at least another week, and we should get prepared for a harsh weekend.

Cut 4 (11) “…a hard freeze.”

—

Louisiana hasn’t hit the peak of crawfish season, but that doesn’t mean that mudbugs aren’t on the menu. Mark Shirley, LSU AgCenter crawfish specialist, says the recent wave of cold temperatures may have slowed the growth of this year’s harvest, but it hasn’t stopped it.

Cut 9 (12) “…but they’re there.”

Shirley also says that with the rising cost of crawfish farming this is a great time to support the crawfish industry by buying a few pounds.

—

Louisianans awoke to freezing temperatures this morning, with a major cold front moving through the state. State climatologist Barry Keim says don’t expect things to get much warmer anytime soon.

Cut 3 (10) “…be really cold.”

A Baton Rouge couple’s chop shop is closed now after the discovery of 101 catalytic converters were found in their home, along with narcotics. Baton Rouge Police Sgt. L’Jean McKneely says as for preventing someone from stealing a converter from your car it’s almost impossible because they can be removed in a matter of minutes.

Cut 7 (11) “…leave the area.” 

Converter theft has increased by almost 300 percent in the US. Matthew and Brooke Gibson face numerous charges.

According to the American Clean Power Association, more than 17-thousand jobs will likely be created if two wind farms are built off the coasts of Texas and Louisiana. Michael Hecht, CEO of Greater New Orleans Inc says while it’s easier to harness wind energy off the east coast, technology is advancing that will improve the opportunity for offshore wind farms in the Gulf…
cut 11 (05) “…in the Gulf”
Hecht believes Louisiana ports in New Orleans, Avondale and Port Fourchon will benefit from wind operations in the Gulf.

Former LSU and current Los Angeles Rams offensive lineman Andrew Whitworth makes his second Super Bowl appearance next Sunday. After going the last two seasons without a playoff win, the four-time Pro Bowler isn’t taking his second shot for granted.

Cut 17 (10) “ …lot to us.” 

The 40-year-old player is now the oldest in the NFL since Tom Brady’s retirement.

After the discovery of 101 catalytic converters at an East Baton Rouge couple’s chop shop, Matthew and Brooke Gibson are facing numerous charges, including possession of narcotics. Baton Rouge Police Sargent L’Jean McKneely says there’s been an ongoing increase of catalytic converter theft and they are investigating ties to Gibson’s operation.

 Cut 6 (10) “…Texas for sale.” 

The Senate Governmental Affairs Committee approves a new Congressional district map similar to the current one, which means just one majority-minority district. Chairwoman and Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt says based on the 2020 Census data she doesn’t believe a second majority-Black district can be drawn…

Cut 12 (11) “…District 2″  

Hewitt’s Congressional map proposal heads to the Senate.

Supporters of the family of Ronald Greene, the Black motorist who died after a beating by white State Police troopers in 2019, held a press conference to respond to statements made by Governor John Bel Edwards. David Grubb has more…

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m David Grubb.”

If you’re driving in north Louisiana, be aware of hazardous conditions and road closures due to the winter precipitation from last night. That’s in the Shreveport and Monroe area. Eventually, temperatures will get above freezing, but highs in north Louisiana will only be in the 30s and the wind chill will make it feel even colder and will drop into the mid 20s later tonight.

Civil rights groups are still not happy with Governor John Bel Edwards despite telling the state on Tuesday that any allegations that he was involved in a cover-up of the death of Ronald Greene is utterly false and baseless. Krystal Muhammad, chair of the New Black Panther for Self-Defense, says Edwards didn’t treat this case seriously from the beginning…
cut 28 (11) “….was thanks”
Edwards has condemned the actions of State Police Troopers the night Greene died. Video shows Greene being beaten and tased. Devon Norman, part of the Lafayette community collective, “The Village 337” says Edwards only spoke on Tuesday because of mounting political pressure…
cut 29 (07) “…murdered”

Both the House and Senate Governmental Affairs committees are discussing today proposals that would create a second majority-minority congressional district…..
cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher”

There’s a discussion of building wind farms in the Gulf of Mexico as another source of energy and Michael Hecht, CEO of Greater New Orleans Inc says there are already Louisiana firms involved in the engineering, construction, and servicing farms in the Atlantic Ocean…
cut 10 (11) “….offshore wind”

Civil rights activists remain upset with Governor John Bel Edwards for how he’s handled the fatal arrest of Ronald Greene. Edwards denied that he was involved in a possible cover-up of Greene’s death, who was seen on video being beaten and tased by white State troopers before he died. Kyrstal Muhammand, is the chair of the New Black Panther Party for Self-Defense…
cut 7 (15) “….of Ronald Greene”
Muhammad says they would like to see Governor Edwards resign.

Louisiana ranks number one for the highest combined state and local sales tax rate at 9.55 percent. Tax Foundation policy analyst Janelle Cammenga says sales taxes provide a predictable amount of money for the state’s general fund, but it’s a tax that’s hard on low-income wage earners…
Cut 6 (05) “…in Louisiana.”

A spirited debate could take place today when the Senate Governmental Affairs committee votes on new Congressional district map ideas. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Black lawmakers are proposing a second majority-minority district.
cut 13 (08) “…elect a black congressman”
But Republicans say there are not enough blacks living in a concentrated area to create two majority-minority districts.

The American Clean Power Association says 17-thousand jobs would likely be created if two wind farms are constructed off the coasts of Texas and Louisiana. CEO of Greater New Orleans Inc, Michael Hecht, says we are still a few years away before wind farms are built in the Gulf, but that’s not stopping Louisiana industries…
cut 12 (11) “….107 meters long”
Hecht says the larger the blade, the more efficient windmills are at generating power which then lowers cost.

North Louisiana did receive a light coating of winter precipitation last night and there are several road closures. There’s some light snow falling in the Shreveport area this hour. Eventually, temperatures will get above freezing, but highs in north Louisiana will only be in the 30s.

The American Clean Power Association says two proposed wind farms off the coasts of Texas and Louisiana could create 17-thousand jobs. Brooke Thorington reports the Bayou State is already breezing ahead in the industry…
cut 2 (31) “….I’m Brooke Thorington”

Despite Governor John Bel Edwards telling the public he did not and has not impeded the investigation into the 2019 fatal arrest death of Ronald Greene, community activist groups still believe he neglected to act in the best interests of the citizens he swore to protect. Devon Norman of the Lafayette communitive collective “The Village 337” says Edwards only spoke this week because of mounting political pressure…
cut 8 (12) “….to the people”
Norman believes Edwards should have taken action behind closed doors.

Louisiana once again ranks number one in the Tax Foundation’s ranking for highest average combined state and local sales tax rates at a 9.5 percent. The state’s sales tax is scheduled to drop nearly a half percent in 2025. Tax Foundation policy analyst Janella Cammenga says if that happens Louisiana could fall from its number one ranking
Cut 5 (09) “…extra revenue.”