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”

Radar indicates freezing drizzle is falling in south Louisiana from Morgan City to Hammond. No major accumulations have been reported.

Louisiana is also dealing with its coldest air of the winter as overnight temperatures over the next few days will dip below the freezing mark. Even the Houma-Thibodaux area could see lows in the mid-20s this weekend. The state has reported ten home fire deaths this year and Governor John Bel Edwards doesn’t want to see any more…
Cut 13 (04) “…generators.”
State Fire Marshal’s office spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says do not leave candles or space heaters unattended…
cut 24 (11) “…with others”
2022 is only 21 days old and the State Fire Marshal’s office says ten people, including two children, have lost their lives in home fires.

State health officer Doctor Joe Kanter says the Omicron variant has been much harder on children than the other variants. Kanter says this past week 33 children were admitted to the hospital with COVID and 199 children during January
cut 8 (12) “….be vaccinated”
According to Doctor Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the FDA could authorize Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for kids under five next month.

After missing two years due to COVID, the New Orleans Jazz Fest is back this spring….
Cut 1 (27) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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.”

Wintry precipitation is falling across south Louisiana this morning. So far no reports of any significant accumulation. The next couple of days will be colder than normal. Governor John Bel Edwards asks Louisiana residents to check on the elderly…
cut 14 (07) “…again”
High temperatures will return to the 50s on Sunday.

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is back for 2022; at the Fairgrounds and on its traditional dates, the last weekend in April and the first weekend in May. Jazz Fest director and producer Quint Davis says this year’s roster of performers has something for everyone…:
Cut 4 (10) “…Stevie Knicks, Billy strings, Nora Jones.”
There was no 2020 Jazz Fest due to the pandemic, and a planned FALL Jazz Fest for 2021 fell apart amid the Delta surge.

Governor John Bel Edwards was in Shreveport yesterday for the announcement of American Electric Power’s investment of $100-million to develop a transmission control center in the city. Edwards says the plant will create 20 direct jobs with an average annual salary of $115 thousand…:
CUT 26 (11) “…northwest region.”
Edwards says AEP has committed to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Governor John Bel Edwards visited Shreveport today for the announcement of a $100 million investment by American Electric Power to develop a transmission control center in the city. Edwards says the center will create 20 direct jobs with an average salary of $115 thousand.

AEP’s 77-thousand square foot transmission facility will be the first business to move into Shreveport’s Resilient Technology Park.

Cut 7 (9) “…reliable electricity.”

Edwards says the timing of the investment couldn’t be better, after so many experienced lengthy power losses due to weather last year.

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The new terminal at Lafayette Regional Airport is no longer on standby. Travelers were welcomed into the $150 million state of the art facility today. Airport Executive Director Steven Picou says this is just the beginning.

Cut 5 (11) “…go that direction.”

—

Senate Republicans were able to use the filibuster to defeat a voting rights bill that Democratic and civil rights leaders say is needed to protect our democracy. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy, an opponent of the bill, accuses the Biden administration of manufacturing a fake voting crisis to distract from more pressing issues.

Baton Rouge representative Ted James, outgoing chair of the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus, says the bill wasn’t partisan and would have made voting more accessible to millions of Americans.

Cut 12 (11) “…to the polls.”

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Today was just the beginning of severe winter weather, with low temperatures expected to remain below freezing for most of the state through Sunday morning.

Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain stresses that owners of livestock exercise the necessary precaution to protect their animals from these frigid temperatures.

Cut 15 (12) “…out of the weather.”

—

Senate Republicans were successful in blocking a voting rights bill supported by Democrats and civil rights leaders. Jeff Palermo has local reaction…:

Cut 02  (34)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

Hall hath no fury. Authorities in Bastrop arrest a woman for setting fire to the home of her ex-boyfriend and his new paramour. The state Fire Marshal’s office says 36-year-old Jessica Jackson broke into a vacant duplex unit and torched the wall adjoining the boyfriend’s place while they slept. She’s charged with attempted murder and arson.

Today’s COVID numbers. LDH reports 14, 700 new cases of the virus, with over 2300 in hospitals. Of those, about 72-percvent are unvaxxed.

Governor John Bel Edwards was on hand in Shreveport for the announcement of American Electric Power’s investment of $100-million to develop a transmission control center in the city.  Edwards says the plan will create 20 direct jobs with an average annual salary of $115 thousand…:

CUT 06(11)      “…northwest region.”

Edwards says AEP has made a commitment to net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Get ready for some mighty cold weather for the next few nights. Temperatures are expected to drop into the 30 and even the 20’s across the state. State Ag Commissioner, veterinarian and animal lover Mike Strain says cats and other animals often get under car & truck hoods in cold weather…:

CUT 16(10)      “…with that.”

The voting rights bill being pushed by D.C. democrats and the Biden administration fails today in the U.S. Senate. Democrats feel it’s needed to preserve democracy, but Republicans, like Senator Bill Cassidy, says it’s more about federalizing elections to the Dems advantage…:

CUT 09  (09)        “…Delaware.”

Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus head Ted James, of Baton Rouge, says the bill addresses last-minute closure of polling sites, voter intimidation and it would have expanded early voting and mail-in voting…:

CUT 12(12)      “…to the polls.”

Two Democrat senators voted against the bill, as well as all Senate Republicans.

How cold will it get? Questions we’re all asking with a big cold front moves across Louisiana. At times like these, the state Fire Marshal’s office reminds us of the importance of using space heaters safely. Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue…:

CUT 13  (10)        “…blankets, bedding & curtains”

Watch out for wintery precipitation, like freezing rain.

After three years of work, and at a cost of $150 million, the new terminal at Lafayette Regional Airport officially opened to the public today. Executive Director Steven Picou proudly says it was finished within three years; one time and on budget..:

CUT 04(07)      “…that’s amazing.”

Area residents have been paying an extra penny local sales tax to fund the project.

Louisiana will see the coldest temperatures of the winter over the next few days as overnight lows will drop below freezing for most of the state through Sunday morning. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain is urging livestock owners to take the necessary precautions to protect their animals from these frigid temperatures…:

CUT 15(12)      “…out of the weather.”

He says to not forget heat and shelter for any outdoor cats on your property, and make sure to check under your hood in the morning, for cats or other critters, before you crank up your vehicle.

A voting rights bill that Democrats and civil rights leaders say is needed to protect democracy fails in the U-S Senate. Republicans oppose the legislation. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says the Biden administration is manufacturing a fake voting rights crisis to distract from the issues not being addressed…:

CUT 11(11)      “…opioid deaths.”

Diamond Jacks Casino in Bossier City appears to be moving forward with reopening its doors, after a plan to move that casino license to Slidell failed to win voter approval. The state Gaming Control Board has approved DJ’s request for a slight delay in presenting its reopening plan for approval.  The request indicates a plan is coming.

Acadiana welcomes a major addition with the opening of brand new terminal at Lafayette Regional Airport. More from David Grubb…:

CUT 01  (30)        “…David Grubb.”

A voting rights bill that Democrats and civil rights leaders say is needed to protect democracy fails in the U-S Senate. Republicans oppose the legislation. Outgoing chairman of the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus, Baton Rouge Representative Ted James, says Republicans are making it hard for people to cast a vote because they believe the last Presidential election was stolen…

Cut 10 (11)  “….to vote.” 

After three years of work, and at a cost of $150 million, the new terminal at Lafayette Regional Airport is officially open. Executive Director Steven Picou couldn’t be happier with today’s debut.

Cut 3 (12) “…passengers walking through.”

The facility was completed in three years, on-time and on budget.

American Electric Power is investing $100-million to develop a transmission control center at Resilient Technology Park in Shreveport. And like the state, Governor John Bel Edwards says AEP has made a commitment to net carbon emissions by 2050.

Cut 8 (11) “…going forward.”  

The control center is expected to create 20 direct jobs and 63 indirect jobs.

Louisiana will see the coldest temperatures of the Winter over the next few days as overnight lows will drop below freezing for most of the state through Sunday morning. State Fire Marshal Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says do not leave candles or space heaters unattended….

Cut 14 (11)  “…with others.” 

The State Fire Marshal’s office says so far in 2022 ten people, including two children, have lost their lives in home fires.

Governor John Bel Edwards was on hand in Shreveport for the announcement of American Electric Power’s investment of $100-million to develop a transmission control center in the city.  The governor also announced that AEP’s new 77-thousand square foot facility will be the first business to locate in the Resilient Technology Park in Shreveport.

Cut 7 (11) “…reliable electricity.” 

Louisiana will see the coldest temperatures of the Winter over the next few days as overnight lows will drop below freezing for most of the state through Sunday morning. State Fire Marshal Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says space heaters can keep you warm, but they are fire hazards if not used properly…

Cut 13 (10) “…curtains.”

Senate Republicans were successful in blocking a voting rights bill supported by Democrats and civil rights leaders. Jeff Palermo has local reaction…

Cut 2 (34)…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

Jazz Fest Organizers announce the lineup for the 2022 festival that’s scheduled for April 29^th to May 8^th. The Who, Stevie Nicks, Willie Nelson, Foo Fighters, Jimmy Buffett, Luke Combs, Lionel Richie, The Black Crows, and Erykah Badu are among the headliners. This will be the first Jazz Fest since 2019.