Nearly half a million more Louisianans will be eligible to get vaccinated starting Monday, that includes K-12 teachers and those 55 and older with certain health conditions. Governor Edwards says this decision was made after the state was told we’re getting a big bump in our vaccine allocation.

Cut 7 (09) “…group”

Public Service Commission Chairman Craig Greene says once the winter weather has passed the PSC will investigate what went wrong and why power providers had such poor communication with customers. Greene says companies’ failure to give customers a heads up when they would be subject to a rolling blackout needs to be addressed. He says there must be a better system in place.  

Cut 10 (12) “…out” 

It won’t be until Saturday afternoon before the highways are free of ice in north Louisiana. State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says they had 14-hundred workers, primarily in north Louisiana before the storm arrived, salting and brining major roads
Cut 13 (06)“…in that”

With oil refineries shutting down due to the recent winter weather across the south, gas prices have risen almost 3 cents overnight to 2.28 a gallon for regular gas.  Triple-A Fuel Analyst Don Redman says prices were already on the rise before the storms and the weather only made things worse.  Redman believes that gas prices will continue to increase.

Cut 4 (10) “…a month ago.” 

K-12 teachers and those 55 and older with certain medical conditions will be added to the list of eligable vaccine receipients Monday. That’s nearly a half million more eligable state residents but Governor Edwards thinks we have the supply now to start opening things up…
Cut 6 (14) “…this week.”
Over a half million Louisianans have been vaccinated so far.
AAA Fuel Analyst Don Redman warns Louisianans to fill up their gas tanks now because we could be experiencing low gas supply due to the winter storms.
Cut 5 (10) “…get it delivered”
He says those storms are resulting in increase fuel costs for drivers. A gallon of regular is up to 2.28 a gallon for a statewide average. That’s a three cent overnight jump and a fifteen cent jump month to month.
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roads across north Louisiana are still impassable and State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says they likely won’t be clear to drive on until the sun comes out and temperatures rise Saturday afternoon.
Cut 12 (12) “ …in the morning”
Wilson says DOTD also used three and a half million pounds of salt and thousands of gallons of brine in an effort to keep interstates from becoming too slippery.
Public Service Commission Chairman Craig Greene says once the winter weather has passed the PSC will investigate what went wrong. Greene says we just didn’t have the emergency capacity to keep everyone’s lights on during this historic week of winter weather.
Cut 9 (12) “…affordability”

On Monday another 475-thousand will be prioritized for the COVID vaccine in Louisiana. Edwards says with the winter storms causing delays in vaccine deliveries and administering doses, he’s urging those looking to be vaccinated to be patient.

Cut 8 (07) “…not.”

For a list of participating vaccine providers go to CovidVaccine.LA.Gov or call 211.

It won’t be until Saturday afternoon before the highways are free of ice in north Louisiana. State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says DOTD used three and a half million pounds of salt and thousands of gallons of brine in an effort to keep interstates from becoming too slippery.

Cut 14 (13) “…in trouble”

The Public Service Commission is planning to investigate just how the power situation went so wrong across much of the state this week. Matt Doyle has more. 

cut 2 (29) …I’m Matt Doyle”  

State Police are investigating an officer involved shooting in which Washington Parish Sheriff’s deputies shot and killed a man who confronted them with two large knives in Mount Hermon Thursday. Deputies were there to investigate a report of domestic violence when 28-year-old Dustin Crain reportedly confronted them with knives. The sheriff’s office is investigating the domestic violence while state police investigate the shooting.

Nearly half a million more Louisianans will be eligible to get vaccinated starting Monday, that includes K-12 teachers and those 55 and older with certain health conditions. Governor Edwards says this decision was made after the state was told we’re getting a big bump in our vaccine allocation.

Cut 7 (09) “…group”

540,000 Louisianans have now received atleast one dose of their two dose vaccine series.

The winter weather is driving up the price of a gallon of regular in Louisiana, now up to 2.28 on average. Triple-A Fuel Analyst Don Redman says we’re up three cents over yesterday and 15 cents on the month, the kinds of spikes you ususally only see around hurricanes.

Cut 3 (10) “…screeching halt”

Redman also warns the winter conditions could delay gas shipments, so tank up while you can.
______________________________________________________
Public Service Commission Chairman Craig Greene says once the winter weather has passed the PSC will investigate what went wrong and why power providers had such poor communication with customers. Greene says they won’t have immediate answers to what went wrong, but they will conduct a thorough investigation.

Cut 11 (09) “…mistakes.”

Governor Edwards has requested everyone limit energy consumption from 7PM to 10 PM tonight and 7 AM to 9 AM tomorrow to help reduce the need for rolling blackouts.

It will be until Saturday afternoon before the highways are free of ice in north Louisiana. State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says they had 14-hundred workers, primarily in north Louisiana before the storm arrived, salting and brining major roads
Cut 13 (06)“…in that”

With oil refineries shutting down due to the recent winter weather across the south, gas prices have risen almost 3 cents overnight to 2.28 a gallon for regular gas.  Triple-A Fuel Analyst Don Redman says prices were already on the rise before the storms and the weather only made things worse.  Redman believes that gas prices will continue to increase.

Cut 4 (10) “…a month ago.” 

It won’t be until Saturday afternoon before the highways are free of ice in north Louisiana. State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says some melting will occur today, but they expect re-freezing tonight as temperatures fall into the teens.

Cut 12 (12) “ …in the morning” 

Public Service Commission Chairman Craig Greene says once the winter weather has passed the PSC will investigate what went wrong and why power providers had such poor communication with customers. Greene says companies’ failure to give customers a heads up when they would be subject to a rolling blackout needs to be addressed. He says there must be a better system in place.  

Cut 10 (12) “…out” 

On Monday COVID vaccine eligibility will increase by another 475-thousand. The historic winter storms delayed COVID vaccine shipments across the state. But Governor Edwards says with an increase in weekly allocations he’s comfortable in allowing more to be vaccinated.

Cut 6 (14) “…this week.”

As 475-thousand will be eligible to get vaccinated in Louisiana Monday, Governor Edwards urges residents to be patient. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

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The Public Service Commission is planning to investigate just how the power situation went so wrong across much of the state this week. Matt Doyle has more. 

cut 2 (29) …I’m Matt Doyle”  

_____________________________

With oil refineries shutting down due to the recent winter weather across the south, gas prices have risen almost 3 cents overnight from 2.25 a gallon to 2.28 a gallon for regular gas.  Triple-A Fuel Analyst Don Redman says this is the type of spike we would typically see during hurricane season.

Cut 3 (10)  “…screeching halt” 

Gas prices were already on the rise before the winter storms and the weather only made things worse.  Redman believes that gas prices will continue to rise.

Cut 4 (10) “…a month ago.” 

Redman says you should keep your tank full because there could be a gas shortage for the coming days.

Cut 5  (10)  “…get it delivered” 

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On Monday COVID vaccine eligibility will increase by another 475-thousand. The historic winter storms delayed COVID vaccine shipments across the state. But  Governor Edwards says with an increase in weekly allocations he’s comfortable in allowing more to be vaccinated.

Cut 6 (14) “…this week.”

Beginning Monday, those ages 55 to 64 with certain health conditions will be eligible for vaccinations, along with K-12 teachers and school support staff, day care staff and pregnant women.

Edwards says there will be enough doses to go around

Cut 7 (09) “…group”

Edwards says with the winter storms causing delays in vaccine deliveries and administering doses, he’s urging those seeking to be vaccinated to be patient.

Cut 8 (07) “…not.”

For a list of participating vaccine providers go to CovidVaccine.LA.Gov or call 211.

_______________________

Public Service Commission Chairman Craig Greene says once the winter weather has passed the PSC will investigate what went wrong and why power providers had such poor communication with customers.  

Greene says we just didn’t have the emergency capacity to keep everyone’s lights on during this historic week of winter weather. 

Cut 9 (12) “…affordability”

The order to initiate rolling blackouts was made by MISO, a super-regional entity in charge of maintaining power reliability.  

Greene says companies’ failure to give customers a heads up when they would be subject to a rolling blackout needs to be addressed. He says there must be a better system in place.  

Cut 10 (12) “…out” 

Governor Edwards has requested everyone limit energy consumption from 7PM to 10 PM tonight and 7 AM to 9 AM tomorrow to help reduce the need for rolling blackouts.  

Greene says they won’t have immediate answers to what went wrong, but they will conduct a thorough investigation.  

Cut 11 (09) “…mistakes.”

_____________________________

It will be until Saturday afternoon before the highways are free of ice in north Louisiana. State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says some melting will occur today, but they expect re-freezing tonight as temperatures fall into the teens

Cut 12 (12) “ …in the morning” 

The state transportation of department is facing criticism for not doing enough. Wilson says they had 14-hundred workers, primarily in north Louisiana before the storm arrived, salting and brining major roads

Cut 13 (06)“…in that”

Wilson says DOTD also used three and a half million pounds of salt and thousands of gallons of brine in an effort to keep interstates from becoming too slippery.

Cut 14 (13) “…in trouble”

He says mother nature can be their best ally by providing several hours of temperatures above freezing.

________________________

The LSU men’s basketball team will host Auburn in Baton Rouge on Saturday at 3 p.m.  While Auburn sits at 11-11 on the season, they’ve played well lately led by point guard Sharife Cooper.  Coach Will Wade says Cooper does a great job of distributing the ball to his teammates.

Cut 15 (09) “…around him” 

Auburn has a great transition offense and Wade says his team will need to be ready to defend after made baskets in order to slow them down.

Cut 16 (12) “…in transition” 

Public Service Commission Chairman Craig Greene says once the winter weather has passed the PSC will investigate what went wrong. Greene says we just didn’t have the emergency capacity to keep everyone’s lights on during this historic week of winter weather.  

Cut 9 (12) “…affordability” 

The order to initiate rolling blackouts was made by MISO, a super-regional entity in charge of maintaining power reliability.   

Gas jumped three cents last night to 2.28 a gallon for regular as a result of the winter storm and AAA fuel analyst Don Redman warns that you should keep your tank full because there could be a gas shortage for the coming days. 

Cut 5  (10)  “…get it delivered” 

__________________________ 

475-thousand new Louisiana residents will be eligible to get vaccinated Monday and Governor Edwards is asking those newly eligible to be paitent. Brooke Thorington explains. 

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Brooke Thorington.”   

Shreveport could be without water for some time as the winter storm appears to have caused significant damage to the city’s infrastructure. The national guard has had to deploy a number of large water tankers to city hospitals and Willis-Knighton Chief Administrative Officer Brian Crawford says that’s helping them meet basic needs…

Cut 5 (11)“…MRI.”

Lake Charles is also facing serious water pressure issues and Mayor Hunter has formally requested assistance.
Gas prices have increased nearly three cents overnight and 15 cents on the month, now sitting at a statewide average of 2.28 a gallon for regular. Triple-A Fuel Analyst Don Redman says the winter weather has created the type of spike we would typically see during hurricane season.
Cut 3 (10) “…sscreeching hault”
______________________
Beginning Monday schoolteachers and staff will be eligible to get vaccinated for COVID. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
State Police are investing a fatal police shooting in Mount Hermon. The shooting left 28-year-old Dustin Crain dead and occurred just after 10PM last night. Police allege they were responding to a domestic violence incident and when they arrived Crain had armed himself with two large knives and during a confrontation was shot and pronounced dead on the scene.

There’s still little to no water pressure in Shreveport two days after the city lost water due to the winter storm. Willis-Knighton Chief Administrative Officer Brian Crawford says not only are hospitals without water, but the roads are undrivable and they’re having to get creative just to get staff safely to work.

Cut 6 (11) “…patients.”

Staff are being housed at nearby hotels and staged on cots once they rotate out of their shifts.

Governor Edwards asks all residents to temporarily conserve power during peak consumption periods to help prevent further rolling blackouts. Rolling blackouts have plagued the state since the winter event began, and Edwards says local power providers needed to do a better job giving customers forewarning.

Cut 14 (11) “…too.” 

The life expectancy rate in the U-S has dropped by one year. According to the CDC the average life span in the US is now 77.8 years compared to 78.8 in 2019. LSU Health New Orleans Chief of Community and Population Medicine Dr. Benjamin Springgate says the COVID pandemic is the main reason for the decrease.

Cut 7 (10)  “…even more.”

The average life span for Blacks dropped 2.7 years to 72 and for Hispanics a decrease of 1.9 years to 79.9.

Starting Monday K-through-12 teachers and staff will be prioritized for the COVID vaccine. Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says each school system will handle how employees will be vaccinated…
cut 12 (10) “…an interest.’

Beginning on Monday, K-through 12 teachers will be eligible to be vaccinated. Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says it will be up to each school district on how educators and staff can get the vaccine…
cut 11 (10) “…hospitals”
Daycare staff and individuals between the ages of 55-and-64 with certain health conditions are also eligible for the vaccine on Monday.

The CDC has lowered the life expectancy rate in the United States by a full year to 77.8 years old. LSU Health New Orleans Chief of Community and Population Medicine Doctor Benjamin Springgate says it’s another sign of how deadly the COVID pandemic has been…
cut 8 (09) “…worse”

Governor John Bel Edwards says energy companies did an inadequate job earlier this week in explaining restoration timelines and warning of rolling blackouts. But he also understands the decision to initiate rolling blackouts was made at a level above Entergy, Cleco, or SWEPCO as energy demand soared…
cut 15 (12) “…to do”
Edwards says with another cold morning tomorrow, he’s still asking residents to do their part in conserving energy.

There’s little to no water pressure in Shreveport. That’s wreaking havoc on local hospitals. Willis-Knighton Chief Administrative Officer Brian Crawford says it’s a struggle to stay operational.
Cut 4 (12)“…toilets.”