Shreveport has been without water now for two days since water mains ruptured due to the winter storm. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

_______________________________

Beginning Monday schoolteachers and staff will be eligible to get vaccinated for COVID. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

____________________________

Power providers ask residents to conserve power during peak periods through Saturday morning to help prevent further rolling blackouts. Matt Doyle has more…

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.”  

____________________________

There’s still little to no water preassure in Shreveport two days after the city lost water due to the winter storm.

That’s wreaking havok on area hospitals. Willis-Knighton Chief Administrative Officer Brian Crawford says it’s been a struggle to stay operational.

Cut 4 (12)“…toilets.”

Crawford says they’ve also had difficulty sterilizing equipment and washing linens without water.

Local companies are pitching in with oil tankers full of water and the National Guard has moved in to provide support. Crawford says that’s helping them meet basic needs.

Cut 5 (11)“…MRI.”

Governor Edwards warned the water situation in Shreveport will likely persist even after the winter weather conditions go away.

Not only are hospitals without water, the roads are undriveable and Crawford says they’re having to get creative just to stay staffed up.

Cut 6 (11) “…patients.”

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

________________________

The life expectancy rate in the U-S has dropped by one year, that’s the most it’s dropped sine World War II. 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 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. The drop for Caucasians is .8 years to 78.

The pandemic began to take hold last spring in the US and Springgate says the numbers use to determine the current life expectancy rate are not from the entire year.

Cut 8 (09) “…be worse.”

With the larger decreases in life expectancies among Blacks and Hispanics in the US and Springgate says it is very concerning about minorities and the pandemic.

Cut 9 (10) “…to die.”

Springgate says statistics indicate while the US makes up only four percent of the global population but 20-percent of the COVID deaths suggests that the US is not handling the pandemic as well as other nations.

_____________________________

Teachers and school staff will be among those eligible to be vaccinated for COVID beginning Monday.  Governor Edwards made the announcement Thursday allowing an additional 166-thousand K-12 employees to be prioritized. Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says it’s vital to increase face to face instruction.

Cut 10 (10) “…open.”

Brumley says currently 67-percent of public-school students attend in-person instruction.

As to how teachers and staff will be vaccinated, Brumley that’s based on each the school system.

Cut 11 (10) “…hospitals.”

Brumley said while he is thankful that teachers and school employees will soon be eligible to be vaccinated the Department of Education will not push nor incentivize employees to do so.

Each individual school system will handle how employees will be inoculated and Brumley says around half of employees have indicated they wish to be vaccinated.

Cut 12 (10) “…an interest.”

Brumley says when more students are able to return to the classroom it also allows more parents to return to the workforce.

_____________________________

Governor Edwards asks all residents to temporarily conserve power during peak consumption periods to help prevent further rolling blackouts.

Edwards says the state needs you to cut back on consumption from 7 to 9 this morning, 7 to 10 tonight, and 7 to 9 once again Saturday morning.

Cut 13 (07) “…thing.”

Edwards says this request does not apply to the elderly or those living with medical conditions that could be impacted by keeping the heat turned down.

Rolling blackouts have plauged 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.” 

Public Service Commision Chairman Craig Greene says the PSC will investigate the lack of communication from providers.

Edwards says ultimately the decision to initiate rolling blackouts was made at a level above Entergy, Cleco, or SWEPCO as energy demand far exceeded supply grid-wide.

Cut 15 (12)“…to do.”

______________________________________

The Louisiana Tech men’s basketball team’s two-game series with Middle Tennessee has been moved to Saturday and Sunday due to the inclement weather.

The Bulldogs will bring a 17-6 overall record and a 10-4 conference record to Murfreesboro as they take on the Blue Raiders, who currently sit at 5-13.  Tech coach Eric Konkol says Middle Tennessee has played well as of late.

Cut 16 (20) “…good basketball team.”

Konkol says that no matter who his team is playing, their preparation is always the same.

Cut 17 (14) “…traveling that week or not”

______________________________________________________

The seventh ranked LSU baseball team will open the 2021 season tomorrow by hosting Air Force. Potential first-round pick Jaden Hill is set to get the start on the mound for the Tigers in the season opener. Hill didn’t give up a run 11.2 innings last season. Coach Paul Mainieri says they plan to pitch the big right-hander three innings on Saturday…

Cut  18 (13) “…other guys.”

Because of the pandemic, only 25-hundred fans will be allowed inside Alex Box Stadium for at least the first few weeks of the season. Mainieri says in a normal year, 25-hundred fans at a game would be good for 18th best in the country.

Cut 19 (24) “…out there.” 

LSU has a lot of experienced pitchers, but the infield will be inexperienced. Freshman Will Hellmers could get the start at third base. Hellmers was recruited as a pitcher out of Jesuit High School in New Orleans, but Maineri says he’s got a good glove and also brings an edge to the field.

  cut 20  (20) “…(chuckles)” 

Governor Edwards announced today that beginning Monday K-12 teachers and those ages 55 to 64 with one or more preexisting conditions according to the CDC guidelines will be eligible to be vaccinated for COVID in Louisiana. Some of those preexisting conditions include cancer, heart disease, COPD, and down syndrome. Pregnant women will also be eligible to be vaccinated.

Entergy, along with CLECO and SWEPCO, are asking customers to conserve power to avoid overloads, due to historic demand. Utility providers have also conducted rolling blackouts to reduce usage. As the frigid temperatures continue, Entergy spokesperson Brandon Scardigli says more rolling blackouts are possible.

Cut 8 (10) “…the line”

Scardigli was unable to update the status of north Louisiana restoration due to the freezing precipitation last night.

The winter storm has passed but freezing cold temperatures are here to stay for the next few days.   National Weather Service Shreveport forecaster Gary Chatelain says roads across north Louisiana are still an icy mess but we’ll be treated to some dry weather and sunshine even if temps remain in the thirties into the weekend.  

Cut 13 (09)“…sun”

State Police says I-20 is a solid block of ice and it’s resulted in jack-knifed 18-wheelers and several vehicles sliding off the highway. Trooper Brent Hardy says the two winter storms have produced a four to five-inch block of ice and even Troopers who train to drive in these conditions are struggling…

Cut 4 (09) “…stay off.” 

Hardy said a majority of the drivers that were stranded after sliding off interstate were out sightseeing.

Governor John Bel Edwards annouces that starting Monday a new wave of residents will become eligable for the vaccine including teachers, additional medical workers, and those 55 and older who have a medical condition that makes them more sussecptible to COVID.

Several roads across North Louisiana are impassable as a result of yesterday’s freezing rain. Jeff Palermo reports several vehicles have slid off the roadway on Interstate 20…

Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo.”
______________________
Entergy Louisiana Spokesperson Brandon Scardigli says they hope to have power restored for Baton Rouge customers by the end of the day. In North Louisiana it remains undetermined, that area received freezing rain last night. Scardigli says restoration with an ice storm is much different than a hurricane because ice accumulation involves individual lines and poles that are pulled down by ice and trees.

Cut 7 (12) “…at once”

The winter storm has passed but freezing cold temperatures are here to stay for the next few days. National Weather Service Shreveport forecaster Gary Chatelain says tomorrow morning the I-20 corridor will once again break record lows with temps in the teens.

Cut 12 (09) “ …you know”

A hard freeze warning is in effect from tonight into tomorrow morning as far south as I-10.

Governor Edwards announced today that beginning Monday K-12 teachers and those ages 55 to 64 with one or more preexisting conditions according to the CDC guidelines will be eligible to be vaccinated for COVID. Some of those preexisting conditions include cancer, heart disease, COPD, and down syndrome. Pregnant women will also be eligible.

The winter storm has passed but freezing cold temperatures are here to stay for the next few days.   National Weather Service Shreveport forecaster Gary Chatelain says tomorrow morning the I-20 corridor will once again break record lows with temps in the teens.  Chatelain says temperatures will begin rising once this blanket of frigid air gets pushed out east.  

Cut 14 (11) “…weekend”

State Police says I-20 is a solid block of ice and it’s resulted in jack-knifed 18-wheelers and several vehicles sliding off the highway. Trooper Brent Hardy says thankfully no serious injuries have been reported.

Cut 3 (11)  “…roadway” 

After days for thousands of customers without power and frigid temperatures Entergy Louisiana Spokesperson Brandon Scardigli says they hope to have power restored for Baton Rouge customers by the end of the day. As for customers in North Louisiana that received a bout of freezing rain last night…

Cut 6 (09) “…customers.”

As of this afternoon 52-thousand Entergy customers remain without power. 10-thousand of those customers are in East Baton Rouge Parish.

The winter storm has passed but freezing cold temperatures are here to stay for the next few days.   National Weather Service Shreveport forecaster Gary Chatelain says roads across north Louisiana are still an icy mess but we’ll be treated to some dry weather and sunshine even if temps remain in the thirties into the weekend.  

Cut 13 (09)“…sun”

Entergy, along with CLECO and SWEPCO, are asking customers to conserve power to avoid overloads, due to historic demand. Utility providers have also conducted rolling blackouts to reduce usage. As the frigid temperatures continue, Entergy spokesperson Brandon Scardigli says more rolling blackouts are possible.

Cut 8 (10) “…the line”

Scardigli was unable to update the status of north Louisiana restoration due to the freezing precipitation last night.

State Police says I-20 is a solid block of ice and it’s resulted in jack-knifed 18-wheelers and several vehicles sliding off the highway. Trooper Brent Hardy says the two winter storms have produced a four to five-inch block of ice and even Troopers who train to drive in these conditions are struggling…

Cut 4 (09) “…stay off.” 

Hardy said a majority of the drivers that were stranded after sliding off interstate were out sightseeing.

Governor Edwards is receiving pressure from teachers’ unions to include K-12 employees in the current vaccine eligibility group. Edwards is optimistic teachers won’t have to wait for much longer to be vaccinated.  

Cut 11 (08) “…increasing.”

This week’s vaccine allocation has been delayed due to the winter weather. 

Still some light snow falling in northeast Louisiana, but the worst winter precipitation is over with. However, cold temperatures are here for the rest of the week. National Weather Service Shreveport forecaster Gary Chatelain says record lows are possible again along the I-20 corridor tomorrow morning…
cut 12 (09) “…you know”
A hard freeze warning is in effect from tonight into tomorrow morning as far south as I-10.

State Police is busy responding to crashes across north Louisiana as a result of vehicles sliding off the road. Trooper Brent Hardy says many of the motorists left stranded, said they were driving around to look at winter scenery….
cut 5 (09) “….in jeopardy”
Governor Edwards will provide an update on the state’s response to the winter weather during a 2:30 press conference.

K-12 teachers in Louisiana are still not eligible to receive a COVID vaccine but Governor Edwards says that is likely to change “relatively soon”. Matt Doyle has the story.
cut 2 (31) …I’m Matt Doyle”

The winter weather has resulted in thousands of COVID-19 vaccine appointments getting postponed. The state health department says if your second dose of the COVID vaccine is delayed, it’s ok if there’s a short delay in getting the second dose. L-D-H says there is no need to restart the vaccination series.

Entergy Louisiana Spokesperson Brandon Scardigli says they hope to have power restored for Baton Rouge customers by the end of the day. In North Louisiana it remains undetermined, that area received freezing rain last night. Scardigli says restoration with an ice storm is much different than a hurricane because ice accumulation involves individual lines and poles that are pulled down by ice and trees.

Cut 7 (12) “…at once”

Governor Edwards says he will make an announcement “relatively soon” on expanding COVID vaccine eligibility to K-12 teachers and staff Edwards says making teachers eligible right now wouldn’t mean they would immediately get vaccinated given our supply. He compared the current situation to a funnel. 

Cut 10 (12) “…prioritized” 

In the Southeast only Arkansas and Alabama have made teacher’s fully eligible to receive the vaccine. 

Several roads across North Louisiana are impassable as a result of yesterday’s freezing rain. Jeff Palermo reports several vehicles have slid off the roadway on Interstate 20…

Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

For the most up to date road information visit 511LA.org

State Police says I-20 is a solid block of ice and it’s resulted in jack-knifed 18-wheelers and several vehicles sliding off the highway. Trooper Brent Hardy says thankfully no serious injuries have been reported.

Cut 3 (11)  “…roadway” 

Hardy says many of the stranded motorist were out sightseeing.

After days for several customers without power and frigid temperatures Entergy Louisiana Spokesperson Brandon Scardigli says they hope to have power restored for Baton Rouge customers by the end of the day. As for customers in North Louisiana that received a bout of freezing rain last night…

Cut 6 (09) “…customers.”

Entergy, along with CLECO and SWEPCO, are asking customers to conserve power as much as possible to avoid overloads.

Governor Edwards says he will make an announcement “relatively soon” on expanding COVID vaccine eligibility to K-12 teachers and staff.  

Teachers unions are demanding teachers be vaccinated, but Edwards says the current priority groups are federal recommendations based on our demographics. 

Cut 9 (12) “…we have”

The weather has caused delays for several states, Louisiana included, to receive their weekly vaccination allocation. State Health Officer Dr Joe Kanter says postponing your second shot of vaccine will not impact its overall effectiveness so don’t worry if you have a wait a few days.  

Cut 12 (10) “…ok.”

Those with only one shot of the two-shot sequence are believed to have about 50 percent immunity, while those who complete their sequence have over 90 percent immunity several weeks after their final dose.  

After two winter storms this week, forecasters say it appears the worst is behind us. However, State Climatologist Barry Keim says there’s still some lingering mixed precipitation this morning in north Louisiana. Keim says things aren’t necessarily going to warm up either…

Cut 7 (08)  “…and 40s.”

Thousands of people spent the night sleeping without power. Cleco spokesperson Jennifer Cahill says after days of severe winter weather there’s more and more damage to poles and powerlines…

cut 14 (09) “….system”

CLECO reports 33-thousand remain without power. Entergy is reporting 56-thousand customers Louisiana and SWEPCO says 10-thousand remain without power.

Much of Louisiana’s weekly vaccine shipment will be delayed due to the historic winter weather impacting the region.  State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says we’re not alone in missing much of our weekly allocation.

Cut 10 (07) “…as well.”

Kanter says you safely delay second dose of both vaccines, Moderna and Pfizer, for up to 42 days.

COVID vaccines can cause enlarged lymph nodes under the arm in which you received the injection, so the American Society of Breast Imaging is recommending postponing routine mammograms for four to six weeks. Breast Surgical Oncologist at Woman’s Hospital in Baton Rouge, Dr. Mindy Bowie (Boo-ie) says if you did have your mammogram in that time span and had enlarged lymph nodes you’ll need to be reexamined.

Cut 5 (09)“…node.”

Tens of thousands are without power as a result of the snow, ice, and freezing temperatures. Those with power are being asked to conserve electricity in an effort to reduce overall demand. Cleco spokesperson Jennifer Cahill says they didn’t make that request lightly…
cut 15 (07) “…taken”
The winter storms are slowing down the distribution of vaccines and getting shots into arms. State health officer Doctor Joe Kanter says that means you may not be able to get vaccinated this week even if you had an appointment to do so…
cut 11 (09) “…postponed”
Kanter says if the appointment for your second shot gets delayed by a few days that will not impact the overall effectiveness of the vaccine. About 255-thousand Louisiana residents have received both shots.

With two winter storms in the same week to rock the Bayou State, forecasters say it’s been historic. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Light freezing drizzle is still possible through north Louisiana today which is why the area remains under a winter storm warning. It will also turn cold again tonight with temperatures dipping well below the freezing mark and we could see the teens or low 20s tomorrow morning for north Louisiana.