LRN AM Newscall January 21

With the winter storm hitting the state, Triple-A shares some tips to get your vehicle ready for the freezing weather. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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If you haven’t already done so, now is the time to protect your home from this arctic blast. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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It’s a snowstorm that South Louisiana hasn’t seen in six decades – and it’s coming today. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Triple-A is advising drivers in South Louisiana to prepare their vehicles, plan their trips, and exercise caution when driving in winter weather. Don Redman of Triple-A says unless it’s an emergency, stay off the road.

Cut 4 (07) “…stay home.”

Redman says to prepare your vehicle there are a few suggestions. First, check the battery.

Cut 5 (14) “…cold battery.”

Redman says Triple-A also offers 24/7 roadside assistance and towing services to help drivers facing winter emergencies but suggests drivers keep a few items in their car.

Cut 6 (08) “…off the road.”

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If you haven’t already done so, protect the pipes in and around your house to avoid damage during this arctic blast. Dennis Rodriguez with Paradigm Plumbing in Baton Rouge says you’ll want to drip all your faucets inside your home – both hot and cold faucets.

Cut 7 (09) “…in the house.”

Rodriguez says you also need to cover your hose bibs on the outside of your house. A styrofoam box-shaped cover sold in home improvement stores should do the trick. If you don’t, those water lines could burst when the weather warms back up.

Cut 8 (12) “…a full stream.”

Rodriguez says you’ll also want to disconnect any hoses on the outside of the house.

Cut 9 (12)  “…wall to burst.”

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As Louisiana faces potentially historic winter weather, Entergy Louisiana and Entergy New Orleans prioritize customer safety and efficient power restoration. VP of Reliability Jason Willis says both companies have conducted extensive system patrols and implemented measures to prepare for severe conditions.

Cut 10 (10) “…going to see.”

Willis encourages customers to prepare by creating emergency plans, winterizing homes, and staying informed through Entergy’s app and safety resources.

Cut 11 (10) “…restoration times.”

Willis says 16-hundred workers are on standby, but restoration may be delayed by icy roads and cold-load pickup challenges.

Cut 12 (13) “…the coming days.”

Cleco has also secured 500 line mechanics and vegetation management contractors in preparation for possible outages.

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Soon, Central and South Louisiana will be gripped with crippling conditions. The entire Gulf Coast Region, which normally does not get severe winter storms, is expected to get several inches of snow today. During a news conference at GOHSEP headquarters, Governor Landry said with Louisiana not having any snowplows, help is on the way from Arkansas.

Cut 13 (17)  “…and eight drivers.”

As you probably know by now, bridges freeze much more quickly than surface roadways. As such, several long stretches of major roadways will be impassable.

Cut 14 (08) “…those bridges kindly.”

Joe Donahue with DOTD says despite crews’ best efforts, they will likely have no other choice than to shut down sections of I-10.

Cut 15 (07) “…portions of I-10.”

State Climatologist Jay Grymes says the Gulf Coast has certainly seen snow before; but all those previous times, the snow has been localized.

Cut 16 (11) “…since the 60s”

And Grymes says that snowfall will impact all of South Louisiana up to a portion of Central Louisiana.

Cut 17 (07)  “…a travel standpoint.”

Grymes says people in Central and South Louisiana should be prepared to be housebound for at least the next two days.

5:30 LRN Newscast

With snow approaching Central and South Louisiana and brutal cold gripping the whole state, Governor Landry has issued a state of emergency. With temperatures expected to drop into the teens overnight, Landry is encouraging local governments to open warming shelters…

Cut 5 (14) “…safe as well.”

Central and South Louisiana could see snowfall not seen since the 1960s. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says these are not flurries that those areas could expect.

Cut 10 (16) “…in this particular case.”

Keim says the snow will stick around after the snowfall ends tomorrow night

Needless to say, while not unprecedented, snow and ice are not things that Louisiana is accustomed to. Rodney Mallett with DOTD says crews spent the weekend preparing for the storm, and those preparations continued throughout much of the day today.

Cut 7 (14) “…to ice over.”

Louisiana State Police Trooper Shelby Mayfield says when the snow starts falling, if you do not have to be out on the roadways, stay off them.

Cut 13 (14)  “…have to be.”

Mayfield says if you absolutely have to be on the roadways, use extreme caution.

4:30 PM Newscast Jan 20

South Louisiana Braces for a winter storm that is expected to start tonight and end tomorrow night.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Governor Jeff Landry has issued a state of emergency as the historic winter weather is expected for much of central and south Louisiana.

Cut 3 (12) “…to travel.”

Louisiana State Police have been preparing for the winter storm for the last several days. Trooper Shelby Mayfield…

Cut 12 (12) “…or any emergencies”

He is urging everyone to stay off the roadways unless they absolutely must drive. He says the troopers and other emergency personnel will be responding to emergencies in the same hazardous road conditions.

Rodney Mallett with DOTD says crews have been busy prepping the roads. And since there are no snowplows anywhere in the State of Louisiana, DOTD is bringing in help from Arkansas. A 14-mile stretch of I-49 in Rapides Parish is closed due to the incoming storm, and conditions may force additional Interstates closures, but Mallett says he hopes it doesn’t come to that.

Cut 8 (09) “…during this storm.”

3:30 PM Newscast Jan 20

Louisiana is bracing for historic winter weather for this region. Snow and ice are not things that Louisiana is accustomed to and Rodney Mallett with DOTD says crews have been busy prepping the roads for severe driving conditions in anticipation of this historic weather event for Louisiana.

Cut 6 (14) “…across the state.”

He says crews from Arkansas will be coming to Louisiana to help with things like plowing roadways.

LSU Public Health Climatologist, Barry Keim says the snowfall will end tomorrow night, but Wednesday will be brutally cold, and the snow will stick around. He advises residents to stay off the roads if possible and take necessary precautions to stay warm and safe.

Cut 11 (12) “…hang around in your neighborhood.”

With Louisiana expecting a historic snowfall Tuesday, Governor Jeff Landry has issued a state of emergency and is urging outdoorsmen not to hunt during the snowstorm and frigid temperatures.

Cut 4 (13) “…proper shelter.”

Louisiana State Police are getting ready for the winter storm. Trooper Shelby Mayfield says they’re doubling patrols to be ready for any emergency. He says when the snow starts falling, if you do not have to be out on the roadways, stay off them.

Cut 13 (14)  “…have to be.”

2:30 PM Newscast Jan 20

Governor Jeff Landry has issued a state of emergency as two to six inches of snow is expected in much of central and south Louisiana and temperatures will be dropping into the teens Tuesday night into Wednesday. Earlier this month when temperatures fell, a homeless man died from hypothermia. Landry is encouraging local governments to open warming shelters.

Cut 5 (14) “…safe as well.”

For the last several days, Louisiana State Police have been preparing for the rare winter conditions for the region. And with snow coming, Trooper Shelby Mayfield asks drivers to stay off the roads but says if you absolutely have to be on the roadways, use common sense.

Cut 14 (06) “…cruise control on.”

DOTD is prepping roadways for tomorrow’s snowstorm. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

According to LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim, this is a generational storm for South Louisiana.

Cut 9 (18)  “…major snow here.”

 

1:30 LRN Newscast

South Louisiana braces for a winter storm that is expected to start tonight and end tomorrow night.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Governor Jeff Landry has issued a state of emergency ahead of the snow. Landry says once the winter precipitation starts falling, stay off the roads.

Cut 3 (12) “…to travel.”

Louisiana State Police are getting ready for the winter storm. Trooper Shelby Mayfield:

Cut 12 (12) “…or any emergencies”

DOTD is also getting ready, brining major roadways and bridges. Spokesman Rodney Mallett says prep work started over the weekend and will continue throughout the day today.

Cut 7 (14) “…to ice over.”

And since Louisiana doesn’t have a single snowplow in the state, mainly due to a lack of need, the state is bringing some in from Arkansas, where snow is not nearly as uncommon as it is here. Conditions may force some of the Interstates to have to close, but Mallett says he hopes it doesn’t come to that.

12:30 LRN Newscast

South Louisiana is under a winter storm warning. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says it’s expected to snow most of the day tomorrow, and it will be more than just flurries.

Cut 10 (16) “…in this particular case.”

DOTD has spent the last few days getting ready for the storm. Since there are no snowplows anywhere in the State of Louisiana, DOTD is bringing in help from Arkansas to perform those tasks as needed. Conditions may force some of the Interstates to have to close, but Mallett says he hopes it doesn’t come to that.

Cut 8 (09) “…during this storm.”

Mallett says crews have spent the last few days prepping the roads for whatever Mother Nature has in store.

The Humane Society of Louisiana urges pet owners to provide extra protection from the cold as temperatures will drop into the 20’s and 30’s overnight across the state. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 27 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson”

Governor Landry declared a state of emergency and is urging outdoorsmen not to hunt during the snowstorm…

Cut 4 (13) “…proper shelter.”

11:30 LRN Newscast

Governor Landry has issued a state of emergency for the entire state. This, as it will be experiencing some of the coldest temperatures of the season, with overnight lows dipping into the teens in some areas tomorrow night. Landry is encouraging local governments to open warming shelters.

Cut 5 (14) “…safe as well.”

A homeless man died from hypothermia earlier this month when Louisiana experienced cold temperatures.

With heavy snow expected to begin tonight, South Louisiana is under a winter storm warning. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says this is a generational storm for South Louisiana.

Cut 9 (18)  “…major snow here.”

Keim says the snowfall will end tomorrow night.

Needless to say, while not unprecedented, snow and ice are not things that Louisiana is accustomed to. Rodney Mallett with DOTD says crews have been busy prepping the roads for severe driving conditions.

Cut 6 (14) “…across the state.”

Mallett says that will continue throughout the day today, and crews from Arkansas will be coming to Louisiana to help with things like plowing roadways.

Jayden Daniels’ magical season for the Washington Commanders continues for at least another week. The Commanders ousted the NFC’s top seed, the Detroit Lions, 45-31, in the Divisional Playoffs. The Heisman Trophy-winning former LSU quarterback said the Lions didn’t go 15-and-2 in the regular season for nothing.

Cut 17 (06)  “…challenge for us.”

Daniels came up a yard short of 300 yards and threw two touchdown passes.

10:30 LRN Newscast

A winter storm warning goes into effect at midnight tonight and it will last for 24 hours and during that time an estimated two to six inches of snow is expected to fall from as far south as New Iberia to Alexandria. And National Weather Service Meteorologist Donald Jones says it will be a wet snow…

Cut 22 (19) “…roofs”

And that’s right ten inches. Jones says it’s not out of the possibility that some spots could receive up to ten inches of snow.

The Humane Society of Louisiana is urging those who have pets that live outdoors to get them indoors as not only do we have snow, but there will also be very cold temperatures for this area. Director Jeff Dorson says even if you don’t want to bring them in your house, find another place where they can be warm…

Cut 9 (12) “…come to our state”

 

The inauguration ceremony is getting underway at this hour with President Donald Trump being sworn in as the 47th president. Louisiana Democratic Congressman Cleo Fields says both parties need to work together to pass common-sense legislation that will improve the lives of all Americans…

Cut 28 (07) “…care about education”

The President is expected to issue dozens of executive orders today, one of them will rename the Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America.

Trump is also promising an executive order to keep TikTok going in the U-S despite a law going into effect on Sunday that says for TikTok to operate in America, TikTok’s Chinese parent company Byte Dance, must sell its stake. LSU law professor Del Wright says the law is still on the books regardless of what Trump does or does not do…

Cut 12 (15) “….by lawsuits”

9:30 LRN Newscast

Governor Landry has issued a state of emergency as two to six inches of snow is expected to fall across much of central and south Louisiana. Landry says once the winter precipitation starts falling, stay off the roads…

Cut 3 (12) “…to travel.”

National Weather Service Meteorologist Donald Jones says while temperatures tomorrow night into Wednesday will be in the teens for most of the state, it’s the snow that everyone is talking about. Jones says because temperatures will be below freezing for most of the day on Tuesday, freezing rain is less likely…

Cut 16 (16) “…freezing rain.”

What’s old will soon be new in the White House; as for just the second time in U.S. history, a former President will be inaugurated as President. Donald Trump takes the oath of office in the Capitol Rotunda at 11 Central time this morning. Historically, the party in power almost always loses seats in the House in midterm elections, so Republicans may only have two years to pass some of Trump’s most ambitious goals. Congresswoman Julia Letlow says she’s not worried about that.

Cut 5 (08) “…I possibly can.”

With temperatures dropping into the 20s and 30s overnight across Louisiana, the Humane Society of Louisiana urges pet owners to provide extra protection from the cold. Executive Director Jeff Dorson says if you’re cold, your pets likely are too.

Cut 10 (10) “…the best policy.”