LRN PM Newscall January 21

With crippling weather bearing down on Louisiana, now is the time to start getting ready. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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LSU has added one of the top pass rushers in the SEC to its roster and it’s someone coach Lane Kiffin knows well. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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We continue to keep an eye on the winter storm that’s bearing down on much of Louisiana late this week and this weekend. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says by the end of the week, the roads will be unbearable for many.

Cut 3 (13) “…of southern Louisiana.”

Keim says in south Louisiana, that wintry mix will be mainly from Lake Charles to the Mississippi River. He says areas east of the Mississippi River appear to be clear of any hazardous conditions for the time being, but this is still something those people need to keep a close eye on.

Cut 4 (12) “…at cold rain.”

Keim says conditions when conditions start to deteriorate, they will not improve for the duration of the weekend.

Cut 5 (09) “…much clear out.”

A cold weather advisory is also in effect for southwest Louisiana from Saturday night to Sunday morning.

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With much of the state in the crosshairs of Mother Nature’s wrath, GOHSEP is urging you to start preparing now. Mike Steele with GOHSEP says now is the time to start putting together your emergency kit.

Cut 6 (10) “…significant power loss.”

Steele says when at the grocery store, stock up on foods that require neither refrigeration nor preparation.

Cut 7 (05) “…rule of thumb.”

Of course, when hunkering down at home, there’s a very good chance that you could lose power, possibly for days on end. Steele says those of you who have generators need to be smart when using them.

Cut 8 (12) “…cooled down properly.”

GOHSEP has all this information and more on its emergency preparedness website, get a game plan-dot-org.

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New Orleans officials announce the arrest of a 35-year-old man who allegedly set eight vehicles on fire in the Bywater neighborhood early Monday morning. Deputy Mayor of Public safety Michael Harrison says surveillance cameras caught Kyle Tomeson go on an arson spree…

Cut 9 (09)  “…from the area.”

New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno says Tomeson was caught within 48 hours of the fires…

Cut 10 (09) “…of New Orleans.”

Tomeson has been booked on four counts of aggravated arson and nine counts of simple arson. Moreno says the burning of the vehicles has been unsettling for residents in the Bywater neighborhood. But the mayor is thankful for one thing…

Cut 11 (07) “…situation”

Officials are not sure of a motive. Aggravated arson could result in a prison sentence of six to 20 years. Simple arson could result in a sentence of up to 15 years. Fox-8 TV is reporting Tomeson was nabbed authorities while working his job as a bartender in the French Quarter.

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Investigators in Rapides Parish are calling it a tragic accident. Tommy Carnline with the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office says deputies responded to a shooting south of Lecompte early Monday morning and found two people inside a vehicle, one of whom had been shot.

Cut 12 (06) “…in the head.”

Carnline says investigators determined that there was no foul play involved. The sheriff’s office has not released the victim’s identity. Carnline says this underscores the importance of handling firearms with the greatest of care.

Cut 13 (09)  “…toward the ground.”