Yesterday, around 130,000 homes and businesses in North Louisiana were without power. That number is down to around 96,000. Entergy President Phillip May says the number of Entergy customers without power is nearly 74-thousand, with many of those in Ouachita Parish.

Cut 14 (06) “…power is restored.”

Temperatures are expected to begin warming this afternoon but there will still be freezing temperatures overnight for most of the state and another arctic blast is expected over the weekend which could bring temperatures back down into the teens. Governor Landry will be in Ouachita Parish this morning meeting with local officials. He is urging those without power to go to one of the 80 warming shelters operating in the state.

Cut 11 (07) “…warm to go.”

A Texas man was killed in DeSoto Parish yesterday when the truck he was driving left the roadway, collided with a guardrail and overturned in a creek. State Police says 46-year-old John Hordge of Dallas was unrestrained and died at the scene. The cause of the crash that happened around 4:00 P.M. is under investigation. Impairment is not suspected.

As citizens begin filing federal income tax returns. CPA, Richard Tullier (TOO-yay) with Metairie-based accounting firm Wegmann Dazet (dah-ZETT), says there are changes that will benefit tip income earners, Senior Social Security recipients, and if you took out a loan for a new car in 2025, you may get a tax deduction.

Cut 6 (11) “…in the U.S.”

The tax deduction does not apply to used vehicles or leases. And of course, if your loan is zero-percent interest, there’s no interest to deduct.

Over 97 Thousand homes and businesses in North Louisiana are still without power this morning. SWEPCO and Cleco say most of their customers will have electricity by the end of today. Entergy President Phillip May says the company anticipates 90-percent of its customers along the I-20 corridor who can safely receive power will be restored by tomorrow night.

Cut 13 (13)  “…away from homes.”

State Climatologist Jay Grymes says a gradual warm-up will begin this afternoon. By Thursday, high temperatures will be back around 60 degrees, but then another blast of cold air will come which could take North Louisiana back down into the teens Saturday and Sunday morning.

Governor Landry is meeting with local officials in Ouachita Parish this morning and will update the media sometime after 11:00.

If you have all of your tax forms, you can now file your federal and state income tax returns. Andrew Greenstein has helpful information.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month and Director of the Office of Human Trafficking Prevention, Mary Kate Andrepont (AHN-dre-pont) says part of their outreach includes training programs to help personnel in schools, hospitals and law enforcement identify human trafficking.

Cut 8 (10) “…spot human trafficking.”

She says more victims are being identified because of the office’s outreach efforts.

At least four people have died in the weekend ice storm and continuing frigid cold. Hypothermia took the lives of two men in Caddo Parish over the weekend. In Franklin Parish a woman was found deceased outside her home early this morning. And in DeSoto Parish an elderly man died of carbon monoxide poisoning. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Grymes says we will see a brief warm up later today and then more cold.

Cut 12 (12) “…and Sunday mornings.”

If you are ready to file your federal taxes, you want to be aware of some changes. Richard Tullier (TOO-yay), a CPA with Metairie-based accounting firm Wegmann Dazet (dah-ZETT), says up to $25,000 in tip income can excluded from earnings. And while Congress failed to make Social Security income tax-free, they did give a break.

Cut 5 (10) “…adjusted gross income.”

The Office of Human Trafficking Prevention is recognizing Human Trafficking Awareness Month. Director Mary Kate Andrepont (AHN-dre-pont) says it’s an issue all over the state at all times of the year but one thing that sets Louisiana apart is its uniform referral system.

Cut 9 (09)  “…to victim services.”

Andrepont says they’re seeing more victims because of outreach efforts. She says officials are doing a better job at identifying trafficking victims.

If you have all of your tax forms ready you can now file your federal and state income tax returns. CPA, Richard Tullier (TOO-yay) with Metairie-based Wegmann Dazet (dah-ZETT), says new this is for those who make a good portion of their income in tips, can welcome a tax break.

Cut 4 (08) “…to tip earnings.”

January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month and the Office of Human Trafficking Prevention is working to make people aware of magnitude of the issue in Louisiana. Director Mary Kate Andrepont (AHN-dre-pont) says human trafficking happens around the entire state at all times of the year.

Cut 7 (10) “…our small communities.”

She says the office does provides training to help schools, hospitals and law enforcement personnel identify human trafficking and through their efforts more victims are being identified.

About 100-thousand customers are still without power this morning. Andre Champagne says the work continues to get the lights and the heat back on in north Louisiana.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Restoring power and clearing roads are the main priorities as north Louisiana deals with the aftermath of the historic ice storm. At least four people died as a result of the conditions, including an elderly DeSoto Parish man who died of carbon monoxide poisoning. Louisiana Health Secretary Bruce Greenstein (green-steen) says the victim was running a generator in his garage.

Cut 10 (09) “…from the home.”

Governor Landry will be in Ouachita Parish meeting with local officials this morning. He’ll update media sometime after 11:00.

If you have all of your tax forms, you can now file your federal and state income tax returns. Andrew Greenstein has helpful information as you figure out how much you owe Uncle Sam or how much you will get back.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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About 100-thousand customers are without power on this cold morning. Andre Champagne says the work continues to get the lights and the heat back on in north Louisiana.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

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Generator safety is once again a major emphasis after an elderly DeSoto Parish man died as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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If you have all of your tax forms – W-2s, 1099s and others – you can now file your federal and state income tax returns. There seems to be something new every year, and this year is no different. Richard Tullier (TOO-yay), a CPA with Metairie-based accounting firm Wegmann Dazet (dah-ZETT), says those who make a good portion of their income in tips, like waiters and waitresses, are in for a huge tax break.

Cut 4 (08) “…to tip earnings.”

Tullier says while Congress failed in its effort to make Social Security income tax-free, it did possibly the next best thing.

Cut 5 (10) “…adjusted gross income.”

Tullier says if you took out a loan for a new car in 2025, you get a tax deduction – as long as certain requirements are met.

Cut 6 (11) “…in the U.S.”

The tax deduction does not apply to used vehicles, and it does not apply to leases. And if your loan is zero-percent interest, you don’t get a tax deduction, because there’s no interest to deduct.

______________________________________________________

With January being Human Trafficking Awareness Month, the Office of Human Trafficking Prevention has been working to make people aware of how big of an issue that it is here. Director Mary Kate Andrepont (AHN-dre-pont) says human trafficking happens around the entire state at all times of the year.

Cut 7 (10) “…our small communities.”

Andrepont says as part of the office’s outreach, it does a lot of training programs to help personnel in schools, hospitals and law enforcement identify human trafficking.

Cut 8 (10) “…spot human trafficking.”

Andrepont says one thing that sets Louisiana apart in its response to human trafficking is its uniform referral system.

Cut 9 (09)  “…to victim services.”

Andrepont says the reason they’re seeing more victims is because through her office’s outreach efforts, officials are doing a better job at identifying trafficking victims.

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Restoring power, clearing the roads of ice and preventing more deaths are the main priorities as north Louisiana continues to deal with the aftermath of an historic ice storm. At least three people have died because of the storm, including an elderly DeSoto Parish man whose death was the result of carbon monoxide poisoning. Louisiana Health Secretary Bruce Greenstein (green-steen) says the victim was running a generator in his garage.

Cut 10 (09) “…from the home.”

A running generator needs to be properly ventilated. Governor Landry says if your home is without heat and power, find a warming shelter near you. Landry notes there are about 80 of them operating in the state.

Cut 11 (07) “…warm to go.”

State Climatologist Jay Grymes says a gradual warm-up will begin this afternoon. By Thursday, high temperatures will be back around 60 degrees, but then another blast of cold air will come.

Cut 12 (12) “…and Sunday mornings.”

Power companies SWEPCO and Cleco say most of their customers will have electricity by the end of today. Entergy President Phillip May says the company anticipates 90-percent of its customers along the I-20 corridor who can safely receive power will be restored by tomorrow night.

Cut 13 (13)  “…away from homes.”

May says the number of Entergy customers without power is nearly 80-thousand, with many of those in Ouachita Parish.

Cut 14 (06) “…power is restored.”

Many water systems are also struggling in this cold weather. Landry says this may become more of a problem as it warms up and pipes begin to burst.

Cut 15 (10) “…problems as well.”

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The 2026 LSU baseball team returns its entire starting outfield from last year’s  College World Series championship team. Sophomore centerfielder Derek Curiel says the group’s experience together will be an advantage going into the season.

Cut 16 (17) “…to score runs.”

Over the offseason, Curiel put on 20 pounds of muscle to add more power and speed to his swing. Curiel says he wants to make sure he’s a difficult at-bat for opposing pitchers this season.

Cut 17 (14)  “…do this year.”

Sophomore pitcher Casan Evans had one of the best freshman pitching seasons in program history last season. Evans had a 5-and-1 record with a 2.05 ERA after striking out 71 in just over 50 innings of work. As he continues to work for a weekend rotation spot, Evans is focusing on improving two parts of his game.

Cut 18 (16)  “…in the season.”

Tens of thousands of people remain without power as a result of this historic ice storm. Joe Gallinaro has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…Joe Gallinaro.”

At least three people have died because of the storm, including an elderly DeSoto Parish man whose death was the result of carbon monoxide poisoning by running a generator in his unventilated garage. Two men in Caddo Parish died of hypothermia. Governor Landry says they’re also investigating three more fatalities possibly tied to the storm.

Folks throughout the state – especially in North Louisiana – are bracing for another night of brutally cold temperatures. DeSoto Parish Sheriff Jayson Richardson says people who do not have an adequate way to warm their homes should find shelter.

Cut 12 (09) “…life-threatening temperatures”

The Red Cross has already opened shelters and warming centers throughout the state; but given the overnight forecast, it’s looking to open even more of them. As such, it needs volunteers to operate them. Kenneth St. Charles, the regional CEO of the American Red Cross Louisiana Region, says training only takes about two hours, and you can do it from the comfort of your own home.

Cut 15 (10) “…to move equipment.”

LSU has had great success when bringing in transfer pitchers over Jay Johnson’s tenure, including Paul Skenes, Anthony Eyanson, Gage Jump, Luke Holman, and Riley Cooper. This year, the Tigers brought in junior right-handed pitcher Cooper Moore from Kansas.

Cut 18 (14)  “…really successful here.”

LSU opens up their season against Milwaukee on February 13 at 2 p.m.

According to Dianna Russini of the Athletic, LSU offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. spoke to the Philadelphia Eagles about their offensive coordinator vacancy but informed the team he will remain with Lane Kiffin and the Tigers for the 2026 season.

The sixth-ranked LSU women’s basketball team is back in action tonight as the Tigers host Florida at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center at 6 p.m.

Former LSU and current Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte is among five former Tigers who will be playing in Super Bowl 60. In yesterday’s AFC Championship, New England did just enough on offense to get past Denver and Boutte says his team wasn’t going to let the harsh conditions get in the way of getting to Santa Clara.

CUT 22 (13): “to the Super Bowl.”

A couple of men’s basketball games in the Southland have been postponed to tomorrow due to winter weather conditions. Instead of playing tonight, Southeastern will host McNeese tomorrow at 6 p.m. Nicholls will host the University of New Orleans tomorrow at 3:30 p.m., replacing tonight’s 6 p.m. game.

Jennings High School announced on social media on Friday that former football head coach Rusty Phelps has died at the age of 62. Phelps coached for 35 years, including 31 as a head coach with three years at Newellton High School and 28 at Jennings.

Currently, there are about 110-thousand customers without power throughout the state. Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell says it’s a difficult restoration

Cut 7 (11) “…warm weather.”

Unfortunately, a heat wave is not coming soon. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says we are looking at another cold night tonight…

Cut 19 (16) “…tonight”

State officials are imploring those who do not have power and heat, to seek out a warming shelter. At 2 PM press conference, it was announced there are 76 warming shelters available and more than a dozen more are opening soon.

The winter precipitation is gone, but those of you in the northern part of the state should still use extreme caution when venturing out onto the roadways.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

USA Today Network reporter Greg Hilburn is among those without power in his Monroe home. Hilburn says it seems most people are taking state and local officials’ advice and are staying home.

Cut 10 (12) “…they are doing.”

Thousands of people throughout the northern half of the state remain without power because of the deadly ice storm. Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell says buildup of ice on tree limbs has led to many of the outages.

Cut 6 (10) “…up here.”

USA Today Network reporter Greg Hilburn is among those who had the power knocked out at his home. He tells us he was able to stay warm inside his house, thanks to his fireplace. Looking at it on the bright side, he told us at least it looked pretty outside.

Cut 9 (11)  “…transportation.”

Campbell says restoring power has been a huge game of whack-a-mole – when one area gets its power restored, another area loses it.

The precipitation has moved out of Louisiana, and none is expected for the next several days. But Rodney Mallett with DOTD says those of you especially in North Louisiana still need to use extreme caution when venturing out onto the roadways.

Cut 3 (07) “…dangerous driving conditions.”

Among those who have died in the storm is an 86-year-old man in DeSoto Parish who died due to carbon monoxide poisoning. The death was confirmed by the parish coroner as winter storm related. DeSoto Parish Sheriff Jayson Richardson says his deputies have been busy conducting welfare checks.

Cut 11 (14) “…go check.”

Two deaths in Caddo Parish are being attributed to hypothermia.