The state announces it will receive a billion dollars over the next five years from the federal government to rebuild bridges. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 02(31)      “…Palermo.”

This Sunday in New Orleans, a parade to honor the late Betty White. The entertainer died just days shy of her 100^th birthday. Animal rescue was a favorite cause for Betty, so the parade will also raise money for animal care & adoption programs. The parade starts Sunday at 4, at the corner of Canal and Bourbon.

A corroded pipeline in St. Bernard Parish is being blamed for a massive diesel spill that has killed thousands of fish and hundreds of land animals. LDWF spokesperson Laura Carver says animals found alive are being trapped, cleaned up and rehabilitated. She says that includes birds, snakes, turtles and gators…:

CUT 08(07)      “…rehabilitation.”

Cleanup of the spill is fully underway.

Keep that heavy coat handy. It’s going to be a chilly weekend as a cold front enters the state again Saturday. State Climatologist Barry Keim says tomorrow will be a big transitional day, with rain and possibly a wintery mix in the northern parishes…:

CUT 10(08)      “…most of the state.”

He says he still does NOT expect we will see a hard freeze.

Thanks to the recently passed federal Infrastructure Bill, Louisiana will get a billion dollars over 5 years to repair or rebuild a lot of the state’s crumbling bridges. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says the state will spend about 200-million of the one billion this year and they’ve released a list of bridge projects that will see funding…:

CUT 13(11)      “…this year.”

Bridges in Caddo, Ouachita St. Mary Parish – all expected to get some love in the coming year.

Sunday in New Orleans, a parade to honor the late, great Betty White. She passed away just days shy of her 100^th birthday. Parade organizer Santa T. Claus (his legal name) says the parade will raise money to benefit animal rescue – one of White’s favorite causes – and starts Sunday at 4, Bourbon and Canal…:

CUT 04(10)      “…Jackson Square.”

The State Fire Marshal’s office says a Lacombe man died after going back into a burning home to rescue his pets. Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says the home caught fire early Tuesday morning. Two people in their 60’s made it safely outside, but the man went back inside to save the family dogs. He died in the hospital a day after the fire. Rodrigue has this advice for anyone able to escape a burning building..:

CUT 16(12)      “…if we lose our own.”

A Shreveport man is in jail after a police search warrant turned up over 21 pounds of illegal marijuana. They also confiscated seven guns, over $12-thousand in cash and a Cadillac Escalade. 27-year-old Harlann Stewart face drug and weapons charges. No word on bail.

Coronavirus. The health Department reports just over 14-thousand new cases with almost 2200 in the hospital with the virus. Of those, nearly 75-percent are not fully vaccinated. Ten COVID patients have recently died.

The state highway department will get a billion federal dollars over the next five years to rebuild Louisiana’s old and dilapidated bridges. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 02(31)      “…Palermo.”

An air & water search is underway in Lafourche Parish, after residents report seeing a helicopter go down in wetlands near the town of Larose. The crash reportedly happened around 10 this morning. Sheriff Craig Webre says deputies are searching the area now for wreckage and possible survivors. More as it develops.

A corroded pipeline is being blamed for a diesel fuel spill in St. Bernard Parish. Hundreds of land animals are reported dead as a result. LDWF’s Lara Carver says as many as 2500 fish were killed as well…:

CUT 07(05)      “…and shad.”

Cleanup crews are on the job, and animals found alive are being trapped and taken for rehabilitation.

Cold winter weather revisits the state, as rain and another front move through this weekend. State Climatologist Barry Keim says areas around I-20 should be prepared for he calls a “wintery mix” of precipitation…:

CUT 09(13)      “…the Florida parishes”

Keim expects it get plenty cold, but no hard freeze is expected. Bundle up.

A pedestrian who was struck by a hit-and-run driver on Interstate 10 in St. Tammany Parish was found Thursday, after lying on the roadside injured for hours. A highway crew found the victim. Authorities say an 18-wheeler hit the man, then sped on. The man is now in the hospital in serious condition. State Police are investigating.

A major cold front will enter the state Saturday bringing rain, wind, and near-freezing temps. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(31)      “…Thorington.”

The State Fire Marshal’s office says a Lacombe man died after going back into a burning home to rescue his pets. Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says the home caught fire early Tuesday morning. Two people in their 60’s made it safely outside, but the man went back inside to save the family dogs…:

CUT 15(07)      “…died a day later.”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries reports thousands of fish – and and over a hundred birds, snakes and other animals – were killed as a result of a pipeline spill in St. Bernard Parish. LDWF Oil Response Coordinator Laura Carver says 75 alligators have also been captured for rehabilitation…:

CUT 06(06)      “…for rehab.”

The spill was caused by a severely corroded pipeline. Cleanup work continues.

Deputies in Lafourche Parish are investigating a reported helicopter crash near Larose this morning. A citizen called to report the chopper going down just west of the South Lafourche Levee. An air & water search is underway. More as it develops.

Governor Edwards says he’s alarmed at hearing of people intentionally getting the COVID virus. Intentionally? Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 02(33)      “…Thorington.”
The governor’s office announces Louisiana is receiving about a billion dollars that can be used to repair bridges in poor condition. The federal money is coming from Infrastructure Law passed last year. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says the Federal Highway Administration allocated the dollars to states based on need, and Louisiana is getting a BIG slice…:

CUT 12(08)      “…our condition.”

Nearly 800 state-owned bridges need to be rebuilt or repaired.

Fans of Betty White are giving the beloved actress a true Mardi Gras send-off on what would have been the day before her 100^th birthday Sunday. Retired New Orleans realtor, Santa T Claus says it began as a passing thought the day after her death and has now grown into a full-blown parade and fundraiser…:

CUT 03(04)      “…I think now.”

The parade begins at 4 o’clock at the corner of Bourbon and Canal.

Governor Edwards is extremely concerned over a trend where people intentionally expose themselves to COVID. Edwards says if individuals deliberately infect themselves the outcome affects more than just that one person.

Cut 9 (12)  “…if that happens.”

Edwards says those cases could overwhelm the healthcare delivery system.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries reports thousands of fish were killed and over one hundred other animals, including snakes and birds, died as a result of a pipeline spill in St. Bernard Parish. LDWF Oil Response Coordinator Laura Carver says 75 alligators have also been captured for rehabilitation…

 Cut 6 (06) “…for rehab” 

The spill from a severely corroded pipeline that ruptured was discovered in late December

A new report shows the number of smokers in Louisiana at an all-time low. More on that from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

Louisiana will receive one billion over a five-year period from the Federal Highway Administration. The funding is earmarked to improve some 400 bridges in need of repair or replacement across the state. Governor Edwards applauds the funding and DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says the funding is timely as many of our bridged are 45 to 65 years old.

The U.S. Supreme Court has blocked the White House COVID vaccine mandate for private businesses. Six conservative justices voted for the block, while 3 liberal justices voted against it. Loyola University law professor Dan Ciolino…

Cut 13 (13) “…a democratic president.”
The court did rule to uphold the mandate to require the vaccine for health care workers

President Biden announced the administration is purchasing another 500-million home COVID tests to be distributed.  Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says the effort is too late amid the Omicron surge. Cassidy shared with reporters that his own wife told him she’s also unable to find a home test.

Cut 6 (10) “…herself.”

Governor Edwards warns of a dangerous trend to intentionally catch COVID so individuals can put the virus behind them. He says it’s irresponsible and increases the chances of overwhelming the healthcare delivery system. Edwards says even the cases that are referred to as mild will make you feel sick.

Cut 8 (10) “…long time.”

New data shows the number of Louisianans who smoke cigarettes is at an all-time low. A report from the Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living says the percentage of adults who smoke is down to just over 18-percent; down from about 22-percent in 2019. TFL director Dr. Earl Benjamin Robinson says this is great news:

Cut 10 (07) “…contextualize that drop.”
For help kicking the tobacco habit, visit “QuitWithUsLA.org”.

The Supreme Court says private businesses with over 100 employees can’t require workers to get the Covid vaccine, but they did keep a mandate in place for healthcare workers. Brandon Trosclair who owns grocery stores in Louisiana and Mississippi was among the first business owners to legally challenge the White House mandate. He says the High Court got this one right..:
Cut 14 (09) “just super-relieved”
It’s a loss for the Biden Administration which sought to use the federal Occupational Safety & Health Administration to enforce the vaccines for workers.

Governor John Bel Edwards says Louisiana is set to receive approximately $1 billion dollars to repair and upgrade bridges under the new Bridge Formula Program, with over $200 million of that allocated for this fiscal year. He says this is great news from the Federal Highway Administration as Louisiana’s funding needs for infrastructure projects are massive.

New data shows the number of Louisianans who smoke cigarettes is at an all-time low. A report from the Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living says the percentage of adults who smoke is down to just over 18-percent. TFL director Dr. Earl Benjamin Robinson says the report is encouraging and inspires optimism..:
CUT 12 (11) “individuals are protected”
For help kicking the tobacco habit, visit “QuitWithUsLA.org”.

The White House announces they’ve purchased another 500 million home Covid tests in addition to the 500 million already ordered. But Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says with Omicron surging the way it is now this should have been done sooner…:
Cut 5 (08) “tests now”
The White House also plans to distribute high-quality masks at no cost and next week a website will be launched so Americans can order the free home COVID tests.