The state of Louisiana feels more like a frozen tundra today as record breaking cold temperatures were hit. Chris Bannon with National Weather Service in Slidell says temperatures will get back above freezing this afternoon, but we’ll see another hard freeze tonight, which is not good for icy roads…:
Cut 6 (09) “over night”
State Police Senior Trooper Bryan Lee says based on the number of crashes they saw in a short period of time this morning, plenty of people can’t handle a vehicle on the ice…:
Cut 3 (11) “use caution”
This morning before 10am, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office says a woman and child suffered very serious injuries when their vehicle slid into a canal.

Governor John Bel Edwards has declared a State of Emergency due to the hazardous winter weather conditions. He says it’s imperative that people stay home since DOTD crews have a short time to get salt and deicing agents applied to prevent tonight’s cold temperatures to refreeze the roads…:
Cut 11 (10) “refreeze again”
He says to also check 5-1-1-L-A for the latest driving conditions.

Thousands are without power today. Many SWEPCO customers in northwest Louisiana are without electricity and heat. SWEPCO spokesperson Carey Sullivan says the heavy ice accumulation is the main cause of the power outages…:
Cut 9 (12) “our outages”
Sullivan says crews are working as quickly as possible to restore power.

Temperatures are in the teens to the low 20s across the state at this hour. Robert Megnia (meg-knee-a), with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles, says it feels even colder outside because of a north wind at about 10 miles per hour…
cut 30 (08) “…nine degrees”
And in case you are wondering, this is record breaking cold. Chris Bannon with National Weather Service says 40 year-old records were broken in Baton Rouge and New Orleans….
cut 5 (13) “….1977”
Governor Edwards has declared a state of emergency because of the dangerous winter conditions. Edwards says over 1.5 million pounds of salt has been distributed and 12-hundred D-O-T-D employees have been working around the clock.

Thousands are without power today. Many SWEPCO customers in northwest Louisiana are without electricity and heat. SWEPCO spokesperson Carey Sullivan says the heavy ice accumulation is the main cause of the power outages…
cut 9 (12) “…our outages”
Sullivan says crews are working as quickly as possible to restore the power, but the weather and slick roads are presenting a challenge.

UNO has conducted a poll to find who Louisiana voters would vote for in a hypothetical election between President Donald Trump and Oprah Winfrey. 60-percent of respondents said they would vote for Mr. Trump and UNO pollster Ed Chervenak says 36-percent of black voters support the President over Oprah. He says that’s because Louisiana leans conservative…
cut 6 (07) “….the state”

We’re experiencing some of the coldest temperatures of the season today, and several records have already been broken throughout the state. In New Orleans, the airport reached 20 degrees around 6am shattering a previous record of 23 degrees set on this day in 1977. The Baton Rouge Airport was 14 degrees around 7am, beating a record low of 18 degrees in 1977.

The roads are iced over and drivers are having a hard time getting around:
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kelley Ray”

Iced roads and closed schools have many workers asking if they have to go to their jobs today. Baton Rouge Attorney Yigal Bander says if your boss threatens you with a pink slip for skipping work, he could fire you. But if you have a legal disability, and are fired today for not attending, you may have a legal recourse…:
Cut 9 (10) “have a case”

If a presidential election between Donald Trump and Oprah Winfrey actually happened, 60% of voters in Louisiana say they would vote for Mr. Trump. That’s according to a UNO Poll, and pollster Ed Chervenak who says white men and women had nearly identical levels of support for Mr. Trump, but the numbers were different among black voters…:
Cut 5 (10) “were split”
The poll was of 722 Louisiana voters.

The icy roads that are open are mostly empty throughout the state today, which is a good thing as most offices, including all government, schools and other businesses have closed their doors due to the winter weather. DOTD’s Rodney Mallett is reminding motorists that even though a slight warm up is expected later in the day, it doesn’t mean the roads won’t still be bad…:
CUT 16 (12) “thaw out”
He says it’s best to stay in unless you have to report to work.

And if your office is open today, your boss has a right to make you report despite road conditions. Baton Rouge Attorney Yigal Bander says Louisiana is employment at will which means outside of gender, race, religion and other protected areas; your boss can still release you if you don’t come in…:
Cut 8 (10) “at all”

A UNO poll shows President Donald Trump would handily beat Oprah Winfrey in a hypothetical Louisiana general election. Matt Doyle has more…:
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell says taxpayers could save millions, if electric companies and cities convert to new energy efficient environmentally friendly streetlights…:
Cut 10 (10) “money back”

It’s hard to believe but Louisianians woke up to temperatures this morning in the single digits in the northern parishes, and in the teens further south. Lake Charles National Weather Service forecaster Robert Megnia (meg-knee-a) says the cold isn’t going anywhere for a couple of days…:
Cut 14 (07) “near 30″
After that, daytime highs will gradually climb the rest of the week, with highs reaching the 50s by Friday.

There are many roads that are closed this morning, including major interstates. For the routes that are open, ice is still a factor. Rodney Mallett with DOTD says they’ve been doing what they can with salt and brine.:
Cut 15 (08) “routes open”
He says it’s best to stay put today, but if you must be out be sure to check 511la.org for the most up-to-date information on road closures.

If your office isn’t closed this morning, are you still required to report for duty even though the roads are icy?
Cut 3 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Entergy Louisiana is reporting about 23,400 customers are without power throughout the state, the majority of those in the New Orleans area due to ice on power lines and icy tree limbs falling. But there are also many on the Northshore and Baton Rouge, Lake Charles and Northeast Louisiana areas who are in the dark this morning.

Today is a great day to not leave your house in Louisiana. The drivers who are out this morning are struggling. Kelley Ray has a winter update..:
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kelley Ray”

Current road closures include I-10 in both directions from I-49 in Lafayette to Williams Blvd in Kenner. I-12 is closed in both directions from I-10 in Baton Rouge to Madisonville/Goodbee. I-55 is closed from LaPlace to north of Kentwood. In North Louisiana, I-49 is closed from Shreveport to the border. In Lake Charles, the loop is closed.

Iced roads and closed schools have many workers asking if they have to go to their jobs today. Baton Rouge Attorney Yigal Bander says if your boss threatens you with a pink slip for skipping out, he’s still the boss.:
Cut 7 (10) “do about it”
Louisiana, like most states, is employment at will.

A UNO poll shows President Donald Trump beating Oprah Winfrey by double digits in a hypothetical general election matchup. Trump gathered 60 percent of support in the poll of 722 Louisiana voters. Pollster Ed Chervenak says part of the reason is the president’s high approval rating here…:
Cut 4 (07) “of Louisiana”
Trump’s approval rating is about 40 percent nationwide.

Much of the state has seen snow and ice fall to the ground today, making travel very difficult. State Trooper Michael Reichardt says slow down. The posted speed limits don’t mean anything when the weather is this treacherous…
Cut 11 (10) “like today.”
Several major interstates are closed, portions of I-49 and I-220 in northwest Louisiana and late this afternoon the I-10 Atchafalya Basin was shut down in both ways between Lafayette and Baton Rouge. State Transportation spokesperson Rodney Mallett says these highways will likely not be open for your morning commute, since the temperatures will be well below freezing…
cut 16 (12) “…thaw out”

Online shoppers could receive tax notices for purchases made from out of state retailers. Matt Doyle spoke with the state revenue department…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Florida Governor Rick Scott announced today he’ll travel to Louisiana this week on a trade mission to share with Louisiana companies how the Sunshine state is making it easier on families and job creators. Governor John Bel Edwards says he’ll be happy to show Scott how he’s turned this state around.

Drivers are finding it tough to get to where they need to be this morning.  Kelley Ray has more on this extended winter weather.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kelley Ray”

______________________________________

A UNO poll shows President Donald Trump would handily beat Oprah Winfrey in a hypothetical Louisiana general election. Matt Doyle has more…

Cut 2 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

______________________________________________

Roads are iced and schools are closed, but many workers are still being called in to their jobs. Jeff Palermo talked to an attorney about whether or not your employer has the legal right to fire you for not coming in…

Cut 3 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo.”

_________________________________________________

A statewide poll by UNO shows President Donald Trump beating Oprah Winfrey by double digits in a hypothetical general election matchup. Trump gathered 60 percent of support in the poll of 722 Louisiana voters, with the results slip sharply along racial and gender lines. Pollster Ed Chervenak says part of the reason is the president’s high approval rating in the bayou…

Cut 4  (07) “of Louisiana” 

Trump’s approval rating is about 40 percent nationwide.

White men and women had nearly identical levels of support for trump, but Chervenak says the numbers were different among black voters…

Cut 5  (10)  “were split.”

36 percent of black voters supported Trump over Winfrey in the poll. Chervenak says it’s because of the state’s conservative bent…

Cut 6 (07)  “the state”

Nationwide eight percent of blacks supported Trump in 2016.

_________________________________________________

Iced roads and closed schools have many workers asking if they have to go to their jobs today. Baton Rouge Attorney Yigal Bander says if your boss threatens you with a pink slip for skipping out, you don’t have many legal options…

Cut 7 (10)  “do about it.”

Louisiana, like most states, is employment at will. Bander says outside of gender, race, religion, and other protected areas, this means your employment status is wholly up to your boss…

Cut 8 (10) “at all.”

Bander says if you have a legal disability, and are fired today for not attending, you may have a legal recourse…

Cut 9 (10)  “have a case.”

_________________________________________________

Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell says taxpayers could save millions, if electric companies and cities convert to new energy efficient environmentally friendly streetlights.  Campbell is proposing that the PSC conduct a comprehensive review of streetlight technology and how cities can save money by changing over.  He says 40 percent of Shreveport’s electric bill is for their 35,000 street lights…

Cut 10 (10) “money back.”

Campbell points out the lights are environmentally friendly and has other benefits.  Cities and towns would have more control over the equipment to help conserve energy…

Cut 11 (09) “do that.”

Cities and towns have expressed concern over the cost of the changeover, saying they don’t have enough capital at the outset to change over to the new technology.  Campbell says if the PSC approves this study, those cities will get the help they need…

Cut 12 (07) “save money.”

______________________________________

Some of the coldest temperatures Louisiana has seen so far are being observed this morning. Some areas are reporting near single digit temperatures while coastal areas are not warmer than the 20’s to start the day off.  Lake Charles National Weather Service forecaster Robert Megnia (meg-knee-a) says the entire state is waking up to a chilly morning…

Cut 13 (09)  “9 degrees.”

Megnia says after bottoming out this morning, temperatures will slowly rebound across the state over the next 48 hours…

Cut 14 (07) “near 30.”

Meanwhile, if you’re heading out to work this morning, allow for plenty of extra time.  DOTD’s Rodney Mallet says if a road is deemed unsafe, you might find your normal route to work may be closed…

Cut 15 (08) “routes open.”

Mallet says even when temperatures above freezing later today, it doesn’t mean the slippery conditions go away immediately…

Cut 16 (11)  “thaw out.”

__________________________________________________

Drew Brees’s contract is a huge question mark for the Saints this offseason. The quarterback turned 39 on Monday, and is a free agent in March. Brees and the Saints front office have been coy so far about contract negotiations, but Brees says he hopes to have a deal before the free agent deadline. The quarterback says this young, talented group is a great incentive to stick around with his favorite team…

Cut 17 (16) “yes i do”

Brees says he intends to end his career in black and gold, and doesn’t want to play anywhere else. He said part of that is because head coach Sean Payton took a chance on him in 2006 when others wouldn’t…

Cut 18 (14) “Sean Payton”

After the best campaign in years was cut tragically short by Stephon Diggs, Drew took a moment to reflect on the season…

Cut 19 (12)  “be proud of” 

______________________________