Oral arguments in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals over the law requiring the Ten Commandments to be posted in all public school classrooms. Solicitor General Ben Aguinaga (ah-gheen-YAH-ga) argued for the state that what makes the law constitutional is that the Ten Commandments are placed amid other historical context on specially-designed posters.

Cut 9 (11)  “…important historical documents.”

Jonathan Youngwood followed with his own 20-minute argument on behalf of the plaintiffs. Reading directly from the posters, Youngwood argued that the law is all about promoting Christianity in public schools.

Cut 12 (10) “…Gods before me.”

The three-judge panel will issue its ruling at a later date; it will undoubtedly be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Work continues today on the reopening of major highways closed because of snow and ice. DOTD Spokesman Rodney Mallett says the sun has been a major ally in the thawing of our roads, but he also credits the extensive work done by DOTD crews…

Cut 7 (12) “…block of ice”

Transportation Secretary Joe Donahue says they expect the I-10 Atchafalaya Basin Bridge and the I-10 Mississippi River Bridge to reopen today, but the I-10 Twin Spans and the Bonnet Carre spillway will likely not re-open until Friday.

Work continues today on the reopening of major highways closed because of snow and ice. Large portions of I-10 and I-55 are closed as well as U-S 90 in Terrebonne and Lafourche Parishes. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett says they’ve been chipping away on six inches of ice on elevated portions of our highway system, and they expect major progress today

Cut 6 (13) “…the sun.”

Louisiana Transportation Secretary Joe Donahue says they expect the I-10 Atchafalaya Basin Bridge and the I-10 Mississippi River Bridge to reopen today, but the I-10 Twin Spans and the Bonnet Carre spillway will likely not re-open until Friday.

The Robertson family returns in Duck Dynasty: The Revival, premiering this summer on A&E. Featuring 20 episodes, the reboot follows Willie, Korie, their children, and grandchildren navigating family, business, and legacy. Original favorites like Uncle Si will appear, but Phil Robertson who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s will not. Episodes will stream on a major platform after airing.

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries agents were busy during the snowstorm rescuing duck hunters. Two duck hunters were stranded on Lake Henderson in St. Martin Parish and Sergeant Jeremy Foret was part of the effort where four duck hunters got stranded in St. Mary Parish…

Cut 13 (06)  “…call for help.”

Today makrs the beginning on D.C. Mardi Gras in Washington D.C.  Jeremy Alford, the publisher of LaPolitcs-dot-com, says the weather here in Louisiana is preventing several people from being able to attend because they cannot get out of the state. He says one of the biggest talking points this year is which Louisianians will get roles in the second Trump administration. He says this is the networking event of the year.

Cut 5 (09) “…government relations professionals.”

The temperature has climbed above freezing and progress will be made in re-opening major sections of Louisiana’s interstate system. State Transportation Secretary Joe Donahue…

Cut 18 (16) “…New Orleans”

Work has been taking place around the clock to reopen the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway. Boh Brothers is helping to remove the snow, which was much as two feet deep on the northern third of both bridges.

Washington D-C Mardi Gras business meetings and social gatherings begin today in our nation’s capital. Jeremy Alford, the publisher of LaPolitcs-dot-com, says this year’s event is getting off to a topsy-turvy start.

Cut 4 (10) “…up to Washington.”

Because of the numerous flight cancellations at the Baton Rouge and New Orleans airports, many people are arriving to the networking event of the year a day late.

Louisiana Congresswoman Julia Letlow has filed two pieces of legislation to strengthen Agriculture Disaster Assistance. One of the bills aims to help livestock and crawfish producers when adverse weather or drought strikes and the other bill increases the flexibility for farmers with soybean crops covered by federal crop insurance…

Cut 12 (05) “…attention was needed”

Letlow says she’s fighting to ensure Louisiana farmers have the support they need when disaster strikes.

Four duck hunters got caught in the winter storm on Tuesday and had to be rescued after their boat starting taking on water in the Atchafalaya Delta Wildlife Management Area in St. Mary Parish. Sergeant Jeremy Foret says after they got the call, it took LDWF agents more than an hour to rescue them…

Cut 15 (04) “…attention was needed”

Later that same day, Foret and his crew rescued a duck hunter who ran out of gas in his boat. He also needed no medical attention.

The weather will warm up today; and with that, the roads will continue to dry out. During a news conference yesterday morning, Governor Landry pointed out that sections of roadway could still be very slick from ice, so be very careful if you need to drive today.

Cut 21 (16) “…back home safely.”

DOTD Secretary Joe Donahue says road treatments are not only ongoing around the clock, but they’re expanding.

Cut 9 (11)  “…to the east.”

Some sections of Interstate freeway have reopened, but long stretches remain closed. To stay up to date on their reopenings, go to 511la.org.

Crews from the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries rescued four stranded duck hunters from the Atchafalaya Delta Wildlife Management Area in St. Mary Parish. Sergeant Jeremy Foret (for-RAY) says there were several factors that led to the boaters needing help.

Cut 14 (06) “…the little boat.”

Foret says none of the four hunters required medical attention.

Congresswoman Julia Letlow has introduced two bills aimed at enhancing disaster aid for agricultural producers and improving crop insurance flexibility.

Cut 10 (11) “…to the finish line.”

The Drought Assistance Improvement Act would modify and expand programs to cover crawfish losses due to adverse weather or drought. The Quality Loss Adjustment Improvement for Farmers Act would require a regional discount factor for soybean crops during extreme weather events.

After spending the last couple of days off the roads in south Louisiana, many people are getting back in their vehicles today. State Climatologist Jay Grymes has this word of caution…

Cut 8 (12) “….on the roads”

High temperatures will get in the low 50s today which should help reopen several major roadways that remain closed this morning.

The winter snowstorm has kept many people from Louisiana from getting up to Washington D-C for D-C Mardi Gras activities, which get underway today and last until Saturday night. Lapolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford it’s an annual gathering of Louisiana’s biggest movers and shakers…

Cut 6 (13) :,,,want to be”

The Fifth U-S Circuit Court of Appeals hears oral arguments today on a controversial Louisiana law that requires every public school classroom to display the Ten Commandments. The plaintiffs in the case say the law tramples on students’ religious liberty and violates the separation of church and state. But Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill says the law is plainly constitutional.

Congresswoman Julia Letlow introduces two bills aimed at enhancing disaster aid for agricultural producers and improving crop insurance flexibility. Sean Richardson reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

This snowstorm has certainly been one for the ages. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

In Shreveport-Bossier City, authorities continue to look for the suspect who fatally shot a pharmaceutical rep walking back to his vehicle yesterday morning at a Walgreen’s across the street from Byrd High School. Police say the suspect stole the victim’s vehicle and it was tracked to an apartment complex in Bossier City, but the shooter still has not been found.

D-C Mardi Gras events get underway today at our nation’s capital. LaPolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says this is the networking event of the year for politicians, lobbyists and business executives…

Cut 5 (09) “….relations professional”

Much of the activity takes place at the Washington Hilton and a bar at that hotel is renamed for this weekend as the 65^th Parish.

Louisiana Congresswoman Julia Letlow has filed legislation to strengthen agriculture disaster assistance.

Cut 11 (05) “…before disasters strike”

Letlow says the Drought Assistance Improvement Act would address shortcomings in existing relief programs. Including helping crawfish farmers when there is adverse weather or drought.

This arctic blast has been one for the ages. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says this was the biggest snowstorm in South Louisiana in more than 100 years. And Grymes says the cold temperatures will last a couple more days…

Cut 7 (15) “…with the snow.”

The temperatures are in the 20s this morning, so not as cold as yesterday when we saw single digits. And Department of Transportation crews will be back at it again today clearing the major roadways closed because of snow and ice.

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries agents were busy during the snowstorm rescuing duck hunters. Two duck hunters were stranded on Lake Henderson in St. Martin Parish and Sergeant Jeremy Foret was part of the effort where four duck hunters got stranded in St. Mary Parish…

Cut 13 (06) “…call for a help

Foret says they got to the boaters a little more than a hour later.

A Who’s Who of Louisiana politics will converge at a DC hotel starting today for Washington Mardi Gras. Andrew Greenstein reports

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Louisiana U-S Senator Bill Cassidy says he will vote to confirm South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem as Secretary of Homeland Security. In a statement Cassidy says Governor Noem has her priorities straight, a secured southern border and protecting the country from another terror attack like the one in New Orleans on New Year’s Day.

A Who’s Who of Louisiana politics will converge at a DC hotel starting today for Washington Mardi Gras. Andrew Greenstein reports

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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This snowstorm has certainly been one for the ages. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Congresswoman Julia Letlow introduces two bills aimed at enhancing disaster aid for agricultural producers and improving crop insurance flexibility. Sean Richardson reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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A Who’s Who of Louisiana politics will be in Washington, DC, starting today for Washington Mardi Gras. Jeremy Alford, the publisher of LaPolitcs-dot-com, says this year’s event is getting off to a topsy-turvy start.

Cut 4 (10) “…up to Washington.”

In fact, Alford says the weather here in Louisiana is preventing several people from being able to attend because they cannot get out of the state. He says one of the biggest talking points this year is which Louisianians will get roles in the second Trump administration. He says this is the networking event of the year.

Cut 5 (09) “…government relations professionals.”

Alford says the bar at the Washington Hilton, where this event is happening, is usually dubbed the “65th Parish,” and it’s not an event that any politician will want to miss.

Cut 6 (13) “…want to be.”

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This arctic blast has been one for the ages. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says this was the biggest snowstorm in South Louisiana in more than 100 years – longer than nearly every one of us has been alive. Grymes says we’re not done with the cold temperatures yet.

Cut 7 (15) “…with the snow.”

Grymes says even though road conditions are starting to improve, they’re still quite treacherous. So he’s urging you to once again stay home if at all possible.

Cut 8 (12) “…on the roads.”

DOTD Secretary Joe Donahue says road treatments are not only ongoing 24 hours a day, but they’re expanding.

Cut 9 (11)  “…to the east.”

To stay up to date on road conditions, go to 511la.org.

______________________________________________________

Congresswoman Julia Letlow has introduced two bills aimed at enhancing disaster aid for agricultural producers and improving crop insurance flexibility.

Cut 10 (11) “…to the finish line.”

The Drought Assistance Improvement Act seeks to reform emergency relief programs by modifying and expanding programs to cover crawfish losses due to adverse weather or drought.  Letlow emphasized the importance of proactive reforms to swiftly support farmers facing severe weather.

Cut 11 (05) “…before disasters strike.”

The Quality Loss Adjustment Improvement for Farmers Act aims to improve federal crop insurance by requiring a regional discount factor for soybean crops during extreme weather events. Letlow says this will all protect Louisiana’s agricultural community.

Cut 12 (05) “…severe weather events.”

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Rescue crews from the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries rescued four stranded duck hunters from the Atchafalaya Delta Wildlife Management Area in St. Mary Parish. Sergeant Jeremy Foret (for-RAY) says the call came in shortly after 9:30 Tuesday morning.

Cut 13 (06)  “…call for help.”

Sergeant Foret says they got to the boaters a little more than an hour later. He says there were several factors that led to the boaters needing help.

Cut 14 (06) “…the little boat.”

Foret says all four hunters are doing well.

Cut 15 (04) “…attention was needed.”

Later that same day, Foret and his crew rescued a duck hunter who ran out of gas in his boat. He was brought back to his vehicle and also needed no medical attention.

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The Ragin Cajuns men’s basketball team hosts Texas State at 3 PM today. Both teams are 4-and-3 in Sun Belt play. U-L Lafayette interim head coach Derrick Zimmerman says one of the Bobcats’ best players is Tylan Pope from Franklinton….

Cut 16 (16) “…with them.”

Tuesday’s record snowfall has disrupted the Cajuns’ preparations for today’s game, but Zimmerman says that’s no excuse…

Cut 17 (17)  “…we’ll be ready to play.”

The Cajuns have won six straight games over Texas State.

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Louisiana Tech begins a three game-home stand tonight when they host Western Kentucky at 6 PM in a game televised by CBS Sports Network. The Bulldogs dropped two close games on the road last week to fall to two and four in Conference USA play. Tech has already matched conference loss total from last year and Coach Talvin Hester says they have not been as good on the defensive end of the court…

Cut 18 (09)   “…172.”

The Bulldogs have also been hit by the injury bug. Will Jeffress is out for the season with an injury. Al Green and Jordan Crawford have also been injured recently. Hester says they have to play through these injuries…

Cut 19 (12) “…growing toward.”