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.”

_____________________________________________

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

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

_____________________________________________

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.”

______________________________________________________

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.”

______________________________________________________

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.”

__________________________________________________________

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.

__________________________________________________________

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.

__________________________________________________________

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.”

New all time record lows were set this morning. National Weather Service Meteorologist Stacey Denson says single digit temperature readings were recorded across southwest Louisiana…

Cut 3 (13) “…in Lafayette.” 

And the highest snowfall total – 11 and a half inches in Chalmette.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The weather warmed up throughout the day today to cause some of the snow to melt and the roads to start to dry up. So much so that this afternoon, DOTD was able to reopen westbound I-10 from I-49 in Lafayette to the Texas state line. Others may take a little longer to reopen. DOTD spokesman Rodney Mallett says one challenge with the Interstates is that many of them have long stretches where they go over water, and bridges always freeze first, making for extremely dangerous driving conditions.

Cut 11 (07) “…in the south.”

Despite the slight warming throughout the day today, LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says we’re not quite out of the woods just yet.

Cut 13 (05)  “…block of ice.”

Tonight’s Pelicans home game against the Bucks has been postponed, and the huge matchup in women’s basketball between number-five LSU and number-two South Carolina has been pushed back from tomorrow night to Friday afternoon.

Below-freezing temperatures are cold for Louisiana, but this morning we nearly saw temperatures below zero. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy announced his support for confirming South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem as the 8th U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security. Praising her focus on border security and counterterrorism, Cassidy expressed confidence in her leadership and the administration’s commitment to securing the southern border. He pledged to vote for her confirmation.

Since the start of the storm, DOTD has worked around the clock to treat roadways with salt and brine. Spokesman Rodney Mallett says that work continues today and beyond.

Cut 9 (11)  “…tonight and tomorrow.”

I-10 westbound from I-49 to the Texas state line has been reopened.

Get used to this snow; it’s going to be around for a few more days. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says while it will be warmer tomorrow, it won’t warm up to the point to cause any significant melting.

Cut 12 (09) “…into the weekend.”

Get used to seeing this snow; it’s going to be around for a few more days. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says it’s not going to be warm enough today or tomorrow to cause any significant melting. He says if you can just survive tomorrow, we will see significant melting starting Friday.

Cut 14 (11) “…will be gone.”

Most Interstate freeways throughout South Louisiana from Lake Charles eastward remain closed – however, this afternoon, westbound I-10 has reopened from I-49 to the Texas state line. DOTD Spokesman Rodney Mallett says it’s unclear when other stretches will reopen.

Cut 10 (10) “…need to be.”

Go to 511la.org to stay up to date.

The highest snowfall total recorded in Louisiana happened in Chalmette – 11.5 inches. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

This wicked weather has led to a few postponements in the sports world. Tonight’s Pelicans home game against the Bucks has been postponed; no makeup date has been announced. And the highly anticipated women’s basketball game in Columbia, South Carolina, between fifth ranked LSU and second ranked South Carolina has been postponed from tomorrow night to Friday afternoon.