Louisiana

Upcoming Winter Storm: State of Emergency declared for Louisiana

Published

1 month ago

January 22, 2026

Press Room

Upcoming Winter Storm: State of Emergency declared for Louisiana

BATON ROUGE — Gov. Jeff Landry has signed a state of emergency for the Louisiana ahead of the upcoming winter storm, which he and other state leaders have called a “dangerous event,” particularly for the northern part of Louisiana. The northern parishes could be facing what State Climatologist Jay Grymes deemed a “triple whammy,” of ice, snow and bitter cold air.

The governor said while this time last year, Louisiana got to enjoy a snow storm, the ice storm predicted over this weekend will likely be far from enjoyable.

Landry signed the state of emergency just minutes before stepping onstage on Jan. 22nd to update the state on what to expect and how best to prepare.

“This state of emergency allows for direct state assistance to support operational measures at the parish level to help protect life, safety, and welfare of our citizens. Additionally, this declaration allows the state to request a waiver for commercial motor carriers and drivers assisting with emergencies to ensure that fuel deliveries or delivered quickly to Louisiana to prevent shortages,” he explained. Because of the possibility of north Louisiana seeing effects and shortages sooner than later, Landry wanted to get the declaration out as soon as possible.

READ MORE Winter storm watch in Baton Rouge starting Friday morning

GOHSEP and the National Guard are activated and prepared, he added, with the Guard armed with generators, water bottles and ready-to-eat meals, and high-water vehicles to help in accessing citizens up north. FEMA has also provided additional assets and necessities, Landry said.

Jay Grymes: Timing and what we can expect

“I urge everyone listening and watching to begin to plan ahead. You want to check on your neighbors, especially if you have elderly neighbors who may need help in preparing as well,” the governor said.

Grymes said that winter storm impacts begin in the northwest on Friday night, rolling through the southeast into Saturday and Sunday.

“Saturday is going to be a statewide mess whether it’s raining or not. In North Louisiana, some of that rain will turn into snow so there could be snow on top of ice. That snow will help keep that ice intact, making it a very dangerous situation,” Gymes said. The snow will likely remain north of Alexandria.

Areas along the I-10, I-12 and 190 corridor will likely avoid any significant icing concerns, Grymes said. The central to northern parishes will receive the worst of the ice potential.

For those along the I-20 corridor, there could be as much as half an inch or more of ice. “Icing of that magnitude is clearly going to create some significant problems,” he explained. For north Louisiana, the rain that follows the ice will likely turn into snow, meaning that northern parishes could have ice and snow layered, allowing the ice to stick around longer.

Temperatures could be below or at freezing for nearly 70 hours in the north part of the state; that’s three days.

The cold air won’t arrive in south Louisiana until after the rain happens, according to Grymes. The coldest of the air doesn’t arrive until early next week, meaning Monday and Tuesday, and that’s when the area will most likely experience hard freezes.

READ MORE What to know about your plants after the cold weather & snow

Preparing now for the winter storm

Gov. Landry advised residents to start preparing today, and to remember the necessities.

“Remember the four P’s: people, pets, plants and pipes. It’s really easy. People, pets, plants and pipes. Check on your neighbors, protect your property, make sure that you have good necessities like food, adequate water, medication and heat,” he advised.

Because of the potential for ice on power lines, he added that people should prepare for the possibility of extended power outages, as well. With the bitter cold air and possibility of losing electricity, the governor is urging everyone to stay indoors and avoid driving on the roads once ice is out.

“Ice on the road is not only dangerous, but it’s deadly too,” said Landry.

Grymes advised hunters that “this is not the time to get going out,” especially with temperatures dropping into the teens in some parishes.

DOTD and other agencies are already preparing for de-icing treatments and placing materials in areas that will likely be hit the hardest. This includes 10 million pounds of salt and 200,000 gallons of brining materials.

Pre-treating bridges, overpasses and other elevated roadways is in progress.

DOTD has also rented extra machinery to help in advance of the storm’s entrance. DOTD’s Traffic Management Center is activating 24-hour shifts to staff the Emergency Operation Center and will also activate 24-hour shifts for the motorist assistance patrol.

Gov. Landry iterated that the Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) will have staff in place 24/7 with the Child Protection Hotline fully operational. In addition, the Office of the State Fire Marshal will be open.

The Louisiana State Fire Marshal office reminds everyone to safely heat your home and be cautious of fire hazards in this bitter cold. There have been 10 fire-related deaths so far this year, according to Bryan Adams reported.

Some tips to consider in the cold weather:

Place space heaters 3-5 feet from bedding
Plug space heaters directly into wall outlets.
Never leave space heaters or candles unattended. Put out fireplace fires at night.
Have working smoke alarms and CO detectors.

Staying weather-aware and informed

There is the potential for power outages due to icy conditions. Staying aware of changing conditions and staying indoors during the dangerous cold is something Gov. Landry and other officials are stressing at this time.

“This is why we encourage folks to stay indoors and to prepare for power outages that could last for several days. In that February 2021 event, some folks in North Louisiana were without power for almost two weeks,” Landry said.

The governor repeatedly urged people to stay off the roads once the weather starts to deteriorate, not only for your own safety but the safety of first responders. “Stay off the roads. Once you have checked on your plants, your pipes, your people and your pets, get comfortable.”

“Drivers should avoid being on the roadway, as the governor mentioned, especially in hazardous conditions where travel is not absolutely necessary. If travel is absolutely necessary, please look out for our crews as well as any emergency support crews across the state,” said DOTD’s director at Thursday’s conference.

To stay informed of road conditions and weather news, residents can visit 511la.org, dial 511, visit GOHSEP’s Get a Game Plan site, or visit DOTD’s social media (on Facebook, Instagram and X).

“I beg you, please take this serious. We want you to stay informed. We want you to stay prepared.”

Download the Unfiltered with Kiran app from the Apple App Store and Google Play to stay updated on the latest news across the Capital area.

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Louisiana

Jury selection begins Monday in one of Louisiana’s largest auto insurance fraud cases

Published

6 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Jury selection begins Monday in one of Louisiana’s largest auto insurance fraud cases

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – Jury selection begins Monday in what prosecutors describe as one of the largest auto insurance fraud cases in Louisiana history, with two local attorneys set to stand trial on charges that include fraud and obstruction of justice.

Attorneys Vanessa Motta and Jason Giles are accused in an alleged scheme in which drivers — referred to as “slammers” — were paid to intentionally crash into 18-wheelers, file injury lawsuits and allow attorneys to collect the settlements. Both have pleaded not guilty.

63 people have been charged in the case. Many have already pleaded guilty. Motta and Giles are being tried together.

Criminal defense attorney Craig Mordock, who is not directly involved in the case but has been following it closely, said the scope of the litigation is significant.

“You have 10 years of personal injury cases and almost… almost a billion dollars in recovery. That’s all at issue,” Mordock said. “So yeah, this could go two to three weeks.”

Motta’s defense team has advanced a narrative that she was manipulated by a co-defendant.

“There is a compelling narrative that’s been advanced by Vanessa Motta’s lawyer in terms of her being manipulated by one of the co-defendants… about being manipulated by him and him having a prior federal conviction for fraud,” Mordock said.

Motta’s team originally claimed she did not know the crashes were staged. In 2024, her team told FOX 8 she is the victim.

Mordock said Giles faces a more difficult defense.

“I don’t see a favorable juror for one of the other lawyer defendants, Jason Giles. There’s not a clear theory of innocence. This is basically a standard white-collar prosecution where knowledge and intent are going to be the issue,” Mordock said.

The case carries what Mordock described as a shadow. In September 2020, key witness Cornelious Garrison was killed in New Orleans four days after his name appeared in an indictment. Garrison’s admitted killer, Ryan Harris, is expected to testify.

The judge in the case is also allowing the slain witness’s recorded descriptions of the alleged scheme to be admitted at trial.

Mordock said Louisiana drivers have a direct stake in the outcome.

“As your average Louisianan, the idea would be you would save… because the people committing this fraud have been wrapped up. The insurance companies are going to know how to look for this,” Mordock said.

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Louisiana

Pervy mayor’s kids told cops that they caught her romping with teen boy at boozy pool party

Published

18 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Pervy mayor’s kids told cops that they caught her romping with teen boy at boozy pool party

The children of a disgraced Louisiana mayor told cops that they both caught their mom fooling around with a 16-year-old boy at a boozy pool party, according to video played at her rape trial.

Misty Roberts, the 43-year-old former head of DeRidder, Louisiana — population 9,8000 — faces a charge of third-degree rape over the 2024 incident.

Roberts’ son told investigators in an interview played for jurors that he saw his mom having sex with his pal through a crack in a window.

Misty Roberts is accused of having sex with a 16-year-old boy in 2024.

But, when asked about his recollection, he demurred — telling the court he wasn’t exactly sure what he saw that night, according to KPLC.

The jury also reviewed pictures from the party, which showed kids holding drinks as well as a photograph of Roberts and the victim that prosecutors described as “lewd.”

That picture showed Roberts at the party in her bikini, with the teen victim looking up at her smiling.

Roberts’ son texted his mom that night, incredulous about what was happening, and told her that his sister was crying, according to messages presented by prosecutors.

“He is seventeen,” the son texted Roberts.

The boy was later confirmed to be 16 years old, according to KPLC.

Roberts’ daughter also took the stand while prosecutors played her interview with detectives, in which she said she saw her mom and the boy “on top of each other” that night.

The former mayor’s nephew also admitted he tried to sneak a peek — using his phone to try and get a peek at what was going on in the room. He testified that he wasn’t sure if he hit “record” — but if he did said he never sent it to anybody.

Roberts was in her second term as mayor when she resigned. 7 KPLC

None of the three witnesses who testified said they saw the “private parts” of Roberts and the victim. The teen boy, they noted though, was shirtless.

After the alleged tryst, the victim’s mother texted Roberts to ensure that she was not pregnant, to which she replied she was on birth control. Roberts shared a screenshot of that message to a group chat with her friends, who urged her to take Plan B.

A DoorDash driver testified that he delivered an emergency contraceptive to Roberts’ house, which he recognized from trick-or-treating with his children there.

In other texts shown in court, Roberts asked her son what kind of alcohol her son and other kids wanted for the party.

Days after police launched their investigation into the alleged crime, Roberts resigned as mayor of DeRidder, a city of just under 10,000 people about 20 miles east of the Texas border.

Roberts was charged with third-degree rape and contributing to the delinquency of juveniles.

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Louisiana

Louisiana Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 results for Feb. 28, 2026

Published

1 day ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

The Louisiana Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at Feb. 28, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from Feb. 28 drawing

06-20-35-54-65, Powerball: 10, Power Play: 4

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from Feb. 28 drawing

8-3-8

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from Feb. 28 drawing

5-4-7-5

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 5 numbers from Feb. 28 drawing

9-9-1-3-0

Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Easy 5 numbers from Feb. 28 drawing

04-17-21-27-33

Check Easy 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lotto numbers from Feb. 28 drawing

08-10-15-21-22-33

Check Lotto payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All Louisiana Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes over $600, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at Louisiana Lottery offices. Prizes of over $5,000 must be claimed at Lottery office.

By mail, follow these instructions:

Sign and complete the information on the back of your winning ticket, ensuring all barcodes are clearly visible (remove all scratch-off material from scratch-off tickets).
Photocopy the front and back of the ticket (except for Powerball and Mega Millions tickets, as photocopies are not accepted for these games).
Complete the Louisiana Lottery Prize Claim Form, including your telephone number and mailing address for prize check processing.
Photocopy your valid driver’s license or current picture identification.

Mail all of the above in a single envelope to:

Louisiana Lottery Headquarters

555 Laurel Street

Baton Rouge, LA 70801

To submit in person, visit Louisiana Lottery headquarters:

555 Laurel Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70801, (225) 297-2000.

Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes of any amount.

Check previous winning numbers and payouts at Louisiana Lottery.

When are the Louisiana Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 3, Pick 4 and Pick 5: Daily at 9:59 p.m. CT.
Easy 5: 9:59 p.m. CT Wednesday and Saturday.
Lotto: 9:59 p.m. CT Wednesday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Louisiana editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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