Louisiana
Utilities have so far handled the blizzard well, but things could change • Louisiana Illuminator
Aside from a boil water advisory in Lafayette, most of the state’s public utilities fared relatively well Tuesday as a historic blizzard covered southern Louisiana with as much as 10 inches of snow in some parts. But officials warn that could change very quickly over the next few days.
The biggest interruption of service Tuesday was a loss of water pressure affecting more than 12,000 customers of the Lafayette Utilities System. LUS Director Jeffrey Stewart said the city’s water system experienced pressure drops due to the large number of customers dripping their faucets all at once to prevent their pipes from freezing.
LUS issued a boil water advisory for residents and businesses in the Lafayette area north of Interstate 10, asking customers to turn off their faucets and conserve water if possible. Customers should boil water for one full minute prior to drinking or using it for cooking. The advisory is expected to remain in effect until at least Friday or Saturday once pressure is restored and stabilized after the storm has passed, Stewart said.
“We won’t begin testing until after we stabilize,” he said. “At that point, we sample and wait a minimum of 24 hours to clear.”
On the electric front, the grid was relatively quiet with few outages across the state.
Some outages were reported in Lafayette during the day, but the utility was able to quickly respond and repair them. However, Stewart warned that this initial quiet period is unlikely to last through the week and said people should prepare and expect to lose electricity.
“The next couple nights will definitely test us,” Stewart said. “The deep freeze could cause issues, including making roads not passable.”
Temperatures are expected to dip below freezing each night through Friday, according to the National Weather Service, which issued a blizzard warning Tuesday. Snow and ice could accumulate on tree branches, causing them to snap and pull down aerial power lines.
Vehicles, such as those of curious sightseers, pose a common hazard during winter storms as they will often slide off icy roadways and crash into utility poles. Such an event left thousands without power in Tangipahoa Parish late on Tuesday.
More than 2,000 Entergy Louisiana customers in an area stretching from Amite to Independence lost power after a vehicle ran off the roadway and struck some utility infrastructure, Entergy spokesman Brandon Scardigli said.
“Drivers should avoid being on the roadways if travel is not absolutely necessary,” the Department of Transportation and Development said in a statement.
Entergy crews had restored about half of those outages by 8 p.m., deploying some of the roughly 2,600 personnel on standby as part of its storm response plan.
Entergy’s power line crews will respond in the rain or snow and have winterized bucket trucks outfitted with tire chains to help them navigate icy roads. Otherwise, the only hindrance that can cause them to suspend their response efforts is wind, Scardigli said. Line workers cannot use their bucket trucks if wind speeds exceed 35 mph — the same limitation they face during hurricane season, he added.
In the neighboring parishes to the east, about 2,300 customers of the Washington-St Tammany Electric Cooperative experienced brief outages Tuesday evening, but most were restored relatively quickly.
Despite the quick responses Tuesday, customers should expect slower restoration times as the weather turns even colder.
“While crews are ready to respond, icy roads and other winter hazards are expected to slow travel and restoration efforts,” Entergy said in a statement. “Additionally, cold-load pickup, the increased energy demand that occurs when power is restored to systems impacted by extreme cold, may delay restoration times.”
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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is now accepting applications for the Beyond Becoming an Outdoors Woman (B-BOW) Deer Hunt, scheduled for Jan. 9–11, 2026, at Floy McElroy Wildlife Management Area (WMA).
This hunt is for novice deer hunters only who have attended a previous Becoming an Outdoors Woman Workshop, and is designed to provide hands-on learning and real-world experience in a supportive environment.
The lottery application will remain open through Nov. 30, 2025. The drawing will be held on Dec. 1, 2025, and successful applicants will be notified by email.
To apply, visit:
https://louisianaoutdoors.com/lottery-applications
Eligibility Requirements
The Beyond BOW Deer Hunt is intended for individuals new to deer hunting. To qualify, applicants must:
- Have attended a previous Becoming an Outdoors Woman Workshop
- Be a novice deer hunter, defined as someone who has harvested no more than two deer or other big game animals (elk, antelope, bear, moose, etc.) in their lifetime
- Not have previously attended a Louisiana BBOW deer hunt or harvested a deer during that event
- Be Hunter Education certified
About Beyond Becoming an Outdoors Woman (B-BOW)
LDWF’s Beyond Becoming an Outdoors Woman program builds upon the foundation of the traditional Becoming an Outdoors Woman (BOW) workshops. These advanced, hands-on experiences allow participants to apply and strengthen skills learned during BOW weekends, while receiving guidance from supportive instructors in real-world outdoor settings.
Beyond BOW workshops are ideal for women who:
- Want to gain more confidence and independence in outdoor skills
- Are seeking new outdoor challenges and experiences
- Have completed a BOW workshop and are ready for the next step
- Enjoy learning alongside like-minded outdoor enthusiasts
Workshops are kept intentionally small to provide a safe, educational, and encouraging environment that emphasizes personal growth, safety, and skill development.
Applicable fees will be assessed when applying for the lottery.
To learn more or to apply, visit:
https://louisianaoutdoors.com/lottery-applications
Contact:
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
Becoming an Outdoors Woman Program
Email: BOW@wlf.la.gov
Website: https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/page/beyond-bow
About Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation’s 2025 Conservation Raffle:
The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation (LAWFF), in partnership with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), is hosting its inaugural raffle. Supporting ongoing LDWF conservation efforts, the raffle offers outdoor enthusiasts and conservation supporters of Louisiana the chance to win a brand-new Chevy Silverado from your Super Chevy Dealers, valued at $60,000.
Proceeds directly benefit programs led by LDWF, including habitat restoration, wildlife and fisheries research, public access enhancements, and education initiatives.
To purchase your ticket, visit: https://www.lawff.org/la-conservation-raffle.
Open to legal residents of the U.S. who are 18 years of age or older. Void where prohibited. Contest ends 1/8/26. Click here to view the official rules page.
Louisiana
Louisiana Tech vs Western Kentucky: Week 9 College Football Betting Odds, Prediction, Pick
Week 9 of the college football season kicks off on Tuesday night with a Conference USA battle between the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers and Louisiana Tech Bulldogs.
The Hilltoppers come into Tuesday looking to get back in the win column after losing 25-6 to FIU last week. The loss snapped a three-game winning streak and dropped them to 5-2 overall and 3-1 in CUSA.
The Bulldogs are also looking to bounce back from a loss after they fell to Kennessaw State 35-7 two weeks ago. The loss was their first in the CUSA and dropped them to 4-2 overall.
Stream Louisiana Tech vs. Western Kentucky
If you’re looking to get back in the swing of football season and need some betting advice for Tuesday’s matchup in Rustin, we’ve got you covered. Here are the latest odds for the game, courtesy of BetMGM.
Louisiana Tech vs Western Kentucky game odds:
All college football odds via BetMGM
- Spread: Louisiana Tech -3.5 (-115), Western Kentucky +3.5 (-1105)
- Money Line: Louisiana Tech NL, Western Kentucky NL
- Over-Under: Over 50.5 (-110), Under 50.5 (-110)
Louisiana Tech vs Western Kentucky prediction, pick:
Both of these teams were stymied in their last game and are desperate for a win on Tuesday night. They both are hoping to stay near the top of the conference, but a loss would likely drop them out of the hunt. Maverick McIvor has been good at quarterback for the Hilltoppers this year and he could be the x-factor. He did throw three interceptions in this last game, but he bounces back and gives Western Kentucky a huge road win.
Prediction: Western Kentucky 31, Louisiana 23
Best Bet: Western Kentucky +3.5, Over 50.5
Louisiana Tech vs Western Kentucky channel, start time, streaming:
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
TV Channel: CBS Sports Network
Live Stream: Paramount+
Get more betting analysis and predictions at Sportsbook Wire.
Contact/Follow @College_Wire on X and @College_Wires on Threads. Like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of college sports news, notes, and opinions.
The transformation of a 200-year-old cottage into a museum, a project to put a performance pavilion in a public park and the renovation of a Romanesque university hall were all recognized recently by the Louisiana chapter of the American Institute of Architects.
The 2025 AIA LA Design Awards were presented at the annual AIA Louisiana Conference of Architecture in Lake Charles.
Judges selected six Merit Awards, two Honor Awards and one Members’ Choice Award out of 62 entries reviewed by a jury of nationally recognized architects.
Winners included five firms based in New Orleans, one based in Baton Rouge and from Lafayette. A pair of New Orleans-based architects also came away with individual awards.
- RHH Architecture, of Baton Rouge, won the Members’ Choice Award for The Retreat at Quarters Lake, a grief and bereavement care facility arranged in a a protective configuration. Anchored by a butterfly garden at its center, the inward-facing design and pitched roofs help deflect sound and bring natural light into a tranquil setting. The winner of the Members’ Choice Award is voted on by all of AIA Louisiana’s membership.
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