Support for Louisiana.

The state we're in is provided by Entergy.

Louisiana is strengthening our power grid throughout the state.

We're reinforcing infrastructure to prepare for stronger storms, reduce outages, and respond quicker when you do need us.

Because together we power life.

Additional support provided by the Fred B and Ruth B Ziegler Foundation and the Ziegler Art Museum, located in Jennings City Hall.

The museum focuses on emerging Louisiana artists and is a historical and cultural center for Southwest Louisiana.

And the Foundation for Excellence in Louisiana public Broadcasting and viewers like you.

Thank you.

People across the state are bracing for another round of winter weather, just days after a major ice storm.

And families face tough decisions after Congress failed to renew health insurance subsidies.

Plus, our fitness expert is helping to keep Louisiana seniors moving.

And we're taking you behind the scenes of PBS's new travel show, LA 64.

Let's get started.

Let's go.

To.

Hi, everyone.

I'm Christina Jensen.

And I'm Gianni Atkins and much more on those top stories in a moment on this week's edition of Louisiana The State We're In.

But first, another blast of Frigidaire is headed for Louisiana.

This comes as north Louisiana is just beginning to thaw after last weekend's ice storm knocked out power and trapped many families in their homes.

Let's take a closer look.

Winter storm Fern passed quietly through south Louisiana, but in the northern part of the state, its aftermath tells a different story.

Power outages, injuries and dangerous conditions unfolding in the grip of freezing cold.

Washington Parish reported the most power outages in the state after powerful winds, ice and freezing temperatures moved through the region.

Trees were toppled onto shared vehicles and roadways, leaving entire neighborhoods without power and some roads completely impassable.

What is actually happening is the ice is accumulating on surfaces, whether it's on roadways, but mainly on power lines, power poles and trees.

And once it accumulates on those trees, about half an inch of ice accumulates.

And so what happens is they break, they fall on power lines.

They found cars.

All that.

So it's very impactful to see the weight of freezing or weight, rain and how that impacts trees here in, not only our region, but everywhere.

And forecasters in the area say the danger isn't over yet.

Louisiana is expecting to see another system.

What can folks in north Louisiana expect?

So what happens is, even though we'll slightly warm up into the lower to mid 40s right now, within these next couple of days, which should help melting.

It's going to refreeze every night.

So black ice will be the probably the big significant impact that we will watch for, not only where every night, then right after we head into the weekend as well, when temperatures fall back right around freezing for daytime highs.

I am from sulfur, Louisiana, where we were devastated by Hurricane Laura, and that's the only thing I can compare this to.

As far as the trees on the ground, the trees on the roof, power lines down everywhere.

Leann Lado knows the mother of the West Monroe boy, seriously injured by a large tree limb, and attends the same church as the family.

He was rushed to the hospital and underwent surgery.

His mother tells me he can feel his upper legs, but still has no sensation in his lower legs or toes.

So he just got engaged in December.

Young, you know, and now his whole life may be altered from this storm.

And with more cold weather expected.

Concerns are growing for residents still without electricity.

In East Carroll Parish, more than 90% of homes remain in darkness.

For many people, electricity has been out for three days and water is scarce on the ground.

Delta interfaith is joining forces with other organizations to respond to the crisis, opening warming shelters and charging centers for families and residents in need.

Wanda manning is volunteering in one of those shelters, lending a hand in offering comfort to those affected by the storm.

Can we talk about how dire the situation is in East Carroll Parish?

I have lived in East Carroll Parish all my life.

I have never seen this type of situation.

So many people have been affected, trees and limbs down everywhere.

I mean, it's just something you have to see for yourself to really get a full grasp of the destruction.

This here.

Nonprofit responders say the calls aren't stopping.

Families stranded without power, struggling to survive in life threatening conditions.

Some are just trapped in their houses and can't get out.

We have at least ten volunteers on the ground going door to door, knocking on every door to make sure everybody have a battery or a generator this needy.

Are you prepared to stay there for as long as you're needed?

Yes, we are.

Even as power is slowly restored and crews work around the clock, officials say North Louisiana remains in a fragile state where danger still lingers long after the storm has passed.

And the United Cajun Navy is stepping up to help people affected by that winter storm.

Teams are spread out across the region to help with rescues, provide resources and to ensure everyone stay safe.

I spoke with Josh Gil, the incident commander for the Cajun Navy.

Josh, this is a big winter storm impacting more than a dozen states.

Where's the Navy?

Have teams right now.

Oh, so we're all over the country.

Mississippi, Louisiana, Betsy, North Carolina, Iowa, Texas.

We're all over.

We're trying to, hit as many states that have been impacted as possible.

In north Louisiana, the ice has knocked out power to thousands of homes now.

What kind of assistance is the Cajun Navy providing there?

So the United Cajun Navy, right now, we're providing some assistance with, heating materials, believe it or not.

Firewood.

We've got a rather large shipment of propane that's on its way there.

As well as some food and water.

Did have a phone call today.

The family was extremely cold.

I said, well, how cold is it in your house?

I said, our toilet's frozen.

You know, it just makes me realize that.

Hey, it's cold in these houses.

We are seeing people that are spending the night in their vehicles.

Because that's the only source of heat that they have.

And that's a grave concern of mine.

Just because they're spending so much time in that car and it's not moving.

You've got the possibility for carbon monoxide poisoning.

We've all heard about I-20 being shut down because of stranded cars.

So with this thing being here, if there's, any issues with vehicles running off the road or being stranded, you know, they can, snatch them out rather quickly.

We're expecting even more cold temperatures this weekend.

Are you planning to deploy more teams?

Correct.

So what we're doing is our teams are constantly growing.

Just this morning, you know, again, I'm in Oxford, Mississippi, and we put a call out to Ole Miss.

I'm a LSU fan, but we still reached out there and, believe it or not, we had a rather surprising amount of people show up.

So total.

Today we had 15, and we're out canvasing neighborhoods.

Doing those quick, hasty trilogies, of who needs what?

And then providing that assistance.

If someone is in need.

How can they reach out to the Cajun Navy?

Typically, Facebook is the easiest way to do it.

Just send us a message through messenger.

And what we do is we ask for specific information.

Name, location being address, phone number and the specific need or family composition.

If it's from search and rescue, search and recovery, down to providing, Christmas presents during Christmas time.

Our motto is we provide hope when people need help.

For many Louisiana families, health insurance is no longer a given.

It's a tough choice.

After Congress let expanded Affordable Care Act subsidies expire, some people are finding coverage out of reach.

We're taking a closer look at how sharply prices have risen and whether there's still hope Congress could act.

Two months ago, we met Ronnell Nolan, president and CEO of Health Agents for America, and Mary Harrison.

At the time, Harrison's health insurance on the Affordable Care Act marketplace was on the verge of doubling if Congress failed to extend the enhanced tax credits.

Nolan, who spends her days guiding clients through the complexities of coverage, held onto hope that a solution was still possible.

Now, in 2026, her hope is dwindling.

Subsidies expired on January 1st, and many of Nolan's clients are left without health insurance.

Facing uncertainty, rising costs and life changing decisions that can't wait.

It was some heart wrenching decisions.

With my employer, if in order for me to insure my husband and my son, it would have cost almost $800 a month for private pay policies through the ACA in order to insure my husband and my son, it would have cost $400 a month.

That was a decent amount of a raise for us to go through.

So, we ran the numbers and we ended up doing a short term high deductible policy on just my 16 year old son.

That means her 16 year old remains covered, but her husband is now without insurance.

Facing a future full of uncertainty.

Now, of course, it is nerve wrenching because he is.

He just turned 49.

He's almost 50.

So, you know, health.

Things start to happen about that age.

It makes me nervous when he drives because, I mean, if he gets in a car accident, what are we going to do?

New data from the 2026 Health Insurance Report card shows premiums are at record highs.

The average silver tier plan, the state's most popular option, now cost $827 per month.

That's up about 26% from last year.

Federal data also shows about 1.4 million fewer people have signed up for ACA plans compared with this time last year, including those using healthcare.gov and state run marketplaces.

We know there's going to be a huge problem with uninsured folks, in 2026, unless Congress decides to do something.

And I really thought that these tiers would do something that would pull it the heartstrings of Washington, D.C.

and it hasn't it has not gotten their attention.

They're fighting amongst themselves.

They're doing what's right for each party or what they think is right.

And in the meantime, our folks, Louisiana across the nation or in pain, he works outside.

He's a truck driver.

And so he's on the road all the time.

He's always doing stuff with his hands, with tools.

So yes, it is definitely scary.

The enhanced subsidies were part of the original Affordable Care Act passed during the Obama administration, and were later expanded during the Covid 19 pandemic, but they became a sticking point during the longest government shutdown in U.S.

history.

Fast forward to January.

The House passed a bill to extend the subsidies for another three years.

Now all eyes turn to the Senate.

Supporters say the measure could keep health insurance within reach and prevent millions of Americans from losing coverage.

It was very depressing.

It's still depressing because there's still folks that, you know, are suffering and there's nothing you can do about it.

You know, they're like, right now, what can I do?

I have no options except that I can tell them I fight every day with Washington, that I'm either talking to them, I'm talking to Senate help, House, Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce.

I'm talking to the top committees, and I'm going there to fight for them, too.

That's the only thing I can tell them is that I have their back, I promise.

In Louisiana and across the country, rising premiums and expired subsidies are reshaping how families obtain health care.

For now, many are navigating a marketplace without the financial help they had come to rely on.

And now for some good news.

Louisiana fitness expert is on a mission to help seniors stay strong, independent and connected.

Frederick Griffith discovered his passion while helping his mother with her health care challenges.

Keeping fit is always a challenge in America.

From picking the right foods and making time to workout in the nearby gym.

But with the health of the elder population in Louisiana, it's a little different.

Did you know that Louisiana's 65 plus population is growing faster than any other state?

Yet seniors are experiencing a declining physical and emotional health.

The life expectancy in the US has risen to around 85 years.

Yet the mortality rates have been decreasing.

As we age, we become a car that is sitting for years and years and years.

But as we start to move, it's like we're warming that car up again.

We're getting that car going.

Frederick Griffith was a kickboxer working out in his free time.

He then became a kickboxing instructor, then a personal trainer.

In 2018, his mother went through a major health scare.

She lost her left leg and was working with a physical therapist.

Your mom was going through a lot and you had a solution.

What did.

You do?

Initially, I sat with the physical therapist who came out for roughly 30 minutes two times a week, and I watched what he was doing and taking notes.

I bought a resistance band and I started to work with her.

Griffin set up routines for his mother and continued daily workouts that would dramatically help her in her daily life.

Before she passed away.

I was a little bit, shaken up because that was something that I couldn't help her with.

I didn't want to move on with this because the inspiration was gone.

Frederick Griffith first created the routine for his mom, and now it's growing into a fitness routine for the elders across Louisiana.

The impact on his mother's health was inspiring to Griffith.

He then made it his life's goal to make sure that other seniors did not have to face that stress alone.

I don't know of any kind of workout for someone in a wheelchair, but how do you come up with these workouts?

The workouts are just simple, functional workouts, so what I mean by functional is, is that as we're sitting here now, we could do a workout just by raising of our own up and down.

Next came an idea to get some money to grow a new fitness.

So Griffith was applying for loans when he found out about a special program being sponsored by Beyonce.

You know, and we do it.

Run a new fitness, applied for a grant through the pop superstar and businesswoman Be Good foundation.

He knew it was a long shot, but that money could be game changing for his mission to help others.

She was giving away over $1 million and major cities like San Francisco, London and with her concert tour went to.

Griffith hoped to grow his business with more instructors to host classes for seniors not just in New Orleans, but across Louisiana.

So I applied for the grant, and, we were invited to this amazing luncheon, and I didn't know that I was going to win the money.

No one in that luncheon knew that they were going to win the money.

And just so happened I was called on the stage and I won $10,000 for my business.

The fitness training for elders began to grow.

Now serving over 30 different properties like nursing homes, senior centers and health care providers.

We're there to help the seniors.

We there to make sure that the seniors are mobile and independent and continue to live the way, what they worked so hard.

For by the year 2035.

As expected, there will be more people over the age of 65 than under the age of 65.

Most are not living longer because they are healthy, but because health care and medicine are getting better.

We've actually seen, the seniors just get more involved with understanding that they have to keep moving.

And so because we bring a new here, they see that we are serious about them being involved in their health.

They also do line dancing.

And our seniors here love to line dance.

Can you teach me line dancing?

I can't, but I can.

All right, what's the deal?

How did you get started in this?

Oh, I was working the fitness period.

I knew it would be better for people's bodies and health and things like that.

And then as they wanted to go head on a further rate.

And so working with seniors, because we know you need a lot more than in the community with seniors.

So yeah.

And I love it.

They keep us going, you know, don't look at us like too bad for you.

Oh lady, you could do this.

But they encourage us.

And if we burn out in the Middle Ages, keep on going.

I was walking with a cane.

I saw that exercise, and I don't.

Need a cane anymore.

It's not just an exercise routine for the seniors.

It's an exercise routine that can help anyone stay in great shape.

Everything is getting.

Stronger.

I'm not as weak as I was, so.

Yeah, but.

Within the last six months, I've had a lot of health.

Problems.

And exercising helped me a lot.

How do you feel like this exercise impacts your muscles?

It keeps me moving.

Keeps me going in my body.

I like to be in the group.

It's a very friendly group.

And, you know, I get along with everybody and they get along with me.

So it's very calmly type.

Of people here.

Hey, go for it.

There it is, all over here.

But it is time now to check out what's going on in the world of Louisiana sports.

That's right.

Sports correspondent Victor Howard joins us now.

Victor, I bet there is a lot going on.

What can you tell us?

Always a lot of sports in Louisiana.

John and Christine, it's great to see you all.

Football season, of course is done on the college and Super Bowls right around the corner.

Believe it or not, baseball is on its way as well.

But we're going to start with basketball.

Why?

Because we're in the heart of conference play one month ago before we get into tournament play.

So let's start out with some men's basketball action.

And we are going to start in Hammond, America.

That's right over at Southeastern campus early this week.

The men from McNeese, hey, they're in second place in the Southland Conference.

They were visiting the Lions.

They're trying to get out of the basement in the Southland Conference.

And the end action early here.

Watch for the Lions Ethan Pickett.

Cowboys go up the floor trying to go back the other way.

It looks like an easy layup, but Mickey Mouse says you'll have none of it.

And like it.

Watch the block into the bench.

Lions are down by four early, but when we advance to the second half McNeese is now pretty comfortable.

They're up 64 to 50.

The steal DJ Williams junior goes all the way to the rim McNeese is up by 16 at this point.

The Cowboys would get the win by ten four score in double digits, and they stay in second place in the Southland Conference.

Let's go down the bayou.

Let's go down to out on the campus of Nicholls, where the Colonels were welcoming the privateers from New Orleans.

Both of these teams fighting for position for post-season play in the conference tournament.

Privateers up 15.

You saw the nice drive there to put them up 17.

But the Colonels come right back.

Look at your leak.

Dunkley living up to his name with a follow up slam.

But the Colonels are down by 15 this night, though in Tiverton belonged to the privateers.

Churchill, a boss fights on the inside, gets the bucket and draws the foul.

He had 20 points and eight rebounds to lead the way.

And how about capping things off a rim rattling dunk with just over two minutes to go.

Uno gets the win down into battle over the Colonels.

The final score in this one was 80 to 62.

Let's check out action on the winning side.

And we'll start Thursday night in Baton Rouge.

The sixth ranked Lady Tigers from LSU looking to extend their win streak when they hosted Arkansas and a team that was winless in the SEC.

Arkansas.

Boy, they made things interesting early, cashing in on a handful of three pointers.

But in the second half, AJ Johnson, who had no points in the first half, all 17 in the second half, Makayla Williams also chimes in with 17.

LSU has six in double digits.

They win 92 to 70.

And Thursday night in Ruston, the roads fall out enough for Louisiana Tech against Kennesaw.

Parris Bradley is a superstar for Louisiana Tech.

Hits the outside shot.

Last year she was the freshman of the year in conference play.

Later Avery Aaron on the inside.

She had six points and six rebounds in the second half for Parris Bradley.

Look at the spin.

Gets the layup.

Louisiana Tech would get the win.

And guess what?

The Lady Texters are in first place in conference USA for head coach Bookstore.

And hey, while we're talking women's basketball, how about a quick congratulations to McNeese Cowgirls and first year head coach Annika Sato for the first time in school history.

They're ranked in the mid-major madness poll.

McNeese is ranked 21st first time ever halfway through conference play, McNeese is in first place in the Southland Conference, and they lead the entire nation in team defense.

So congratulations to the Cowgirls from there.

And by the way, we had some big news in the NFL on Tuesday involving a former LSU assistant coach.

The Buffalo Bills on Tuesday officially named Joe Bray as their next head coach.

Really opportunity for him.

Sean McDermott was let go by the Buffalo Bills.

Joe Brady takes over.

Wish him the best of luck.

Hey, we know that offense he can run.

It's really really good.

We'll see.

Very impressive.

Congratulations.

Absolutely good to see him.

And get ready because a familiar face is coming back to LPB.

Karen Loblaw is hosting our new travel show, LA 64.

She's hitting the back roads of Louisiana, stopping in every parish to discover the hidden gems, culture and history along the way.

And I'm giving you a behind the scenes look at how it all comes together.

Louisiana is a place where every road tells a story of culture, history, and the people who call it home.

And now those stories are getting a new spotlight on Louisiana public broadcasting.

Veteran, journalist and former anchor for Louisiana, The State We're In, Karen LeBlanc is the host of LA 64, LPB newest series dedicated to exploring communities across all 64 parishes in LA 64.

Karen isn't just passing through, she's slowing down, meeting people where they are, listening to their stories and discovering what makes each corner of Louisiana unique.

So what inspired the show?

Well, being a native Louisiana and being a seasoned travel journalist here, I thought there is a story to be told.

A lot of focus on Louisiana is bringing outsiders in, but there's so much about Louisiana hidden in plain sight that our own people don't know about.

And if only they knew, they'd get in the car and they stop and stay a while in a small town, or take a staycation and just really get out and appreciate it.

I truly believe Louisiana's best asset is our culture, and every one of these small towns and communities has a story to tell.

It's just that their voices often get lost.

From bustling cities to quiet rural towns, LA 64 takes viewers beyond the familiar, uncovering traditions, hidden gems and the shared experiences that connect Louisiana communities.

Behind the lens is photographer Ryan Hamilton.

Florida may be where he lives now, but Louisiana is where he came of age.

High school, college, and countless memories.

Now he's back, camera in hand, rediscovering the state that helped shape him.

I'm just learning so much more from from a different set of eyes now.

Whereas before it was just for fun.

It's like, oh, let's go here, let's eat this, let's visit this.

And I'm learning so much more of the processes and the behind the scenes of how Louisiana works.

Pretty much everybody around the country knows that Louisiana is such a unique state, right.

And then what I'm discovering through the show is that each parish is also very unique within Louisiana.

Ryan says filming days often stretch from sunup to sundown.

He's no stranger to long hours and has previously teamed up with Karen on another travel show.

Film.

Film.

Film.

Go to all the different parishes.

Meet amazing people.

I get to film them filming Karen, walking around talking to all these people.

We're both learning so much and then we go back to wherever we're staying.

And then I have a few hours of, uploading all the footage, and then I get started on editing the footage.

So it's a very long process.

A long process, but one worth every moment.

Today, the duo finds themselves in Saint Martinville, gaining rare behind the scenes access to one of the community's most cherished landmarks.

A historic church rich with generations of stories held within its walls used to host a travel show.

Do you think that also inspired LA 60?

Absolutely.

So, Ryan, my filmmaker, he's part of the team for LA 64.

Ryan and I worked together for over a decade.

We've traveled the world and very much when I travel, it's through a lens of almost a cultural anthropologist.

I'm looking at people in places through that lens of of folklore and traditions and, and stories and craft and cuisine that's passed on through generations, all that ancestral knowledge.

And I really do believe I have a mission to, to promote and preserve that before it's all lost a history.

For Karen, it's these moments capturing culture before it's lost, that are at the heart of LA 64.

LA 64 is a completely unique concept for a travel show.

It's never been done before and that is each episode focuses on the parish.

Hence LA 6464 parishes, 64 episodes.

We are 12 episodes in season, so we're five seasons and and the scope of five years.

Every single parish will have their moment in the sun.

And this is what's so great, because a lot of these smaller communities in these rural parishes don't have the marketing budget to market themselves as tourist destinations or get the word out about attractions that would bring visitors to their communities.

And and that's really what LA 64 is about with curiosity, care and a deep respect for the people she meets, Karen Loblaw is helping tell Louisiana's story one parish at a time.

LA 64 premieres Monday, February 2nd at 8 p.m.

on LPB, inviting viewers to explore the places and people that make Louisiana unlike anywhere else.

Every parish holds stories worth discovering, and we want your feedback.

Who, what and where Karen should feature next on LA 64.

You can send story ideas to Karen at LA 64.com.

And that is our show for this week.

Remember, you can watch anything LPB anytime, wherever you are with our LPB app.

And you can catch LPB news and public affairs shows, as well as other Louisiana programs that you've come to enjoy over the years.

And please like us on Facebook and Instagram.

For everyone at Louisiana Public Broadcasting, I'm Christina Jensen.

And I'm Johnny Atkins.

And until next time, that's the state we're in.

Support for Louisiana.

The state we're in is provided by Entergy.

Louisiana is strengthening our power grid throughout the state.

We're reinforcing infrastructure to prepare for stronger storms, reduce outages, and respond quicker when you do need us.

Because together we power life.

Additional support provided by the Fred B and Ruth B Ziegler Foundation and the Ziegler Art Museum.

Located in Jennings City Hall, the museum focuses on emerging Louisiana artists and is a historical and cultural center for Southwest Louisiana and by Visit Baton Rouge and the Foundation for Excellence in Louisiana Public Broadcasting.

And viewers like you.

Thank you.