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M o n d ay, J a n u a ry 26, 2026
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THE CHILL IS ON
Cassidy calls for Minn. shooting probe Second fatality is ‘incredibly disturbing,’ senator says
BY MATTHEW ALBRIGHT and ALYSE PFEIL
StaFF PhotoS By DaVID GrUNFeLD
harold Daigle covers his sensitive plants ahead of the impending freezing weather in New orleans.
as arctic blast takes aim at New orleans, extreme cold warning in effect BY EMILY WOODRUFF Staff writer
A powerful arctic storm sweeping across the United States reached south Louisiana on Sunday, bringing rain and storms to the New Orleans area ahead of a dramatic plunge in temperatures that forecasters say will usher in dangerously cold conditions through Monday morning. Rain moved into the metro area around 9 a.m. Sunday, creating a gloomy start to the day as the system pushed east. South Louisiana narrowly avoided the wintry conditions battering northern parts of the state, where freezing rain, sleet and snow prompted a statewide emergency declaration and widespread travel warnings. But the cold that follows will be severe along the Gulf Coast, according to forecasters. Temperatures in New Orleans were rapidly falling from about 70 degrees Sunday morning and heading to the 40s by late evening. Wind gusts were expected to reach 40 mph as the front moves through, lowering wind chills and sending “feels like” temperatures to about 20 degrees by midnight. The forecasts have prompted school closures in some districts, treatments of roads for icy conditions and warnings by state and local officials about how residents can prepare. Gov. Jeff Landry declared a state of emergency on Friday and President Donald Trump on Saturday approved federal disaster
Dogs are walked in the cold rain in New orleans on Sunday. an extreme cold warning is in effect across south Louisiana as New orleans braces for freezing temperatures. assistance. The New Orleans Health Department warned residents to protect people, pets, plants and pipes. The city noted that its homeless shelters would be opening Sunday afternoon and said 100 cots are available at an overnight warming center at Rosenwald Recreation Center through Tuesday morning. “In New Orleans, we often don’t have
to think too much about cold, like our northern neighbors,” said Dr. Jennifer Avegno, deputy mayor for health and human services. “But this time we do.” According to the National Weather Service, “light icing will be possible” for areas north and west of the Baton Rouge and New Orleans metro areas. Some area school districts began can-
ä See CHILL, page 5A
‘A strong bond’
Staff writer
The tiger stalked his caretaker, fixing his gaze on her while her back was turned. Then he froze. Wiggled his hindquarters. Waited a breath ... And bounded forward, stopping just short of the towering metal fence surrounding his enclosure. “Sweetie, I love you, I love you,” the caretaker cooed as
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she touched his muzzle through the fence. Mike VII chuffed, a happy snorting sound to show, despite his predator stance a moment ago, they were all friends. The relationship between human and tiger developed with time, care and sacrifice — necessary for one of the most demanding jobs on the LSU campus. Baylee Weems and Madison Vicknair, students at
ä See PROBE, page 4A
Former charter ordered to pay $270K BY MARIE FAZIO Staff writer
StaFF Photo By MIChaeL JohNSoN
Mike VII lounges in the grass at LSU’s tiger habitat in Baton rouge recently. Daily care for the only live tiger mascot in the U.S. is ä See BOND, page 5A entrusted to two LSU veterinary school students.
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After federal immigration enforcement agents fatally shot a second person in Minneapolis, stirring mass protests, U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy called the events “incredibly disturbing” and said there should be “a full joint federal and state investigation.” “The credibility of ICE and DHS are at stake,” the Louisiana Republican wrote on X, referring to Immigration and Customs Enforcement Cassidy and the Department of Homeland Security. “We can trust the American ä LEGAL people with the truth.” On Saturday, a U.S. FIGHT Border Patrol agent shot ERUPTS and killed Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen OVER and intensive care unit LATEST nurse. SHOOTING. Federal officials said officers shot Pretti PaGe 4a defensively as he approached them with a gun. But videos from the scene contradict that account: They show him holding a phone, not a gun, and appear to show the officer shooting him after he had already been wrestled to the ground. The shooting, which is the second since
State audit says school improperly spent money
Inside the LSU vet student job responsible for live tiger mascot Mike VII BY HALEY MILLER
Staff writers
Classified .....................7D Comics..................3D-6D Deaths .........................3B Living............................1D
The Louisiana Department of Education has ordered a former New Orleans charter school to return more than $270,000 in public funds that a recent audit suggested might have been improperly spent after the school was set to close, according to a letter sent to the school last week. But the CEO of Noble Minds Institute, which later reopened as a private school, maintains that the spending was aboveboard and said she will fight the repayment demand. “We’re not in agreement that we had any expenses that were not allowable,”
Metro ...........................1B Nation-World................2A opinion ........................4B Sports ..........................1C
ä See CHARTER, page 5A
13th year, No. 167