Russell "Rusty" Daugherty
November 24, 1968 — January 13, 2026
January 21, 2026
Reduce Your Home Fire Risk
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The Home Fire That Happens “Somewhere Else” Is Every 96 Seconds—Make Sure It Isn’t In Yours
The State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFM), in collaboration with the National Association of State Fire Marshals (NASFM), is urging every household to take part in Community Risk Reduction Week (January 19-25, 2026), by doing what works best: reducing risk before there’s an emergency.
“Home fires are not random tragedies; they’re often predictable and preventable,” Michael Desrochers, NASFM president and Vermont state fire marshal said. “During Community Risk Reduction Week, we’re asking every American to take a few simple actions that can make the difference between a close call and a catastrophe.”
According to the National Fire Protection Association, in 2024 alone, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated 329,500 home structure fires, which caused 2,920 deaths, 8,920 injuries, and $11.4 billion in property damage. On average, a home fire was reported every 96 seconds, and a home fire death happened every three hours. So far in 2026, Louisiana has seen nine lives lost to home fires.
What starts home fires and what to do about it
1) Cooking: the #1 cause of home fires
- Cooking was the leading cause of home fires across the country.
- Stay in the kitchen when frying, grilling, boiling, or broiling. If you leave, turn appliances off.
- Keep combustibles like towels, paper products, packaging, and curtains away from the stove.
- If a small grease fire starts, slide a lid over the pan and turn off the heat. Don’t move the pan and do not use water.
2) Heating: peak season risk (and space heaters are the danger zone)
- The National Fire Protection Association reports an annual average of 37,365 home heating equipment fires (2020–2024) causing 417 deaths and $1.2 billion in damage. Space heaters and heating stoves were involved in 47% of these fires but accounted for 73% of deaths.
- Keep anything that can burn at least three feet from heaters, fireplaces, wood stoves, and furnaces.
- Turn portable heaters off when you leave the room or go to sleep.
3) Electrical problems: another top cause of home fires
- In 2023, an estimated 23,700 home fires, and 305 deaths were caused by an electrical malfunction and fire.
- Replace damaged cords; don’t run cords under rugs or furniture.
- Plug high-heat appliances directly into a wall outlet, avoid “daisy-chaining” power strips, and never plug a space heater into an extension cord.
4) Smoke alarms and Carbon Monoxide Alarms: the simplest step with the biggest payoff
- National Fire Protection Association research finds nearly three out of five home fire deaths (59%) happened in homes with no smoke alarms (43%) or alarms that failed to operate (16%). When alarms work, the risk of dying in a home fire drops by about 60%.
- Test every alarm once a month.
- Replace batteries (or the whole alarm if it’s expired, many are designed to last about 10 years).
- Make sure alarms are installed in the right locations (including sleeping areas and outside bedrooms) and follow the manufacturers’ instructions.
NASFM recommends every household complete these quick steps during Community Risk Reduction Week:
- 1. Test smoke alarms; fix or replace any that don’t sound.
- 2. Create a 3-foot safety zone around heaters and cooking areas.
- 3. Set a cooking rule: “If the stove is on, someone is in the kitchen.
- 4. Make sure space heaters are plugged directly into a wall outlet.
- 5. Practice a home escape plan with two ways out of each room.
About the National Association of State Fire Marshals
The National Association of State Fire Marshals is the nation’s leading organization representing state fire marshals and fire safety officials. The organization works to protect lives, property, and communities through fire prevention leadership, code and standards advocacy, and risk-reduction strategies.
Local Forecast for the Next Few Days
For an extended forecast and more details, go to our weather page.
Today A 40 percent chance of showers, with sprinkles between noon and 1pm, then showers after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 66. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tonight A 50 percent chance of showers, mainly between 4am and 5am. Cloudy, with a low around 54. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Thursday A 40 percent chance of showers, mainly after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 70. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph.
Thursday Night A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. Calm wind.
Friday A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 67. Light northeast wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Friday Night A 50 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 40. Northeast wind around 10 mph.
January 20, 2026
Michael J. Cochran Announces Candidacy for District Court Judge
Covington, LA — Republican Michael J. Cochran, a Marine Corps veteran, former New Orleans Police Department detective, prosecutor, and practicing attorney, has announced his candidacy for District Court Judge of the 22nd Judicial District, Division I.
“Having served as a Marine, law enforcement officer, prosecutor, and defense attorney, I’ve seen our justice system from every angle,” said Cochran. “I’m running for judge because I believe our community deserves a court that is fair, accountable, and grounded in integrity, one that faithfully applies the law, protects the rights of the innocent, supports victims, and contributes to safe and orderly neighborhoods through consistent and impartial decisionmaking. Every person who comes before the bench deserves to be heard, respected, and treated justly, with decisions guided by the facts, the law, and the pursuit of justice.”
After enlisting in the United States Marine Corps in 1998, Cochran deployed to Iraq in 2003. Following his military service, Cochran continued his commitment to public safety with the New Orleans Police Department, where he worked as both an officer and detective in specialized units including narcotics, vice, and homicide.
Cochran later served as a felony prosecutor with the 22nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office, gaining firsthand experience in courtroom litigation and the responsibility of seeking justice on behalf of victims and the community. He currently operates a private law practice in Covington. His work as a defense attorney has further shaped his belief in fairness, preparation, and respect for due process.
A lifelong conservative Republican, Cochran says his campaign is rooted in the Marine Corps values of honor, courage, and commitment, principles he pledges to uphold as a judge. He believes the role of the court is to apply the law impartially, protect constitutional rights, and maintain public trust in the justice system.
The 22nd Judicial District includes St. Tammany and Washington Parishes. Election Day is November 3, 2026. For more information about Michael Cochran and his campaign for District Court Judge, visit www.VoteMichaelCochran.com
Local Forecast for the Next Few Days
For an extended forecast and more details, go to our weather page.
Today Widespread frost before 9am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 58. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
Tonight Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph.
Wednesday A 20 percent chance of showers after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 64. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night A 60 percent chance of showers, mainly after 9pm. Cloudy, with a low around 51. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 68. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph.
Thursday Night A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.
January 19, 2026
Three From Hammond Killed in West Baton Rouge Parish Crash
Shortly before 4:00 a.m. on January 19, 2026, Troopers with Louisiana State Police Troop A responded to a single-vehicle crash on Interstate 10 eastbound near milepost 144 in West Baton Rouge Parish. The crash claimed the lives of 20-year-old Kelvanisha Stanley, 19-year-old Kareem Felder, and 20-year-old Jacoby Brumfield, all of Hammond, Louisiana.
The preliminary investigation revealed that Stanley was driving a 2025 Kia K4 eastbound on Interstate 10 in the right lane near milepost 144. For reasons still under investigation, the vehicle crossed the left lane, entered the center median, and struck several trees. The vehicle subsequently became fully engulfed in flames.
Stanley, along with passengers Kareem Felder and Jacoby Brumfield, all suffered fatal injuries and were pronounced deceased on the scene. Due to the severity of the crash, seat belt usage and impairment are unknown at this time. This crash remains under investigation.
Troopers wish to remind motorists to always make responsible choices when driving: avoid impairment, fatigue, and distractions. Follow traffic laws and ensure everyone in the vehicle is properly restrained. While not all crashes are preventable, simple precautions like these can save lives.
Discovery Channel's 120 Hours Behind Bars is Tonight at 8:00 PM
From the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office
Tune in tonight at 8 p.m. to watch the premiere of 120 Hours Behind Bars on the Discovery Channel.
Over five intense days, 120 Hours Behind Bars delivers an unfiltered look inside America’s toughest jails, where officers are outnumbered, cellblocks are overcrowded, and violence erupts without warning.
In the season premiere, Louisiana's Washington Parish Jail is over-capacity and on the brink of spiraling into chaos. The new sheriff and his deputies struggle to bring stability and control in the face of a crumbling facility.
Join the conversation on social media by following the Discovery Channel on Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for more updates.
Washington Parish Jail Bookings for January 17-18, 2026
Vaterraniqual Fortenberry (age 26 with Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charges of Expired
License Plate, Open Container in Vehicle, Simple Battery With Injury, Criminal Damage to Property Under 1000, Criminal Trespass, and Contempt of Court by the Franklinton Police Department. Released on $3250.00 bond.
Leslie Davis (age 36 with Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charges of Aggravated Domestic Abuse Assault and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.
Rhonda Brown (age 34 with Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charge of Criminal Damage to Property Under 1000 by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.
Bernard Morrison (age 28 with Slidell, La. address) was booked on the charges of Fugitive Other Jurisdiction, Driving Under Suspension, No Proof of Insurance, Ran Red Light, Failure to Yield to Emergency Vehicle, Careless Operation, Improper Lane Usage, and Failure to Provide Proper Info by the Franklinton Police Department. No bond set at this time.
***All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty***
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