One person is dead and four others injured after a shooting along the Bacchus Mardi Gras parade route in uptown New Orleans on St. Charles Avenue. Authorities say a man died at a hospital. One of the injured victims is a juvenile girl, who reportedly is in stable condition. Police say a suspected shooter has been arrested.

In northwest Louisiana, Plans to build a privately-funded toll bridge across the Red River, connecting south Caddo and Bossier parishes, are moving right along. Kevin Gallagher has a report…:
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

For the first time in more than a decade, the Louisiana Legislative Women’s Caucus held a weekend retreat. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow says they discussed issues they want to address in the upcoming session. Among the topics is the lack of beds for pregnant women who have addiction issues.
Cut 4 (10) “…children already.”
Barrow says they also discussed the impact of fentanyl on the state and ways to leverage resources for more women to receive treatment.

LSU AgCenter health researchers say sitting for long periods can contribute to heart disease and long-term health problems. AgCenter Nutrition Specialist, Elizabeth Gollub says the more you sit the less likely you are to increase your life expectancy.
Cut 10 (12) “…poor health outcomes.”
Gollub says even if you stand every 45 minutes at work, if will be beneficial for your body. She says you can stand during online meetings or while on the phone and walking faster is also beneficial.

In his final year in office, Governor Edwards is hoping to give public school teachers a three-thousand dollar raise. Louisiana Federation of Teachers legisative director Cynthia Posey says such a raise would be important for teacher retention…
cut 14 (11) “….classes now”
The legislature has passed pay increases for teachers and staff the last three years, but Posey says those raises pay for higher health insurance premiums.

An Alabama-based infrastructure company is seeking to build a new toll bridge over the Red River connecting Caddo and Bossier parishes. Spokesperson for the project, William Bradford, says Tim James Incorporated is seeking permits from the Coast Guard and the Army Corps of Engineers and if all goes according to plan, construction could begin next year…
cut 9 (07) “….our community”

If you live a sedentary lifestyle, you may want to listen up. Experts say sitting a lot is not good for you. Teiko Foxx explains.
Cut 3 (28) “…circulation.”

Five people were shot, one of them killed during a shooting along the Bacchus Parade route in uptown New Orleans last night. Police say they have arrested a suspect. And a video of New Orleans Mayor La Toya Cantrell flipping off a float in the Krewe of Tucks has gone viral. A spokesperson for the mayor says Mardi Gras is a time where satire and jest are on fully display.

One person was killed and four others wounded in a shooting along the Bacchus parade route in uptown New Orleans last night. Gunfire rang out at around 9:30 PM last night and witnesses say everyone near the scene took cover to avoid getting hit by bullets. One of the shooting victims is a young girl. A suspect has been taken into custody.

Governor Edwards is proposing $2,000 increases for teachers and $1,000 for support staff in the upcoming legislative session. But he wants to give them even more if the Revenue Estimating Conference finds a surplus. Legislative Director for the Louisiana Federation of Teachers Cynthia Posey says the R-E-C will meet in May.
Cut 13 (13) “…increases in.”

The Louisiana Legislative Women’s Caucus’s recent retreat has one lawmaker hopeful they will address issues impacting women and children.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

LSU AgCenter nutrition specialist Elizabeth Gollub says long periods of uninterrupted sitting are associated with many serious health issues…..
cut 11 (09) “…your circulation”
Gollub says prolonged sitting can also weaken bones.

We’ve reached the last weekend of Carnival Season in Louisiana. A big number of parades will take place all across the state between now at the end of Fat Tuesday. Today’s parade weather should be clear by fairly cold, but Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says he’s definitely seen colder, and still expects huge crowds…:

CUT 07  (07)        “…Mardi Gras day.”

Fat Tuesday’s forecast: small chances of rain, but it should be warm and humid.

A West Monroe couple is arrested for torching their mobile home over a year ago, to collect insurance money. State Fire Marshall’s spo0kesperson Ashley Rodrigue says they are 54-year-old Charles Robertson and 33-year-old Tanya Scott. She says they put first responders and their neighbors at rick in the fire…:

CUT 13  (08)        “…inside of it.”

A tip led officials to investigate the fire as arson.

Funeral services are today for Alonzo Bagley, who was shot and killed by a Shreveport police officer earlier this month. Bagley was unarmed. Officer Alexander Tyler has been suspended and charged with negligent homicide in the case. Bagley’s family asks those that wish to honor him plant a tree in his memory.

Governor Edwards wants to give teachers a $3000-a-year raise this year. He made the ask while presenting his annual executive budget proposal to state lawmakers. He tells Joint Budget Committee member they should be able to find the revenue to make it happen…:

CUT 10  (12)        “…more than sufficient.”

You can view the entire $46-billion proposed budget at “doa.la.gov/media”

Governor John Bel Edwards tells state legislators he wants to give school teachers a pay raise this year of $3000 each, plus a $1000 raise for support staff. The governor presented his executive state budget proposal Friday morning, and told lawmakers education has always been a priority for his administration…:

CUT 11  (14)        “…in that direction.”

You may be thinking, “they just got a raise last year”…but that was actually a one-time bonus of $3000; not a salary bump. The proposed budget comes in at just under $46-Billion for the fiscal year that starts in July.

A jury in Alexandria has found 23-year-old Jamaria Randle guilty of murder for the January 2022 shooting death of Deven Brooks. Randle and Brooks had dated for a while before the crime. Prosecutors say she robbed Brooks, kidnapped him, shot him in the head and dumped his body near a levee. One accomplice has pleaded guilty; trial for another is scheduled later this year.

Campaign fundraising totals are in for the candidates running for governor and Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry has a big lead over his opponents…:

CUT 01(31)      “…Palermo.”

TSA officers at Louis Armstrong International Airport in New Orleans report they stopped a man trying to board a plane with a loaded semi-automatic rifle this week. In addition to the rifle, he had over 100 rounds of ammo. Guns cannot be carried onto any plane; they must be checked luggage…and they may NEVER be loaded. He faces fines of up to $15-thousand.

A Jeff Davis Parish couple face murder charges in the October 2022 death of a 13-year-old boy. Sheriff’s deputies have charged Jennifer and Adam Duhon – both 40 – with literally starving the child to death. When brought too late to a hospital the pre-teen weighed less than 30 pounds. Severe malnutrition was his cause of death. The pair are charged with 2^nd-degree murder.

It’s the height of carnival season and record-breaking crowds are anticipated this Mardi Gras…:

CUT 02(31)      “…Thorington.”

Candidates for governor had to turn in a campaign finance report this week and Attorney General Jeff Landry has a huge advantage over his opponents. Landry has slightly more than five-million dollars, plus a PAC supporting him has another one-point-five million dollars. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat…:

CUT 03(08)      “…for governor.”

State Treasurer John Schroder has two-point-four million dollars on hand. State lawmakers Sharon Hewitt and Richard Nelson have raised less than a million each. Independent Hunter Lundy loaned his campaign over $1-million.

Governor John Bel Edwards wants state lawmakers to see their way to budgeting enough money to give all Louisiana public school teachers a $3000 pay raise. Not a one-time bonus; a permanent raise. Here’s the governor making his case before the Joint Budget Committee…:

CUT 09(11)      “…budget reflects that.”

He says there should be ample revenue to make it happen.

In his proposed state budget for the 2023-24 fiscal year, Governor Edwards wants $3000 pay raises for all public-school teachers. The actual Executive Budget calls for $2000 salary bumps, but Edwards feels lawmakers will be able to find revenue to fund the higher figure…:

Cut 10 (12) “…more than sufficient.” 

A West Monroe couple faces aggravated arson, criminal conspiracy, and insurance fraud charges after allegedly setting their mobile home on fire in December of 2021. State Fire Marshal’s spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says it was originally believed to be accidental, but a tip sparked further investigation…:

Cut 12 (12) “…insurance money.”

Charles Robertson and Tonya Scott were arrested on Valentine’s.

Gubernatorial candidates turned in up-to-date campaign finance reports this week and Hunter Lundy of Lake Charles shows one-point-six million on hand after lending himself one-point-four million dollars. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Lundy’s “no party” designation on the ballot can only take him so far.

Cut  4 (04)  “…in Louisiana” 

Attorney General Jeff Landry has the most money on hand at five million dollars.

It’s the last weekend of carnival season and Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says they are expecting huge crowds across the state this Mardi Gras. Nungesser says before COVID Louisiana had five record-breaking tourism years in a row and he’s grateful that parades are back to their pre-pandemic routes and krewes.

Cut 6 (11)  “…festival season.” 

Jeff Davis Parish Sheriff’s detectives arrest two people for murder, in connection with the starvation death of a 13-year-old boy last fall. The child was brought to a children’s hospital in Baton Rouge on October 20^th; his height was 42 inches, but he weighed less than 30 pounds. Jennifer and Adam Duhon – both 40 – are now charged with 2^nd degree murder. The investigation is ongoing.

It’s the long-awaited Mardi Gras weekend and record-breaking crowds are anticipated right through Fat Tuesday. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 02(31)      “…Thorington.”

Governor Edwards presented state lawmakers with his proposed $45.7-billion budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1^st, in which he proposes paying more money to police, firefighters and especially teachers…:

CUT 09(11)      “…budget reflects that.”

Edwards wants to give public school teachers a $3000-a-year raise; not a one-time bonus like they got last year. He also wants raises for school support workers. The legislature will begin their budget work in early April.

The state Fire Marshal’s Office says a tip led them to investigate a West Monroe couple, whose mobile home burned down in December 2021…and eventually arrest them for arson and insurance fraud. Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says that tip led to closing the case…:

CUT 14(10)      “…know something.”

You can pass along tips to the Fire Marshal online at “lasfm.org.”

In his executive state budget proposal for the fiscal year that starts July 1^st, Governor John Bel Edwards tells lawmakers he wants to give teachers a $3000-a-year salary increase. Edwards also proposes permanent salary increases for school support staff. He tells lawmakers education has always been a priority of his administration…:

CUT 11(14)      “…in that direction.”

The budget comes in a just under $46-Billion. Edwards says there should be ample dollars to fund the well-deserved pay raises. Lawmakers will start debating the budget in early April.

It’s the last weekend of carnival season and Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says they are expecting huge crowds across the state this Mardi Gras. He says predicted cold weather shouldn’t deter crowds Saturday, because he’s seen it colder with streets lined with revelers…:

CUT 07(07)      “…Mardi Gras Day.”

Fat Tuesday should be fairly warm and muggy.

It took a year to make their case, but the state Fire Marshal’s Office says they’ve arrested a West Monroe couple for burning down their own mobile home back in December 2021. Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says 54-year-old Charles Robertson and 33-year-old Tonya Scott allegedly did it for the insurance money. She says they put first responders at risk and endangered neighbors…:

CUT 13(08)      “…inside of it.”

“lasfm.org”, if you need to report a tip to the Fire Marshal.

Candidates for governor had to turn in a campaign finance report this week and Attorney General Jeff Landry has a huge advantage over his opponents. Landry has slightly more than $5-million, plus a PAC supporting him has another $1.5-million. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat…:

CUT 03(08)      “…for governor.”

Landry’s nearest competitor in terms of money raised, John Schroder, is about $3-million behind Landry.

In his proposed state budget for the 2023-24 fiscal year, Governor Edwards wants $3000 pay raises for all public school teachers. The actual Executive Budget calls for $2000 salary bumps, but Edwards feels lawmakers will be able to find revenue to fund the higher figure…:

CUT 10(12)      “…more than sufficient.”

Last year, lawmakers gave teachers and support workers one-time bonuses, but Edwards says he wants permanent salary hikes this time. Lawmakers convene the legislature April 10^th.

A West Monroe couple faces aggravated arson, criminal conspiracy, and insurance fraud charges after allegedly setting their mobile home on fire in December of 2021. State Fire Marshal’s spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says it was originally believed to be accidental, but a tip sparked further investigation…:

CUT 12(12)      “…insurance money.”
54-year-old Charles Robertson and 33-year-old Tonya Scott were arrested on Valentine’s Day.

It’s the height of carnival season and record-breaking crowds are anticipated this Mardi Gras. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 02(31)      “…Thorington.”

You don’t hear much these days about horse thieving, but Ascension Parish deputies have arrested three people, including two minors, for stealing three ponies from a Prairieville stable Tuesday night. The animals were found in St. Gabriel and returned to their owners. By the way, hanging is no longer the punishment for horse thieves.