Louisiana has decided not to accept $71 million in federal funds for the Summer EBT program, which helps low-income families feed their children when they are not in school. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Louisiana Department of Insurance will hold a two-day public hearing starting tomorrow on the proposed sale of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana to Indiana-based Elevance Health. State lawmakers are concerned this is a bad deal for Louisiana, but Blue Cross says Elevance can better serve its customers and slow rising health care costs.

It’s Tuesday, but here in Louisiana, it’s Fat Tuesday, the final day of the carnival season. And it goes out with a bang with dozens of parades across south Louisiana. Publisher of the Mardi Gras guide, Arthur Hardy, says being a krewe member and riding in a parade is the highlight of the year for many…
cut 8 (09) “….really is”

Traditional Mardi Gras celebrations will take place in Iowa and Eunice today. Events coordinator for Eunice, Courtney Elkins says they’ll have men and women on horseback, chasing chickens, and wearing hand-crafted wire masks, with colorful costumes and…
cut 5 (12) “…old clothes”
Elkins says they’ll have visitors from nearly every state and around the world watching their celebration today.

If you’re looking for a different kind of Mardi Gras experience today, head to Eunice. Instead of catching beads and doubloons, revelers chase chickens in colorful costumes during the Courir de Mardi Gras & Chicken Run. Events Coordinator, Courtney Elkins…
Cut 4 (13) “…a gumbo.”
Elkins says the celebration dates back to the late 19th century.

Today concludes a short carnival season, but for many it’s their favorite part of the year. Mardi Gras guide publisher Arthur Hardy says for krewe members it’s a financial commitment, but well worth it…
cut 9 (09) “….you say”
And the weather is cooperating today, sunny skies with temperatures in the low 60s.

The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services will no longer participate in the Summer EBT program. Louisiana Budget Project Executive Director Jan Moeller calls it’s a travesty. Moeller says the Summer EBT program helps feed nearly 600-thousand Louisiana children with food insecurity…
Cut 13 (13) “…this opportunity.”
But DCFS Secretary David Matlock says the state’s primary focus is for families to be self-sufficient and he calls the Summer EBT program a piecemeal program that comes with more strings than long-term solutions.

State Police Lt. Melissa Matey asks parade goers to download the app See Something, Send Something. She says if you see something that needs to be reported to law enforcement, a picture taken by your phone can be invaluable.
Cut 12 (10) “…Send Something.”

It’s a full day of parades today across south Louisiana. There are three parades in Lafayette. Lafayette Travel spokesperson Kaylie Leblanc…
cut 20 (11) “….1:00”
There’s also the Independent Parade at 2 PM and a Mardi Gras festival at Cajun Field.

Mardi Gras has been called the greatest free show on earth and Publisher of The Mardi Gras Guide, Arthur Hardy says it’s never been easier to join a Krewe – some you must be born into, and others are looking for members, but none are free, and none are cheap…
Cut 7 (09) “…dues, costume.”
The weather looks great today, sunny skies with high temperatures in the low 60s.

You won’t find your typical Mardi Gras festivities with floats and beads in Eunice today, but you will find colorful costumes and a chicken run. Teiko Foxx explains…
Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

State Police has a message for motorists on this Fat Tuesday, please buckle up. Lt. Melissa Matey….
cut 10 (12) “>…the traffic”

With four parades rolling on Fat Tuesday, Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou marketing manager Ian Wallis encourage revelers who are headed to Lafourche Parish to arrive early for a good spot. He says parking over the weekend at their carnival parades was hard to come by.

Cut 5 (09) “…really good.”

Expect sunny skies and high temperatures in the low to mid 60s on Fat Tuesday. The first parade in Lafourche Parish rolls at 11 am.

Visit Lake Charles spokesperson Matt Young says there’s a traditional Mardi Gras celebration in Iowa (eye-oh-way) that begins at 8 AM and a chicken run. He says individuals on horseback are essentially gathering ingredients to cook gumbo.

cut 11 (11) “…their lifetime”

From noon until 8 pm on Fat Tuesday, Young says there’s a block party featuring parades, live music, food, kids events, and more.

The Kansas City Chiefs defeated San Francisco 49ers in overtime in Super Bowl 58 last night in Las Vegas. Today Vegas officials handed off the football to New Orleans who will host Super Bowl 59 next year. Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation CEO Jay Cicero says they are moving into phase two of their preparation…
cut 12 (12) “…properly”

LSU Alexandria Chancellor Paul Coreil says LSUA’s enrollment has reached an all-time high 5,405 students, nearly a six-percent increase since the fall semester. Coreil says LSUA is gaining in popularity because of its tuition.

Cut 8 (10) “…so affordable.” 

LSU Alexandria is growing. Chancellor Paul Coreil says more prospective students are enrolling in their innovative degree programs that prepares them for in-demand jobs, including nursing, aviation, cyber security, and…

Cut 7 (12) “…the nation.”  

Louisiana airports are getting a ten point 5-million-dollar grant from The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is coming to as part of the Airport Terminal Program in Sen Bill Cassidy’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Seven Million Dollars is going to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport for connector roads, two million dollars goes to Shreveport Regional Airport (SHV) for a new terminal gate, and one point five million dollars goes to South Lafourche Leonard Miller, Jr. Airport to help fund the airport’s new terminal building.

The good times continue to roll in Lafourche Parish with four parades set for Fat Tuesday. Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Sales and Marketing Manager Ian Wallis says parades will be rolling from Thibodaux to Chackbay and Golden Meadow.

Cut 3 (10) “…good time.”  

And in Calcasieu parish, Visit Lake Charles spokesperson Matt Young says one of the most traditional Mardi Gras events begins at 8 am with the Iowa (Eye-oh-way) Chicken Run parade. He says individuals on horseback are essentially gathering ingredients to cook gumbo.

Cut 11 (11) “…their lifetime.”

A ten point 5-million-dollar grant from The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is coming to Louisiana airports as part of the Airport Terminal Program in Sen Bill Cassidy’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Seven Million Dollars is going to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport for connector roads, two million dollars goes to Shreveport Regional Airport (SHV) for a new terminal gate, and one point five million dollars goes to South Lafourche Leonard Miller, Jr. Airport to help fund the airport’s new terminal building.

LSU Alexandria says it’s the fastest growing public university in Louisiana. Chancellor Paul Coreil says LSUA’s enrollment has reached an all-time high 5,405 students, nearly a six-percent increase since the fall semester…

Cut 6  (13) “..the university.” 

On-campus enrollment is up nearly 18-percent since Spring 2023, totaling 26-hundred students.

If you’re looking to celebrate Mardi Gras more traditionally head to southwest Louisiana. Brooke Throington has more.

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

Super Bowl 58 is over and Super Bowl 59 is coming to New Orleans February 2025. Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation CEO Jay Cicero expects the Super Bowl next year will produce an economic impact of over 500-million dollars for the local economy. He says the game will bring in over six-thousand media members…

Cut 13 (09) “…what we do.” 

LSU Alexandria says it’s enrollment surge is continuing, exceeding 54-hundred students. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

Super Bowl 58 ended last night with Kansas City beating San Francisco in overtime in Las Vegas. Today Vegas officials handed off the football to New Orleans who will host Super Bowl 59 on February 9, 2025. Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation CEO Jay Cicero…

Cut 12 (12)  “..properly”  

Outside of New Orleans one of the busiest spots on the globe Mardi Gras-wise is Calcasieu Parish. Visit Lake Charles spokesperson Matt Young says tonight is a big night with the Royal Gala at the Lake Charles event center. Young says it’s where all the Kings, Queens, and their courts from than 50 krewes are presented.

Cut 10 (10) “…take in.”

The good times continue to roll in Lafourche Parish with four parades set for Fat Tuesday. Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Sales and Marketing Manager Ian Wallis says what makes their carnival parades unique is that they are family-friendly, and you never meet a stranger in Lafourche Parish.

Cut 4 (09) “…for us.”

After a weekend of parades, some carnival goers are taking a break on this Lundi Gras, so they can be ready for Fat Tuesday. Visit Lake Charles spokesperson Matt Young says there’s a traditional Mardi Gras celebration in Iowa that begins at 8 AM with a chicken run parade. He says revelers on horseback are essentially gathering ingredients to cook gumbo…
cut 11 (11) “…their lifetime”
Over in Lafourche Parish, Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou marketing manager Ian Wallis says their carnival parades are family-friendly, and you never meet a stranger…
cut 4 (09) “….for us”
The weather looks great for Fat Tuesday, sunny skies and high temperatures in the low to mid 60s.

Super Bowl 58 ended last night with Kansas City beating San Francisco in overtime in Las Vegas. Today Vegas officials handed off the football to New Orleans who will host Super Bowl 59 on February 9, 2025. Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation CEO Jay Cicero says they are raising money and moving into phase two of their preparation…
cut 12 (12) “…properly”
Cicero expects an economic impact over 500-million dollars.

LSU Alexandria says it’s the fastest growing public university in Louisiana. Chancellor Paul Coreil says LSUA’s enrollment has reached an all-time high 5,405 students, nearly a six-percent increase since the fall semester…
Cut 6 (13) “..the university.”
On-campus enrollment is up nearly 18-percent since Spring 2023, totaling 26-hundred students.

It was a big weekend of Mardi Gras parades, especially in south Louisiana where the weather held up. Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Marketing Manager Ian Wallis says parking was not easy for the parades in Lafourche Parish…
cut 5 (09) “….really good”
There’s another parade tomorrow in Golden Meadow, plus Chackbay and Thibodaux have parades.

Outside of New Orleans one of the busiest spots on the globe Mardi Gras-wise is Calcasieu Parish. Visit Lake Charles spokesperson Matt Young says their season got off to a big start Friday with the Merchants parade and on Sunday they celebrated with a children’s parade.
Cut 9 (11) “…environment.”
Tomorrow in southwest Louisiana, you have the Iowa Chicken run and the Mardi Gras Southwest Krewe of Krewes parade.

Federal Judge Shelly Dick has ordered the state’s legislative district maps to be redrawn on the grounds that the map drawn in 2022 violates the Voting Rights Act because it dilutes the black vote. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

It was a big weekend of parades and there are more to come. Tonight there are Lundi Gras festivities and tomorrow there’s a full slate of parades across South Louisiana. Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Sales and Marketing Manager Ian Wallis says they’ll have parades rolling in Thibodaux, Chackbay and Golden Meadow.
Cut 3 (10) “…good time.”

Beginning in August, look for more information on The National Hurricane Center’s cone graphic. The familiar Cone of Uncertainty will still be available, but Department Director Jamie Rhone says
Cut 13 (12) “…particular forecast.”
Rhone says the goal is to give areas away from the coast a better idea of potential wind destruction.

The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services has announced the the state will not participate in the summer E-B-T program. The program uses federal money to help low income families pay for summer food expenses when their children are not in school. DCFS Secretary David Matlock says families deserve a pathway to self-sufficiency and summer EBT is a piecemeal program that does not offer long-term solutions.

The restaurant chain Walk-Ons is moving its corporate headquarters from Baton Rouge to Atlanta….
cut 2 (32) “…I’m Teiko Foxx”