New Orleans Police have charged actor Shia LaBeuof with two counts of simple battery for punching two people in the French Quarter as Mardi Gras celebrations were taking place during the overnight hours. LaBeouf has been in some big movies, including “Transformers” and “Holes.”

While New Orleans may be home to the most famous Mardi Gras celebration in the world, there’s another world renowned celebration taking place in Eunice. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Many are saddened over the death of Reverend Jesse Jackson. The civil rights icon has passed away at the age of 84.  President Trump calls Jackson a good man who truly loved people. New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter says as we honor his legacy, may we recommit ourselves to the work he began and carried forward with faith and courage….

Cut 11 (14) “…of his time”

On Valentine’s Day, Leland and Gussie Lacaze (luh-KAH-zuh) of Robeline were honored as this year’s longest known married couple. For 79 years, the Natchitoches Parish couple has been husband and wife. Louisiana Family forum president Gene Mills says the couple met in 1945.

Cut 21 (13) “…they got married.”

Mills says the Lacaze’s are still in great health.

New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter is among those remembering civil rights icon Jesse Jackson, who died today at the age of 84. Carter says Jackson was an influential part of his life, including at the outset of his professional career.

Cut 9 (12)  “…nurture it.”

Today is Mardi Gras; and while the celebration in New Orleans is the one that the world talks about, there’s one in Eunice that’s also quite notable. Mayor Scott Fontenot says Cajun Mardi Gras is a one-of-a-kind celebration.

Cut 5 (07) “…can’t duplicate this.”

The signature event is the run, which is actually a parade in which participants wearing traditional Cajun attire go through rural areas on horseback, collecting ingredients for a traditional gumbo that they’ll make at the end.

Starting this fall, all of LSU’s athletics uniforms will don a patch containing the logo of Woodside Energy. The Australian-based energy company was given the option to have its logo only on football uniforms, but executive vice president Daniel Kalms says they decided to support all 21 sports on LSU’s campus.

Cut 7 (10) “…female athletes.”

While Woodside Energy’s logo is red, the logo patch will match LSU’s traditional purple and gold.

Legendary high school coach Jerry Arledge died this past weekend at the age of 83. As West Monroe’s head coach, Arledge went 103-and-22 with two 5A state championship appearances. Earlier, he was the defensive coordinator for the Rebels’ eight state title teams. KNOE-TV Sports Director Aaron Dietrich says his defenses were elite.

Cut 13 (11)  “…period of time.”

While the big Mardi Gras celebration is going on in New Orleans, there’s also a world renowned festival happening in Eunice with Cajun Mardi Gras. Eunice Mayor Scott Fontenot says it attracts people from everywhere.

Cut 4 (11) “…from all over.”

Cajun Mardi Gras is a tribute to the Acadian people who settled in Southwest Louisiana, providing the foundation of the culture that defines the region.

Australian-based energy company Woodside Energy’s logo will be on all LSU uniforms starting next athletic year as a part of a multi-year, multi-million-dollar deal. Woodside executive vice president Daniel Kalms says this historic initiative goes beyond the playing field.

Cut 6 (10) “…beyond that.”

This past weekend, Leland and Gussie Lacaze (luh-KAH-zuh) of Natchitoches Parish were honored as the state’s longest married couple. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Unfortunately, there have been several bad actors this Carnival season, and New Orleans Police say they arrested a man who fits that description in more ways than one. They say Shia LeBoeuf was causing a disturbance at a business on Royal Street and was punching people after he was thrown out and after he returned. The six-time Golden Raspberry nominee is charged with two counts of simple battery.

In 49 states, it’s a normal day. But here in Louisiana, it’s a state holiday. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says hundreds of thousands of people come to the state for Mardi Gras, and they’re not just going to New Orleans.

Cut 11 (10) “…up every year.”

And another of those places is Eunice, which is home to Cajun Mardi Gras – a tribute to the Acadian people who settled in Southwest Louisiana, providing the foundation of the culture that defines the region. Mayor Scott Fontenot says it’s been a staple for more than 100 years. 

Cut 3 (05) “…in downtown Eunice”

The signature event of Cajun Mardi Gras is the run, which is actually a parade in which participants wearing traditional Cajun attire go through rural areas on horseback, collecting ingredients for a traditional gumbo that they’ll make at the end.

A Baton Rouge businessman is seeking to buy and transform Spirit Airlines and use that as the catalyst in turning New Orleans International Airport into a hub airport. John Miller says that would be the foundation of a 12-billion-dollar annual economic impact for New Orleans, with five-million new visitors to one of the most visited cities in the country.

Cut 25 (05) “…to almost 500.”

Legendary high school football coach Jerry Arledge died this past weekend at the age of 83. Arledge served as West Monroe head coach from 2013 to 2022, leading the team to two state title game appearances. KNOE-TV Sports Director Aaron Dietrich says Arledge took great pride in coaching.

Cut 14 (12) “…every single day.”

A Baton Rouge businessman is seeking to form a public-private partnership to buy a financially troubled airline. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Center Square is reporting that 81 people arrested in 2024 and 2025 and accused of murder in Caddo Parish, had prior arrest records.  Shreveport police chief Wayne Smith says the criminal justice system is not effective in rehabilitating or changing the behavior of first offenders.

It’s just Tuesday for most of the country today; but here, it is Fat Tuesday, filled with Mardi Gras parades across south Louisiana. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser is riding in the Krewe of Bogue Falaya (Bow-guh fuh lie yah) in Covington with six travel writers.

Cut 10 (06) “…on a float.”

On Valentine’s Day, Leland and Gussie Lacaze (luh-KAH-zuh) were honored as this year’s longest known married couple in the state. Louisiana Family forum president Gene Mills says the couple receives recognition from the governor, cakes, and gifts. They will also receive a wish from Mr. Lacaze’s bucket list, a trip to the World War Two Museum in New Orleans.

Cut 9 (09)  “…them down there.”

The Natchitoches Parish couple has been married for 79 years.

A Baton Rouge businessman is looking to form a public-private partnership to buy Spirit Airlines and move its headquarters to New Orleans. John Miller says the purchase of Spirit Airlines is the first step in making Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport a hub airport and making New Orleans a hub can further transform Spirit Airlines by opening it up to international destinations.

Cut 6 (12) “…international markets overseas.”

Both Frontier and JetBlue attempted to buy the Airline but Spirit’s shareholders rejected Frontier’s offer in 2022, and a judge blocked JetBlue’s 3.6-billion-dollar offer in 2024.

Big night for a couple of baseball players from southwest Louisiana as LSU improved to 4-0 last night with a ten-to-seven win over Kent State. Sulphur’s Jake Brown followed up his two-home run performance on Sunday with two more home runs last night. And Gavin Guidry recorded a seven-out save. Mason Braun and Zach Yorke also homered for the Tigers.

Leland and Gussie Lacaze (luh-KAH-zuh), married 79 years, were honored as this year’s longest known married couple in Louisiana. Mrs. Lacaze said the secret to a lasting marriage with joy is patience and hard work. Family forum president Gene Mills says despite their advanced years, the couple is talkative and alert.

Cut 8 (10) “…for America’s freedom.”

Northeast Louisiana has also lost another coaching legend in Jerry Arledge. He was West Monroe’s defensive coordinator when he and the late Don Shows won eight state championships for the Rebels. As head coach, Arledge went 103-and-22 with two 5A state championship game appearances. KNOE-TV sports director Aaron Dietrich says Arledge took great pride in coaching.

Cut 14 (12) “…every single day.”

Happy Mardi Gras! It may just be a Tuesday for most of the country, but here it’s Fat Tuesday and Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says Mardi Gras is a time for everyone to come together.

Cut 12 (10) “…to be great.”

A Baton Rouge businessman is looking to form a public-private partnership to buy Spirit Airlines and move its headquarters to New Orleans. John Miller says the purchase of Spirit Airlines is the first step in making Louis Armstrong International a hub airport, that would be the foundation of a 12-billion-dollar annual economic impact for New Orleans, with five-million new visitors

Cut 5 (05) “…to almost 500.”

Miller says making the Airport a hub can further transform Spirit Airlines by opening it up to international destinations.

Legendary West Monroe football coach Jerry Arledge has died at the age of 83. Andre Champagne has more.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

On Valentine’s Day, Leland and Gussie Lacaze (luh-KAH-zuh) were honored as this year’s longest known married couple in Louisiana. Family forum president Gene Mills says the couple receives recognition from the governor, cakes, and gifts. They will also receive a wish from Mr. Lacaze’s bucket list, a trip to the World War Two Museum in New Orleans.

Cut 9 (09)  “…them down there.”

The Natchitoches Parish couple has been husband and wife for 79 years.

A Baton Rouge businessman is looking to form a public-private partnership to buy Spirit Airlines and move its headquarters to New Orleans. John Miller, the founder of Country Club of Louisiana, says if he buys the financially troubled ultra-low-cost airline, disregard everything you know about it.

Cut 4 (08) “…of these extras.”

Most of the country got up and went to work this morning but Louisiana is celebrating Mardi Gras and Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is hosting six travel writers as they ride in the Krewe of Bogue Falaya parade in Covington. Nungesser says hundreds of thousands of people travel to Louisiana for the Mardi Gras weekend, and the out of state revelers are not just going to New Orleans.

Cut 11 (10) “…up every year.”

This past weekend, Leland and Gussie Lacaze (luh-KAH-zuh) of Natchitoches Parish were honored as the state’s longest married couple. Jeff Palermo ahs the story.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Northeast Louisiana has lost a high school coaching legend. Former West Monroe football coach Jerry Arledge has died at the age of 83. He was defensive coordinator for eight state championships and then succeeded coach Don Shows as head coach. KNOE-TV Sports Director Aaron Dietrich says Arledge and Shows changed the trajectory of West Monroe’s football program.

Cut 15 (07) “…Louisiana ever again.”