IBM Technology announces plans for a 400-job application development and innovation center in Monroe. Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo says this is huge for Northeast Louisiana…

cut 13 (10) “here in Monroe”

Officials say IBM will provide software technology services to clients across the nation and partner with CenturyLink on research and product innovation initiatives.

The question over which city “started” Mardi Gras, New Orleans or Mobile, Alabama, is coming up again this Fat Tuesday. Mobile Mayor Sandy Simpson is bragging that the Alabama destination is where the celebrations originally began in the US. Big Easy Mardi Gras expert Arthur Hardy says the first New Orleans Mardi Gras parade was held in 1857…

cut 4 (10) “New Years Eve”

Hardy says Mobile’s parades on Fat Tuesday did not begin until 1868 — after the Civil War.

Cold Canadian air has settled over Louisiana leaving us with another chilly Mardi Gras day. State Climatologist Barry Keim says southeast Louisiana should brace for temperatures today in the upper 30s this morning, then high temperatures this afternoon only in the upper 40s…:

cut 10 (09) “bundle up”

He says if you’re headed to parades today anywhere in the state, it might be a good idea to bring an umbrella just in case but you probably won’t need it.

One of the state’s more unique Mardi Gras traditions happens in the Calcasieu Parish town of Iowa. The Iowa Chicken Run is an all day celebration that begins and ends at the Knights of Columbus Hall. Organizer, Rodney Victorian, says his grandfather started this event 36 years ago…

cut 7 (11) “for the community”

The parade will will stop at participating homes to collect ingredients for a gumbo that will be served later in the day. When a donation to the gumbo is made, a chicken is thrown in the air for the children to catch.