IBM Technology announces plans for a 400-job application development and innovation center in Monroe. Officials say IBM will partner with CenturyLink on research and product innovation initiatives. Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo says big companies are attracted to CenturyLink which has corporate headquarters in Monroe…

cut 14 (09) “to come here”

Governor Bobby Jindal says $4.5 million dollars will be provided to ULM, Louisiana Tech and Grambling for additional computer science programs to help meet IBM’s workforce needs.

Which city “started” Mardi Gras, New Orleans or Mobile, Alabama? Mobile Mayor Sandy Simpson says they did. But Big Easy Mardi Gras expert Arthur Hardy says their Mardi-Gras-like parades, which featured floats followed by a tableaux ball were staged on New Years Eve…

cut 5 (11) “I’m not sure”

He says the first New Orleans Mardi Gras parade was held in 1857, while Mobile’s Fat Tuesday parades did not begin until 1868.

If you’re heading out to Mardi Gras parades today, you’ll want to bundle up now that a strong cold front has moved through the state. State Climatologist Barry Keim says it’s going to be a very cold Fat Tuesday pretty much throughout The Bayou State…

cut 11 (09) “miserable day”

Afternoon highs will be in the mid to upper 40s statewide today.

If you’re looking for a unique Mardi Gras experience, you may want to head to Calcasieu Parish for the Iowa Chicken Run. The parade will begin at 10AM and will stop at participating homes to collect ingredients for a gumbo that will be served later in the day. Organizer, Rodney Victorian, says kids can try to catch something other than beads and toys in Iowa…

cut 8 (06) “stuff like that”

The chickens are not harmed and not used to make the gumbo.