One person is dead and four others injured after gunfire erupts on St. Charles Avenue during the Bacchus Parade in New Orleans. Jeff Palermo has more…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Palermo.”

Two Breaux Bridge men died Sunday in a single-vehicle crash on state Highway 328 in St. Martin Parish. State Police say the driver was not buckled in, and was ejected from the vehicle as it left the roadway and rolled. The passengers was belted, but sustained fatal injuries. 41-year-old Chris Thibodeaux and his nephew Carter Potts, just 16.

State Wildlife & Fisheries agents arrest a man they say illegally caught and sold over $350-thousand in Louisiana oysters. LDWF spokesman Adam Einck says it started last November, with 23-year-old Luis Garcia being stopped by agents on Lake Borgne for a routine license check…:

CUT 10(06)      “…for Louisiana”

That meant his entire 2022 catch was illegally-taken; over 5900 sacks of oysters, valued at just over $354-thousand. Einck says he could be held legally responsible for the money he took from the legal oyster trade.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office says the fire that destroyed the New Friendship Baptist Church in Grant Parish Thursday is not suspicious. SFMO spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says investigators have determined the blaze began in a mechanical room and they are trying to determine if it was electrical or weather-related…:

CUT 13(09)      “…it is not.”

A worship service was held on the church grounds under a tent Sunday. Members says they will rebuild.

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.

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.

Governor Edwards presented state lawmakers with his proposed $45.7-billion budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1^st. That figure represents a $460-million reduction from the current fiscal year, due to federal pandemic money expiring. Edwards proposes investing over $20-million additional pay for firefighter, police officers and – especially – teachers…:

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

He wants permanent salary increases of $3000 for every public school teacher and support staff pay hikes as well. He says revenues are expected to be higher than expected, and will pay for the raises. Last year, lawmakers gave teachers a one-time $3000 bonus, but Edwards want permanent salary raises this time.

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

CUT 01(31)      “…Palermo.”

New Orleans Saints players Alvin Kamara and Chris Lammons have been indicted with battery and conspiracy to commit battery for an assault at a Las Vegas nightclub just over a year ago. Both Kamara’s and Lammons’ preliminary hearings are set for March 1. Two other men are also charged.

The LSU women’s basketball team will take the floor tonight against Ole Miss after their undefeated season came to an end Sunday against first-ranked South Carolina. Coach Kim Mulkey says she and her team of course weren’t happy with the result, but the game was still a major moment for the program and the team’s progression…

Cut 18 (19) “…did you learn.” 

The LSU Baseball team’s season opener has been moved up to 3:00 tomorrow due to concerns about the cold weather forecast for Friday night. Coach Jay Johnson announced that transfer Paul Skenes will start opening night for the Tigers with left-handed junior Riley Cooper getting the start Saturday and freshman Chase Shores will round out the opening weekend rotation

Louisiana Tech hosts 21-5 North Texas tonight. The Bulldogs fell to the Mean Green in a tight 67-65 game in Texas earlier this year and have lost back-to-back games on the road. Seventh in the conference, Coach Talvin Hester says he’s excited to have a chance to defend home court and improve their seeding before the end of the season…

Cut 17 (15) “…than at home.” 

Saints running back Alvin Kamara along with Bengals corner Chris Lammons and two others have been indicted by a Clark County grand jury for an alleged beating at a Las Vegas nightclub before the Pro Bowl last year. The four men were indicted on charges of conspiracy to commit battery and battery resulting in substantial bodily harm. The NFL has not commented on the incident and Kamara and Lammons were both allowed to play last season. Kamara faces a civil lawsuit in Louisiana and intends to fight the allegations. The indictment means the criminal case will bypass Las Vegas Justice Court and move to District court with a date set for March 2nd.

The upcoming retirement of DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson has only fueled speculation he’s running for governor. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 02(29)      “…Thorington.”

A mother and son in New Iberia are under arrest on drug and weapons charges. Police say 39-year-old Jennifer Olivier and her son were stopped by an officer Monday evening. He discovered a large amount of marijuana and an AR-15 style rifle in their car. The charges for Olivier are possession, possession of a gun around controlled dangerous substances and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Shreveport Police Officer Alexander Tyler has been charged with negligent homicide in the shooting death of 43-year-old Alonzo Bagley, an unarmed black man. The incident happened on February 3rd as officers chased Bagley after he jumped from a second-floor apartment. State Police released Tyler’s body camera video today..:

CUT 09(13)      “…NO! NO!”

Tyler and another officer were in pursuit of Bagley before he was shot.

Let the good times roll this weekend, but don’t let those good times impair you behind the wheel. That’s the message from LEOs and the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission. LHSC’s Mark Lambert says have fun, but have smart fun…:

            CUT 06(11)      “…been drinking.”

Cops will be working overtime – literally – to catch drunk drivers.