State Climatologist Barry Keim is in New Orleans today and says the weather isn’t slowing things down for those ready to celebrate Mardi Gras.

Cut 4 (11) “…despite the cold″
He says the rain is behind us but it’s been a cold Fat Tuesday for revelers along the parade routes with a wind chill in some areas around 30.

It’s also a big day of parades across the state. Mardi Gras is also known for its satire. There are several people dressed up as blind referees in reference to the blown call in the NFC Championship game…

Cut 8 (10) “…in our pockets.”

When disaster strikes, the Cajun Navy is there to help.  The Cajun Navy 2016 has responded to the devastation left from tornadoes in south Alabama that killed at least 23.  Vice President of Cajun Navy 2016 Billy Bringear says they’ve got boots on the ground with chainsaws rescuing survivors from the mangled homes.

Cut 9 (07) “…destruction it did.”

Cajun Navy 2016 responders from Baton Rouge are in Lee County, which saw the heaviest impact from the tornado outbreak.

Tax season is in full swing and that can mean tax refunds are on the way too. IRS Spokesperson Raphael Tulino says anyone curious about their return status, can check online, rather than calling the IRS…

Cut 12 (12)   “…different information.”

Taxpayers can expect their refund within 21 days after filing, but if three weeks pass, Tulino says feel free to call the federal agency…

The rain is behind us but it’s a cold Fat Tuesday for revelers along the parade routes.  A cold front has brought Canadian air into the state.  The cold conditions are expected to continue into Ash Wednesday, but State Climatologist Barry Keim says expect to see a warming trend as the week comes to a close.

Cut 5 (08)“…lot more pleasant.”
Keim is in New Orleans today and says despite a wind chill of 30,  the weather isn’t slowing things down for those ready to celebrate Mardi Gras.

It’s also a big day of parades in Lake Charles and Lafayette. There’s also a couple of parades in Shreveport. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says his office made a big push this year nationwide to market Mardi Gras festivities outside of New Orleans…

Cut 7 (13) “…over Louisiana.”

When disaster strikes, the Cajun Navy is there to help.  The Cajun Navy 2016 has responded to the devastation left from tornadoes in south Alabama that killed at least 23.  Vice President of Cajun Navy 2016 Billy Bringear says any contributions people from Louisiana want to make to help can be done on the Cajun Navy 2016 Facebook page.

Cut 10 (05)“…do take donations.”
Cajun Navy 2016 responders from Baton Rouge are in Lee County, which saw the heaviest impact from the tornado outbreak.

Tax season is in full swing and that can mean tax refunds are on the way too. Taxpayers can expect their refund within 21 days after filing, but if three weeks pass, IRS Spokesperson Raphael Tulino says feel free to call the federal agency…

Cut 13 (11) “…care of it.” 

The rain is behind us but it’s a cold Fat Tuesday for revelers along the parade routes thanks to a blast of Canadian air. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the temps may peak around 50 degrees for south Louisiana….
cut 3 (07) “…southwest Louisiana”
Low temps tomorrow are expected to get below freezing again for most of the state.

So how do you stay warm on a chilly Mardi Gras day? Eating a lot of tasty food is one way to do it. This man along a New Orleans parade route says he’s been cooking since four o’ clock this morning and has enough food to feed about 40 people…
cut 6 (12) “…turkey necks”
It’s been a big day of parades in Lake Charles and Lafayette. There’s also a couple of parades in Shreveport.

When disaster strikes, the Cajun Navy is there to help.  The Cajun Navy 2016 has responded to the devastation left from tornadoes in south Alabama that killed at least 23.  Vice President of Cajun Navy 2016 Billy Bringear says it is an easy decision to help in times when others lose everything, which is relatable to many in Louisiana.

Cut 11 (12)   “…how people feel.”

Tax season is in full swing and that can mean tax refunds are on the way too. IRS Spokesperson Raphael Tulino says if you will not be able to file by the April 15th deadline, you can apply for a six-month extension, but if you owe money…

Cut 14 (09)  “…will help you.”

Cajun Navy 2016 responders from Baton Rouge are in Alabama following a tornado outbreak that left 23 dead. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Governor John Bel Edwards was in Atlanta today for an economic development announcement involving Louisiana. Switzerland-based helicopter maker Kopter announced that it plans to assemble helicopters at a facility owned by the Lafayette Regional Airport. State officials say Kopter will hire 120 workers and plans to be in full production in 2025.

Temperatures are only in the upper 40s this afternoon but that’s not stopping the Mardi Gras revelers on this Fat Tuesday. State Climatologist Barry Keim is spending the day watching the parades in New Orleans…
cut 4 (11) “….despite the cold”
Mardi Gras is also known for its satire. There are several people dressed up as blind referees in reference to the blown call in the NFC Championship game…
Cut 8 (10) “…in our pockets.”
Saints owner Gayle Benson has been spotted carrying around a “Saints Robbed” Lombardi trophy.

The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s office is investigating the death of 17-year-old inmate, Charles Williams, at the parish jail. Authorities say at this time, no signs of foul play are suspected. Officials say Williams recently went to the hospital for treatment of an allergic reaction. He was being held on four counts of attempted second-degree murder.

Cajun Navy 2016 has responded to the devastation left from tornados in south Alabama that killed at least 23. Responders from Baton Rouge are now in Lee County, which saw the heaviest impact from the tornado outbreak. Vice President of Cajun Navy 2016 Billy Bringear says efforts like this do cost money, and any contributions Louisianans want to make to help can be done on the Cajun Navy 2016 Facebook page.

Cut 10 (05)“…do take donations.”

The rain is behind us but it’s a cold Fat Tuesday for revelers along the parade routes.  A cold front has brought Canadian air into the state. The cold conditions are expected to continue into Ash Wednesday, but State Climatologist Barry Keim says expect to see a warming trend as the week comes to a close.

Cut 5 (08)“…lot more pleasant.”

A Switzerland-based company plans to hire 120 workers so it can assemble its new S-H-0-9 helicopter in Lafayette. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Tax season is in full swing and that can mean tax refunds are on the way too. IRS Spokesperson Raphael Tulino says anyone curious about their return status will have better luck going online than calling the IRS…

Cut 12 (12)   “…different information.”

While many think New Orleans when talking about Mardi Gras, it’s also a big day of parades in Lake Charles and Lafayette. There’s also a couple of parades in Shreveport. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says his office made a big push this year nationwide to market Mardi Gras festivities outside of the Big Easy…

Cut 7 (13) “…over Louisiana.”

Dress warmly if you are heading out, as the wind chill is around 30 in some parts of Louisiana

When disaster strikes, the Cajun Navy is there to help.  That’s the case this week as Cajun Navy 2016 has responded to the devastation left from tornados in south Alabama that killed at least 23.  VP of the organization Billy Bringear says they’ve got boots on the ground with chainsaws rescuing survivors from the mangled homes.

Cut 9 (07) “…destruction it did.”

The man who allegedly shot LSU Basketball player Wayde Sims says he’s “totally remorseful”, and wants a lower bail. Matt Doyle talked to a legal analyst about his chances…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

The rain is behind us but it’s a cold Fat Tuesday for revelers along the parade routes thanks to a blast of Canadian air. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the temps may peak around 50 degrees for south Louisiana….
cut 3 (07) “…southwest Louisiana”
The wind chill is in the 30s in some locations.

So how do you stay warm on a chilly Mardi Gras day? Eating a lot of tasty food is one way to do it. This man along a New Orleans parade route says he’s been cooking since four o’ clock this morning and has enough food to feed about 40 people…
cut 6 (12) “…turkey necks”
It’s a big day of parades in Lake Charles and Lafayette. There’s also a couple of parades in Shreveport.

While many may associate Mardi Gras with catching beads, in small towns like Eunice, the focus is on chasing chickens. Participants dress in costume as part of a 12-mile chicken run, with some on horseback. Captain of the Eunice Mardi Gras Pat Frey says the country version of the Mardi Gras has been going on for 123 years.
Cut 4 (09) “…prepared the gumbo.”
Frey says they expect between 800 to one-thousand people to participate in festivities.

Louisiana is joining a pilot program that will give those seeking addiction treatment the ability to see the “ratings” of a treatment facility on a range of different services they provide. State health department spokesperson Bob Johannessen says the rating system is voluntary, but Johannessen says addiction centers that participate are doing so for a good reason…
cut 14 (09) “..high rating”
Johannessen says they hope the rating system goes live next year.

Everywhere else it’s just Tuesday, but in south Louisiana it’s Fat Tuesday. There are big parades in New Orleans, Lafayette and Lake Charles. A couple of parades roll in New Roads and there’s a children’s parade in Shreveport today. Dress warm, it’s a chilly Mardi Gras day.

Why catch beads when you can run around and try to catch chickens? That’s what is happening to celebrate Mardi Gras today in Eunice. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”.

The man accused in last September’s fatal shooting of LSU Basketball player Wayde Sims has asked a Baton Rouge judge to reduce his 350,000 dollar bail. Dyteon Simpson sent a letter to the judge stating he’s totally remorseful. LRN Legal correspondent Franz Borghardt says the note may actually hurt his case for a lower bail, because it sounds like an admission
Cut 11 (09) “…the bond”
Simpson’s letter says he has a five-month old kid and the child’s mother needs dad at home.

Louisiana and two other states are working with a national nonprofit called Shatterproof that will create a rating system for addiction centers. State health department spokesperson Bob Johannessen says addiction is a difficult struggle, but having information about the quality of addiction treatment programs will help make the recovery process easier to handle…
cut 15 (12) “…to make”
The rating system will go live in 2020.