Washington Mardi Gras kicks off today with Louisiana’s biggest movers and shakers in D.C. for three days of politicking and celebrations. LSU Communications Professor and veteran political staffer Bob Mann says each night will feature a ball attended by state leaders based both here and in D.C., capped off by Saturday night’s mini-parade.
Cut 4 (11) “…be seen”

According to the Michigan-based firm, Joyce Julius and Associates, LSU received more than 200-million dollars in free media exposure over a seven-week period during the team’s successful championship run. Director of sponsorship analytics Jeremy Cruetz says this is among the biggest measurements they’ve seen in the realm of college athletics…
cut 11 (10) “…White House”

The Zion Williamson era for the Pelicans starts with a loss but the rookie gave fans what they came for. Williamson had 22 points, 17 points came during a three-minute stretch in the fourth quarter. But San Antonio held off the Pels 121 to 117.

An LSU grad and Louisiana native is grabbing the attention of the hot sauce world with his Bayou Gotham Hot Sauce. A Kickstarter campaign has recently surpassed its $25,000 funding goal. Scott Bellina, the man behind the handcrafted sauces, says the initial four flavors are inspired by his Louisiana upbringing.
Cut 13 (11) “…been done before.”
Bellina hopes to start production in March.

The biggest names in Louisiana politics and business are flying north to D.C. today for Washington Mardi Gras. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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If you’ve been married for seventy years or longer you’re eligible for the Louisiana Marriage Hall of Fame. Broooke Thorington explains.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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A Louisiana native is capturing the attention of the hot sauce world with his new line of handcraft sauces.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (33)  “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.” 

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Washington Mardi Gras kicks off today with Louisiana’s biggest movers and shakers in D.C. for three days of politicking and celebrations.

LSU Communications Professor and veteran political staffer Bob Mann says each night will feature a ball attended by state leaders based both here and in D.C., capped off by Saturday night’s mini-parade.

Cut 4 (11) “…be seen”

This year’s theme is based around Louisiana’s contributions to the United States.

The tradition was started over 50 years ago by Senator Russel B. Long, and Mann says for years it was an event only for those Louisianans stuck in D.C. for the carnival season.

Cut 5 (08) “…holiday”

The tradition began and continues at the Washington Hilton.

As much as it’s lauded for being one of the best parties in town, Mann says the daylight hours before the nightly balls are all business.

Cut 6 (09) “of that”

Congressman Steve Scalise is this year’s Krewe Captain, and Congressman Clay Higgins is the Chairman.

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The Louisiana Family Forum wants to highlight couples that have been married for seven-decades or longer in the 2020 Marriage Hall of Fame. President of the Louisiana Family Forum, Gene Mills says he wants to showcase couples who make marriage a lifetime commitment.

Cut 7 (10) “…finish line.”

Since the forum began the Marriage Hall of Fame, one of the longest-married couples honored in Louisiana was 84 years.  Mills says in addition to being featured in the Hall of Fame the top ten nominees also receive prizes.

Cut 8 (10) “…Governor’s mansion.”

Mills says the forum can only share success stories of couples if they are nominated.

Cut 9 (11) “…of Louisiana.”

To nominate a couple, contact the Louisiana Family Forum at 1-800-606-6470. The due date for nominations is February 5^th.

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Experts estimate LSU received more than $200 million in free media exposure in the seven weeks between December 1st and January 21st as a result of the football team’s successful championship run. Director of sponsorship analytics for Joyce Julius and Associates, Jeremy Creutz. says by their calculations, LSU got just over 150,000 mentions across TV, internet and print media.

Cut 10 (08) “…to receive that.”

Creutz says this is among the biggest measurements they’ve seen in the realm of collegiate athletics.

Cut 11 (10) “…the White House.”

Creutz says while it may not be tangible dollars LSU has earned, the exposure can be parlayed into merchandise sales and interest in receiving an education as a Tiger.

Cut 12 (09) “…type of things.”

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An LSU grad and Louisiana native is grabbing the attention of the hot sauce world with Bayou Gotham Hot Sauce.  A Kickstarter campaign has recently surpassed its $25,000 funding goal.  Scott Bellina, the man behind the handcrafted sauces, says the initial four flavors are inspired by his Louisiana upbringing.

Cut 13 (11) “…been done before.”

The first batch is expected to be shipped out this spring.  Bellina has lived in New York since 2001 and will have another four flavors inspired by life in the Big Apple on the horizon.  Bellina says one of his first flavors was inspired by a Louisiana music icon.

Cut 14 (09) “…late Dr. John.”

Bellina says his ties to the hot sauce industry is a family affair with a Louisiana brand that has become an empire.

Cut 15 (09) “…with hot sauce.”

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The Saints enter an offseason where they’ll have to make big decisions on several unrestricted free agents. Vonn Bell, Andrus Peat, Eli Apple, A-J Klein, Teddy Bridgewater, and Drew Brees were major contributors on the 2019 team that will have the ability to sign elsewhere in March. General Manager Mickey Loomis is at Senior Bowl in Mobile and wouldn’t speculate on who will return

Cut 16  (24)  …the past” 

Loomis says he has yet to discuss with Brees his future with the team…

Cut 17  (11) ” plenty of time” 

Loomis told ESPN’s Mike Triplett that they want the 41-year-old quarterback to lead the team in 2020.

Wide receiver is expected to be a position of need as they look to help out Michael Thomas. Loomis says time will tell if they’ll draft a pass catcher in the first round or address that need through free agency

cut 18  (20) ” here”   

In New Orleans a new tarp is in place even though city officials said it would be too dangerous to try and hang a new one over the remains of one of the workers killed in the Hard Rock Hotel construction collapse October 12. Wind recently removed the tarp and photos went viral on social media.

The Coronavirus is spreading rapidly in China, but CDC officials say the threat to the US is “low”. Matt Doyle spoke with LSU Health New Orleans about the outbreak…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

Senators are hearing opening arguments in President Donald Trump’s impeachment case. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy is upset the chamber is held hostage over impeachment while other, more important issues remain unsolved…
cut 14 (10) “…period”

California Congressman Adam Schiff kicked off the Democrats case by claiming the president tried to use his powers of the presidency to gain information to help him win the 2020 election.

A Comeaux High School Senior who was shot during an attempted armed robbery Saturday has died at a local hospital. Lafayette Police say 17-year old Matthew Carter was found in his car suffering from a gunshot wound. Charges for the two teen, ages 13 and 14 have been upgraded to first degree-murder. Both remain in custody.

While it’s unlikely you’ll be exposed to the Coronavirus that’s impacting China, LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Fred Lopez says the biggest impact it could have on Louisiana is for those who’ll be traveling.

Cut 5 (07) “…world.”

Those airports are in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Atlanta, and New York.

Four people are now in police custody for the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Kendall Thompson, Jr. of Jeanerette following the arrest of two suspects in Rapides Parish last night. Interim Jeanerette Police Chief Fernest Martin says it brings relief to know that the last of the suspects have been nabbed.

Cut 7 (08) “…incidents or fatalities.”

George Bobb and McClellan Molo, both 19, have been arrested along with 21-year-old Rondrick Grant and 20-year-old Travlon Dauphine.

With the Impeachment underway in the Senate Democrats have raised concerns that Republicans are blocking further investigation into the matter and the calling of witnesses. Senator Bill Cassidy says if the impeachment case was already overwhelming…

Cut 13 (11) “…witness”

Republicans have threatened to call Joe Biden and his son to testify.

900,000 dollars of meth was seized by Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s deputies after a vehicle with busted lights was stopped on I-20. Sheriff’s office spokesperson Glenn Springfield says while talking to the suspect, he consented to a search of a vehicle and deputies deployed a K-9 on the vehicle.

Cut 10 (10) “…of about $900,000.” 

The suspect has been identified as Jose Luis Sosa of Houston.

A 17-year-old shot during an armed robbery has died from injuries and two teenagers are now facing first-degree murder charges.

cut  2 (29) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

A tarp that was put in place to cover one of the bodies of a worker that was killed in the collapse of the Hark Rock Hotel construction site in New Orleans has fallen, thus exposing the body. A statement from the Mayor’s office says efforts to replace the tarp have proven extremely dangerous due to the unstableness of the site. They also requested the public to stop sharing photos of the deceased out of respect.

Oral arguments are underway in the US Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump on two articles of impeachment. Senators are required to be in attendance in the chamber for six days a week, and at least eight hours a day. Senator Bill Cassidy says yesterday they clocked a long day fighting over the trial rules.

Cut 12 (08) “…last night.”

Democrats will now have 24 hours in the Upper Chamber to make their case.

Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s deputies conduct a major drug bust on Interstate 20, discovering about $900,000 in meth.  Sheriff’s office spokesperson Glenn Springfield says a Special Crimes Apprehension Team was working last night when they noticed the suspicious vehicle and conducted a traffic stop.

Cut 9 (11) “…lights were defective.”

The suspect has been identified as Jose Luis Sosa of Houston.

Senators are hearing opening arguments in President Donald Trump’s impeachment case. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy is upset the chamber is held hostage over impeachment while other, more important issues remain unsolved…
cut 14 (10) “…period”
California Congressman Adam Schiff kicked off the Democrats case by claiming the president tried to use his powers of the presidency to gain information to help him win the 2020 election.

With the arrest of two 19-year-olds last night, four people are under arrest for last Friday’s fatal shooting in Jeanerette that claimed the life of 17-year-old Kendall Thompson Junior. Interim Jeanerette Police Chief Fernest Martin says it’s a senseless homicide…
cut 8 (09) “….was the motive”

Ouachita Parish Sheriff deputies confiscated about 900-thousand dollars worth of meth during a traffic stop last night on I-20. Sheriff’s office spokesperson Glen Springfield says they know drugs are trafficked on I-10 and 1-20, so this is something they keep an eye out for…
cut 11 (08) “,,,make the arrest”
The man arrested is from Houston. Springfield says deputies pulled him over after noticing he was driving erratically and had a broken tail light.

The first U-S case of the Chinese Coronavirus has been detected in Seattle. LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Disease Specialist Doctor Fred Lopez says the U-S case does not appear to be serious, but the new virus is blamed for 17 deaths in China…
cut 4 (11) “…as possible”
An estimated 547 people have been infected with the virus, but health officials are concerned that number could rapidly rise as travel increases during the Chinese New Year this weekend.

The Wuhan Coronavirus is spreading rapidly in China, but CDC officials say the threat to the US is “low”. Matt Doyle spoke with LSU Health New Orleans about the outbreak…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

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A 17-year-old shot during an armed robbery has died from injuries and two teenagers are now facing first-degree murder charges. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut  2 (29) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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The first US case of the Wuhan Coronavirus has been reported in Washington State, and while it’s has spread rapidly in China the CDC says the virus doesn’t pose much of a threat to Americans.

The virus is now transmitting person to person in Wuhan City, China. LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Fred Lopez says to take note if you’ve developed respiratory issues or fever, and…

Cut 3 (11)  “…infection.” 

The US case does not appear to be serious, but Lopez says at the moment there’s not much that can be done if you come down with the illness that’s killed 17 people so far.

Cut 4 (11) “…possible.”

An estimated 547 people have been infected with the virus so far, but authorities are concerned that number could rapidly rise as travel increases during the Chinese New Year this weekend.

While it’s unlikely you’ll be exposed to the virus, Lopez says the biggest impact it could have on Louisiana is for those who’ll be traveling.

Cut 5 (07) “…world.”

Flights from China are being routed through the screening airports which include Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Atlanta, and New York.

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Four people are now in police custody for the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Kendall Thompson, Jr. of Jeanerette following the arrest of two suspects in Rapides Parish last night. Interim Jeanerette Police Chief Fernest Martin says authorities were able to track the remaining suspects to north Louisiana.

Cut 6 (10) “…apprehend these suspects.”

George Bobb and McClellan Molo, both 19, have since been transported back to Iberia Parish. Previous arrests over the weekend netted 21-year-old Rondrick Grant and 20-year-old Travlon Dauphine.

Martin says a crime of this nature is always tragic, adding it brings relief to know that the last of the suspects have been nabbed.

Cut 7 (08) “…incidents or fatalities.”

Martin says investigators are still searching for answers as to why the shooting happened.

Cut 8 (09) “…was the motive.”

Thompson died Friday night following the shooting that happened near the intersection of MLK Drive and Guiberteau Street.

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Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s deputies conduct a major drug bust on Interstate 20, discovering about $900,000 in meth.  Sheriff’s office spokesperson Glenn Springfield says the Special Crimes Apprehension Team was working last night when they noticed the suspicious vehicle and conducted a traffic stop.

Cut 9 (11) “…lights were defective.”

Springfield says while talking to the suspect, he consented to a search of a vehicle and deputies deployed a K-9 on the vehicle.

Cut 10 (10) “…of about $900,000.” 

Springfield says they know drugs are trafficked on I-10 and I-20, so this is something officers are always keeping an eye out for.

Cut 11 (08) “…make the arrest.”

The suspect has been identified as Jose Luis Sosa of Houston.

______________________

Oral arguments are underway in the US Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump on two articles of impeachment.

Senators are required to be in attendance in the chamber for six days a week, and at least eight hours a day. Senator Bill Cassidy says yesterday they clocked a long day fighting over the trial rules.

Cut 12 (08) “…last night.”

Democrats will now have 24 hours in the Upper Chamber to make their case.

Democrats have raised concerns Republicans are blocking further investigation and the calling of witnesses. Cassidy says if the impeachment case was already overwhelming…

Cut 13 (11) “…witness”

Republicans have threatened to call Joe Biden and his son to testify about their activities in Ukraine if Democrats force witnesses to the Senate stand.

Cassidy bemoaned the fact that the chamber is being held hostage over impeachment while other, more important issues remain unsolved.

Cut 14 (10) “…period.”

The Coronavirus is spreading rapidly in China, but CDC officials say the threat to the US is “low”. Matt Doyle spoke with LSU Health New Orleans about the outbreak…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

A Comeaux High School Senior who was shot during an attempted armed robbery Saturday has died at a local hospital. Lafayette Police say 17-year old Matthew Carter was found in his car suffering from a gunshot wound. Charges for the two teen, ages 13 and 14 have been upgraded to first degree-murder. Both remain in custody.

Four people are now in police custody for the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Kendall Thompson, Jr. of Jeanerette following the arrest of two suspects in Rapides Parish last night. Interim Jeanerette Police Chief Fernest Martin says authorities were able to track the remaining suspects to north Louisiana.

Cut 6 (10) “…apprehend these suspects.”

George Bobb and McClellan Molo, both 19, have since been transported back to Iberia Parish. Previous arrests over the weekend netted 21-year-old Rondrick Grant and 20-year-old Travlon Dauphine.

With the Impeachment underway in the Senate Democrats have raised concerns that Republicans are blocking further investigation into the matter and the calling of witnesses. Senator Bill Cassidy says if the impeachment case was already overwhelming…

Cut 13 (11) “…witness”

Republicans have threatened to call Joe Biden and his son to testify