With two float related fatalities within days of each other involving tandem floats, New Orleans Police Superintendent Shaun Ferguson made the call to cease the use of tandem floats for the remainder of the 2020 festivities.  Ferguson says he wants to hold meetings in the immediate future to discuss safety measures.

Cut 12 (11) “… carnival season.”

According to WalletHub of the roughly half-million King Cakes sold during Carnival season, about 50-thousand are shipped out of state overnight, with the average cost being around $40.  But for those that want to come to New Orleans for the festivities, WalletHub analyst Jill Gonzales says visitors can expect to pay just shy of $300 per night to stay in the French Quarter.

Cut 10 (09) “…this time alone.”

A massive party is taking place in the Big Easy and across south Louisiana on this Fat Tuesday. There are also parades all day in Lake Charles and Lafayette. K-PEL Radio’s Bernadette Lee says multiple parades will roll through downtown Lafayette…

Cut 7 (12) “     Mardi Gras today”  

At the NFL draft combine in Indianapolis, this morning former LSU quarterback Joe Burrow spoke to a group of reporters. JaMarcus Russell was the last LSU quarterback drafted with the top pick in 2007. But Russell turned out to be a big bust in Oakland. Burrow is confident he’ll succeed in the NFL…

Cut 5 (08)  “…fund it”

A massive party is taking place in the Big Easy and across south Louisiana on this Fat Tuesday. Rex the King of Carnival has the key to the city…
cut 6 (09) “…day and night”
There are also parades all day today in Lake Charles and Lafayette.

With two float related fatalities within days of each other involving tandem floats, New Orleans Police Superintendent Shaun Ferguson made the call to cease the use of tandem floats for the remainder of the 2020 festivities. Ferguson praised Krewes that cooperated with the last-minute changes.

Cut 14 (10) “…to do it”

Personal finance website WalletHub dissects New Orleans Mardi Gras by the numbers.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

cut  2 (33) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart

Former LSU Quarterback Joe Burrow put to rest rumors that he would pull a fast one and not play for the Bengals who are expected to draft him with the number one pick in the NFL draft on April 23rd. Burrow spoke to reporters today at the draft combine and said if Cincinnati selects him number one, he’ll play for the Bengals. The Ohio native also joked that he could drive home for dinner if drafted they drafted him.

At the NFL draft combine in Indianapolis, former LSU quarterback Joe Burrow put to rest rumors that he would not play for the Bengals if Cincinnati selected him with the top overall pick. Burrow spoke to a large group of reporters this morning.
Cut 3 (06)  “…show up”  
Some NFL reporters have speculated Burrow would pressure Cincinnati not to draft him.  Burrow will not throw at the combine, but he looks forward to meeting with several teams, including the Bengals.
With two float related fatalities within days of each other involving tandem floats, New Orleans Police Superintendent  Shaun Ferguson made the call to cease the use of tandem floats for the remainder of the 2020 festivities.  Ferguson received criticism for making the decision but he feels he made the correct choice.
Cut 13 (09) “…that decision.”

Ferguson says safety is his top priority for the citizens of New Orleans and its visitors.

Millions are celebrating Mardi Gras around the world, but no one does it bigger than New Orleans.  The celebration has a large economic impact on the Big Easy, bringing in over $1 billion annually, which is roughly 2 percent of the city’s GDP.  Personal finance website WalletHub analyst Jill Gonzales says it’s growing too.

Cut 9 (06) “…impact from 2011.″

A massive party is taking place in the Big Easy, but also across south Louisiana on this Fat Tuesday. There are parades all day in Lake Charles and Lafayette. K-PEL Radio’s Bernadette Lee says in the Hub City, the big party started this morning…

Cut 8 (26) “…Lee report

With two float related fatalities within days of each other involving tandem floats, New Orleans Police Superintendent Shaun Ferguson made the call to cease the use of tandem floats for the remainder of the 2020 festivities.  Ferguson says he wants to hold meetings in the immediate future to discuss safety measures.

Cut 12 (11) “… carnival season.”

A massive party is taking place in the Big Easy and across south Louisiana on this Fat Tuesday. There are also parades all day in Lake Charles and Lafayette. K-PEL Radio’s Bernadette Lee says multiple parades will roll through downtown Lafayette…

Cut 7 (12) “     Mardi Gras today”  

Former LSU Quarterback Joe Burrow ends speculation that he would try to force his way out of Cincinnati as he says he’ll play for the Bengals if they take him with the number one pick. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

A two-vehicle crash on I-10 in St. John the Baptist Parish Monday takes the life of 27-year-old Tyandra Lewis of Baton Rouge, who was six-months pregnant with twins, and her 7-year-old son who was riding in the back seat.  Trooper Monroe Dillon says the accident remains under investigation.

Cut 11 (12 ) “…as witness information.”

At the NFL draft combine in Indianapolis, former LSU quarterback Joe Burrow put to rest rumors that he would not play for the Bengals if Cincinnati selected him with the top overall pick. Report have speculated Burrow would pressure Cincinnati not to draft him.  Burrow will not throw at the combine but says he looks forward to meeting with several teams, including Cincinnati.

Cut 4 (09) “…think about ball.”

The town of Iowa(I-oh-ah) is celebrating Fat Tuesday with its annual Mardi Gras Run.  Kevin Barnhart has the details on this unique event.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.” 

With Mardi Gras crowds, Trooper Lt Nick Manale says pickpockets are looking for an opportunity. Don’t make it easy for them. Manale says always be mindful of where you place bags.

Cut 14 (06) “…to another location.”

A massive party is taking place in the Big Easy and across south Louisiana on this Fat Tuesday. Rex the King of Canrival has the key to the city…
cut 6 (09) “…day and night”
There are also parades all day today in Lake Charles and Lafayette. Down on the bayou, there’s a parade in Thibodaux at 1 PM and a nighttime parade in Golden Meadows.

Law enforcement warns revelers to be aware of their surroundings in an effort to keep from becoming a victim of pickpocketing. State Police Lieutenant Nick Manale says make sure to keep your belongings minimal.
Cut 13 (10) “…those thieves too.”
Over the course of the past weekend, troopers have made numerous arrests and recovered thousands of dollars in stolen items nabbed by pickpocket suspects.

The votes are in for the 5th Annual King Cake Snob Competition. This year’s competition saw nearly 2,500 cake reviews from more than 500 different cakes from 170 bakeries across the Bayou State. Andrew Alexander with King Cake Snob says last year’s overall winner Manny Randazzo fell short of defending its crown.
Cut 4 (11)_ “…to be exact”
Fremin’s Food and Furniture in New Iberia won for Best Presentation with its Pecan Praline and Cream Cheese king cake.

In southwest Louisiana, the Iowa Mardi Gras Run continues today. Run captain Rodney Victorian says a parade rolls through town with floats, horses, and four-wheelers, looking for contributions to be put in a big pot of a gumbo.
Cut 7 (13) “…of the donation.”
Gumbo will be served to the riders from two to four PM at the Knights of Columbus Hall.

A two-vehicle crash on Interstate 10 in St. John the Baptist Parish has claimed the life of a Baton Rouge mother, 27-year-old Tyandra Lewis, who was pregnant with twins. Her seven-year-old son was also killed when their vehicle was hit from behind. State Police Trooper Monroe Dillon says for some reason, they stopped in the left lane of travel…
cut 12 (09) “…avoidable”
Monroe says the driver of the other vehicle was not injured.

Despite this sad news, Mardi Gras celebrations will take place across south Louisiana today. In Iowa, revelers participate in a traditional Mardi Gras celebration where they go throughout the town seeking ingredients to cook a large pot of gumbo….
cut 9 (07) “…good gumbo”
That’s run captain Rodney Victorian, who says the gumbo will be served between two and four pm at their local Knights of Columbus Hall.

King Cake lovers have spoken, after 25-hundred reviews at King-Cake-snob-dot-com, Antoine’s Bakery was voted as the best traditional cake and Caluda won for Best Filled for its strawberry cream cheese. Caluda’s in Harahan also won for Best Flavor and Best Freshness. King Cake snob spokesperson Andrew Alexander…
cut 5 (07) “…in year five”
Fremin’s Food and Furniture in New Iberia won for Best Presentation with its Pecan Praline and Cream Cheese king cake.

At the NFL draft combine in Indianapolis, former LSU quarterback Joe Burrow put to rest rumors that he would not play for the Bengals if Cincinnati selected him with the top overall pick. Burrow spoke to a large group of reporters this morning…
cut 3 (06) “…show up”
Some NFL reporters have speculated Burrow would pressure Cincinnati not to draft him.

The investigation continues into yesterday’s fatal crash on I-10 in St. John the Baptist Parish that claimed the life of a pregnant mother, 27-year-old Tyandra Lewis of Baton Rouge and her seven-year-old son. State Trooper Monroe Dillon says they are not sure why their car stopped in the left lane of travel, which resulted in their vehicle being hit from behind…
cut 11 (12) “….as witness information”
The driver of the other vehicle was not hurt.

If you are heading out to the parades today, State Police is asking you to limit what you carry, keep your wallet in your front pocket and do not leave anything unattended…
cut 14 (06) “….to another location”
That’s Lt. Nick Manale who says Troopers have made several arrests and recovered thousands of dollars in stolen items from pickpocket suspects during this Carnival season.

The winner of the annual King Cake Snob contest is revealed did your favorite top the list? Brooke Thorington has the results.
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

Former LSU Q-B Joe Burrow jokes he may retire after news broke that his hands measured just nine inches at the NFL draft combine in Indianapolis. They are the smallest hands for a projected first-round quarterback since 2008. Burrow posted on Twitter, he plans to retire because of his tiny hands and to keep him in his thoughts.