Fat Tuesday festivities are well underway across south Louisiana. Here’s a sample of the Grambling State Marching Band in front of Gallier Hall in New Orleans…
cut 29 (12) “…music blaring”

Over in Eunice, they are celebrating a traditional Mardi Gras, with horseback riders chasing poultry in costume…
cut 1 (33) “….I’m Brooke Thorington”

An elderly Shreveport couple was killed yesterday afternoon in a three-vehicle wreck on US Highway 84 in Desoto Parish. 81-year-old Louis Flanigan and his wife 80-year-old wife, Inell Flanigan were pronounced dead at the scene. State Trooper Jonathan Odom says Louis was driving…
Cut 6 (12) “…the Jaguar.”
Odom says the Flanigan’s were not buckled up.

President Biden delivers his first State of the Union address tonight. During the Biden administration, the U.S. has seen skyrocketing fuel prices and inflation, a chaotic pull-out from Afghanistan, continued problems at the southern border, and now the Russia-Ukraine conflict. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says the President should use tonight’s speech for some course correction…:
Cut 8 (15) “…foreign policy perspective.”
The State of the Union is at 8 PM.

President Biden’s State of the Union address is tonight, with many speculating what he may tell America and the world. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

Former disgraced Baylor football coach Art Briles has stepped down as offensive coordinator at Grambling State saying he did not want to be a distraction. The decision to hire Briles was controversial, because of how his tenure at Baylor ended. He was fired in 2016 after it was learned he and his assistants took no action against players accused of sexual assault.

State Police say 14-year-old Zashawn Dawson of Baton Rouge was killed early Monday morning on Interstate 10 in Ascension Parish. Trooper Taylor Scrantz says Dawson was thrown into oncoming traffic from the SUV he was traveling when it was hit by a vehicle driven by 24-year-old Emanual Ruiz of Pride. Scrantz says one of the passengers in Ruiz’s truck, 22-year old Tyler Melancon told officers he was the driver.

Cut  11 (09)  “…the driver.”  

Ruiz is charged with vehicular homicide and Melancon with obstruction of justice.

It’s been six months since Hurricane Ida and Terrebonne Parish President Gordon Dove says dealing with insurance providers has been a consistent issue for residents.

Cut 14 (09)  “…don’t agree with.”

Dove says residents are anxious to rebuild.

Tonight, President Biden will address the U.S. and the world in his State of the Union speech. U.L.-Monroe political science professor Joshua Stockley says while he cannot predict what the president may say, he emphasized Biden really needs tonight’s address to “move the needle…”

Cut 9 (13)  “…are historically low.”

The Cajun Tradition of chasing ingredients for gumbo takes place in Eunice today And if the act of chasing a chicken isn’t enough to get your attention, administrative assistant to the mayor, Courtney Elkins says the traditional costumes worn by horseback riders and runners are also a sight to see.

Cut 6 (12)  “…entire face.”

An elderly Shreveport couple was killed in a crash in DeSoto Parish Monday afternoon. State Police say the three-vehicle crash claimed the lives of 81-year old Louis Flanigan and his wife 80-year old Inell Flanigan, and both were unrestrained. Troopers say it happened with Louis Flanigan’s vehicle failed to yield when turning into a driveway and was struck by a truck from behind and then another when it crossed into oncoming traffic.

Six months since Hurricane Ida, Terrebonne Parish is still in recovery mode. David Grubb has the latest on the progress after the storm.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m David Grubb.” 

Tonight President Joe Biden will address the U.S. and the world in his State of the Union speech. The President’s poll numbers are on the decline and U-L-M political science professor Joshua Stockley says Mr. Biden needs to deliver a home run speech…
Cut 7 (15) “…humanitarian crisis.”
The President will speak from the House chamber at the U-S Capitol at 8 pm tonight.

Meanwhile, in Eunice they will chase chickens on horseback as part of an old-style Mardi Gras tradition that continues to live in southwest Louisiana…
cut 5 (06) “…and runners”
The chickens caught will be used to make a large pot of gumbo that hundreds of revelers can enjoy.

Today marks the six-month anniversary of Hurricane Ida and in Terrebonne Parish many residents are still battling with their insurance company over claims. But Parish President Gordon Dove says there are many positives as oil prices are helping to speed up the recovery….
cut 15 (11) “…right now”
Dove says they are also seeing fewer blue roofs as home repairs move along.

State Police arrest three people involved in a fatal crash on I-10 in Ascension Parish that killed a 14-year-old Baton Rouge teen. Trooper Taylor Scrantz says they suspect impairment on the driver that caused the crash and one of his passengers has been charged with obstruction. Scrantz says 18-year-old Catara Johnson was a passenger in the other vehicle and was arrested on gun charges…
cut 12 (10) “….firearms”

President Biden delivers his first State of the Union address tonight. Under Biden’s leadership, the U.S. has seen skyrocketing fuel prices and inflation, a chaotic pull-out from Afghanistan, continued problems at the southern border, and now the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Stockley says the President should use tonight’s speech for some course correction…:
Cut 8 (15) “…foreign policy perspective.”
The State of the Union is at 8 PM.

Today marks six months since Hurricane Ida tore its path through southeast Louisiana. Terrebonne Parish saw catastrophic damage, as utilities were knocked offline and roads were covered with debris. But Parish President Gordon Dove says Terrebonne has stepped out of the rubble and moved into recovery.
Cut 13 (11) “…going along fine.”
Dove says homeowners battling with their insurance provider over hurricane damage claims is a big issue.

It’s a day of revelry today in New Orleans as the Mardi Gras celebration reaches its peak. There are parades across south Louisiana. The Bonne Terre parade begins to roll at 11 AM in Houma, the King’s Parade starts at 10 AM in Lafayette. It’s the first of three parades in Lafayette.

And If you want to experience a Mardi Gras like no other, go to Eunice to chase poultry, but in costume. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

President Biden’s State of the Union address is tonight, with many speculating what he may tell Americans and the world. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Former disgraced Baylor football coach Art Briles has stepped down as offensive coordinator at Grambling State saying he did not want to be a distraction. The decision to hire Briles was controversial, because of how his tenure at Baylor ended. He was fired in 2016 after it was learned he and his assistants took no action against players accused of sexual assault.

State Police arrest three people in a suspected drunk driving crash that killed 14-year-old Zashawn Dawson of Baton Rouge early Monday morning on Interstate 10 in Ascension Parish. Trooper Taylor Scrantz says the SUV Dawson was traveling in, was attempting to merge back onto the interstate after pulling off to the side and was struck by a truck driven by 24-year-old Emanual Ruiz of Pride.
Cut 10 (09) “…westbound vehicle.”
Investigators suspect Ruiz was drunk and he faces vehicular homicide charges. Another person in Ruiz’s truck was charged with obstruction and a stolen gun was found in the S-U-V, so a person in that vehicle has also been charged.

Traditional Mardi Gras celebrations take place in Eunice today. Administrative Assistant to the mayor Courtney Elkins says the chasing of the chickens gets underway this morning…
cut 4 (11) “…in the gumbo”
Elkins says Fat Tuesday events start at 9 in the morning and continue into the night.