The state Legislature has approved two identical Congressional District maps which contain one majority-minority district, despite calls from Black lawmakers that a second one should be drawn since the African American population has grown to 33-percent. Slidell Republican and Chairwoman of the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee Sharon Hewitt says they looked at adding another majority-minority district but based on the Census data the Black population is not concentrated enough to have two Black majority voting districts
And we’re now in the thick of Mardi Gras season. New Orleans and Company spokesperson Kelly Schulz says hotel occupancy is increasing and King Cake sales are off the charts this year with bakeries having a hard time keeping up with demand.
Schulz says hotel occupancy is also in the 80-percent range for next weekend thru Fat Tuesday, but they are hoping that will increase.
Louisiana Radio Network
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The Krewe of Janus (Janice) rolls tonight at 6 PM in Monroe and there’s plenty of excitement for the return of the parade. Throws Lieutenant Hailey Kenly says it was extremely emotional having to cancel last year’s parade and so that makes this year’s event even more special. As Throws Lieutenant for the Krewe of Janus, Kenly is in charge of ordering and distributing throws and knows firsthand there’s more than three million to catch from 28 floats, so be well prepared to carry your loot home.
And in last year’s NFL draft not a single player from a Historically Black College or University was taken, something that Grambling football legends James “Shack” Harris and Doug Williams are seeking to change by introducing the HBCU Legacy Bowl. With 98 draft-eligible players taking the field at Tulane’s Yulman Stadium tomorrow and more than two dozen NFL scouts expected to be in attendance, Williams is excited about the possibility of the Legacy Bowl helping pro dreams become a reality.
Cut 15 (17) “…that they need.”
The game airs live on the NFL Network starting at 3 pm.