8:30 LRN Newscast

Was you phone stolen during Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans? Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff deputies have discovered 282 stolen phones at short-term rental complex in the Tickfaw Area. Chief Jimmy Travis says they arrested four individuals and found more than 160 cell phones on Sunday and then made a second round of arrests on Monday…
cut 6 (08) “…be stolen”
Travis says they are working to determine the phone numbers for the stolen devices and posting those numbers on the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Facebook page.

This afternoon organizers of an effort to recall New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell will turn over what they say are the necessary number of signatures needed to force a recall election. Vice chair of the recall effort Eileen Carter says the residents of New Orleans are fed up with Cantrell’s administration…
cut 15 (08) “…your job”
Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau has once again filed a bill that would prohibit auto insurance companies from setting rates based on the gender of the driver. Luneau’s legislation has yet to receive legislative support..
cut 12 (10) “…insurance rates”
Luneau says there are no competent studies that indicate females are worse drivers.

Today is Ash Wednesday, the start of the Lenten Season. Many Catholics will stay away from eating meat today and Fridays during the Lenten Season. Gulf Seafood Institute chairman Harlon Pearce says whatever you prefer, you’ll have no trouble finding your seafood favorites…:
Cut 9 (07) “…to go around.”
Pearce says wild-caught catfish is “exploding”, crawfish are big and abundant and crabs are about to start coming ready to harvest.