Alabama has decided to throw some shade towards Mardi Gras in New Orleans over the origin of the celebration. Billboards of sprung up throughout The Big Easy which say, “You are 114 miles from America’s original Mardi Gras” – and they are paid for by Alabama Tourism implying Mobile celebrated Carnival before New Orleans. Louisiana Mardi Gras expert Arthur Hardy says Mobile may have done it first, however…:
Cut 3 (10) “in 1857”
Hardy thinks it’s all in good fun and doesn’t feel like the Alabama campaign is in any way a threat to Mardi Gras in New Orleans.

Monroe based CenturyLink will be handling all of the major network video streams and data inside US Bank Stadium during this year’s Super Bowl. Director of Smart Solutions Jesse Sullivan says you wouldn’t believe the amount of raw data that will be used…:
Cut 26 (08) “on Sunday”

U-S Senator John Kennedy announces a plan to pay for large infrastructure projects like replacing the Jimmie Davis Bridge in Shreveport, widening I-10 in New Orleans and the Comite River Diversion Canal, which would mitigate flooding in the Baton Rouge area. Kennedy says the state can generate nearly 150-million dollars if it leverages noncash securities held by the state’s Unclaimed Property Division…:
Cut 6 (11) “win-win”
But Governor John Bel Edwards has put out a statement calling it an unrealistic proposal and calls on Kennedy to pass a bill to fund projects like the Comite River Diversion Canal.

The Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office says a 58-year-old woman has been found dead in a neighborhood pond. They say residents reported in the Denham Springs residential area that Ltanya Grimes may have fallen into the water by accident. The matter is under investigation.