Big and small towns will have Mardi Gras Parades this weekend. Kelli West with the Alexandria-Pineville Convention and Visitors Bureau, says tomorrow morning for the second year in a row, the town of Ball will host a big parade at 10 A-M along Highway 165….
cut 4 (09) “…as well”
Two weekends of parades also begin tonight in Acadiana. Executive Director of the Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission, Ben Berthelot, says they have a big party on February 9th at Cajun Field called Le Festival de Mardi Gras….
cut 6 (10) “…great fun”

And in New Orleans there’s controversy surrounding “Forever Lee Circle” beads which are in response to the statue of General Robert E Lee being taken down last year. Krewes are asking members not to toss them during parades.

CenturyLink announces they are adding 150 jobs in Louisiana as they are opening a new outbound sales center in Monroe. CenturyLink recently merged with Level 3 Communications. CenturyLink spokesperson Ann Marie Sartor says there was initial concern as to how the merger would affect employees in the Monroe area, but this shows their commitment to Louisiana.…
Cut 9 (10) “it well.”
A job fair will take place February 12th for anyone interested in working for CenturyLink.

Offers-dot-com surveyed a thousand people and found that Louisiana residents will spend on average 71-dollars on their Super Bowl viewing parties. Spokesperson Courtney Yarborough says there’s another category the Bayou State paces the nation in….
cut 12 (06) “…have fun”
Kick-off is at 5:30.