There are folks celebrating Mardi Gras all over the state today despite the cold weather. These revelers in New Orleans say they came prepared…:
CUT 4 (08) “day progresses”
Forecasters say it might warm up some but the clouds are sticking around so temps probably won’t get out of the 40s for the parades.

A recent report by the Schott Foundation for Public Education shows the black male high school graduation rates in Louisiana trails whites’ by 16 points. For the 2012-13 school year, only 53-percent of black male students graduated compared to 69-percent of white males. Foundation President John Jackson says these numbers are reason for concern…:
CUT 13 (12) “to succeed”
He says the results of this study indicate a climate that doesn’t foster health living and learning environments for black males.

State Police say a train-truck crash in Desoto Parish has killed two men and left another critically injured. Trooper Matt Harris says a group of oil field vehicles were traveling on a private road yesterday afternoon when a truck, driven by 23-year-old John Watson of Centerville, approached some railroad tracks…:
CUT 7 (10) “was too late”
Watson and one passenger, 24-year-old Michael Ryder II of Goldonna, were pronounced dead at the scene. Another passenger, 35-year-old Herbert Barras III of Charenton remains in critical condition.

IBM technology announces plans for a 400-job services center in Monroe. Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo says this announcement is in addition to the 800+ jobs coming to the CenturyLink technology center which will open in March. He says this is great news for Northeast Louisiana.