Mardi Gras is now just days away, and Carnival parades are ramping up in earnest this weekend. Sunday evening, Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser will be aboard one of the floats in the Krewe of Bacchus parade – as will NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal. Nungesser says Shaq will be on float in front of his – and that’s a good thing, because he says he cannot compete with the former LSU star.

Cut 6 (08) “…is for Louisiana.”

A Lake Charles man’s sexual battery conviction was thrown out and the judge declared a new trial after an incident during jury deliberations involving a Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s captain. Sheriff Stitch Guillory says this throws out the conviction of 42-year-old Joshua Boyd.

Cut 10 (10) “…uphold the conviction.”

A man is convicted in a murder-for-hire in Terrebonne Parish. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 3 (37) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Tonight marks the final time ULM’s Keith Richard (REE-shard) will coach his team in Fant-Ewing Coliseum. Richard is retiring at the end of the season, following 15 years as a head coach at his alma mater. Richard also played at ULM, was a grad assistant and an assistant coach.

A Kaplan man faces mandatory life in prison following his conviction in a murder-for-hire plot in Terrebonne Parish. Beaux Cormier (korm-ee-AY) was found guilty of multiple counts of murder and attempted murder in connection with the 2021 murder-for-hire deaths of his sister and her neighbor. Terrebonne Parish Assistant District Attorney Dennis Elfert says they decided not to seek the death penalty.

Cut 15 (07) “…death penalty case.”

Several gang members are under arrest and several more are still on the loose in connection with fights at Pecanland Mall and Hibbett Sports in Monroe. Monroe Police Chief Victor Zordan says it’s strong in their gang-culture to post videos to social media, and police have the technology to monitor those outlets.

Cut 9 (13)  “…individuals to justice.”

A new trial was granted in a sexual battery case in Calcasieu Parish after the verdict was thrown out after an incident involving a CPSO captain. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Carnival parades are ramping up this weekend with Mardi Gras now just days away, and it looks like the weather is going to cooperate. Temperatures statewide will be in the low to mid-70s tomorrow and in the 60s on Sunday. There is, however, a chance for thunderstorms late in the day on Fat Tuesday.

Carnival parades are reaching a crescendo this weekend with Mardi Gras now just days away. This Sunday evening, Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser will be aboard one of the floats in the Krewe of Bacchus parade. Nungesser says the theme of Bacchus’ parade is the fairs and festivals that Louisiana is famous for.

Cut 4 (15) “…all over Louisiana.”

A freshman pole vaulter from LSU is killed in a crash. 18-year-old Dillon Ridenhauer was killed when her car was hit by a motorcycle. The driver of the bike, 23-year-old Bohdi Linton, also died in that crash.

Also in Baton Rouge, a member of Southern University’s Human Jukebox died after a fraternity-related event off campus. Police say 20-year-old Caleb Wilson became unresponsive at a local park and was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.

A Kaplan man is convicted in a murder-for-hire plot in Terrebonne Parish. Beaux Cormier (korm-ee-AY) was found guilty of multiple counts of murder and attempted murder in connection with the 2021 murder-for-hire deaths of his sister and her neighbor. Terrebonne Parish Assistant District Attorney Dennis Elfert says Cormier will in all likelihood spend the rest of his life behind bars.

Cut 14 (08) “…those sentences imposed.”

After getting a conviction against a man for sexual battery, Calcasieu Parish prosecutors may need to start again from square one. That’s because the judge has declared a mistrial in the case of 42-year-old Joshua Boyd because of the actions of Sheriff’s Captain Todd Ory during deliberations. Sheriff Stitch Guillory could not go into detail of what those actions are because of the ongoing internal affairs investigation; he says his heart goes out to the victim and her family.

Cut 12 (10) “…through this again.”

Carnival parades are ramping up with Mardi Gras now less than two weeks away. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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A new trial was granted in a sexual battery case in Calcasieu Parish after the verdict was thrown out after an incident involving a CPSO captain. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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A man is convicted in a murder-for-hire in Terrebonne Parish. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 3 (37) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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Carnival parades are reaching a crescendo this weekend with Mardi Gras now less than two weeks away. This Sunday evening, Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser will be aboard one of the floats in the Krewe of Bacchus parade. Nungesser says the theme of Bacchus’ parade is the fairs and festivals that Louisiana is famous for.

Cut 4 (15) “…all over Louisiana.”

Nungesser says the floats pay tribute to those fairs and festivals.

Cut 5 (13) “…fairs and festivals.”

Another big name – emphasis on the word “big” – in Bacchus’ parade is Shaquille O’Neal. Nungesser says Shaq will be on float in front of his – and that’s a good thing, because he says he cannot compete with the NBA Hall of Famer and former LSU star.

Cut 6 (08) “…is for Louisiana.”

The Krewe of Bacchus parade will roll along St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans’ Garden District at 5:15 Sunday evening.

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A suspect in turned himself in to the Monroe Police Department in connection with gang-related fights at Pecanland Mall and Hibbett Sports. 24-year-old Rayshawn Hollins was booked into the Ouachita Correctional Center and charged with rioting. Monroe Police Chief Victor Zordan (rhymes with Jordan) says it was due to a shoe release.

Cut 7 (11) “…fist fights.”

The fights occurred on February 8th. At Hibbett Sports, two victims sustained gunshot wounds and were transported to hospitals. Zordan says no one was killed in the incident.

Cut 8 (10) “…the stomach area.”

Surveillance and Facebook Live footage confirmed all parties engaged in mutual combat, and Zordan says its strong in their gang-culture to post to social media and have the technology to monitor those outlets.

Cut 9 (13)  “…individuals to justice.”

Zordan says five individuals are still wanted in connection to these incidents.

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A Lake Charles man’s sexual battery conviction was thrown out and the judge declared a new trial after an incident during jury deliberations involving a Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s captain. Sheriff Stitch Guillory says this throws out the conviction of 42-year-old Joshua Boyd.

Cut 10 (10) “…uphold the conviction.”

The actions of Captain Todd Ory, who was on-duty as courtroom security, led the judge to declare a new trial. Guillory was not at liberty to specify Ory’s actions, since an internal affairs investigation is ongoing, only saying that he strongly disagreed with them.

Cut 11 (09) “…in this case.”

Guillory reaffirmed his support for the CPSO SVU detectives, emphasizing that physical evidence was collected and presented, and the jury’s unanimous guilty verdict was justified. He acknowledged the distress caused to the victim and their family, stating the department remains committed to accountability and transparency.

Cut 12 (10) “…through this again.”

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A Kaplan man is convicted in a murder-for-hire plot in Terrebonne Parish. Beaux Cormier (korm-ee-AY) was found guilty of multiple counts of murder and attempted murder in connection with the 2021 murder-for-hire deaths of his sister and her neighbor. Terrebonne Parish Assistant District Attorney Dennis Elfert says it started with an accusation in 2019.

Cut 13 (12)  “…about that allegation.”

So Elfert says Cormier hired Dalvin Wilson of Rayne and Andrew Eskine of Carencro to kill his niece; but they killed the two women instead. Wilson was previously convicted, while Eskine confessed and took a plea deal in exchange for testimony against the other two. Elfert says Cormier will in all likelihood spend the rest of his life behind bars.

Cut 14 (08) “…those sentences imposed.”

Elfert says they decided not to seek the death penalty.

Cut 15 (07) “…death penalty case.”

Cormier will be sentenced following a post-trial hearing in May.

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Tonight marks the final time ULM’s Keith Richard (REE-shard) will coach his team in Fant-Ewing Coliseum. Richard is retiring at the end of the season, following 15 years as a head coach at his alma mater. Richard also played at ULM, was a grad assistant and an assistant coach….

Cut 16 (17) “…for me.”

ULM is suffering through a difficult season as the Warhawks are 7-and-23. Richard says he plans to still be around after he coaches his last game…

Cut 17 (12)  “…ULM.”

ULM hosts Arkansas State

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Louisiana Tech men’s basketball is looking for more scoring from Daniel Batcho. The six-foot-11 senior from France has scored just 10 points in each of the last two games. Coach Talvin Hester wants Batcho to crash the glass more….

Cut 18 (17)  “…take shots.”

Tech is at Sam Houston on Saturday.

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The second ranked LSU baseball team will spend the weekend in Frisco, Texas playing three different teams. Kade Anderson is set to start today for the Tigers. The left-hander is 2-and-0, but was upset he gave up two runs in his last start. Coach Jay Johnson says Anderson expects a lot out of himself…

Cut 19 (19) “…next week.”

The Tigers will face Kansas State at 2 PM today. The Wildcats are 4-and-4, but won three games last week, two of the victories were against ranked opponents, Arkansas and TCU. Johnson is looking forward to another tough test for his team…

Cut 20 (18) “…at bats.”

There are many unknowns with the next fiscal year’s budget that the legislature will be considering in the session that gets underway in April. A lot will ride on the outcome of next month’s vote on Amendment 2. Commissioner of Administration Taylor Barras (BAR-ah) says along with the passage of the tax reform plan last November, the passage of Amendment 2 would lead to better predictability in forming future budgets.

Cut 11 (10) “… going forward.”

The price of live and boiled crawfish in Louisiana continues to drop as Mardi Gras approaches. According to The Crawfish App Co-founder Laney King, live crawfish now average $3.75 per pound.

Cut 6 (07) “…$3.00 a pound now.”

This is the fourth straight week that the price of crawfish has gone down.

A huge pot bust in Rapides Parish. The Rapides Area Drug Enforcement Unit executed four search warrants, which netted the seizure of 170 pounds of high-grade marijuana, along with 40-thousand dollars in cash, two firearms and body armor. Tommy Carnline (KARN-line) with the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office says high-grade marijuana causes chronic users to do more aggressive things.

Cut 14 (04) “…look at it.”

U-L Lafayette received a silver award from the League of American Bicyclists for fostering a bike-friendly campus. The University’s Office of Sustainability and Community Engagement, led by Gretchen Vanicor, credits collaboration with local governments and student groups.

Cut 3 (14) “…in and around campus.” 

UL-Lafayette is the only Louisiana school to be recognized by the organization.

The price of live and boiled crawfish in Louisiana continues to drop as Mardi Gras approaches. According to The Crawfish App Co-founder Laney King, live crawfish now average $3.75 per pound.

Cut 6 (07) “…$3.00 a pound now.”

This is the fourth straight week that the price of crawfish has gone down.

For now, the budget that the legislature will be debating when the legislative session begins in April will look a lot like the current fiscal year’s budget. Commissioner of Administration Taylor Barras (BAR-ah) says there are a lot of unknowns pending the outcome of the vote on Amendment 2 next month. As such, they had to prepare a budget that does not include the provisions contained in that amendment.

Cut 10 (14) “…one-time stipend.”

A huge drug bust in Rapides Parish. Tommy Carnline (KARN-line) with the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office says the RADE Unit executed four search warrants, including at a suspected stash house, and it resulted in a huge seizure.

Cut 12 (12) “…and body armor.”

Six people were arrested without incident; one has been turned over to ICE for deportation.

U-L Lafayette is being recognized as a bike-friendly college campus. The school receives a silver award from the League of American Bicyclists – the only Louisiana school recognized by the organization. Gretchen Vanicor with the University’s Office of Sustainability and Community Engagement emphasized the importance of safe connections between areas on campus.

Cut 4 (10) “…intramural areas.”

When the regular legislative session gets underway in April, lawmakers will be considering Governor Landry’s budget proposal for the next fiscal year. Commissioner of Administration Taylor Barras (BAR-ah) says the budget proposal could change by the time lawmakers gavel into session; but for now, it looks a lot like this current fiscal year budget.

Cut 9 (11)  “…get it legally.”

U-L Lafayette received a silver award from the League of American Bicyclists for fostering a bike-friendly campus. The University’s Office of Sustainability and Community Engagement, led by Gretchen Vanicor, credits collaboration with local governments and student groups.

Cut 3 (14) “…in and around campus.” 

With crawfish season officially kicking off next week crawfish prices continue to drop, just in time for Mardi Gras. Sean Richardson has more

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Elon Musk is shaking up the federal workforce, requiring workers to list the things they’ve done or risk being fired. The White House has made downsizing the federal workforce one of its top priorities. Republican Senator John Kennedy notes that layoffs are a part of American life.

Cut 5 (11) “…the private sector.”

New Orleans Democratic Congressman Troy Carter says he has no problem with making the federal government more efficient, but he takes issue with how it’s being done.

Cut 6 (14) “…are people’s lives.”

Carter says 19-thousand federal workers in Louisiana could lose their jobs, many of whom are hard-working people.

A group files a federal lawsuit aimed at stopping an execution via lethal gas. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 3 (36) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

In the upcoming regular legislative session, Baton Rouge Representative Dixon McMakin says he will propose a bill that calls for earnings through name, image and likeness deals to be exempt from state income taxes. McMakin says schools outside of Louisiana are recruiting the Bayou State’s best prospects, and tax-free NIL compensation can help athletes decide to stay home.

Louisiana Surgeon General Ralph Abraham says health officials are on alert as the worst U.S. measles outbreak in decades spreads in Texas and New Mexico and is making its way towards Louisiana. Abraham says symptoms of cough, runny nose, sore throat and rash don’t appear right away.

Cut 11 (12) “…norm of course.”

Louisiana has yet to report a case, but Abraham urged unvaccinated individuals to get the measles vaccine, calling it the best protection.

A new federal lawsuit is filed, aiming to stop Louisiana from using lethal gas as a method of executing death row inmates. The Promise of Justice Initiative Executive Director Samantha Kennedy says gassing is a gruesome method of execution.

Cut 15 (07) “…to be so.”

Hoffman kidnapped, raped and murdered a woman in 1996.

Louisiana is considering tax breaks for student-athletes earning money from name, image, and likeness deals in order to remain competitive in college athletics. NIL deals have become essential for recruitment, alongside a pending settlement that will allow universities to directly compensate players. Baton Rouge Representative Dixon McMakin says other states are actively recruiting the best Louisiana players out of the state.

Cut 10 (09) “…we stay competitive.”

Other states, including Illinois, Alabama, and Georgia, are pursuing similar exemptions.

A man allegedly involved in a fight at a Monroe shopping mall has turned himself in. Investigators identified 24-year-old Rayshawn Hollins from surveillance footage inside the Pecanland Mall on February 8th. Hollins has a long criminal history, including drive-by shooting, illegal carrying of weapons, shoplifting and trespassing. Hollins is charged with one count of rioting in connection with the mall fight.

Opinions on Elon Musk’s treatment of federal employees vary mainly along party lines. Late last week, Musk sent an email to employees demanding that they list five things they accomplished that week or risk being fired. New Orleans Democratic Congressman Troy Carter says it’s unfair to those workers that Musk is playing games with their livelihoods.

Cut 7 (14) “…hard-working individuals.”

But Republican Senator John Kennedy says he has no problem with Musk’s approach.

Cut 4 (11) “…in the office.”

The White House has made downsizing the federal workforce one of its top priorities. Kennedy says while layoffs are always hard, they’re a part of American life.

Louisiana student athletes with name, image, and likeness deals could receive a tax break from the state.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Talk continues to ramp up on making Bourbon Street a permanent pedestrian mall. It’s been discussed before, with businesses pushing back on that notion. But following the New Year’s Day terror attack, the issue is now back at the forefront. A consultant group led by former New York Police Commissioner William Bratton has been talking with businesses owners, workers and residents throughout the French Quarter to develop a plan that balances safety and accessibility.