In Metairie, a man fell off a two-story Krewe of Argus float this afternoon. The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office says there were no serious injuries as a result. It happened around 2 o’clock at the intersection of Causeway and Veterans Boulevard, once the rider was up the parade continued.

Klint Kubiak is reportedly the new offensive coordinator for the Saints. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

The Mardi Gras party will come to an end at midnight tonight. Former interim New Orleans Police Superintendent Michelle Woodfork says the revelers are enjoying sunny but cool Fat Tuesday….

Cut 12 (08)  “..Super Mardi Gras”  

As for how Mardi Gras 2024 will be remembered, Mardi Gras Guide Publisher Arthur Hardy is quick to point out that while the Fat Lady hasn’t sung just yet he believes it will be recalled as a regular one with back-to-normal parade routes.

Cut 5 (12) “…believe me.”

As for next year Hardy believes it won’t be as calm as this year’s with Super Bowl LIX (59) on February 9th at the Superdome and Fat Tuesday three weeks later on March 4th.

It’s the pinnacle of carnival, Fat Tuesday and Mardi Gras Guide publisher Arthur Hardy says while it’s been an early carnival season it’s been a calm one for the most part in New Orleans because it doesn’t coincide with spring break.

Cut 3 (11) “…is good.”  

Next year Fat Tuesday is March 4^th so he expects bigger crowds especially with the Super Bowl in New Orleans also.

It’s Fat Tuesday and in Eunice instead of catching beads it’s a tradition to catch chickens during the chicken run. Events Coordinator, Courtney Elkins says people from around the world visited their rural town.

Cut 6 (12) “…New Zealand.”

The parade starts at 3 pm.

The Get a Pulse on PAD campaign is raising awareness of peripheral artery disease. Dr. Foluso Fakorede (fa-lou-so fak-o-ree-dee) at Cardiovascular Solutions of Central Mississippi says one in 20 adults will be diagnosed with PAD. He says fatty deposits called plaque can become clogged in your arteries like your kitchen sink…

Cut 7 (12) “…our arteries.”  

Risk factors include family history, high blood pressure, diabetes, and tobacco use. For more information about peripheral artery disease, visit PADPulse.org.

Some Big Mardi Gras parades are taking place in Lafayette, Lake Charles, Houma-Thibodaux, Alexandria, and Shreveport. There is a chance for heavy rain on Sunday, but Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says revelers know how to adjust…

Cut 8 (11) “…this year.” 

130 Louisiana State Troopers will be in New Orleans assisting NOPD for the last weekend of Carnival. Lt Melissa Matey reminds revelers to use common sense to avoid being a victim of crime, for example, do not carry large amounts of cash, avoid walking in dark areas, and remember there’s safety in numbers.

Cut 10 (10) “…that point.”

And to text the word MARDIGRAS altogether, all caps to 77295 for up-to-date info on routes and first aid stations, etc.

The governor’s proposed budget maintains the pay increase teachers received last year, but it continues to be not permanent. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (33)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

68 million people are expected to place a bet on the Super Bowl this weekend according to the American Gaming Association. Louisiana Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns says while it’s fun to place a bet, do so within your means…

Cut  14 (07) “…our message.”

The Landry Administration has presented state lawmakers with a proposed 44-billion-dollar state budget. Commissioner of Administration Taylor Barras says the proposed budget has more dollars for State Police as the governor wants to form a specific troop to work with the New Orleans Police Department in fighting crime…

Cut 4 (10) “…would be.”

130 Louisiana State Troopers will be in New Orleans assisting NOPD for the last weekend of Carnival. Lt Melissa Matey reminds revelers to use common sense to avoid being a victim of crime, for example, do not carry large amounts of cash, avoid walking in dark areas, and remember there’s safety in numbers.

Cut 10 (10) “…that point.”

And to text the word MARDIGRAS all together, all caps to 77295 for up-to-date info on routes and first aid stations, etc.

Paradegoers will be screaming “throw me something mister” this Mardi Gras weekend in all corners of the Bayou State. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 2 (33)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.” 

Walk Ons Sports Bistreaux, the Baton Rouge based franchise, announces they are moving its corporate headquarters from Baton Rouge to Atlanta. The company opened a satellite office in Atlanta in 2022. The company says Atlanta is one of the biggest restaurant industry hubs. And the move represents continued change and growth for the national brand.

Governor Jeff Landry announces he’s sending Louisiana National Guard troops to the southern border to assist the Texas National Guard in border security. The deployment is expected to cost the state three-million dollars and Landry says it’s well-spent money….

Cut 3 (05) “…in Texas”  

He says other states have also committed to sending troops to the border.

Financial problems have force the town of Boyce to lay off their entire police force except for police chief Ronald Goudeau (Good-oh). He’s hopeful the town’s financial house can get back in order, so he can hire police officers again…

Cut 8 (08) “…all around us.” 

Goudeau says he’ll continue to patrol the town daily and Rapides Parish Sheriff deputies will also assist in law enforcement duties.

Two more Louisiana educators were surprised Wednesday with the Milken Educator award, and each received a $25 thousand dollar cash prize. The recipients are Destrehan sixth grade science teacher Lauren Waguespack and Northshore High science teacher Kelly Ryan, who says she could have never prepared herself for such an award.

Cut 9 (09) “…be me.”

Christine Bayard of Johnston-Hopkins Elementary in Iberia Parish and Derrick Winn of Crestworth Elementary in Baton Rouge also received the Milken Educator award this week.

Statistics show the weekend before Mardi Gras is the deadliest of Carnival season on Louisiana roadways, and this year, Super Bowl Parties are added to the mix.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

State Police are investigating a fatal crash that claimed the life of a 14-year-old passenger Wednesday morning. They say for unknown reasons a vehicle driven by 33-year-old Henry Ezernack of Noble crossed the centerline on Highway 191 and collided with a Dodge Ram. The 14-year-old in the Dodge was not restrained and the 16-year-old driving the Ram was also unrestrained.

The Landry administration will present a proposed budget to legislators at 1 o’clock today. The administration is projecting a 64-million-dollar shortfall for the next fiscal year and a loss of 600 million when a temporary sales tax expires next July. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says it’s possible the governor’s budget will prepare the state for that fiscal cliff…

Cut 14 (10) “…or not.”

Financial problems have resulted in the town of Boyce having to lay off its entire police force, except for police chief Ronald Goudeau (Good-oh). Goudeau says he’ll continue to patrol the town daily and Rapides Parish Sheriff deputies will also assist in law enforcement duties.

Cut 7 (10) “…personal rapport”  

The Landry administration presents its first budget to state lawmakers today. Jeff Palermo has this preview…

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

And Governor Jeff Landry will hold a press conference at 11 am at the state capitol today on his trip to the southern border where he joined 11 other Republican governors in Texas Sunday and his plan to deploy National Guard troops from Louisiana to assist in Texas.

Financial problems have resulted in the town of Boyce having to lay off its entire police force, except for police chief Ronald Goudeau (Good-oh). Goudeau says the town’s finances could no longer support the salaries of his six officers…

Cut 6  (10) “..financial plan” 

Goodeau says he’ll continue to patrol the town daily and Rapides Parish Sheriff deputies will also assist in law enforcement duties.

For the past two years, the weekend leading up to Mardi Gras day have been deadly on Louisiana roads as alcohol-related crashes increase. AAA’s Don Redman says during the 2022 and 2023 Carnival seasons, there were over 600 alcohol-related crashes with over 300 serious injuries.

Cut 4 (10) “…Mardi Gras Day.”

Redman says studies show that just two drinks for the average adult are enough to impair judgement.

The Louisiana Attorney General’s Office will prosecute more cases in New Orleans as a result of a new agreement with Orleans District Attorney Jason Williams. Liz Murrill says the A-G’s office already has five prosecutors handling cases out of New Orleans and they will now take on more cases…

Cut 13 (12)  “..Attorney General’s Office”

Senate Health and Welfare Chairman Patrick McMath says a daylong meeting with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana officials about its proposed sale to Indiana-based Elevance Health produced a ton of unanswered questions. McMath is concerned it will lead to higher costs for policyholders despite the president and CEO of BCBS Louisiana telling them otherwise…

Cut 10 (08) “…increase”

Las Vegas hosts its First Super Bowl this Sunday. New Orleans hosted its first Super Bowl in 1970 at old Tulane Stadium. The Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation CEO Jay Cicero says next year they’ll be remembering the ten previous Super Bowls held in the city and they expect it will be a great event…

Cut 8 (10) “…Super Bowl here.” 

A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences suggests global warming has prompted the need for an additional Saffir-Simpson scale storm category. LSU Climatologist Barry Keim says the jury is still out…

Cut 5 (11) “…it’s necessary.”  

Keim notes Pacific storms are routinely stronger because there’s less land to weaken their intensity.

Senate Health and Welfare Chairman Patrick McMath says a daylong meeting with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana about its proposed sale to Indiana-based Elevance Health produced a ton of unanswered questions. McMath says the sale will create a foundation to address poverty and health inequities, but there are a lot of unknowns.

Cut 9 (11) “…incredibly vague”

Due to the growing intensity of storms, there’s talk of adding a Category 6 for hurricanes. A Cat 6 would be defined as wind speeds of more than 192 miles per hour. But LSU Climatologist Barry Keim says considering the last one that even came close in the Atlantic was Hurricane Allen in 1980 at 190 miles per hour, there’s no need.

Cut 3 (07) “…this category.”  

With the shortage of truck drivers, there are initiatives underway to recruit more women to the profession, but Executive Director of the Louisiana Motor Transport Association Renee Amar says there are legitimate safety concerns for female drivers with the lack of truck parking. Because truckers are limited by the number of driving hours, looking for a safe area to pull off the road is problematic.

Cut 6 (07) “…for them.”

King Charles has been diagnosed with cancer and will be stepping away from royal duties. LSU History Professor Meredith Veldman says she does admire that the King has opted to go public with his health concerns and notes that it is harder however to keep such information private upon the advent of social media.

Cut 15 (11) “…about it.”

The kind of cancer King Charles has been diagnosed with has not been made public.

Eleven months after McNeese State signed basketball coach Will Wade to its second largest contract ever at $1.175 million for five years he’s been signed to a new five-year contract at $700,000 annually. The Cowboys will have a noon presser today on the contract extension.

Port of New Orleans cruise passenger numbers are back to pre-pandemic levels with one point two million passenger movements. Teiko Foxx has more.

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

Due to the shortage of truck drivers, the Louisiana Motor Transport Association is encouraging more women to join the workforce with the initiative “Women in Motion.” Executive Director of LMTA Renee Amar says while women make up 50 percent of the workforce…

Cut 4 (12) “…in driving.”

Depending on what is being hauled and how far, she says drivers can make annually anywhere from $40,0000 to $120,000.

King Charles III has been diagnosed with cancer and will be stepping away from royal duties as he undergoes treatment. LSU History Professor Meredith Veldman says there are mechanisms in place to fill his role as he undergoes treatment.

Cut 14 (12) “…(x2) Counsellors of State.”

As for the line of succession upon King Charle’s death, Prince William will become King followed by his eldest son George.