Happy Mardi Gras! It may just be a Tuesday for most of the country, but here it’s Fat Tuesday and Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says Mardi Gras is a time for everyone to come together.

Cut 12 (10) “…to be great.”

A Baton Rouge businessman is looking to form a public-private partnership to buy Spirit Airlines and move its headquarters to New Orleans. John Miller says the purchase of Spirit Airlines is the first step in making Louis Armstrong International a hub airport, that would be the foundation of a 12-billion-dollar annual economic impact for New Orleans, with five-million new visitors

Cut 5 (05) “…to almost 500.”

Miller says making the Airport a hub can further transform Spirit Airlines by opening it up to international destinations.

Legendary West Monroe football coach Jerry Arledge has died at the age of 83. Andre Champagne has more.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

On Valentine’s Day, Leland and Gussie Lacaze (luh-KAH-zuh) were honored as this year’s longest known married couple in Louisiana. Family forum president Gene Mills says the couple receives recognition from the governor, cakes, and gifts. They will also receive a wish from Mr. Lacaze’s bucket list, a trip to the World War Two Museum in New Orleans.

Cut 9 (09)  “…them down there.”

The Natchitoches Parish couple has been husband and wife for 79 years.

A Baton Rouge businessman is looking to form a public-private partnership to buy Spirit Airlines and move its headquarters to New Orleans. John Miller, the founder of Country Club of Louisiana, says if he buys the financially troubled ultra-low-cost airline, disregard everything you know about it.

Cut 4 (08) “…of these extras.”

Most of the country got up and went to work this morning but Louisiana is celebrating Mardi Gras and Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is hosting six travel writers as they ride in the Krewe of Bogue Falaya parade in Covington. Nungesser says hundreds of thousands of people travel to Louisiana for the Mardi Gras weekend, and the out of state revelers are not just going to New Orleans.

Cut 11 (10) “…up every year.”

This past weekend, Leland and Gussie Lacaze (luh-KAH-zuh) of Natchitoches Parish were honored as the state’s longest married couple. Jeff Palermo ahs the story.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Northeast Louisiana has lost a high school coaching legend. Former West Monroe football coach Jerry Arledge has died at the age of 83. He was defensive coordinator for eight state championships and then succeeded coach Don Shows as head coach. KNOE-TV Sports Director Aaron Dietrich says Arledge and Shows changed the trajectory of West Monroe’s football program.

Cut 15 (07) “…Louisiana ever again.”

It’s just Tuesday for most of the country today; but here, it is Fat Tuesday, filled with Mardi Gras parades across south Louisiana. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser is riding in the Krewe of Bogue Falaya in Covington this morning and he’s joined by six travel writers.

Cut 10 (06) “…on a float.”

Nungesser says hundreds of thousands of people travel to Louisiana for the Mardi Gras weekend, and the out of state revelers are not just going to New Orleans.

 On Valentine’s Day, Leland and Gussie Lacaze (luh-KAH-zuh) of Robeline were honored as this year’s longest known married couple. For 79 years, the Natchitoches Parish couple has been husband and wife. Family forum president Gene Mills says the couple met in May 1945.

Cut 7 (13) “…they got married.”

A Baton Rouge businessman is seeking to form a public-private partnership to buy a financially troubled airline. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Legendary high school coach Jerry Arledge died this past weekend at the age of 83. Arledge served as West Monroe’s defensive coordinator for the Rebels eight state championships from 1992 to 2012. KNOE-TV Sports Director Aaron Dietrich…

Cut 13 (11)  “…period of time.”

Three people died in a horrific and tragic scene on I-12 in Livingston Parish yesterday. Authorities say a small sedan used the westbound exit ramp and entered the interstate in the wrong direction near Albany and collided head-on with an RV and caught fire on impact. All three occupants of the sedan including a 9-year-old child were pronounced dead at the scene. The occupants of the RV were able to exit the RV and suffered minor injuries.

A free app that allows drivers to be notified of police pursuits is being rolled out in Iberville Parish. It was on LA 1 on New Year’s Eve 2022 where 17-year-old Maggie Dunn and 16-year-old Caroline Gill were killed by Addis Police Officer who was driving 86 miles an hour while pursuing the driver of a stolen vehicle. Gill’s father, Jason, is thankful that the Iberville Sheriff’s office is rolling out this technology.

Cut 4 (04) “…in those pursuits.”

A 12-foot, one-thousand-pound, great white shark was recently tracked off of Louisiana’s coast, near the Chandeleur Islands east of New Orleans. Doctor Sean Powers, director of the Stokes School of Marine and Environmental Sciences at University of South Alabama, says it’s rare to see a great white shark near the Northern Gulf coast, but not unprecedented

Cut 9 (12)  “…over fishing.”

Legendary football coach Pat Collins will be remembered during funeral services tomorrow in Monroe. Collins led Northeast Louisiana University, now known as ULM, to the Division One-Double-A Championship in 1987 and was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 2015/ Collins also coaches at local high schools, West Ouachita and Ouachita. Former N-L-U receiver and assistant coach, Tag Rome …

Cut 8 (08) “…were his family.”

Another death is being attributed to the January Ice storms in North Louisiana. Last week a young Pineville man was killed while clearing damaged trees in Ouachita Parish. Authorities say 26-year-old Hunter Ray was struck by a tree that fell in an unintended direction as Ray was trying to get out of the way. It happened in the backyard of a residence.

The Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Office rolls out new technology aimed at notifying drivers of nearby pursuits. Vehicles in the department are being equipped with the Pursuit Alert Digital Siren. Sheriff Brett Stassi says it allows deputies to press a single button to notify drivers of pursuits.

Cut 3 (10) “…ahead of them.”

The app is available for free on Apple and Android devices.

Starting next year LSU will wear jersey patches sponsored by an Australian Company that’s building an L-N-G production and export terminal in southwest Louisiana. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Funeral services honoring Legendary football coach Pat Collins will be held tomorrow in Monroe. Collins led Northeast Louisiana University, now known as ULM, to the Division One-Double-A Championship in 1987 and was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 2015. Former NLU receiver Tag Rome was an assistant coach on the ‘87 national championship team and says Coach Collins was tough on his players, but was a strong leader…

Cut 7 (11) “…was spirtual.”

LSU Athletic jerseys will be sporting a new patch in the 2026/2027 season. In a multi-year precedent-setting deal, 21 of the Tiger’s competition apparel will sport the Woodside Energy Logo. No specific details about what the Australian based company is going to be paying for the privilege.  It’s reported to be a multimillion-dollar deal and covers every sport. The NCAA is allowing the patches but they will not be allowed on jersey’s during championship games.

Funeral services for Legendary football coach Pat Collins is tomorrow in Monroe. Collins led Northeast Louisiana University, now known as ULM, to the Division One-Double-A Championship in 1987. Former N-L-U receiver Tag Rome was an assistant coach on that national championship team and says Coach Collins was a father figure, and you knew where you stood with him…

Cut 6 (07) “…he was.”

The Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Office rolls out new technology to warn drivers of oncoming pursuits. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The town of Oberlin is morning an 8^th Grade Student of the Year. 14-year-old Kulyn Brooks was killed in a hit-and-run over the weekend. Investigators say the teen was crossing Hwy 165 on an electric bicycle Saturday when he was hit by a white dully truck that was pulling a horse trailer. Allen Parish Authorities are looking for the driver of the truck they observed on footage from a nearby camera and that they believe hit the teen and drove away. In October, Kulyn was named eighth-grade Student of the Year at Oberlin High School. He was an alter boy at his church and a multi-sport athlete. Crime Stoppers is offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest in the case.

The incumbent and President Trump’s endorsee in Louisiana’s U.S. Senate race have both qualified for the ballot on the third and final day of qualifying. Julia Letlow qualified shortly before 10:30 Friday morning, and Bill Cassidy followed suit about 90 minutes later. Letlow toured her work in the U.S. House, particularly working with the Trump administration with border security.

Cut 12 (09) “…no longer.”

Incumbent Senator Bill Cassidy says he has a proven record of delivering conservative results for Louisiana. His campaign says the race will be decided by records and Cassidy’s results in Washington D.C. hold up against anyone in Louisiana.

Cut 14 (10) “…paying jobs”

Southwest Louisiana businessman Lee Mallett is the new chairman of the LSU Board of Supervisors, Louisiana Illuminator reporter Piper Hutchinson says he’s not afraid to get involved in the day-to-day LSU activities. He’s also friends with former LSU basketball coach Will Wade and with the Tigers basketball program having another bad season, she says Mallett’s appointment raises speculation Wade could return to LSU…

Cut 7 (12) “…will materialize.”

LSU women’s basketball team will take on South Carolina tomorrow. The Tigers enter Saturday’s top 6 showdown with the No. 1 scoring offense in the nation, averaging just over 96 points per game. Reed Darcey of The Advocate says buckets could be sparse on Saturday as the Gamecocks play suffocating defense.

Cut 10 (13) “…playing a slower game.”

Southwest Louisiana businessman Lee Mallett is the new chairman of the LSU Board of Supervisors, replacing Scott Ballard. Mallett has been on the LSU Board for 14 years. Louisiana Illuminator reporter Piper Hutchinson says Mallett is not afraid to get involved in the day-to-day activities of the LSU System…

Cut 6 (12) “…faculty affairs.”

It’s the big carnival weekend as we approach Mardi Gras and preparations are in place to make sure that it’s safe for everyone. Security in New Orleans is at its highest level from now through Tuesday. New Orleans Deputy Mayor of Public Safety Michael Harrison says the French Quarter Enhanced Security Zone is in effect. He says the only people who will be able to drive into the French Quarter will be emergency personnel, residents and hotel guests.

Cut 10 (05) “…in those hotels.”

President Trump has pardoned the late Billy Cannon for the counterfeiting charges he was convicted of in 1983. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The sixth-ranked LSU women’s basketball team will take on third-ranked South Carolina tomorrow evening in front of a sold-out Pete Maravich Assembly Center. The Tigers haven’t beaten the Gamecocks since 2012, but Reed Darcey of The Advocate says they will have a chance to change that if they do three specific things.

Cut 9 (07)  “…defensive end of the floor.”

Tipoff is at 7:30 p.m.

U.S. Senate candidate John Fleming claims that Julia Letlow’s entrance into the race is part of a grand plan by Governor Jeff Landry to one day appoint himself as a U.S. Senator. Fleming described this alleged scheme with reporters after he qualified for the Senate Republican primary.

Cut 26 (14) “…of a college.”

Landry shot back at Fleming by saying anyone who makes stuff up like that may not be fit for office.

President Trump has posthumously pardoned LSU legend Billy Cannon for his involvement in a counterfeiting scheme that sent him to prison for two-and-half years. Afterwards, he returned to dentistry and in 1995 was hired as a dentist at the Louisiana State Penitentiary where he worked on inmates’ teeth and helped offenders reform. His daughter, Bunnie Cannon says his counterfeiting conviction does not define her father…

Cut 5 (11) “…came to be”

Cannon died in 2018.

A cold front will bring strong storms to the state this Mardi Gras weekend. But LRN Meteorologist Bill Jacquemin reports the heavy rainfall and lightning should take place after the parades roll tomorrow.

Cut 3 (33) “…meteorologist Bill Jacquemin.”

If your sweetheart is hoping for Valentine’s Day crawfish, it will cost you more this year than last. The Crawfish App founder, Laney King says this weekend, expect to pay around $6.22 per pound for live mudbugs and around $8.69 per pound for boiled. Last year the average this time of year was around $4.00 per pound. Though prices dropped a dollar per pound at the docks this week, they were higher because of the unusually cold conditions that are finally warming up.

Six Republicans have qualified for the May 16^th primary ballot in the Fifth Congressional District. Among them, Baton Rouge State Senator Rick Edmonds who says he will fight for Louisiana values in Washington.

Cut 7 (13) “…fight, fight, fight.”

The Fifth District also includes northeast Louisiana. Chair of the Board of Regents, Misti Cordell who also qualified yesterday says since she’s from northeast Louisiana, she’s the one best suited to represent the district – not someone who lives in New Iberia. She’s referring to State Senator Blake Miguez who is also running for the seat though he lives outside the district.

Cut 9 (09)  “…in that area.”

Austin Magee, Michael Mebruer and Sammy Wyatt have also qualified for the Republican primary. Qualifying ends tomorrow afternoon.

A big weekend of Mardi Gras parades is coming up, but there is the threat of severe weather. LRN Meteorologist Bill Jacquemin gives us the details.

Cut 3 (32) “…meteorologist Bill Jacquemin.”

If you plan to vote in the May 16^th primary election, you may want to check the inactive voter list. Today’s Advocate newspaper published 99 pages of names and addresses of inactive voters in East Baton Rouge Parish alone. You can check your status on the Secretary of State’s website at GEAUX VOTE DOT COM.