At least two people are reportedly dead and many more were injured from gunfire during a Mardi Gras celebration in the Evangeline Parish town of Mamou. Shots were fired when musician Chris Ardoin was performing at the Mamou Mardi Gras Zydeco concert. Ardoin went on Facebook to say he’s done performing outdoor shows…

Cut 9 (08)  “…make it home.”

In Washington Parish, five people were injured during the Pepe Mardi Gras parade in Franklinton Sunday leading some to question the future of the parade and that has prompted Keneshia Neal to start a petition to preserve the event. She says the actions of a few should not overshadow a tradition that has united the community for over 50 years. She adds, canceling the parade would not address the root causes of violence but would deprive residents of a cultural cornerstone. The petition can be found at change dot org slash Franklinton.

With the help of a former Dateline NBC correspondent, the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office busts several men in an online solicitation sting. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

2025 may have begun with Tragedy for New Orleans, but after a successful Super Bowl and Mardi Gras, NOPD Superintendent Chief Anne Kirkpatrick praised the partnerships between local, state, and federal law enforcement.

Cut 5 (07) “…emergency declaration.”

Many former federal employees who were laid off by Elon Musk’s DOGE unit were in the House chambers watching President Trump’s address to the joint session of Congress last night. Among them was former auditor at the USDA in New Orleans, Chante Powell, a guest of congressman, Troy Carter who says letting Powell go is the opposite of what DOGE is trying to do.

Cut 11 (15) “…as an auditor.”

Louisiana’s upcoming legislative session plans to address rising insurance costs by passing legal reforms. Plaquemine Representative Chad Brown, the vice chairman of the Insurance Committee,

says Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple isn’t going to constrain companies from making bigger profits.

Cut 15 (09) “…into the state.”

After a very difficult and tragic start to 2025, New Orleans is recovering first with a successful Super Bowl, and now New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell says Mardi Gras was a success.

Cut 3 (19) “…city of New Orleans”

Cantrell emphasized the partnership between local, state, and federal law enforcement.

Two people are dead and two are in critical condition after a shooting at a Mardi Gras Concert in Mamou yesterday. KLFY reports that at least nine people were injured when at least 10 gunshots rang out during the concert and the crowd ran for cover. One person of interest is in custody, but authorities believe more people are involved and they believe there are more victims that have not come forward. Organizers of the event say it all started with a fight between two people.

Rising insurance costs are on the agenda for the upcoming Legislative session and Plaquemine Representative Chad Brown, the vice chairman of the Insurance Committee, says lawmakers have listened to auto insurance companies about what needs to be changed for them to return to Louisiana but says some suggestions don’t make sense.

Cut 14 (10) “…out of line.”

Today is Ash Wednesday the beginning of the 40 days of Lent and this year especially the hearts of Christians are with Pope Francis as he continues to battle major health issues. Christian talk show host Teresa Tomeo (TOM-ee-oh) says this year is a reversal of sorts.

Cut 7 (13) “…him in prayer.”

During Lent, many Christians abstain from eating meat on Fridays and opt for seafood instead. Gulf Seafood Institute Chairman Harlon Pearce says this year’s seafood supply is strong, with crawfish in abundance.

Cut 4 (07) “…after Mardi Gras.”

Gulf shrimp and crab are also in good shape.

Senator Bill Cassidy is reacting to the tariffs that President Trump has imposed on Canada and Mexico. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson will be sitting directly behind President Trump as the president addresses a joint session of Congress tonight. Johnson says Trump has many accomplishments in his first 43 days back in office that he can tout tonight.

Cut 3 (13) “…much to celebrate.”

An Oil City Grandfather is arrested for battery on a peace officer after Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office says 70-year-old Gary Fenner attacked a resource officer at Northwood High School Tuesday morning. Shortly before Fenner arrived at the school to check out his grandson, it had been placed on lockdown due to a possible tornado. Deputy Nunnery reportedly informed Fenner that he could not release the student during a lockdown and Fenner allegedly charged at Nunnery with an umbrella and threatened to kill the deputy. Fenner was tased but got up and attempted to fight Nunnery.

Louisiana Tech’s College of Business now offers students and faculty access to nine Bloomberg Terminals.  Associate Dean Dr. William McCumber says integrating the Terminals into the curriculum will better prepare students for careers in business as they provide real-time financial data, analytics, and research essential for understanding complex business environments.

Cut 7 (15) “…remarkable for research.”

The threat of severe weather has not slowed the Fat Tuesday celebration in New Orleans. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

A Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Deputy has been arrested for cruelty to a juvenile. State Police say their investigation found 2 separate occasions where 28-year-old Matthew Frost of Lafayette committed the crime against a single victim last June. The investigation is ongoing, but Frost was arrested Monday and booked into the Lafayette Parish Correctional Center on 2 counts of felony cruelty to a juvenile.

Today President Trump imposed 25-percent tariffs on all imports from Canada and Mexico. Senator Bill Cassidy says part of the reason is national security.

Cut 9 (09)  “…a good thing.”

Cassidy says the tariffs are also meant to crack down on illegal border crossings. Canada and Mexico have each reacted by imposing tariffs of their own against the United States.

President Trump addresses a joint session of Congress tonight. House Speaker Mike Johnson says there’s much to celebrate with multiple accomplishments since the president took office and he says Republicans’ message is resonating with the American people.

Cut 4 (10) “…see similar numbers.”

Senator Bill Cassidy is reacting to the tariffs that President Trump has imposed on Canada and Mexico. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

President Trump will address a joint session of Congress tonight. House Speaker Mike Johnson says Trump has many accomplishments in his first 43 days back in office that he can tout tonight and he says soon, the American people will reap the benefits of the Republican agenda.

Cut 5 (09) “…all of us ran on.”

Louisiana Tech’s College of Business now offers students and faculty access professional-grade financial data and analytics tools with nine Bloomberg Terminals.  Associate Dean Dr. William McCumber says four of them are accessible 24/7 in common areas and five of them are in Ray’s Financial Trading Room, where Student Managed Investment Fund analysts train.

Cut 6 (11) “…around the globe.”

Anyone with Louisiana Tech credentials can create a Bloomberg profile and access the resource.

The threat of stormy weather may have altered Mardi Gras parade plans but it has not dampened the spirits of revelers on this Fat Tuesday in New Orleans. Large crowds were on hand for the Zulu and Rex parades. Mayor LaToya Cantrell says it’s great to see…

Cut 12 (13) “…on today.”

Severe weather is expected to move into Louisiana tomorrow and that means Mardi Gras celebrations will be cut short. In New Orleans Marching krewes and truck parades will not parade but Zulu will roll at 7 a.m. and Rex at 9 a.m. but and all parades must wrap up by noon. Collin Arnold, New Orleans’ director of homeland security and emergency preparedness, says while Mayor LaToya Cantrell has input and influence, she wasn’t the decision-maker in this instance.

Cut 13 (04)  “…of that decision.”

Arnold says not all floats are able to withstand high winds.

Jefferson Parish has cancelled both of their parades. Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng says if those wind speeds are high enough to keep buses and Entergy crews off the roads, they’re certainly high enough to make conditions for a parade unsafe.

Cut 4 (14) “…tents, chairs, tarps.”

Parade times in New Roads, Kaplan, and Franklin have been moved up and Mardi Gras Festival in Cajun Field in Lafayette has been cancelled.

Authorities have made at least one arrest in a shooting that wounded five people after Mardi Gras parade in Franklinton last night. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (24) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain met with U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollands on how to deal with the effects of bird flu and how to get egg prices under control.

Cut 9 (17)  “…and for poultry.”

The Bird flu has had a significant impact on egg prices and Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain met with U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollands getting prices under control and help farmers who have lost millions. The US is temporarily allowing imported eggs to help ease the prices and allow farmers time to rebuild their supply. Strain says there is not an overnight solution but is confident that in time egg prices should be back under control, and back to normal.

Cut 11 (03) “…gonna be riots.”

The state is forecast to have its first major potential spring weather event and unfortunately it arrives on Fat Tuesday. Meteorologist Mattt Hemingway with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says the severe weather threat begins tomorrow morning….

Cut 6 (11) “…there as well.”

Mardi Gras parades will not be rolling in Jefferson Parish tomorrow. Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng says that’s because the high winds in the forecast will make conditions unsafe.

Cut 3 (11) “…hour is possible.”

While parades in Jefferson Parish are cancelled tomorrow due to the high winds, New Orleans is working to allow some parades to roll.  Zulu will roll at 7 a.m. and Rex at 9 a.m. Marching krewes and truck floats will not be allowed, and all parades must wrap up by noon. Collin Arnold, New Orleans’ director of homeland security and emergency preparedness, says not all floats are able to withstand high winds.

Cut 14 (12) “…wind as others.”

Lafayette has cancelled Mardi Gras Festival in Cajun Field and the towns of Kaplan, Crowley, New Roads and Franklin have moved their parade times up.

Severe weather is putting a damper on Mardi Gras parades. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

In New Orleans, Zulu will roll at 7:00 am and Rex at 9:00am. Marching krewes and truck parades will not be allowed, and all parades must wrap up by noon. Collin Arnold, New Orleans’ director of homeland security and emergency preparedness, says the city made the most of a tricky situation.

Cut 12 (06) “…the last day.”

In Lafayette, Mardi Gras Festival in Cajun Field has been cancelled. Parade times have been moved up in the towns of Kaplan, Crowley, New Roads and Franklin.

The state is forecast to have its first major potential spring weather event and North Louisiana will be under an enhanced risk for severe thunderstorms which could include strong winds, hail and the possibility of tornados. Meteorologist Mattt Hemingway with the National Weather Service in Shreveport…

Cut 8 (11) “…through sunset.”

In an effort to get egg prices under control after bird flu caused an increase, Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain met with Secretary of U-S Department of Agriculture Brooke Rollands. Strain says imported of eggs will be allowed into the United States temporarily to help and allow poultry farmers time to increase the egg supply.

Cut 10 (15) “…rebuild the population.”

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.”

A recent study found that a third of restaurants sampled in Lafayette restaurants that claimed to be serving Gulf-caught shrimp were actually serving imported shrimp. Sherry Blanchard, with the Southern Shrimp Alliance, says imported shrimp is less safe.

Cut 3 (14) “…polluted waters.”

Granted, most Mardi Gras visitors head to New Orleans but we know it’s something that the whole state celebrates. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

After talking to a counterpart at a lieutenant governor’s conference, Lt Governor Billy Nungesser wants to promote Mardi Gras as a statewide celebration. He says even those who regularly take in Carnival celebrations in New Orleans should expand their horizons.

Cut 11 (11) “…of the state.”

He wants others to know there are many family friendly parades and events.