Mardi Gras isn’t just for New Orleans – it’s something that the whole state celebrates. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

They’re celebrating the start of phase two of their downtown revitalization project in Monroe.  City leaders broke ground at Fourth and Desiard Streets yesterday.  The project includes a pedestrian experience with landscaping, green drainage, bike racks, wider sidewalks, decorative pavers, and an upgraded crosswalk for  safety.

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Mardi Gras in Louisiana is a time of fun, parades, and celebration, but it also comes with risks—especially head injuries, from. Common causes include tripping on curbs, falling off floats, or getting hit while scrambling for beads. Ochsner Neurology Group Nurse Practitioner Kadyn Brooks says to stay safe, be aware of your surroundings,

Cut 12 (11) “…with your head.”

Do you know where your shrimp is coming from?  A study found that in Lafayette, one-third of restaurants sampled that claimed to be serving locally-caught shrimp were actually serving imported shrimp instead. Sherry Blanchard, a board member at the Southern Shrimp Alliance says imported shrimp is a lot less safe.

Cut 3 (14) “…polluted waters.”

In Calcasieu Parish a new trial is granted in in a sexual battery case, the initial verdict thrown out after an incident involving a Sheriff’s Captain.  Sean Richardson has more.

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A tragic loss for Southern University as a member of the Human Jukebox died early yesterday morning, after a fraternity related event off campus.  Authorities say 20 year old Caleb Wilson became unresponsive at a local park and was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. Southern has  issued an order halting all membership intake activities for campus organizations until further notice.

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A suspect has turned himself in in Monroe in connection with gang-related fights over a shoe release at Pecanland Mall.  24-year-old Rayshawn Hollins is facing a rioting charge.   Monroe Police Chief Victor Zordan

Cut 8 (10) “…the stomach area.”

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, which this year celebrates the fairs and festivals of our great state..

Cut 5 (13) “…fairs and festivals.”

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.”

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 Tod Ory. Sheriff Stitch Guillory was not at liberty to specify what happened as an investigation is ongoing

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Carnival parades are ramping up as the countdown to Mardi Gras continues. Andrew Greenstein reports.

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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….

A tragic loss for Southern University as a member of the Human Jukebox died early yesterday morning, after a fraternity related event off campus.  We’re told 20 year old Caleb Wilson, became unresponsive at a local park and was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. Southern has issued an order halting all membership intake activities for campus organizations until further notice.

LSU is mourning the loss of freshman pole-vaulter Dillon Ridenhauer,  who was killed in a traffic accident Wednesday night.  The 18 year old 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.

A Lake Charles man’s sexual battery conviction was thrown out, the judge declaring a new trial after an incident during jury deliberations involving a Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s captain.  But Sheriff Stitch Guillory tells us…

Cut 10 (10) “…uphold the conviction.”

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

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

Cut 7 (11) “…fist fights.”

It’s being called the worst U.S. measles outbreak in decades.  And now a child in West Texas has died, becoming the first person in the U.S. to die of measles in ten years. In all, Texas and New Mexico have reported more than 120 cases of the measles. Louisiana Surgeon General Ralph Abraham, who recently ended state-sponsored mass vaccination promotions, maintains the vaccine is safe and effective.

Cut 13 (06)  “…it’s good for life.”

Louisiana is considering tax breaks for student-athletes earning money from name, image, and likeness. Other states, including Illinois, Alabama, and Georgia, are pursuing similar exemptions.  . Baton Rouge Representative Dixon McMakin’s bill would exempt NIL earnings from state income tax, and says it’s about staying competitive.

Cut 9 (17)  “…to be competitive.”

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Mixed reaction from Louisiana lawmakers as Elon Musk shakes up the federal workforce, requiring workers to list the things they’ve done or risk being fired. And for the most part, that reaction seems to be split down party lines. Republican Senator John Kennedy says he has no problem with Musk’s approach, saying layoffs are part of American life.

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

Cut 6 (14) “…are people’s lives.”

Elon Musk is shaking up the federal workforce, and reaction is split down party lines. Here’s Andrew Greenstein.

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Health officials are on alert as the worst U.S. measles outbreak in decades spreads in Texas and New Mexico.  That’s according to Louisiana Surgeon General Ralph Abraham who’s urging those who haven’t yet to get the measles vaccine, calling it the best protection.

Cut 12 (09) “…two-dose vaccine.”

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A new federal lawsuit has been filed, aiming to stop Louisiana from using lethal gas as a method of executing death row inmates. The Promise of Justice Initiative filed the lawsuit on behalf of Jessie Hoffman, who’s set to be executed via nitrogen hypoxia on March 18th for abducting, raping and killing a woman in 1996. Executive Director Samantha Kennedy says nitrogen hypoxia is an unconstitutional method of execution.

Cut 14 (12) “…to be painless.”

Attorney General Liz Murrill says the Promise of Justice Initiative has an uphill climb in its quest to stop the state from using nitrogen hypoxia, since it has not identified an alternate method.

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

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Louisiana’s considering tax breaks for student-athletes earning money from name, image, and likeness deals to remain competitive in college athletics. Baton Rouge Representative Dixon McMakin’s bill would exempt NIL earnings from state income tax.

Cut 8 (08) “…everything we do.”

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Louisiana Surgeon General Ralph Abraham says that health officials are on alert as the worst U.S. measles outbreak in decades spreads in Texas and New Mexico. 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.

Elon Musk is shaking up the federal workforce, requiring workers to list the things they’ve done or risk being fired. Exactly how Louisiana’s delegation views his actions vary widely, mainly along party lines. Republican Senator John Kennedy says he has no problem with Musk’s approach.

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Senator Bill Cassidy is urging you to get vaccinated against measles. Andrew Greenstein reports.

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Veterinarians and animal welfare professionals have come out in opposition of using nitrogen hypoxia, or gas suffocation, in executing humans. The industry has long opposed gassing for animals as it led to seizures and bleeding from the mouth and eyes.

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The first human execution using nitrogen gas is set for March 18th.

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Congressman Clay Higgins announced that Iraq is purchasing an additional 88-thousand metric tons of U.S. long-grain milled rice.  Higgins asked Iraq to complete its commitment by purchasing the remaining 70-thousand metric tons of rice under the MOU. U-S Rice COO Sarah Moran says Iraq did just that.

Cut 15 (08) “…2025 MOU year.”

Moran says this agreement is  a win-win for Louisiana farmers and Iraq.

At this point, you can call former State Treasurer John Schroder a professional parade rider. The man who ran for governor in 2023 has ridden in more than 130 parades.  And now that he’s retired, the 63 year old is doing even more of them.  He’s ridden in the parades of more that 50 different organizations.

Cut 9 (10)  “…different female parades.”

Schroder says his ultimate goal is to ride in every Carnival parade, including the King of Carnival

Congressman Clay Higgins announced that Iraq is purchasing an additional 88-thousand metric tons of U.S. long-grain milled rice.  Higgins says Iraq’s rice purchases have a significant impact on South Louisiana’s economy.  Earlier this month, Higgins met with Iraqi Ambassador H.E. Nizar Al-Khairallah to discuss strengthening U.S.-Iraq trade relations. U-S Rice COO Sarah Moran says the latest agreement is a win-win for Louisiana farmers and Iraq.

Cut 14 (14) “…with one another.”

There’s an outbreak of the measles right now in West Texas.  Senator Bill Cassidy says the disease is headed for Louisiana and he’s urging all of us to be prepared by getting your measles vaccine recommended by State Surgeon General Dr. Ralph Abraham.

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Veterinarians and Animal Welfare professionals speak out against executing death row inmates with nitrogen gas.  Sean Richardson has more.

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Former state treasurer John Schroder is what you might call a professional parade rider now.  The former state representative from St. Tammany Parish who made a run for governor in 2023 has ridden in more than 130 parades and says by the time this Carnival season ends, that number will be higher.

Cut 8 (08) “…fully participate in.”

Veterinarians and animal welfare professionals oppose nitrogen hypoxia, or gas suffocation, as a method of execution of humans. They are urging Governor Landry to reconsider its use as the state plans to use this method in its first execution in 15 years. Veterinarian Dr. Mike Greenberg says only two states are still using nitrogen gas.

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Measles may be a very rare disease today, but it is highly contagious and can be potentially deadly. There’s currently an outbreak in West Texas, and Senator Bill Cassidy says it’s headed for Louisiana.

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Symptoms include cough, runny nose, sore throat, inflamed eyes, fever and rash.
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Congressman Clay Higgins announced that Iraq is purchasing an additional 88-thousand metric tons of U.S. long-grain milled rice. The purchase is being made under the 2024-2025 Memorandum of Understanding, bringing the total to 220-thousand metric tons, exceeding the original 200-thousand metric ton agreement. U-S Rice COO Sarah Moran says Iraq has been a very import market for the U-S rice industry.

Cut 13 (08)  “…export market.”

At this point, you can call John Schroder a professional parade rider. The former state representative from St. Tammany Parish and former state treasurer who unsuccessfully ran for governor in 2023 has ridden in more than 130 parades, by his best estimation.

Cut 7 (11) “…through Mardi Gras.”

The 63-year-old Schroder says his ultimate goal is to ride in every Carnival parade, including the King of Carnival.