Washington Mardi Gras kicks off today with Louisiana’s biggest movers and shakers in D.C. for three days of politicking and celebrations. LSU Communications Professor and veteran political staffer Bob Mann says each night will feature a ball attended by state leaders based both here and in D.C., capped off by Saturday night’s mini-parade.
Cut 4 (11) “…be seen”

According to the Michigan-based firm, Joyce Julius and Associates, LSU received more than 200-million dollars in free media exposure over a seven-week period during the team’s successful championship run. Director of sponsorship analytics Jeremy Cruetz says this is among the biggest measurements they’ve seen in the realm of college athletics…
cut 11 (10) “…White House”

The Zion Williamson era for the Pelicans starts with a loss but the rookie gave fans what they came for. Williamson had 22 points, 17 points came during a three-minute stretch in the fourth quarter. But San Antonio held off the Pels 121 to 117.

An LSU grad and Louisiana native is grabbing the attention of the hot sauce world with his Bayou Gotham Hot Sauce. A Kickstarter campaign has recently surpassed its $25,000 funding goal. Scott Bellina, the man behind the handcrafted sauces, says the initial four flavors are inspired by his Louisiana upbringing.
Cut 13 (11) “…been done before.”
Bellina hopes to start production in March.

Senators are hearing opening arguments in President Donald Trump’s impeachment case. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy is upset the chamber is held hostage over impeachment while other, more important issues remain unsolved…
cut 14 (10) “…period”
California Congressman Adam Schiff kicked off the Democrats case by claiming the president tried to use his powers of the presidency to gain information to help him win the 2020 election.

With the arrest of two 19-year-olds last night, four people are under arrest for last Friday’s fatal shooting in Jeanerette that claimed the life of 17-year-old Kendall Thompson Junior. Interim Jeanerette Police Chief Fernest Martin says it’s a senseless homicide…
cut 8 (09) “….was the motive”

Ouachita Parish Sheriff deputies confiscated about 900-thousand dollars worth of meth during a traffic stop last night on I-20. Sheriff’s office spokesperson Glen Springfield says they know drugs are trafficked on I-10 and 1-20, so this is something they keep an eye out for…
cut 11 (08) “,,,make the arrest”
The man arrested is from Houston. Springfield says deputies pulled him over after noticing he was driving erratically and had a broken tail light.

The first U-S case of the Chinese Coronavirus has been detected in Seattle. LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Disease Specialist Doctor Fred Lopez says the U-S case does not appear to be serious, but the new virus is blamed for 17 deaths in China…
cut 4 (11) “…as possible”
An estimated 547 people have been infected with the virus, but health officials are concerned that number could rapidly rise as travel increases during the Chinese New Year this weekend.

The Wuhan Coronavirus is spreading rapidly in China, but CDC officials say the threat to the US is “low”. Matt Doyle spoke with LSU Health New Orleans about the outbreak…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

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A 17-year-old shot during an armed robbery has died from injuries and two teenagers are now facing first-degree murder charges. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut  2 (29) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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The first US case of the Wuhan Coronavirus has been reported in Washington State, and while it’s has spread rapidly in China the CDC says the virus doesn’t pose much of a threat to Americans.

The virus is now transmitting person to person in Wuhan City, China. LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Fred Lopez says to take note if you’ve developed respiratory issues or fever, and…

Cut 3 (11)  “…infection.” 

The US case does not appear to be serious, but Lopez says at the moment there’s not much that can be done if you come down with the illness that’s killed 17 people so far.

Cut 4 (11) “…possible.”

An estimated 547 people have been infected with the virus so far, but authorities are concerned that number could rapidly rise as travel increases during the Chinese New Year this weekend.

While it’s unlikely you’ll be exposed to the virus, Lopez says the biggest impact it could have on Louisiana is for those who’ll be traveling.

Cut 5 (07) “…world.”

Flights from China are being routed through the screening airports which include Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Atlanta, and New York.

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Four people are now in police custody for the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Kendall Thompson, Jr. of Jeanerette following the arrest of two suspects in Rapides Parish last night. Interim Jeanerette Police Chief Fernest Martin says authorities were able to track the remaining suspects to north Louisiana.

Cut 6 (10) “…apprehend these suspects.”

George Bobb and McClellan Molo, both 19, have since been transported back to Iberia Parish. Previous arrests over the weekend netted 21-year-old Rondrick Grant and 20-year-old Travlon Dauphine.

Martin says a crime of this nature is always tragic, adding it brings relief to know that the last of the suspects have been nabbed.

Cut 7 (08) “…incidents or fatalities.”

Martin says investigators are still searching for answers as to why the shooting happened.

Cut 8 (09) “…was the motive.”

Thompson died Friday night following the shooting that happened near the intersection of MLK Drive and Guiberteau Street.

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Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s deputies conduct a major drug bust on Interstate 20, discovering about $900,000 in meth.  Sheriff’s office spokesperson Glenn Springfield says the Special Crimes Apprehension Team was working last night when they noticed the suspicious vehicle and conducted a traffic stop.

Cut 9 (11) “…lights were defective.”

Springfield says while talking to the suspect, he consented to a search of a vehicle and deputies deployed a K-9 on the vehicle.

Cut 10 (10) “…of about $900,000.” 

Springfield says they know drugs are trafficked on I-10 and I-20, so this is something officers are always keeping an eye out for.

Cut 11 (08) “…make the arrest.”

The suspect has been identified as Jose Luis Sosa of Houston.

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Oral arguments are underway in the US Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump on two articles of impeachment.

Senators are required to be in attendance in the chamber for six days a week, and at least eight hours a day. Senator Bill Cassidy says yesterday they clocked a long day fighting over the trial rules.

Cut 12 (08) “…last night.”

Democrats will now have 24 hours in the Upper Chamber to make their case.

Democrats have raised concerns Republicans are blocking further investigation and the calling of witnesses. Cassidy says if the impeachment case was already overwhelming…

Cut 13 (11) “…witness”

Republicans have threatened to call Joe Biden and his son to testify about their activities in Ukraine if Democrats force witnesses to the Senate stand.

Cassidy bemoaned the fact that the chamber is being held hostage over impeachment while other, more important issues remain unsolved.

Cut 14 (10) “…period.”

Despite a pay raise for teachers last year, the average salary for a Louisiana educator remains below the southern regional average. Governor John Bel Edwards has indicated it may take the rest of his term to hit that target. Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Larry Carter says teachers can’t wait that long…
cut 7 (11) “…been hearing that”
The LFT will pressure lawmakers for an additional pay bump when the regular session begins in March.

In crime blotter news, Bossier City Police detectives are seeking clues in the fatal shooting of a woman found dead in her home last night. Two men were arrested last night in Rapides Parish for last week’s shooting death of 17-year-old Kendall Thompson Junior of Jeanerette. A total of four people are in custody.

Democratic presidential candidate Mike Blomberg has announced his 2020 Louisiana campaign team. Bloomberg has self-financed his campaign hundreds of millions of dollars and has hired several former staffers of Governor John Bel Edwards…
Cut 6 (10) “talent”
That’s Richard Carbo, who will lead Bloomberg’s campaign efforts in Loisiana. Carbo previously served as Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Edwards.

It’s an exciting day Louisiana sports fans as Zion Williamson is set to make his long-awaited debut tonight for the Pelicans, who host San Antonio. Williamson missed the first half of the year after undergoing knee surgery. Locked on Pelicans podcast publisher Jake Madison says expect Williamson to only play 10 to 20 minutes as he begins his NBA career…..
cut 14 (08) “…bench”

Governor John Bel Edwards has pledged to give teachers another pay raise so that their salary matches the Southern Regional Average…
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The wind has moved a tarp at the collapsed Hard Rock construction site in New Orleans and the remains of one of the workers who died can be seen from the street. The City is asking the public not take to photos. A controlled implosion of the construction site is scheduled for March.

Governor John Bel Edwards says he supports splitting up LSU leadership duties, having a chancellor running the Baton Rouge campus and a president who oversees the entire LSU system. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says the two jobs were consolidated during the Jindal administration and there were concerns what it would mean for the flagship university…
cut 11 (09) “….up the flagship”
The LSU Board of Supervisors has an opportunity to split the jobs again, now that there’s an interim president in place.

Rookie Zion Williamson makes his long-awaited NBA debut when the Pelicans host the Spurs for an 8:30 tipoff tonight. Publisher of the Locked on Pelicans podcast, Jake Madison, says with the Pels playing good basketball, the team will not rely on him to score a ton of points…
cut 15 (09) “…impact”
New Orleans has won 11 of its last 16 as it makes a push for a playoff spot.

Governor John Bel Edwards says he supports the idea of splitting the top job at LSU, creating the position of chancellor and system president, which would run the entire LSU system. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says a chancellor would be tasked with running the Baton Rouge campus and allow for the hiring of two leaders with different skillsets…
cut 12 (10) “…thing unto self”
LSU currently has an interim president after F-King Alexander left for a job in Oregon.

Former New York City Mayor and Democratic presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg has announced his Louisiana campaign team and it features several former staffers of Governor Edwards. State director Richard Carbo says the campaign has already opened its first office in New Orleans and additional offices will be opened across the state…
cut 5 (10) “…weeks”
The Louisiana Presidential primary is April 4th.

An 18-year-old Sulphur woman has been charged with multiple counts of first-degree rape and authorities say the victims were five and three-years-old. Calcasieu Parish investigators say Lakien Perry shared her sexual encounters with the children on her Instagram account. Judge Robert Wyatt has set Perry’s bond at two-point-eight million dollars.

Rookie sensation Zion Williamson will play his first minutes for the Pelicans tonight after a pre-season injury forced him to miss the first half of the season…
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Governor Edwards indicates he supports splitting the top job at LSU and creating two positions, chancellor which would run the university and president which would oversee the entire system. Kevin Barnhart reports it would undo consolidation of LSU leadership that happened under former Governor Bobby Jindal in 2012.
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

We’re seeing a wintry mix this morning in Caddo, DeSoto and Sabine Parishes. The Shreveport Regional Airport is reporting a mixture of light rain and ice pellets.

Louisiana public school teachers received a pay raise of one-thousand dollars last year, but the average salary in the Bayou State for a teacher is still not at the Southern Regional Average. Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Larry Carter says they will lobby lawmakers to get teacher salaries to the southern regional average this year…
cut 9 (11) “…for school employees”
Teachers on average make about 50-thousand dollars in Louisiana, 18-hundred dollars short of the regional average.

Rookie sensation Zion Williamson takes the court for the Pelicans tonight against the Spurs in New Orleans, the top overall pick’s first game with the team after tearing his meniscus in the preseason. Locked on Pelicans podcast publisher Jake Madison says Williamson joins a team that is clicking, winners of 10 of their last 14.
Cut 13 (12) “…career”
Tip off is at 8:30.