Louisiana movers and shakers have migrated north for this weekend’s Washington D.C. Mardi Gras. The celebration ends Sunday, and features the governor, congressmen, and a host of lobbyists and industry leaders. DC Mardi Gras King Ray Brandt says it’s a packed schedule.
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Tensions have been high at the nation’s capital as Democrats and Republicans have not seen eye-to-eye on many issues, but Brandt says nearly everyone can agree that D-C Mardi Gras is a good time.

Those who know former West Monroe and LSU star Andrew Whitworth will have a good time watching the veteran offensive tackle play in the Super Bowl on Sunday for the first time in his 13-year NFL career. West Monroe Senator Mike Walsworth understands Saints fans are not not rooting for the Rams, but at least root for Whitworth…
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A new World War Two exhibit opens in Natchitoches today that highlights the struggles and triumphs of 280,000 Louisiana citizens who contributed to America’s victory over the Axis Powers through military service nearly eight decades ago. The display is produced by the World War Two Museum in New Orleans…
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That’s Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser who says The Pelican State Goes to War exhibit is a treasure that showcases the lives of Bayou State soldiers, and those on the Homefront who built the engines of war that toppled the Nazis and Japanese.

The loss of excitement for Sunday’s Super Bowl is not just contained to the state of Louisiana. A recent national poll shows compared to last year, the number of people intrigued with the big game is down significantly. Pollster Ron Faucheux says last year, 21% of those polled had a high interest in the game, but this year is a different story.
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And Faucheux says the poll shows that 50-percent of those surveyed have no interest at all, which is up from 45-percent from the year before.

Pelicans Head Coach Alvin Gentry went on a rant last night following his team’s loss to Denver. He’s upset over a report that said one reason for Anthony Davis’ trade demands is that the Saints are more of a priority for ownership. Gentry says that couldn’t be farther from the truth…
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Gentry says the Pelicans practice facility is one of the best in the NBA.

A Tulane study raises concerns that scientists are underestimating the rate of sea level rise in low lying coastal zones. Matt Doyle has more.
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There are reports LSU and football coach Ed Orgeron are working on a contract extension, but it make take a few weeks to get finalized. The LSU Board of Supervisors’ next meeting is in March and they would have to approve a new deal. Tiger Rag Editor James Moran…
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The American Lung Association has released a series of recommendations on how the state can reduce the percentage of adults who use tobacco, which is 29-percent. They suggest raising the cigarette tax, strengthen existing statewide smokefree laws and Director of Advocacy Ashley Lyerly says increase the minimum age to purchase tobacco to 21-years-old….
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The C-D-C says 12-percent of high schoolers smoke cigarettes in Louisiana.

A Tulane study finds that the sea level could be rising faster than originally thought in low-lying areas of Louisiana. Researcher Molly Keough says tide gauges are only telling part of the story, because the land is also sinking. Keough says one way to help build up the coast is river diversion projects that have been talked about for several years…
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The details are apparently still being finalized, but reports say LSU football Coach Ed Orgeron will receive a contract extension. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
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Still waiting on a ruling from a federal judge in New Orleans regarding the no call lawsuit filed against the NFL by two Saints season ticket holders. The upset fans are trying to get the courts to force the NFL to invoke a rule that could result in a do over the NFC Championship game. But the Super Bowl is only a few days away and legal analysts say it was a long shot lawsuit to begin with.

Louisiana receives a failing grade on the American Lung Association’s Tobacco Control Report Card. One of the biggest reasons, Louisiana’s below average cigarette tax that sits at 1.08 cents a pack. Director of Advocacy Ashley Lyerly says if Louisiana were to double that per pack tax, the state would see a notable drop in the number of smokers…
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The average national cigarette tax is 1.79 per pack.

LSU and football coach Ed Orgeron are reportedly working on a contract extension. Sources say details are still being finalized. Orgeron’s current deal runs through the 2021 season, guaranteeing Coach O $3.5 million a year. Tiger Rag editor James Moran says news of an extension isn’t shocking.
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Orgeron’s annual salary ranks among the bottom half in the SEC.

A Tulane study raises concerns that scientists are underestimating the rate the sea level is rising in low lying coastal zones. Matt Doyle has more.
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A Houma teenager was killed last night in a two-vehicle wreck on LA 311 in Terrebonne Parish. State Police say an elderly driver failed to stop at a stop sign and hit 16-year-old Benjamin Chabert’s vehicle. Chabert’s pick-up truck ran off the road and ended up submerged in a bayou. Also, two unrestrained drivers were killed last night in a two-vehicle wreck in Sabine Parish on Highway 1217. 67-year-old Joy Rains of Robeline and 48-year-old Jackie Hardy of Many were killed.

Tulane releases a study that says sea levels are rising faster than thought along coastal Louisiana, because the land is also sinking. Fifth-year P-H-D student and lead author of the study Molly Keogh…
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Last week, Governor John Bel Edwards announced plans to spend 350-million dollars on coastal restoration and flood protection projects.

According to the American Gaming Association, 1-in-6 viewers of the Super Bowl will have money on the game. AGA spokesperson Sara Slane….
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Legalizing sports betting is expected to be a hot topic in the upcoming regular session.

The American Lung Association says Louisiana needs to consider a dramatic increase in their cigarette tax….
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Viewership for the Super Bowl is expected to be down in Louisiana, because of the missed pass interference call in the NFC Championship game. But it appears interest is down nationwide. A Monmouth poll finds only 16-percent of respondents are very interested in the Super Bowl, compared to 21-percetn last year. And 50-percent say they have no interest at all, up from 45-percent last year.

Tulane researchers say current models estimating the level of sea level rise in low lying coastal areas are underestimating how quickly we’re sliding into the sea. Wetland scientist and grad student Molly Keogh says the sea level is rising about a half inch every year, but Louisiana’s coast is also sinking, which has profound implications.
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Keogh says communities in low-lying areas may be more vulnerable to flooding than we realized and that has implications for city and emergency planners.

You can’t bet on the Super Bowl legally in Louisiana, but the American Gaming Association has released a survey that finds eight out of ten people support the legalization of sports betting in their state…
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A bill to legalize sports betting in Louisiana is expected to be debated in the regular session.

The details are apparently still being finalized, but reports say LSU football Coach Ed Orgeron will receivie a contract extension. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
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19th ranked LSU won its 10th straight last night as Tremont Waters hit a career-high six three-pointers and finished with 36 points in a 72-57 win over Texas A-and-M.