You won’t find your typical Mardi Gras festivities with floats and beads in Eunice today, but you will find colorful costumes and traditions at Courir de Mardi Gras and chicken run. Teiko Foxx explains…
Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”
_______________________________________________
Mardi Gras has been called the greatest free show on earth. Colleen Crain looks at the masked riders who make it possible…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”
______________________________________________
Louisiana has decided not to accept $71 million in federal funds for the Summer EBT program, which helps low-income families feed their children when they are not in school. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
______________________________________________
If you’re looking for a different kind of Mardi Gras experience this year, head to the City of Eunice. Instead of catching beads and doubloons, revelers chase chickens in colorful costumes during Courir de Mardi Gras & Chicken Run. Events Coordinator, Courtney Elkins says the chicken run is part of their Cajun tradition that everyone loves to participate in.
Cut 4 (13) “…a gumbo.”
The Courir de Mardi Gras is Eunice’s largest community event of the year.
Elkins says the celebration dates back to the late 19th century. She says men and women on horseback wear hand-crafted wire masks, colorful costumes, and…
Cut 5 (12) “…old clothes.”
Elkins says attendance continues to grow each year. Last year, she says people from around the world visited their rural town.
Cut 6 (12) “…New Zealand.”
The Courir de Mardi Gras parade starts at 3 pm.
__________________________________________
Mardi Gras has been called the greatest free show on earth and Publisher of The Mardi Gras Guide, Arthur Hardy says it’s never been easier to join a Krewe – some you must be born into, and others are looking for members, but none are free, and none are cheap…
Cut 7 (09) “…dues, costume.”
Fat Tuesday Revelers get a free show and gifts to take home. Hardy says it’s great for the parade goers, but it makes no economic sense for the krewe members to give gifts to strangers while hiding their faces, so why would you do it…
Cut 8 (09) “…really is.”
Hardy says, there are other expenses for krewe members throughout the year, and the price of throws has gone up but it’s worth it…
Cut 9 (09) “…you say.”
_________________________________________________________
As we enter Deep Gras, state police remind you to use technology to stay safe this Mardi Gras. Lt. Melissa Matey says first and foremost have a sober driver, use an app for up-to-date info on traffic, and remember it’s not just those in the front seat that need to be buckled up.
Cut 10 (12) “…the traffic.”
Parking will most likely be an issue wherever you plan to celebrate, and Matey says taking the time to simply drop a pin where you’ve parked your vehicle can come in very handy later.
Cut 11 (06) “…turned around.”
Another app Matey suggests that you might want to have downloaded and ready to use is the See Something, Send Something app. She says if you see something that needs to be reported to law enforcement, a picture on your phone can be invaluable.
Cut 12 (10) “…Send Something.”
And if you witness an aggressive and/or impaired driving Matey encourages you to call them at *LSP (or *577).
_____________________________________________________
The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services will not participate in the Summer EBT program. Louisiana Budget Project Executive Director Jan Moeller says it’s a travesty the state has opted to forgo funding for eligible children to receive meals over the summer.
Cut 13 (13) “…this opportunity.”
DCFS issued a statement that families deserve a pathway to self-sufficiency, and they are forgoing piecemeal programs that have more strings attached versus long-term solutions as a reason for opting out of the program. Moeller blames Governor Jeff Landry for the decision that he says ultimately hurts children.
Cut 14 (14) “…ends meet.”
Moeller says if Louisiana had opted in $71 million in federal funds would have been designated for the Summer EBT program.
Cut 15 (11) “…in Louisiana.”
Moeller says Louisiana has the second-highest poverty rate in the country and the third-highest child poverty rate in the US.
DCFS says existing feeding programs remain in effect, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides about $166 million in benefits on average each month to over 880,000 Louisianans, including about 390,000 children.
_______________________________________________________________
There’s a lot of talk about LSU’s deep-pitching staff heading into the season. Freshman outfielder Jake Brown is impressed…
Cut 16 (19) “…we have a guy.”
Junior right-hander Thatcher Hurd could be the starter in the season opener. Catcher Hayden Travinski says Hurd’s stuff is off the charts…
Cut 17 (18) “…this year.”
________________________________________________________________________
U-L Lafayette will open up its baseball season on Friday against Wright State. Cajuns Coach Matt Deggs says Jack Martinez will start on Friday. He’s a transfer from Trinity University. Freshman left-hander Chase Morgan will start in game two. Deggs says Morgan’s mound presence is impressive…
Cut 18 (18) “…above-average pitches.”