Mardi Gras has been a welcome boost to the state, especially in the metro-New Orleans area but also in the Hub City, where President of the Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission, Ben Berthelot says they’ve seen an influx of tourists, and hotel occupancy is up.

Cut 3 (11) “…Mardi Gras back.”

Like other areas of the state, Berthelot says the pandemic has severely hurt the hospitality industry and he’s hopeful now that carnival season has been such a boost to the industry that it’s just the beginning for 2022.

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A two-vehicle crash last night in Acadia Parish has claimed the lives of two men.  20-year-old Derrick Ceasar Jr. and 20-year-old Tywon Thorn, both of Crowley were pronounced dead at the scene. State Trooper Thomas Gossen says their Buick Century crossed the center line and slammed head-on into a Ford Expedition. It is unknown at this time whether either or both of the drivers were impaired at the time, and toxicology reports are pending.

Cut 7 (08) “…remains to be seen.”

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A decrease in enrollment and TOPS participation among Louisiana public colleges and universities raises concerns among Board of Regents members. Commissioner of Higher Education Kim Hunter Reed says for the first time ever they’re not asking for more TOPS funding this year. TOPS recipients can delay enrollment for up to one year and Reed says they want to find out as to what’s keeping students from enrolling or even possibly postponing their higher education.

Cut 10 (09) “…off track.”

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As the Russia-Ukraine crisis continues, so does the steady rise in fuel prices. According to Patrick DeHaan, senior petroleum analyst for gasbuddy.com, concerns about overseas oil production and increasing demand should keep prices up for a while.

Cut 12 (10) “…a gallon.”

DeHaan warns drivers to be prepared for some tough months ahead as the U-S enters a perfect storm that could push gasoline prices up by anywhere from 25 to 75 cents by Memorial Day. Louisiana currently averages $3.35 per gallon, up 97 cents from a year ago.

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U-S Senator John Kennedy says it’s time to make Russian President Vladimir Putin a pariah. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Former Louisiana congressman Cedric Richmond is playing a major role in the selection of the next U-S Supreme Court Justice. Richmond joined the White House in 2021 as President Biden’s director of community engagement and has been serving among the advisors who helped vet Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson before her nomination to the nation’s highest court this past week. Richmond has been preparing Judge Brown for the confirmation process. If confirmed, Jackson will serve as the 116th associate justice of the U-S Supreme Court and become the first Black woman to do so.

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After a one-year hiatus due to COVID-19, Mardi Gras is back. As the head of the state’s tourism industry, the return of visitors and their wallets is a welcome sight for Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser, especially after Louisiana businesses missed out on millions last year due to the pandemic.

Cut 9 (13) “…incredible numbers.”

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A national travel website has listed the 10 best places in Louisiana to celebrate Mardi Gras that aren’t in New Orleans. Included on the list are Lafayette, Houma, Bogalusa, Alexandria, Shreveport, New Roads, Eunice, Baton Rouge, Lake Charles, and the Courir de Mardi Gras at St. Landry Parish. Carnival 2022 is expected to generate more than $1 billion in revenues.

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Governor John Bel Edwards says he’s excited Mardi Gras parades and celebrations are back in full force this year, but he doesn’t want the Carnival season to contribute to the state’s litter problem. Edwards is asking revelers to take responsibility for their own garbage…

Cut 3 (11) “…when you’re celebrating”

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It’s the final weekend before Mardi Gras, which means big fun and hopefully big revenues for Louisiana. Here’s more…

Cut 2 (33)…I’m David Grubb.”

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Governor John Bel Edwards welcomes the return of Carnival this year but would like to break the trend of measuring the success of the season by just how much garbage is left behind. Edwards is asking parade-goers not to leave their trash along the route…

Cut 4 (09) “…tidy”

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Louisiana U-S Senator John Kennedy says it’s time to expel Russian President Vladimir Putin from the international community for attacking Ukraine. Kennedy is calling for a stop to all exports to Russia and the U-S should not only sanction Russian banks and government officials but also rich business leaders who keep Putin in power…

Cut 7 (08) “…assets here.”

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Former Louisiana congressman Cedric Richmond is playing a major role in the selection of the next U-S Supreme Court Justice. Richmond joined the White House in 2021 as President Biden’s director of community engagement and has been serving among the advisors who helped vet Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson before her nomination to the nation’s highest court this past week. Richmond has been preparing Judge Brown for the confirmation process. If confirmed, Jackson will serve as the 116^th associate justice of the U-S Supreme Court and become the first Black woman to do so.

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A drive-by shooting near the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge Friday afternoon left two dead and two others injured. Baton Rouge police believe that the victims and perpetrators were known to one another and stress that the shooting was an isolated and targeted incident, not a random act of violence.

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It’s the final weekend before Fat Tuesday, and Governor John Bel Edwards says he’s excited Mardi Gras parades and celebrations are back in full force this year, but he doesn’t want the Carnival season to contribute to the state’s litter problem. Edwards is asking revelers to take responsibility for their own garbage.

Cut 3 (11) “…when you’re celebrating”

Edwards recently launched a Statewide Litter Abatement and Beautification Task Force which will provide policy solutions this summer to address the state’s litter issue.

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While Mardi Gras is synonymous with New Orleans, Carnival celebrations continue to grow throughout the state. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says his office will continue to make efforts to draw more attention and in turn more visitors to those areas.

Cut 10 (12) “…all over Louisiana.”

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Louisiana’s congressional delegation is ready for the United States to intensify its stance against Russian President Vladimir Putin after the invasion of Ukraine. Senator John Kennedy says that Putin should be expelled from the international community, and called for a freezing of Russian financial assets. Senator Bill Cassidy is also calling for tougher sanctions than those imposed by the Biden Administration.

Cut 8 (13) “…fell apart”

Cassidy does not support sending U-S troops to Ukraine but would strengthen those forces already in NATO countries.

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An experienced military commander and Louisiana native says Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine is a costly mistake that everyone BUT Putin will have to bear the cost for. Major General Ron Richard (USMC-Retired) says Putin’s seeming worries of Ukraine joining NATO, were never really going to happen.

Cut 12 (12) “…to be a member.”

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U-S Senator John Kennedy says it’s time to make Russian President Vladimir Putin a pariah. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Major General Ron Richard (USMC-Retired) served in Vietnam, commanded Camp Lejeune, and much more. He has seen his share of military action and intrigue. During an appearance on “Talk Louisiana” with Jim Engster, Richard said Putin’s decision to go into Ukraine was ill-informed, unfounded, but unexpected nevertheless…:

Cut 13 (07) “…western allies.”

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Governor John Bel Edwards says he’s excited Mardi Gras parades and celebrations are back in full force this year, but he doesn’t want the Carnival season to contribute to the state’s litter problem. Edwards is asking revelers to take responsibility for their own garbage…

Cut 3 (11) “…when you’re celebrating”

The governor also wants people to focus on reducing litter at Mardi Gras parades…

Cut 5 (03) “…don’t pollute”

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Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser is glad to welcome back the thousands of visitors to the state after last year’s COVID-forced hiatus. Louisiana is expected to generate more than $1 billion in revenue during Carnival season. Louisiana’s tourism industry as a whole has taken a hit over the last couple of years due to the pandemic as well as multiple major storms. While others have predicted a slow and steady return to normal, Nungesser believes the state is poised to make a big comeback over the next few months.

Cut 11 (10)   “…to those numbers.”

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After a one-year hiatus due to COVID-19, Mardi Gras is back. As the head of the state’s tourism industry, the return of visitors and their wallets is a welcome sight for Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser, especially after Louisiana businesses missed out on millions last year due to the pandemic.

Cut 9 (13) “…incredible numbers.”

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Governor John Bel Edwards says he’s excited Mardi Gras parades and celebrations are back in full force this year, but he doesn’t want the Carnival season to contribute to the state’s litter problem. Edwards is asking revelers to take responsibility for their own garbage.

Cut 3 (11) “…when you’re celebrating”

Edwards recently launched a Statewide Litter Abatement and Beautification Task Force which will provide policy solutions this summer to address the state’s litter issue.

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Louisiana U-S Senator John Kennedy says it’s time to expel Russian President Vladimir Putin from the international community for attacking Ukraine. Kennedy is calling for a stop to all exports to Russia and says the U-S should not only sanction Russian banks and government officials but also rich business leaders who keep Putin in power…

Cut 7 (08) “…assets here.”

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An experienced military commander and Louisiana native says Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine is a costly mistake that everyone BUT Putin will have to bear. Major General Ron Richard (USMC-Retired) says Putin’s seeming worries of Ukraine joining NATO were never really going to happen.

Cut 12 (12) “…to be a member.”

Richard says recent events have made nations unfriendly to the West and to democracy bolder, and that while we watch Russia, we must also keep close watch on China and its aggression toward Taiwan.

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