With two float related fatalities within days of each other involving tandem floats, New Orleans Police Superintendent Shaun Ferguson made the call to cease the use of tandem floats for the remainder of the 2020 festivities.  Ferguson says he wants to hold meetings in the immediate future to discuss safety measures.

Cut 12 (11) “… carnival season.”

According to WalletHub of the roughly half-million King Cakes sold during Carnival season, about 50-thousand are shipped out of state overnight, with the average cost being around $40.  But for those that want to come to New Orleans for the festivities, WalletHub analyst Jill Gonzales says visitors can expect to pay just shy of $300 per night to stay in the French Quarter.

Cut 10 (09) “…this time alone.”

A massive party is taking place in the Big Easy and across south Louisiana on this Fat Tuesday. There are also parades all day in Lake Charles and Lafayette. K-PEL Radio’s Bernadette Lee says multiple parades will roll through downtown Lafayette…

Cut 7 (12) “     Mardi Gras today”  

At the NFL draft combine in Indianapolis, this morning former LSU quarterback Joe Burrow spoke to a group of reporters. JaMarcus Russell was the last LSU quarterback drafted with the top pick in 2007. But Russell turned out to be a big bust in Oakland. Burrow is confident he’ll succeed in the NFL…

Cut 5 (08)  “…fund it”

A massive party is taking place in the Big Easy and across south Louisiana on this Fat Tuesday. Rex the King of Carnival has the key to the city…
cut 6 (09) “…day and night”
There are also parades all day today in Lake Charles and Lafayette.

With two float related fatalities within days of each other involving tandem floats, New Orleans Police Superintendent Shaun Ferguson made the call to cease the use of tandem floats for the remainder of the 2020 festivities. Ferguson praised Krewes that cooperated with the last-minute changes.

Cut 14 (10) “…to do it”

Personal finance website WalletHub dissects New Orleans Mardi Gras by the numbers.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

cut  2 (33) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart

Former LSU Quarterback Joe Burrow put to rest rumors that he would pull a fast one and not play for the Bengals who are expected to draft him with the number one pick in the NFL draft on April 23rd. Burrow spoke to reporters today at the draft combine and said if Cincinnati selects him number one, he’ll play for the Bengals. The Ohio native also joked that he could drive home for dinner if drafted they drafted him.

At the NFL draft combine in Indianapolis, former LSU quarterback Joe Burrow put to rest rumors that he would not play for the Bengals if Cincinnati selected him with the top overall pick. Burrow spoke to a large group of reporters this morning.
Cut 3 (06)  “…show up”  
Some NFL reporters have speculated Burrow would pressure Cincinnati not to draft him.  Burrow will not throw at the combine, but he looks forward to meeting with several teams, including the Bengals.
With two float related fatalities within days of each other involving tandem floats, New Orleans Police Superintendent  Shaun Ferguson made the call to cease the use of tandem floats for the remainder of the 2020 festivities.  Ferguson received criticism for making the decision but he feels he made the correct choice.
Cut 13 (09) “…that decision.”

Ferguson says safety is his top priority for the citizens of New Orleans and its visitors.

Millions are celebrating Mardi Gras around the world, but no one does it bigger than New Orleans.  The celebration has a large economic impact on the Big Easy, bringing in over $1 billion annually, which is roughly 2 percent of the city’s GDP.  Personal finance website WalletHub analyst Jill Gonzales says it’s growing too.

Cut 9 (06) “…impact from 2011.″

A massive party is taking place in the Big Easy, but also across south Louisiana on this Fat Tuesday. There are parades all day in Lake Charles and Lafayette. K-PEL Radio’s Bernadette Lee says in the Hub City, the big party started this morning…

Cut 8 (26) “…Lee report

With two float related fatalities within days of each other involving tandem floats, New Orleans Police Superintendent Shaun Ferguson made the call to cease the use of tandem floats for the remainder of the 2020 festivities.  Ferguson says he wants to hold meetings in the immediate future to discuss safety measures.

Cut 12 (11) “… carnival season.”

A massive party is taking place in the Big Easy and across south Louisiana on this Fat Tuesday. There are also parades all day in Lake Charles and Lafayette. K-PEL Radio’s Bernadette Lee says multiple parades will roll through downtown Lafayette…

Cut 7 (12) “     Mardi Gras today”  

Former LSU Quarterback Joe Burrow ends speculation that he would try to force his way out of Cincinnati as he says he’ll play for the Bengals if they take him with the number one pick. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

A two-vehicle crash on I-10 in St. John the Baptist Parish Monday takes the life of 27-year-old Tyandra Lewis of Baton Rouge, who was six-months pregnant with twins, and her 7-year-old son who was riding in the back seat.  Trooper Monroe Dillon says the accident remains under investigation.

Cut 11 (12 ) “…as witness information.”

At the NFL draft combine in Indianapolis, former LSU quarterback Joe Burrow put to rest rumors that he would not play for the Bengals if Cincinnati selected him with the top overall pick. Report have speculated Burrow would pressure Cincinnati not to draft him.  Burrow will not throw at the combine but says he looks forward to meeting with several teams, including Cincinnati.

Cut 4 (09) “…think about ball.”

The town of Iowa(I-oh-ah) is celebrating Fat Tuesday with its annual Mardi Gras Run.  Kevin Barnhart has the details on this unique event.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.” 

With Mardi Gras crowds, Trooper Lt Nick Manale says pickpockets are looking for an opportunity. Don’t make it easy for them. Manale says always be mindful of where you place bags.

Cut 14 (06) “…to another location.”

The winner of the annual King Cake Snob contest is revealed did your favorite top the list? Brooke Thorington has the results.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

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The town of Iowa is celebrating Fat Tuesday with its annual Mardi Gras Run.  Kevin Barnhart has the details on this unique event.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.” 

___________________________________________

A Baton Rouge woman, 6-months pregnant with twins is one of two people killed in an I-10 crash near Belle Terre in St. John the Baptist Parish.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (32)  “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”  

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The votes are  in for the 5^th Annual King Cake Snob Competition. This year’s competition saw nearly 2,500 cake reviews from more than 500 different cakes from 170 bakeries across the Bayou State. Andrew Alexander with King Cake Snob says last year’s overall winner Manny Randazzo fell short of defending its crown.

Cut 4 (11)_ “…to be exact”

Since the contest began Alexander says they’ve seen bakeries not just concentrated in the New Orleans area be added to the list of consideration to the King Cake Snob competition.

Cut 5 (07)  “…in year five”

Alexander says not only does the survey rate King Cakes, but they also ask participants to admit to particular behaviors during the carnival season, so they learn a bit about King Cake connoisseurs.

Cut 6 (12) “…is looking”

To view the results you can visit KingCakeSnob.com

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One unique Mardi Gras celebration encourages its participants to catch a chicken. The Iowa Mardi Gras Run started in 1978 and the tradition is continuing today. Run captain Rodney Victorian says a parade rolls through town with floats, horses, and four-wheelers, looking for food contributions for a gumbo to be made at the end of the event.

Cut 7 (13) “…of the donation.”

Victorian says with each stop, a live chicken is released and some of the younger participants will attempt to catch them.

Cut 8 (11) “…to catch them.”

Victorian says the parade ends this afternoon at KC Hall with a zydeco dance and all the food donations being put into a pot and made into a gumbo.

Cut 9 (07) “…a good gumbo.″

____________________

A pregnant Baton Rouge mother and her 7-year-old son are dead following a two-vehicle crash on I-10 near Belle Terre in St. John the Baptist Parish.  Trooper Monroe Dillon says the deceased were traveling eastbound on I-10 when for reasons under investigation, their Toyota Camry stopped in the left lane.

Cut 10 (08) “…vehicle from behind.”

The Camry driver 27-year-old Tyandra Lewis was six-months pregnant with twins.  Her 7-year-old was riding in the back seat.  There were also two passengers, 43-year-old Clarence Muse of Baton Rouge and his 3-year-old son, that were airlifted to area hospitals.  Dillon says an accident like this initially leaves everyone with more questions than answers as the investigation continues.

Cut 11 (12 ) “…as witness information.”

The driver of the pickup truck, 39-year-old Willy Buchan of Tyler, Texas, was unharmed.  Seat belt usage is still pending, but Dillon says the message is clear that all occupants in a vehicle must be restrained, regardless of seating position.

Cut 12 (09) “…been 100% avoidable.”

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Mardi Gras means big community celebrations, but law enforcement warns revelers to be aware of their surroundings in an effort to keep from becoming a victim of pickpocketing.  Trooper Nick Manale says make sure to keep your belongings minimal.

Cut 13 (10) “…those thieves too.”

Over the course of the past weekend, troopers have made numerous arrests and recovered thousands of dollars in stolen items nabbed by pickpocket suspects.

Manale says always be mindful of where you place bags.

Cut 14 (06) “…to another location.”

Manale says never pat your pocket to see if your wallet is there.   This is an indication that criminals look for to figure out the precise location of valuables.

Cut 15 (09) “…bring with you.”

There’s legislation this session to allow surveillance cameras to be installed in the classroom to protect special needs students. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington” 
Two riders in the Krewe of Thoth are both listed in stable condition after falling from floats in two separate incidents.  They were reportedly not wearing safety harnesses. One rider was leaning against the door at the rear of the float when it unexpectedly opened. The other rider was leaning over the side of the float handing out throws when he fell headfirst to the ground.

In the face of criticism from teachers, the governor’s office has signaled they could back a 500-dollar raise on top of the one-thousand dollar salary boost teachers got this year. Last year, we were told Louisiana teachers were paid about 22-hundred dollars below the southern regional average. Louisiana Federation of Teachers legislative director Cynthia Posey says states around Louisiana have done a better job keeping up with the S-R-A…
Cut 4 (05) “…than Louisiana.”
The session deciding the pay bump starts in two weeks.
The federal government has approved the state’s plan to spend one-point-two billion dollars in grant money that will be used to reduce the flood risk for several communities. Director of the Louisiana Office of Community Development, Pat Forbes, says they’ll implement the plan as fast as possible

Cut 9 (07) “…need to do″

Forbes says they expect the money will become available in the spring

Two riders in the Krewe of Thoth that were rushed to the hospital Sunday after falling from floats in two separate incidents were reportedly not wearing safety harnesses. One rider was leaning against the door at the rear of the float when it unexpectedly opened. The other rider was leaning over the side of the float handing out throws when he fell headfirst to the ground. The riders did not suffer serious injuries, and they were both listed in stable condition. Two people were killed in float related accidents last week.

The federal government has approved the state’s plan to spend one-point-two billion dollars in grant money that will be used to reduce the flood risk for several communities. Director of the Louisiana Office of Community Development, Pat Forbes says the Louisiana Watershed Initiative will work with regional steering communities to guide flood mitigation decisions and investments…

Cut 11 (08) “their communities”

The Edwards administration has indicated they would support a 500-dollar raise for teachers in an effort to get Louisiana teacher salaries closer to the southern regional average. Louisiana Federation of Teachers legislative director Cynthia Posey hopes lawmakers will see the value in paying teachers a good salary…
cut 5 (08) “…fund it”

A bill will be presented by Baton Rouge Senator Franklin Foil in the upcoming legislative session to add surveillance cameras in the classrooms to protect special needs students. If enacted parents can request school systems install cameras in the classrooms to monitor interactions. Foil believes cameras will clear up any questions parents have of what’s really going on in the classroom.

Cut 7 (12) “…bullying them.”

In the face of criticism from teachers, the governor’s office has signaled they could back a 500-dollar raise on top of the one-thousand-dollar salary boost teachers got this year. Louisiana Federation of Teachers legislative director Cynthia Posey applauds Governor Edwards for changing his mind…

Cut 3 (10)  “…of last year.”  

Surveillance cameras may soon be in place to protect special need students in Louisiana classrooms. Baton Rouge Senator Franklin Foil says he was approached by the Developmental Disabilities Council to sponsor Senate Bill 39 after the council placed a recorder on a child and they were able to document ongoing abuse of an autistic student attending Greater Baton Rouge Hope Academy in 2018.

Cut 6 (06) “…of safety.”

The federal government has approved the state’s plan to spend one-point-two billion dollars in grant money to reduce the flood risk for several communities. Director of the Louisiana Office of Community Development, Pat Forbes says he expects the money will become available in the spring and they’ll start using the dollars to improve rain and river gauges and models for every watershed in the state

Cut 10 (11) “…flood risk”

55-year-old Gary James Goulas of Breaux Bridge faces animal cruelty charges accused of tossing a bag full of lab puppies from a bridge into Bayou Portage in Henderson last week. St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office Major Ginny Higgins says the puppies are in the care of Every Paw Animal Rescue in Evangeline Parish and they appear to be doing well.

Cut 14 (10) “…be adopted”

Federal officials have given the state approval to spend one-point-two billion dollars in grant money that can be used to protect communities from flooding. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut  2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

The family of Joseph Sampson, who was tragically run over by a tandem float during the Endymion parade in New Orleans Saturday, has launched a GoFundMe account to help pay for funeral expenses. A description of the fundraiser says Sampson had no life insurance.  To date they have raised just over their goal three thousand dollars.

Surveillance cameras may soon be in place to protect special need students in Louisiana classrooms. Baton Rouge Senator Franklin Foil says he was approached by the Developmental Disabilities Council to sponsor Senate Bill 39. A similar measure to protect nursing home patients passed in 2018 and Foil believes Senate Bill 39 to safeguard Special Need students will be enacted as well.

Cut 8 (08) “…protect them.”

55-year-old Gary James Goulas of Breaux Bridge faces animal cruelty charges accused of tossing a bag full of lab puppies from a bridge into Bayou Portage in Henderson last week. He faces 8 felony charges, one for each puppy, St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office Major Ginny Higgins says it is an act that is not taken lightly.

Cut 13 (10) “…somebody being charged.”