Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says Mardi Gras was a big success for New Orleans, despite being marred by acts of violence and crime. The official numbers are still being tallied, but Nungesser says he saw huge crowds in Metairie and New Orleans on Fat Tuesday. He says Mother Nature helped put it over the top…:

CUT 12(12)      “…prior to COVID.”

However, Nungesser says cities (especially New Orleans) must be allowed to get a handle on rising crime or crowds will DWINDLE.

It’s the first Friday of Lent and that means it’s the official kickoff of Crawfish Season here in the Bayou State. Crawfish prices certainly seem top be holding steady, according to Crawfish App co-founder Laney King. She says this weekend’s weather is ideal for opening weekend, but also promising for the rest of the season…:

CUT 04(07)      “…excited about.”

You can download the Crawfish App for your Apple or android phone.

LSU Health Shreveport has been named a new site to study Parkinson’s Disease in African Americans. Teiko Foxx has more…:

CUT 01(29)      “…Foxx.”

The Addis police officer, who allegedly caused the deaths of two teen girls on New Years’ Eve during a high speed chase, has been indicted by a West Baton Rouge Parish grand jury for manslaughter, negligent injury, malfeasance in office, and reckless operation. Officer David Cauthron’s trial date has not yet been set.

LSU Health Shreveport has been named a new site to study Parkinson’s Disease in African American individuals. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (29)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx”

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A West Baton Rouge Parish grand jury indicts a former Addis cop for his role in a New Year’s Eve high-speed chase and car crash that killed two teenage girls. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 2 (29)  “….I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

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It’s the first Friday of Lent and that means it’s the official kickoff of Crawfish Season here in the Bayou State. And crawfish prices are holding steady, that’s according to Crawfish App co-founder Laney King. King says if you’re planning to have crawfish at your favorite eatery this weekend…

Cut 3 (11) “…$125 a sack.” 

King says prices are back to normal compared to previous seasons. She says prices for the opening weekend this year are down five percent from where they were in 2022.

Weather-wise it’s ideal for opening weekend and King says not only is it great for a boil it’s also promising for future crawfish.

Cut  4 (07)  “…excited about.” 

As we get closer to Easter King believes prices will drop and crawfish will increase in size. As for the season overall…

Cut 5 (08) “…crawfish season.”

To compare prices download the Crawfish App on your smartphone.

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A comedy, filmed in Donaldsonville, premieres on Netflix today, it’s called “We Have a Ghost.” It’s the story of a family who moves into a fixer-upper and becomes a viral sensation when they reveal a ghost who haunts their home. Aquiles Montalvo (Achilles Mon-tal-vo) an assistant location manager on the film says residents will recognize the Ascension Parish city in a car chase scene.

Cut 6 (07)  “…for a treat.” 

When searching for locations for productions, Montalvo says Louisiana offers more diverse options than Hollywood, like historic buildings and swamps…

Cut 7 (08)  “…different possibilities.” 

The film stars David Harbour, who’s best known for his role on Stranger Things, as Ernest the ghost. Montalvo says the production did have a supernatural occurrence shortly after filming began in July of 2021.

Cut 8 (09)  “…doing that.” 

Filming resumed in October 2021.

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A nationwide study on Parkinson’s Disease in African American and Black people has chosen LSU Health Shreveport as a new site location. Nearly one million people in the country are affected by Parkinson’s disease. The Director of the Center for Brain Health and Professor of Neurology at LSU Health Shreveport, Elizabeth Disbrow says finding a sample population to participate is important.

Cut 9 (11) “…genetic counseling.”

90% of genetics studies related to Parkinson’s Disease have involved people of European ancestry, leaving the disease’s genetic impact on Black and African American people underrepresented in current research data. Disbrow says the African American population is medically underserved.

Cut 10 (06) “…of it.” 

Information gathered on the black and African American connections to Parkinson’s Disease is only one piece of a larger global effort to enhance knowledge of genetic information and treatment.

Cut 11 (09)  “…clear diagnosis.”

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Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says Mardi Gras was a big success for New Orleans, despite being marred by acts of violence and crime. The official numbers are still being tallied, but Nungesser says he saw huge crowds in Metairie and New Orleans on Fat Tuesday. He says Mother Nature helped put it over the top…:

Cut 12 (12) “…prior to COVID.”

However, Nungesser says cities (especially New Orleans) must be allowed to get a handle on rising crime or crowds will DWINDLE. He says Carnival attendance is already seeing an impact because of it…:

Cut 13 (11) “..with those kids.” 

Nungesser says future Mardi Gras celebrations are at risk, plus the convention and tourism business the city relies on all year. He says groups and governments planning conventions in New Orleans will see the rising crime problem and opt to take their business elsewhere…:

Cut 14 (06)   “…the streets safer.”

Nungesser is upset the Orleans D.A. let 15 people, who were arrested for illegally carrying a gun in the French Quarter, go.

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Cut 15 (08) “…the state.”

Cut  16 (12)  “…minor injuries.”

According to a poll for the governor’s race Jeff Landry has a significant lead over other Republican candidates. The poll conducted by Richard Lipsey was shared with The Advocate. Landry scored 23 percent, Treasurer John Schroder and Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt polled at five percent. Retiring DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson also polled at 5 percent. Democrat Gary Chambers, who said he will not run if Wilson does, polled at 20 percent.

A comedy, filmed in Donaldsonville, premieres on Netflix today, it’s called “We Have a Ghost.” It’s the story of a family who moves into a fixer-upper and becomes a viral sensation when they reveal the ghost who haunts their home. Aquiles Montalvo (Achilles Mon-tal-vo) an assistant location manager for the film says residents will recognize the Ascension Parish city in a car chase scene.

Cut 6 (07)  “…for a treat.” 

Filming began in July 2021 but was interrupted by Hurricane Ida, and resumed in October.

A West Baton Rouge Parish grand jury indicts a former Addis cop for his role in a New Year’s Eve high-speed chase and car crash that killed two teenage girls. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 2 (30)  “….I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

A grand jury is convening today to hear evidence in the case against the Addis police officer who was arrested after the high-speed chase that killed two teenage girls in Brusly on New Year’s Eve. 42-year-old David Cauthron was in pursuit of a stolen vehicle when the crash occurred. He faces two counts of negligent homicide.

New research suggests citywide COVID vaccine mandates enacted in New Orleans and other cities may have been all for nothing. Kevin Gallagher reports…:

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

The Tangipahoa Parish Sherriff’s Office says a man has been arrested in connection to a 2010 murder. They say 30-year-old Monterey Page of Loranger is booked with second-degree murder in the death of 22-year-old Jamins Robinson of Independence who was killed nearly 13 years ago. TPSO Chief Deputy Jimmy Travis said an eyewitness finally came forward.

Cut 11 (11)  “…homicide occurred.”
He says they hope this will bring the Robinson family some closure.

It’s the first Friday of Lent and that means it’s the official kickoff of Crawfish Season here in the Bayou State. And crawfish prices are holding steady, that’s according to Crawfish App co-founder Laney King. King says if you’re planning to have crawfish at your favorite eatery this weekend…

Cut 3 (11) “…$125 a sack.” 

Shreveport Police have made arrests in two separate shooting incidents that took place last weekend, during the Krewe of Gemini parade. S.P.D. spokesman Corporal Chris Bordelon says they identified 22-year-old Antoine Ball, of Shreveport, as the suspect in a nonfatal shooting near Fant Parkway on Saturday night. Bordelon says the accused shooter surrendered Thursday afternoon.

Cut 14 (09)  “…turn himself in.”

COVID-19 mandates across the country were found ineffective to stopping the spread of the virus according to a recent research study. Vitor Melo (pronounce: VEE-tor Mellow) conducted the study for George Mason University’s Mercatus Center.  Mellow says his study also looked at whether individuals decided to get COVID shots because a citywide mandate was in place, and found no evidence that was the case…:

Cut 5 (07) “…change their decision.”

Tangipahoa Parish law enforcement has solved a 13-year-old cold case after a witness decided to come forward. 30-year-old Montrey Paige Senior has been arrested for the murder of 22-year-old Jamin (jay-men) Robinson. Tangipahoa Parish Chief Deputy, Jimmy Travis, says in 2010 Robinson was found on the side of the road in Independence and originally they thought he was a victim of a hit and run.

Cut 10 (04)  “…to the head.”

The truck driving shortage continues to put a strain on the trucking industry -creating a gap between professional CDL-licensed drivers and delivering goods. Programs have been set up to assist in closing the gap. The Louisiana Motor Transport Association (LMTA) Director Renee Amar says that there is no single solution that will help with the shortage but dedication is a must.

Cut 9 (09)  “…daily bases.”

A new research study finds that COVID-19 mandates put in place in many American cities made virtually no difference in stopping the spread of the virus. Vitor Melo (pronounce: VEE-tor Mellow) conducted the study for George Mason University. He says they found people stood firm on their stance on the vaccine, but felt they’d be penalized for not getting it where mandates were in place…:
Cut 6 (12) “their behavior at all”
He says they found those who resisted the shots would simply go to a nearby city with no mandates to visit bars or restaurants.

State Police say a crash early Thursday morning claimed the life of a 35-year-old woman from Denham Springs in St. Helena Parish. They say two vehicles were involved in the incident and that Natalie Thompson was not restrained and was pronounced deceased on the scene. The other driver was not injured. It’s under investigation.

The Tangipahoa Parish Sherriff’s Office says a man has been arrested in connection to a 2010 murder. They say 30-year-old Montrey Paige of Loranger is booked with second degree murder in the death of 22-year-old Jamins Robinson of Independence who was killed nearly 13 years ago. TPSO Chief Deputy Jimmy Travis says Paige was 17 years old in 2010, but will still be charged as an adult…:
Cut 12 (07) “of Louisiana”

The truck driving shortage continues to put a strain on the trucking industry – creating a gap between professional CDL-licensed drivers and delivering goods. Louisiana Motor Transport Association Director Renee Amar says hiring younger may be a solution…:
Cut 8 (09) “big rigs”
She says they are always looking for truckers who can be dedicated in the long term.

Did citywide Covid vaccine mandates prevent the spread of the virus? A new study out of George Mason University says no. It was conducted by Vitor Melo (pronounce: VEE-tor Mellow) who says they looked at infections and deaths in cities that mandated COVID vaccines and those that didn’t:
Cut 4 (11) “spread of COVID”
He says this wasn’t about the efficacy of the vaccine itself, but pointed to the fact that mandates didn’t change people’s minds about whether or not they chose to get the shot.

Shreveport Police say arrests have been made in both shooting incidents that took place during the Gemini Parade on Saturday. Corporal Chris Bordelon says the first shooting stemmed from an argument where a suspect shot a victim who is expected to survive. He says the second appeared to be an accident where a 17 year old was shot and killed. Both suspects have been charged…:
CUT 15 (03) “catch em”

The Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Office says a bicyclist was struck and killed this morning on La-1 near the Plaquemine-Sunshine Ferry westbank landing. State Police is investigating the incident and not releasing the victim’s name before notifying family.

The trucking industry is still being impacted by a shortage of drivers. Teiko Foxx has more…:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Teiko Foxx”

Many areas of the state saw record highs Thursday and forecasters say the warm weather is expected to continue today.

New research suggests citywide COVID vaccine mandates enacted in New Orleans and other cities may have been all for naught. Kevin Gallagher reports…:
Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

The Livingston Parish Council unanimously passed a resolution Thursday night declaring they are a Second Amendment Sanctuary Parish. It was a resolution by Councilman Jeff Ard who says it’s about adding a layer of protection of Second Amendment rights at the local level should the state or federal government try to tighten up gun laws.

The Tangipahoa Parish Sherriff’s Office says a man has been arrested in connection to a 2010 murder. They say 30-year-old Montrey Page of Loranger is booked with second degree murder in the death of 22-year-old Jamins Robinson of Independence who was killed nearly 13 years ago. TPSO Chief Deputy Jimmy Travis said an eyewitness finally came forward..:
CUT 11 (11) “homicide occurred”
He says they hope this will bring the Robinson family some closure.

Shreveport Police have made arrests in both shooting incidents that took place Saturday night during the Krewe of Gemini parade. Corporal Chris Bordelon says of the first shooting which was non-fatal..:
CUT 13 (08) “Police Department”
He says in the other shooting someone accidentally shot and killed a 17-year-old and that suspect surrendered to police right away.

A new research study finds that COVID-19 mandates put in place in many American cities made virtually no difference in stopping the spread of the virus. Vitor Melo (pronounce: VEE-tor Mellow) conducted the study for George Mason University. He says they found that even if a citywide mandate was in place, people still did want they wanted.
CUT 5 (07) “change their decision”
Melo adds his research makes no statement on the vaccine itself or its effectiveness.

The truck driving shortage continues to put a strain on the industry -creating a gap between professional licensed operators and delivering goods. Programs have been set up to assist in closing the gap. Louisiana Motor Transport Association (LMTA) Director Renee Amar..:
Cut 7 (10) “…the workforce.”
She says lowering the legal truck driving age could help.

Deputies have solved a 13-year-old case in Tangipahoa Parish after a witness decided to come forward. Brooke Thorington has more…:
Cut 3 (00) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The wife of former Dukes of Hazzard star John Schneider has died at the age of 53 alongside her husband at the couple’s studios in Holden. Alicia Allain, a native of Brusly, was a filmmaker and she and Schneider had been married since 2019. John made a social media post saying he is heartbroken but that his wife is living now living pain free.

New research suggests citywide COVID vaccine mandates enacted in New Orleans and other cities may have been all for naught. Kevin Gallagher reports…:

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

_______________________________________________

The trucking industry is still being impacted by a shortage of drivers. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

_______________________________________________

Deputies have solved a 13-year-old case in Tangipahoa Parish after a witness decided to come forward. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (00) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

_____________________________________________

A new research study finds that COVID-19 mandates put in place in many American cities made virtually no difference in stopping the spread of the virus. Vitor Melo (pronounce: VEE-tor Mellow) conducted the study for George Mason University’s Mercatus Center. He says they looked at infections and deaths in cities that mandated COVID shots and those that did not…:

Cut 4 (11)  “…spread of COVID.”

Many cities, including New Orleans, imposed citywide mandates; requiring bar, restaurant, and venue employees to have the shots or close down temporarily. Melo says his study also looked at whether people decided to get COVID shots because a citywide mandate was in place, and found no evidence that was the case…:

Cut 5 (07) “…change their decision.”

He says those who resisted the shots would simply go to a nearby city with no mandates to visit bars or restaurants.

Melo says his research makes no statement on the vaccine itself or its effectiveness. He only looked at how the policies performed, and the results show no evidence vaccine mandates made a noteworthy difference in impeding the spread of COVID. He says many felt they were being penalized for being reluctant to get “the Jab”…:

Cut 6 (12)  “…their behavior at all.” 

Melo hopes his research will be considered by public officials if there is another disease-related health emergency in the future.

_____________________________________________

The truck driving shortage continues to put a strain on the trucking industry -creating a gap between professional CDL-licensed drivers and delivering goods. Programs have been set up to assist in closing the gap. The Louisiana Motor Transport Association (LMTA) Director Renee Amar says…  

Cut 7 (10) “…the workforce.”

Lowering the legal truck driving age may close the worker shortage gap. Amar says hiring younger may be a solution.

Cut 8 (09)  “…big rigs.”

Amar says that there is no single solution that will help with the shortage but dedication is a must.

Cut 9 (09)  “…daily bases.”

_______________________________________________

Deputies have solved a 13-year-old case in Tangipahoa Parish after a witness decided to come forward. 30-year-old Monterey Paige Senior for the murder of 22-year-old Jamin (jay-men) Robinson. Jimmy Travis, Chief Deputy with the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office, says in 2010 Robinson was found on the side of the road in Independence and originally they thought he was a victim of a hit and run.

Cut 10 (04)  “…to the head.”

Paige was arrested in Chambers County, Texas, and faces murder charges, several failure-to-appear counts, and one charge of jumping bail.

Travis says they finally got a break in the case when an eyewitness came forward.

Cut 11 (11)  “…homicide occurred.”

A motive in the case has not been released. Travis says even though Paige was 17 years old in 2010, Travis says he is charged as an adult.

Cut 12 (07) “…of Louisiana.”

TPSO says they hope the arrest will bring the Robinson family some closure. Paige was extradited back to Louisiana and is being held in the Tangipahoa Parish Prison.

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Shreveport Police have made arrests in both the shooting incidents that took place last Saturday night, during the Krewe of Gemini parade. S.P.D. spokesman Corporal Chris Bordelon says they identified the suspect in a non-fatal shooting that happened around 6:15 Saturday night on Clyde Fant Parkway…:

Cut 13 (08) “…Police Department.” 

The suspect is 22-year-old Antoine Ball, of Shreveport. He got into some sort of argument with the male victim when he drew a gun and fired one shot. The victim will recover. Bordelon says the accused shooter surrendered at around 2 Thursday afternoon…:

Cut 14 (09)  “…turn himself in.”

There was a second shooting at the Gemini parade as well. Bordelon says, in that incident, some friends were horse playing on the parade route when one started messing with a gun and accidentally shot and killed 17-year-old student athlete Kip Lewis. That suspect stayed at the scene and surrendered to police immediately. Bordelon says S.P.D. is saddened that either incident even happened…:

Cut 15 (03)  “…gonna catch ’em.”

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Cut  16 (21)  “..get their attention.” 

Cut 17 (19) “…this league.” 

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Cut 18 (13) “…to improve.”

Cut 19 (17) “…shoot the ball.”

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Cut 20 (17)  “… a huge blessing.”