It’s Mardi Gras Day and a day of revelry that will feature numerous parades across south Louisiana. In Mamou and Church Point, revelers will chase chickens as part of the traditional Mardi Gras celebration. City of Eunice Events Coordinator, Courtney Elkins, says the chasing of chickens is a tradition everyone loves to participate in….
cut 8 (10) “…Cajun way”

Over 100 years ago, women were not allowed to march in Mardi Gras parades. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says his great aunt Aminthe Nungesser was one of the first females to participate in a Mardi Gras parade and she later helped form the Krewe of Iris an all-female parade…..
cut 5 (06) “…as men”
Aminthe Nungesser was only 18 years old when she began advocating for women to participate in Mardi Gras.

Seen on viral video: New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell flipping “the bird” at Mardi Gras parade riders. Kevin Gallagher looks at possible political fallout…:
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

It will be a warm, humid and breezy Mardi Gras day and State Climatologist Barry Keim says this spring like weather will remain with us for a few days…
cut 15 (08) “….or mid 80s”
Some areas could set record-highs this week.

It’s Mardi Gras Day a fun filled day of parades across south Louisiana. Mardi Gras in the City of Eunice is not your typical idea of Mardi Gras. Instead of beads and doubloons, revelers chase chickens in colorful costumes. City of Eunice Events Coordinator, Courtney Elkins…
Cut 7 (09) “…body suits.”
Elkins says the chasing of chickens is a tradition everyone loves to participate in.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell is facing another controversy as there’s video of her giving the bird to a float in the Tucks Parade, which was poking fun at Cantrell’s alleged affair with her bodyguard, who is also a New Orleans Police officer. Political analyst Clancy Dubos…
cut 10 (10) “….Mardi grad parade”

More than a century ago an 18-year-old girl from New Orleans led the charge to have women included in Mardi Gras parades. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office says 19-year-old Caiden Sheridan wanted in the shooting death of another person on Sunday night was captured in Lake Charles. Sheridan is back in Iberia Parish and was booked on one count of second degree murder. No bond has been set and no other information has been made available.

Shreveport Police have released details on Saturday’s fatal shooting of a 16-year-old from Texas during the Krewe of Gemini Parade. Officers say the victim and his friends were chasing each around the vehicle they arrived in with plastic swords when another 16-year-old obtained a handgun and shot the victim. The juvenile suspect was detained at the scene and the investigation is ongoing.

Everywhere else in the country today it’s just Tuesday, but here in Louisiana its Fat Tuesday, a tradition like no other. There are parades all across south Louisiana today. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says his great aunt, 106 years ago, Aminthe (ah-men-eth) Nungesser led the imitative for women to have the right to march in Mardi Gras…
cut 4 (11) “….over 3,700”
At the time the Krewe of Iris was the only women’s Mardi Gras parade but she inspired others and the rest is history.

In rural Acadiana they still celebrate Mardi Gras the traditional way. Teiko Foxx has more on the celebration in Eunice…
cut 2 (30)) “…I’m Teiko Foxx”

It will be a perfect day for Mardi Gras celebrations. State Climatologist Barry Keim…
cut 13 (11) “….or low 80s”
Temperatures will remain warm over the next several days.

New Orleans Police have arrested a man in connection with a shooting that killed one man and injured four others including a four-year-girl and charged him with second-degree murder. It happened around 9:30 last night towards the end of the Krewe of Bacchus Parade. At a press conference this afternoon Acting NOPD Superintendent Michelle Woodfork says they’ve arrested Mansour Mbodj.

Cut 3 ongoing. :12

Police are still gathering evidence including surveillance footage from individuals and homes in the area. Woodfork wouldn’t say if it was a targeted attack or if he was the sole gunman, only that he’s been arrested.

Cut 4 with a judge. :08

The ages of the victims range from four years to 24 years old.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office says the fire that destroyed the New Friendship Baptist Church in Grant Parish Thursday is not suspicious. SFMO spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says investigators have determined the blaze began in a mechanical room and they are trying to determine if it was electric or weather-related.

Cut 13 (09) “…it is not.” 

Church members plan to rebuild the more than 70-year-old building.

State Wildlife & Fisheries agents have arrested 23-year-old Luis Garcia for allegedly catching and selling over $350-thousand worth of Louisiana oysters. LDWF spokesman Adam Einck (“EYE-kn”) says it the investigation started last November when Garcia, without a license was stopped by agents on Lake Borgne. As for those who purchased the oyster, Einck says none of the customers are being charged, at this time.

Cut 12 (08) “…still under investigation.”

One person is dead and four others injured after gunfire erupts on St. Charles Avenue during the Bacchus Parade in New Orleans. Jeff Palermo has more..:

CUT 01(30)      “…Palermo.”

There were one or more shooting incidents during the Krewe of Gemini parade in Shreveport Saturday. Details from SPD are scarce, but we do know a teen from Marshall, Texas was shot and killed. The other shooting is unconfirmed at this time, but we are told a person was shot and wounded. Mayor Tom Arceneaux says parades will be safer going forward.

A head-on crash in Terrebonne Parish kills two and seriously injures two others. Trooper Ross Brennan says that shortly after 4 p.m. yesterday on Highway 57 near Dulac, Craig and Cookie Boudreaux were traveling south in a Silverado and a Mitsubishi driven by 60-year-old Jorge Hernandez was traveling north…:

CUT 06(13)      “…at the scene.”

Toxicology samples were taken from both drivers – live and dead – to see if impairment played a role in the crash.

In St. Martin Parish a single-vehicle crash killed two Breaux Bridge residents Sunday afternoon. 41-year-old Christopher Thibodeaux and his 16-year-old nephew Carter Potts were both killed. Thibodeaux was NOT wearing a seatbelt, the teen was. Gossen says it’s unknown whether Thibodeaux being unrestrained caused injury to Carter…:

CUT 09(09)      “…is restrained.”

A 17-year-old from Marshall, Texas was killed by gunfire along the route of the Shreveport Krewe of Gemini Parade. Jeff Palermo has more…:

CUT 02(30)      “…Palermo.”

Two people were arrested Sunday afternoon after officers found a man shot near a parade route in St. Gabriel. Officers responded to a report of shots fired near Landry and 4th streets, adjacent to a parade route. A man was found on the scene with a gunshot wound. He is now in stable condition. The parade was temporarily halted so first responders could access the scene, but it continued shortly after.

One person was killed and four others wounded in a shooting along the Bacchus parade route in uptown New Orleans last night. Gunfire rang out at around 9:30 PM and witnesses say everyone near the scene took cover to avoid getting hit by bullets. NOPD Deputy Chief Hans Ganthier…:

CUT 03(08)      “…that end.”

The victim is A teenage male. Four persons in their 20’s were shot and injured.

Tangipahoa Parish deputies say they have recovered about 40 cellphones stolen by pickpockets in New Orleans. They also found dozens of credit cards, ATM cards and drivers licenses. Four people from Miami, Florida have been arrested. If you lost your phone at Mardi Gras in new Orleans, contact the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office.

And Baton Rouge Police seek the person who fired shots into a small local church, during services last night. No one was reported hit.

New Orleans Police arrest a 21-year-old for shooting and killing one and injuring 4 during last night’s Krewe of Bacchus parade. Acting NOPD Superintendent Michelle Woodfork says the suspect is Manour Mbodj. She says now they are working to see if he acted alone, and what sparked the gunfire…:

CUT 05(09)      “…happened out there.”

A head-on crash in Terrebonne Parish kills two and seriously injures two others. Trooper Ross Brennan says an SUV crossed the center line on Highway 57 near Dulac Sunday; killing Craig and Cookie Boudreaux when it hit their pickup. The driver of the SUV, Jorge Hernandez, and his passenger were badly hurt…:

CUT 07(07)      “…at this moment.”

All four persons involved in the crash are from Houma.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office says the fire that destroyed the New Friendship Baptist Church in Grant Parish last Thursday is not of suspicious origin. Fire Marshal’s spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says the fire started in a mechanical room, and was probably electrical, but they are investigating. She says when firefighters arrived, flames were contained to one part of the 70-year-old structure…:

CUT 14(06)      “…of the building.”

A total loss. Members says they will rebuild.

State Wildlife & Fisheries agents bust a man for illegally catching over $300-thousand in Louisiana oysters. Agents first discovered Luis Garcia had no commercial fishing license last November, and – after their i9bnvestigation – they arrested him last week. LDWF spokesman Adam Einck says Garcia took a lot of oysters…:

CUT 11(07)      “…thousand dollars.”

Though his jail time and fine may be not-so-large, Garcia could he held subject to civil restitution for the replacement value of the illegally sold oysters.

One person is dead and four others injured after gunfire erupts on St. Charles Avenue during the Bacchus Parade in New Orleans. Jeff Palermo has more…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Palermo.”

Two Breaux Bridge men died Sunday in a single-vehicle crash on state Highway 328 in St. Martin Parish. State Police say the driver was not buckled in, and was ejected from the vehicle as it left the roadway and rolled. The passengers was belted, but sustained fatal injuries. 41-year-old Chris Thibodeaux and his nephew Carter Potts, just 16.

State Wildlife & Fisheries agents arrest a man they say illegally caught and sold over $350-thousand in Louisiana oysters. LDWF spokesman Adam Einck says it started last November, with 23-year-old Luis Garcia being stopped by agents on Lake Borgne for a routine license check…:

CUT 10(06)      “…for Louisiana”

That meant his entire 2022 catch was illegally-taken; over 5900 sacks of oysters, valued at just over $354-thousand. Einck says he could be held legally responsible for the money he took from the legal oyster trade.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office says the fire that destroyed the New Friendship Baptist Church in Grant Parish Thursday is not suspicious. SFMO spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says investigators have determined the blaze began in a mechanical room and they are trying to determine if it was electrical or weather-related…:

CUT 13(09)      “…it is not.”

A worship service was held on the church grounds under a tent Sunday. Members says they will rebuild.

Authorities say the person who was fatally shot last night on the Bacchus parade route is a male between the ages of 15 and 18 years old. Four other victims treated and released ranged in age from a four-year-old girl to 24-year-old female.

N-O-P-D Superintendent Michelle Woodfork says a suspected shooter, a 21-year-old male, has been arrested….

Cut  4 (11)  “…from the scene” 

In St. Martin Parish a single-vehicle crash killed two Breaux Bridge residents. Trooper Thomas Gossen says Shortly after 1 p.m. they were notified of the crash on State Highway 328. He says the driver 41-year-old Christopher Thibodeaux and his 16-year-old nephew Carter Potts were both killed.

Cut 8 (08)  “…overturn.” 

LSU AgCenter health educators say sitting for long periods can contribute to heart disease and long-term health problems. AgCenter Nutrition Specialist, Elizabeth Gollub says a few simple alterations can improve a sedentary lifestyle. Gollub recommends standing during online meetings, and if you’re corresponding with someone in your office walk over to them instead of sending an email.

Cut 12 (12) “…helpful also.”

She says just move around more during your work hours to improve you circulation and overall health.

Five people were shot – one fatally in New Orleans on Sunday night along the route of Bacchus parade leading-up to Mardi Gras. The shooting took place in uptown New Orleans on St. Charles Avenue. One of the injured victims is a juvenile girl, who reportedly is in stable condition. Police say a 21 year old suspected shooter has been arrested.

Louisiana Legislative Women’s Caucus recent weekend retreat addressed issues affecting women and children. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Lawmakers will vote on whether to increase salaries for teachers and staff in an upcoming legislative session. Governor Edwards is proposing $2,000 for teachers and $1,000 for support staff. Louisiana Federation of Teachers Cynthia Posey say it is vital that lawmakers invest in education so students have qualified and quality educators.

Cut 14 (11)  “…classes now.”

A head-on crash in Terrebonne Parish kills two and seriously injures two others. Trooper Ross Brennan says that shortly after 4 p.m. yesterday on Highway 57 near Dulac, Craig and Cookie Boudreaux were traveling south in a Silverado and a Mitsubishi driven by 60-year-old Jorge Hernandez was traveling north.

Cut 6 (12)  “…and children.”