The new Congressional District map is on its way to the governor’s desk, but not without significant opposition. The map contains one majority-minority district, despite calls from Black lawmakers a second one should be drawn, because the Black population has grown to 33-percent. New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson…

Cut 3 (10) “..fairly.”

But Slidell Republican and Chairwoman of the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee Sharon Hewitt says they looked at adding another majority-minority district but based on the Census data the Black population is not concentrated enough to have two Black majority voting districts

Cut 4 (12) “…adopted.”

The Legislative Black Caucus has called for Governor Edwards to veto the maps for failure to comply with the Voting Rights Act.

We’re right in the thick of Mardi Gras season and New Orleans and Company spokesperson Kelly Schulz says you can’t underestimate the economic, cultural, and emotional impact of Mardi Gras 2022. Schulz says there’s plenty of pent-up demand to return to the beloved tradition of carnival season.

Cut 7 (10) “…forward to.”

Shulz says revelers have been lining up since early Friday morning for prime spots along parade routes.

The HBCU Legacy Bowl, created by Grambling football legends James “Shack” Harris and Doug Williams, seeks to give players another opportunity to be in the spotlight. Williams says he understands most players won’t make an NFL roster, so providing post-graduate employment options for these players is essential.

Cut 14 (13)  “…they wanna do.” 

The Legacy Bowl kicks off at 3pm in News Orleans.

The state Legislature has approved two identical Congressional District maps, but not without significant opposition. The maps contain one majority-minority district, despite calls from Black lawmakers a second one should be drawn, because the Black population has grown to 33-percent.

White Republican lawmakers were also upset that the Congressional map splits Grant Parish in half between the fourth and fifth districts and St. Mary Parish between the first and sixth districts. Pollock Representative Gabe Firment represents Grant Parish…

Cut 5 (09) “…ask me”

Houma Representative Beryl Amedee says St. Mary Parish officials are not happy with having two different Congressmen…

 Cut 6 (12) “…set me” 

The Legislative Black Caucus has called for Governor Edwards to veto the maps for failure to comply with the Voting Rights Act.

We’re officially in the thick of Mardi Gras season and New Orleans and Company spokesperson Kelly Schulz says hotel occupancy in the greater Crescent City is at 80-percent. In addition to lodging Schulz says King Cake sales are off the charts this year and bakeries are having a hard time keeping up with demand.

Cut 9 (12) “…activities.”

The Krewe of Janus (Janice) rolls Saturday night in Monroe and there’s plenty of excitement for the return of the parade that’s been a staple of the Twin Cities, Monroe, and West Monroe, since 1984. Throws Lieutenant Hailey Kenly says they are prepared with 3.5 million throws for attendees, especially youngsters.

Cut 10 (10)  “…super fun.” 

The theme of this year’s parade is Janus Goes to Hollywood.

Two identical Congressional district maps that maintain one majority-minority district are headed to the governor’s desk. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

Vice President Kamala Harris will visit Lafayette Friday, February 25^th. No other details have been released concerning her visit only that Louisiana’s congressional delegation has confirmed her visit to the Hub City.

The Krewe of Janus rolls on Saturday in the twin cities of Monroe and West Monroe. Lieutenant of Throws Hailey Kenly knows firsthand there’s 3.5 million items to catch this year.

Cut 12 (07) “..great things.”  

The parade begins at 6 pm Saturday.

At last year’s NFL Draft, not a single player from a Historically Black College or University was taken, with only one being selected in 2020. The HBCU Legacy Bowl, created by Grambling football legends James “Shack” Harris and Doug Williams, seeks to change that. Williams says the game will be a showcase for scouts to see undiscovered talent.

Cut 13 (15) “…see the players.”

The redistricting session is expected to end this afternoon with lawmakers approving a Congressional District map with one majority-minority district. Black lawmakers say there should be two majority-minority districts and there are Republican lawmakers who oppose the splitting of Grant and St. Mary Parishes, giving each parish two different representatives. Houma Representative Beryl Amedee says she’s heard from St. Mary Parish officials…
cut 6 (12) “…set me”
The redistricting session is expected to end today while a new college baseball season begins today. Jay Johnson is entering his first season as the Fighting Tigers new baseball coach…
cut 16 (14) “…a weekend”
LSU will host Maine at 6:30.

There are numerous parades scheduled for this weekend as the Mardi Gras season ramps up. Brooke Thorington reports the city of New Orleans is ready to let the good times roll…
Cut 2 (30)…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

After a one-year hiatus, the Krewe of Janus Parade is set to roll tomorrow night in West Monroe. The theme of this year’s parade is Janus Goes to Hollywood. Throws Lieutenant Hailey Kenly says the King and Queen’s floats have specialty throws that are quite collectible.
Cut 11 (08) “….to have.”

The new Congressional District map is close to final passage in the legislature, but not without significant opposition. The map contains one majority-minority district, despite calls from Black lawmakers a second one should be drawn, because the Black population has grown to 33-percent. New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson…

Cut 3 (10) “..fairly.”

But Slidell Republican and Chairwoman of the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee Sharon Hewitt says they looked at adding another majority-minority district but based on the Census data the Black population is not concentrated enough to have two Black majority voting districts

Cut 4 (12) “…adopted.”

We’re in the thick of Mardi Gras season and New Orleans and Company spokesperson Kelly Schulz says people were lining up as early as 8 o’clock this morning along parade routes for the evening parades. In addition to anticipation from locals, Schulz says hotel-wise things are indicative of a good turnout from tourists.

Cut 8 (10) “…to New Orleans.”  

A new era of LSU baseball begins at the Box tonight as the Tigers begin a three-game weekend series against the Maine Black Bears with first-year head coach Jay Johnson. Louisiana Tech begins the season with big expectations after hosting a Regional last year and is one of the favorites to win Conference USA this season. Bulldogs Coach Lane Burroughs says they have to put last year behind them…

Cut 20 (16) “…want it.”

A new Congressional district map that maintains one majority-minority district is headed to the governor’s desk. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

—

Louisiana Congresswoman Julia Lutlow announced that she is part of a congressional contingent making an official visit to Israel. The trip is in an effort to discuss strategic partnerships between our two countries, get updates on the peace process between Israelis and Palestinians, and political and economic issues within the region. Lutlow returns on Feb. 26.

—

We’re right in the thick of Mardi Gras season and New Orleans and Company spokesperson Kelly Schulz says you can’t underestimate the economic, cultural, and emotional impact of Mardi Gras 2022. Schulz says there’s plenty of pent-up demand to return to the beloved tradition of carnival season.

Cut 7 (10) “…forward to.”

Shulz says revelers have been lining up since early Friday morning for prime spots along parade routes.

—

Online sportsbooks took in nearly $40.5 million during their first four days of operation in Louisiana, the best four-day debut for any market in the country according to PlayUSA.com. But Thursday, Donna Jackson, gaming auditor for the Louisiana State Police, reported that the six companies licensed to operate in the state reported collective losses of nearly $9 million dollars as they pushed incentives to attract bettors.

Cut 13 (07) “…for promotional wagers.”

—

The Louisiana Legislature has approved a new Congressional District map, but not without significant opposition. The map contains just one majority-minority district, despite calls from Black lawmakers a second majority-minority district should be drawn, because the Black population has grown to 33-percent. New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson…
cut 3 (10) “…fairly”
Supporters of the map that gained final legislative passage say a second majority-minority district would dilute the black vote in both districts. The Congressional map also splits Morgan City in half and Grant Parish. Pollock Representative Gabe Firment says he was never consulted…
cut 5 (09) “…ask me”
We now wait to see if the governor will veto the map.

The Krewe of Janus (Janice) rolls Saturday night in Monroe and there’s plenty of excitement for the return of the parade that’s been a staple of the Twin Cities, Monroe, and West Monroe, since 1984. Throws Lieutenant Hailey Kenly says they are prepared with 3.5 million throws for attendees, especially youngsters.
Cut 10 (10) “…super fun.”
The theme of this year’s parade is Janus Goes to Hollywood.

State Police Gaming Division says 40-million dollars was wagered during the first four days of online sports betting in Louisiana. That total beat the per capita of New York’s mobile sports betting launch in early January according to PlayUSA. State Police audit director Jeff Traylor says the six operators spent nearly a third of their yearly credits for promotions…
cut 14 (12) “…significant amount”

On Thursday, House member Barry Ivey blasted GOP colleagues for tabling his state Supreme Court map, to add more minority districts, with zero discussion. So far, NO maps that increase minority voter strength of any kind have passed.  “LAPolitics.com” publisher Jeremy Alford says the REAL question is: once the session ends, what will the Governor do…?

Cut 6 (11)  “…State Police controversy.”

Alford thinks court challenges of the district maps passed are inevitable.

Attorneys for nursing home operator Bob Dean say he has dementia and can’t sit for depositions. Dean faces numerous lawsuits after his decision to evacuate residents to a warehouse from seven facilities during Hurricane Ida, which killed 15 people. Legal Analyst Tim Meche says a judge will have to make the decision.

Cut 9 (04)  “…found liable.”

Online sportsbooks took in nearly $40 million during the first four days of operation in Louisiana, but gaming auditor for State Police, reports six companies reported collective losses of nearly $9 million as they pushed incentives. Wade Duty, executive director of the Louisiana Casino Association, says you can expect promotions to return with every major sporting event throughout the year.

Cut 15 (12)  “…football season.”

More than 50 parades roll from tonight through Fat Tuesday in Louisiana. After COVID cancelled Mardi Gras last year there’s pent-up demand to let the good times roll and Mardi Gras Guide Publishers Arthur Hardy says they hope it’s going to be a boost the tourism industry.

Cut 12 (07) “…good now.”

Attorneys for nursing home operator Bob Dean say he has dementia and should not have to sit for depositions. Dean is facing numerous lawsuits after evacuating over 800 people from his seven nursing homes before Hurricane Ida. They were taken to a warehouse in Tangipahoa Parish, where conditions were not fit for people to live. Several died. Now Dean’s lawyers say he has cognitive challenges. Legal analyst Tim Meche says this may excuse him from depositions, but he can still be held liable, but he must be ruled competent to stand trial..:

CUT 08(10)      “…a competent person”

Dean’s nursing home licenses have been revoked. His lawyers are seeking the get them back.

The Coast Guard suspends the search for a woman who jumped over the rail of a cruise ship in the Gulf Wednesday. There is cell phone video of her having some kind of altercation with someone right before leaping overboard. The unidentified woman hit the side of the ship as she fell the ten stories to the water. She was never seen resurfacing.

More than 50 parades will roll between Friday and Fat Tuesday in the New Orleans area and after the pandemic paused parades last year, there’s more than krewe members riding on Mardi Gras this year. Brooke Thorington explains…:

CUT 03(33)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

The state legislature is expected wrap up its special session on redistricting today. Lawmakers have been split along party and racial lines on the subject of adding more majority black districts. Whatever maps do come out of the redistricting session will quite likely wind up challenged in court.

Louisiana loves to gamble, and the success of legal sports betting illustrates it. The state Gaming Control Board reports the 13 legal sports book operations in Louisiana took in over $40-million in bets in the last four days of January.  However, Donna Jackson, gaming auditor for the State Police, reported yesterday the six companies doing app-based online betting reported collective losses of nearly $9-million dollars as they pushed out incentives to attract bettors…:

CUT 13(07)      “…for promotional wagers.”

Opening in the weeks leading up to the Super Bowl was a major reason behind the promotional flurry.

After a year off due to the pandemic Mardi Gras is back, with dozens of statewide parades starting as early as tonight, and running right through Fat Tuesday. Mardi Gras historian Arthur Hardy says no one knows how big New Orleans crowds will be this year, but hotel bookings ARE up…:

CUT 11(06)      “…solid season.”

The state legislature is expected wrap up its special session on redistricting today. The session officially must end Sunday at 6 p.m. Lawmakers have been split along racial and party lines on the subject of adding more majority-black voting districts to the maps for Congress, legislature, BESE, state courts and more. The House and Senate Republican majorities each passed congressional maps that still have only one majority-minority district, despite blacks making up a third of voters statewide. “LAPolitics.com” publisher Jeremy Alford says GOP members feel there’s more to making a second majority-black district than simply wanting one…:

CUT 05(15)      “…were maps passed.”

Alford thinks court challenges of the district maps passed are inevitable.

The Coast Guard suspends its search for a woman who jumped over the rail of a cruise ship in the Gulf Wednesday. The unidentified woman made the leap after an altercation of some sort. She hit the side of the ship as she fell and was never seen surfacing. Her husband and family were also aboard the ship.