A Baton Rouge woman, 6-months pregnant with twins is one of two people killed in an I-10 crash near Belle Terre Road in St. John the Baptist Parish…
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

The lawyer for a Bossier City businessman and a former police officer who allegedly killed, dismembered and disposed of co-worker Garrett Wilson, says his client is innocent. Wilson’s remains were found in a north Bossier Parish field. Defense attorney Randal Fish tells KTBS-TV that John Hardy uses a walker to get around and finds it hard to believe Hardy could do this in his ambulatory condition.

They will chase live chickens today in the southwest Louisiana town Iowa as residents there still celebrate Mardi Gras the traditional way. Run Captain Rodney Victorian says they will go around town knocking on doors seeking ingredients to make a community gumbo and at each stop, a live chicken is released…
cut 8 (11) “…to catch them”
The gumbo will be served from two to four PM at the local Knights of Columbus Hall.

In the voting for the best King Cake, Antonie’s Bakery and Caluda’s King Cake emerged victorious as nearly 25-hundred people voted for their favorite brands and flavor varieties. King-Cake-snob- spokesperson Andrew Alexander says not only does the survey rate King Cakes, but they also ask participants to admit to particular behaviors during the carnival season…
Cut 6 (12) “…is looking”
To view the results you can visit KingCakeSnob.com

A pregnant Baton Rouge mother expecting twins and her 7-year-old son are dead following a two-vehicle crash on I-10 near Belle Terre Road in St. John the Baptist Parish. State Trooper Monroe Dillon says 27-year-old Tyandra Lewis was eastbound on I-10 when for reasons under investigation, their Toyota Camry stopped in the left lane.
Cut 10 (08) “…vehicle from behind.”
Lewis and her son sustained fatal injuries from the impact. The driver of the other vehicle was not injured.

Today is a big day of parades across south Louisiana and State Police is asking Carnival goers to be mindful of pickpocketers. Lt. Nick Manale says never pat your pocket to see if your wallet is there because that lets a thief know where you keep your money and credit cards….
cut 15 (09) “….bring with you”

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.”
Gumbo will be served to the riders from two to four PM at the Knights of Columbus Hall.

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.” 

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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.″

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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.”

Legislation filed for the upcoming session would allow surveillance cameras to be installed in the classroom of special needs students. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

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”

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.

A Breaux Bridge man faces animal cruelty charges for allegedly tossing a bag full of lab puppies from a bridge into Bayou Portage in Henderson last week. St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Major Ginny Higgins credits the public’s help for nabbing 55-year-old Gary James Goulas.
Cut 12 (10) “… cruelty to animals.”
The charges, one for each puppy, are felony offenses.

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.
Governor Edwards announces the creation of a “Climate Initiatives Task Force” that will work on ways to reduce the state’s greenhouse gas emissions in an effort to slow sea level rise. Edwards showcased his billion dollars a year coastal restoration plan last week, but officials admit it requires a slowing of sea-level rise to work longterm. Edwards’ Chief Resilience Officer Charles Sutcliffe says it’ll have to be a global effort, but…
Cut 14 (12) “…conversation”

There are two days left of parades and partying, but a somber mood has come over Carnival 2020 after a second person was struck and killed by a Mardi Gras float in New Orleans. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Longtime St. Mary Parish lawmaker Butch Gautreaux has died. He was 72.

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)  “…and stay there.”  

Mardi Gras safety will be a hot topic in New Orleans in the months ahead after a second person in three days was killed by a float. Some say banning tandem floats is not the answer to preventing further deaths during the rowdy street parades. Others say the city should put up more barricades keeping partygoers off the street. But Endymion Vice President Charles Bruno says more barricades can create a different problem…

Cut 6 (10) “…larger crowd”

The Humane Society of Louisiana is coordinating its fourth annual Mardi Gras Parade Horse Adoption Program. In the past potential adopters could choose from available horses after Carnival season, but with the program’s increased popularity, Humane Society Director Jeff Dorson says they are seeing a new trend.

Cut 8 (11) “…few weeks.”

You can visit the Mardi Gras Horses Facebook page for more information.

An Alexandria-based cybersecurity agency has broken down how the 2020 Presidential election could be hacked in a report distributed to the National Association of Secretaries of State. While Louisiana appears to be secure, Ingalls Information Security CEO Jason Ingalls says local level election systems are a likely target.

Cut 11 (09) “…advanced malware attacks.”