Tandem floats have been banned from New Orleans Mardi Gras parades following the deaths of two parade-goers who were struck and killed by two floats pulled by one tractor. 58-year-old Joseph Sampson died Saturday after he fell underneath a tandem float during the Endymion parade. Krewe president Dan Kelly supports the Mayor’s decision to ban tandem floats, but he’s not sure that’s the long-term solution….
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Sampson’s family has started a GoFundMe account to help pay for funeral expenses.

Governor John Bel Edwards has created the “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….
cut 13 (10) “…related”
That’s Chief Resilience Officer Charles Sutcliff.

A former Bossier City Police Officer has been arrested on murder and obstruction of justice charges. 43-year-old John Hardy was taken into custody over the weekend. The Bossier Parish Sheriff’s office has not released many details. But Hardy’s business partner has been missing since January 24th and human remains were discovered in a wooded area outside of Benton on Friday.

The fourth annual Mardi Gras Parade Adoption Program is underway to place extra horses with owners so they can avoid possible slaughter. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington

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 Louisiana lawmaker Butch Gautreaux has passed away at the age of 72. A cause of death has not been released. He represented St. Mary Parish in the state legislature from 1996 to 2012. He was also a businessman, former owner of a home appliance and electronics store in Morgan City.

An Alexandria-based cybersecurity agency called Ingalls Information expects we’ll see ransomware attacks in an effort to disrupt the 2020 presidential election. Ingalls Information Security CEO Jason Ingalls says it appears state and local election systems are protected well, but hackers could target other state agencies with ransomware attacks around election time. He says OMV was recently impacted by a ransomware attack…
cut 12 (13) “….been place”

Governor Edwards has created the Climate Initatives Task Force as the state looks to play a greater role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The state’s Chief Resilience Officer Charles Sutcliffe says….
cut 14 (12) “…conversation”
Scientists say greenhouse gas emissions is leading to a rise in sea levels.

Tandem floats have been banned in New Orleans after two people during a three-day span were struck and killed by tandem floats during Mardi Gras parades. Two people also had to be rushed to a hospital after they fell from a second-floor balcony on St. Charles Avenue yesterday.

An Alexandria-based cybersecurity agency has broken down how the 2020 Presidential election could be compromised by ransomware….
Voicer 3 (33) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

Governor John Bel Edwards is setting up a Climate Initiatives Task Force that’s charged with developing a plan on how Louisiana industries can reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Discussing the impact of carbon emissions on the global climate can be controversial in an oil-rich state. but Edwards’ Chief Resilience Officer Charles Sutcliffe says the objective is not to attack a particular group.
Cut 15 (09) “…gonna do.”

For the fourth straight year, the Humane Society of Lousiana is running an adoption program for a few of the horses that walk in the Mardi Gras parades. Humane Society of Louisiana Director Jeff Dorson says 55 horses have been adopted over the last three years…
cut 9 (09) “…Mardi Gras horse”
Go to Facebook-dot-com, slash mardi-gras-horses to view the horses up for adoption.

It’s Lundi Gras as a Carnival season marred by two deaths has two more days left in it. New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has banned tandem floats after two people during a three-day span were hit and killed by a moving tandem float. Others say the city should put up more barricades, but Endymion Vice President Charles Bruno says more barricades can create a different problem…
cut 6 (10) “….larger crowd”
Two Krewe of Thoth riders have been hospitalized after falling off floats during yesterdays’ parade and two people fell from a second-story balcony on St. Charles Avenue had to be rushed to the hospital.

For a fourth straight year, The Humane Society of Louisiana is holding a Mardi Gras Parade Horse Adoption Program. Humane Society Director Jeff Dorson says the program has proven to be successful.
Cut 7 (06) “…for adoption.”
Go to the Humane Society of Louisiana’s Facebook page to find out which horses are up for adoption this year.

Governor John Bel Edwards has created the “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….
cut 13 (10) “…related”
That’s Chief Resilience Officer Charles Sutcliff who says the state is planning to spend a billion dollars a year on coastal restoration projects, but officials admit the plan requires a slowing of sea-level rise for the projects to have a longterm effect.

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’s election computer system appears to be secure, Ingalls Information Security CEO Jason Ingalls says other agencies should be on high alert…
Cut 10 (10) “…pay your ransom.”
The state Office of Motor Vehicles was recently impacted by a ransomware attack.

Mardi Gras safety will be a big topic in New Orleans over the months ahead, after a second person in three days was struck and killed by a float. 58-year-old Joseph Sampson died Saturday after a passing tandem float hit him at the Endymion parade. Afterward, the city banned the use of tandem floats, but Endymion Vice President Charles Bruno does not believe a tandem float is to blame…
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Two Thoth riders were taken to the hospital yesterday after they fell off of separate floats and E-M-S says two were injured when they fell from a balcony on St. Charles Avenue.

A former Bossier City Police Officer has been arrested on murder and obstruction of justice charges. 43-year-old John Hardy was taken into custody over the weekend. The Bossier Parish Sheriff’s office has not released only a few details.

The fourth annual Mardi Gras Parade Horse Adoption Program is underway. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington

Alexandria-based Ingalls Information Security has published a whitepaper on how the 2020 presidential election could be hacked. C-E-O Jason Ingalls says local level election systems are a likely target…
cut 11 (09) “…advanced malware attacks”
Ingalls recommends that state and local election officials have a next-generation anti-virus on their computers.

The rules and regulations for the state’s industrial hemp program are now finalized and the first license for industrial hemp has been issued. As part of the process, applicants have to undergo a background check. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says the rules are guided by federal law.
Cut 4 (12) “…that is hallucinogenic.”
The planting season begins in mid-April.

A study commissioned by Louisiana’s Board of Regents recommends that a new law school should NOT be established in the Shreveport-Bossier region. Instead, Higher Education Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed says the report recommended that the region work to attract more attorneys to the Shreveport area…
Cut 7 (10) “…ideas or suggestions.”

The fourth annual Mardi Gras Parade Horse Adoption Program is underway. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington

Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over is in effect for the remainder of the Carnival season. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission spokesperson Mark Lambert says the goal is to prevent fatal drunk driving crashes…
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In 2018- the latest year for available stats, two people were killed over the final days of the Mardi Gras season the lowest since 2012.

St. Martin Parish Sheriff deputies have arrested a man accused of tossing a bag of puppies off a bridge into water in Henderson. Authorities say the incident happened Sunday and shortly after a person of interest was developed. Yesterday, 55-year-old Gary Goulas was charged with eight counts of aggravated cruelty to animals. A nearby fisherman rescued the puppies.

The state’s Ag Department has begun issuing industrial hemp licenses…
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For the fourth straight year, the Humane Society of Lousiana is running an adoption program for a few of the horses that walk in the Mardi Gras parades. Humane Society of Louisiana Director Jeff Dorson says 55 horses have been adopted over the last three years and they are expecting another successful year…
cut 9 (09) “…Mardi Gras horse”
Go to Facebook-dot-com, slash mardi-gras-horses to view the horses up for adoption.

Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over is in effect across the state for the final weekend of the Carnival season. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission spokesperson Mark Lambert says expect to see more law enforcement on the highway.
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In 2018- the latest year of stats, two people were killed and 66 injured in alcohol-related crashes in Louisiana from the Friday before Mardi Gras through Fat Tuesday.

The St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office believes they have found the person who tossed a bag full of lab puppies from a bridge into water in Henderson on Sunday. Deputies say they collected enough evidence to arrest 55-year-old Gary James Goulas of Breaux Bridge. He’s been charged with eight counts of aggravated cruelty to animals and booked into the parish prison.

Four the fourth straight year, the Humane Society of Louisiana is organizing a Mardi Gras Parade Horse Adoption Program. The charity has found homes for 55 horses during the past three years and Humane Society Director Jeff Dorson says the program is gaining in popularity…
cut 8 (11) “…few weeks”
Go to Facebook-dot-com-backslash-mardi-gras-horses to look at this year’s horses that are up for adoption.

Expect to see more law enforcement on the highways in an effort to crackdown on intoxicated Carnival goers who get behind the wheel….
cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

Mardi Gras is not just for south Louisiana, there’s a children’s parade in Alexandria today and tomorrow it’s the 27th annual Krewes Parade. Alexandria Convention and Visitors Bureau spokesperson Anne Savage says while in town, get yourself some king cake.
Cut 13 (11) “…delicious.”

The rules and regulations for the state’s industrial hemp program are now finalized and the first license for industrial hemp has been issued.  Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says the timing to have the regulatory framework in place is important to ensure growers are ready for the planting season between mid-April and early May.
Cut 5 (11)  “…of the way.”
As part of the process, applicants have to undergo a background check.

Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over is in effect across the state as we enter the final weekend of the Carnival season. The campaign is a statewide effort and Louisiana Highway Safety Commission spokesperson Mark Lambert says law enforcement has earmarked funding to increase patrols during this time period.
Cut 11 (09) “to Belle Chasse”
In 2018- the latest year of stats, two people were killed and 66 injured in alcohol-related crashes in Louisiana from the Friday before Mardi Gras through Fat Tuesday.

A study commissioned by Louisiana’s Board of Regents indicates there is a lack of evidence to warrant the establishment of a law school in Shreveport.  Higher Ed Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed says two legislative resolutions asked the board to explore how to expand legal education in north Louisiana.

Cut 6 (10) “…conversation around dental.”

The decision comes just weeks after the board struck down the idea of a dental school in the area.

Mardi Gras isn’t only going down in south Louisiana, CenLa residents are being treated to Alexandria festivities starting tonight and rolling through Sunday afternoon. Saturday is dedicated to the Children’s Parade, and Alexandria Convention and Visitor’s Bureau spokesperson Anne Savage says it’s perfect for a more laid back carnival experience.
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The festivities wrap up at the Huckleberry Brewing Company at 4PM Sunday with food trucks and live music running throughout the evening.

The Pelicans return from the All-Star Break tonight with a game in Portland versus the Trail Blazers. New Orleans is five games back of Memphis for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Veteran guard Jrue Holiday believes the team can make a real run at catching Memphis…
cut 18 (12) “…be fun”
Brandon Ingram returns to the line-up for the Pelicans. He missed the last few games heading into the All-Star break because of an ankle sprain. The Trail Blazers Damian Lillard will not play tonight, because of a groin strain. Tip-off is at 9:30.

LSU basketball is at South Carolina tomorrow at 5 PM. Louisiana Tech visits North Texas. The Bulldogs trail Mean Green by two games for first place. The Ragin Cajuns are at ULM. Nicholls looks for its fifth straight win when the Colonels visit Central Arkansas. McNeese will try to snap a five-game losing streak when they host UNO.

The 11th ranked LSU baseball team hosts Eastern Kentucky tonight. The Tigers didn’t play well in a 4-2 loss to Nicholls on Wednesday and Coach Paul Mainieri is looking for more consistency. He will give Wes Toups a start in left field and freshman lex Milazzo will get two starts behind the plate this weekend. Manieri says Milazzo has a major league arm…
cut 20 (18) “…on you”
Milazzo is off to a good start at the plate, as he has four hits in his first eleven collegiate bats.

Louisiana Tech is at Troy this weekend. The Bulldogs are 4-and-0 and they’ve outscored their opponents to 20-to-5 so far. ULM and Grambling will face each in a three-game series, while the Cajuns host Virginia Tech.