Governor Edwards calls for the resignation of 23rd Judicial District Judge Jessie LeBlanc to resign following her admission to sending racists text messages. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says it’s outside of the Governor’s reach to make such a call.
Cut 9 (08) “…of a judge.″
Ciolino says the Judiciary Commission should conduct an investigation.

Advocates for Domestic violence victims are concerned victims are getting hit with court costs if they fail to show up to court after filing a temporary restraining order. In a state that has the second-highest rate of women murdered by men in the nation, Executive Director of the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence Mariah Winseki says this practice needs to stop.
Cut 6 (11) “…victim safety.”

U-S Senator John Kennedy has a tense exchange with acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf over the coronavirus…
Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

Former LSU wide receiver Justin Jefferson told NFL.com that the fistful of of cash he received from Odell Beckham after the national championship went to his church.

During Tuesday night’s 2020 Democratic presidential debate, the candidates hammered President Trump’s response to the Coronavirus. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says the Trump administration is on top of it and has proposed spending two-point-five billion dollars as part of a response plan…
Cut 5 (08)  “…dollars in it”
So far there have been 14 confirmed cases in the US, but none in Louisiana.
Marrero Representative Kyle Green files legislation that would increase the minimum wage from $7.25 to nine dollars an hour in 2021. The last increase in the minimum wage for Louisianans happened in 2009 under the Obama Administration. Green says we’re long overdue to increase it again.
Cut 9 (09) “…their basic necessities.″
The move is opposed by the business lobbyists.

Ash Wednesday begins the Lenten season and seafood becomes a popular dish.  Chairman of the Gulf Seafood Institute Harlon Pearce believes there should be plenty available.  Pearce says high water levels and weather conditions have resulted in a bountiful crawfish harvest.
Cut 10 (10) “…into the season.”
Pearce adds oysters are looking promising and prices are leveling out much better than what they were.

New data from the CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control shows Louisiana ranks fifth in the nation among states with the highest per capita gun death rates in 2018. Violence Policy Center, Legislative Director Kristen Rand says there are several studies indicate a correlation of lower exposure to firearms as represented by household gun ownership in having lower death rates.

Cut 14 (10) “…since 2009.”

U-S Senator John Kennedy is not happy with the lack of answers coming from acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf about the coronavirus outbreak. Kennedy’s frustration grew when Wolf couldn’t say how many respirators and masks are available in the United States or if there’s an estimate on how many cases we might see…
cut 3 (14) “….security”

Today is Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent, which means lots of Louisiana residents will abstain from eating meat today and Fridays for the next 40 days. Chairman of the Gulf Seafood Institute Harlon Pearce says wild-caught Louisiana catfish is becoming a popular dish…
cut 12 (09) “…farm-raised shrimp”

New data shows gun death rates in the Bayou State continue to rise. Brooke Thorington spoke with Violence Policy Center, Legislative Director Kristen Rand about the disturbing trend.
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

A cold front has dropped the temperature in Louisiana and a strong wind out of the northwest is giving us another taste of winter. National Weather Service meteorologist Brad Bryant says highs will only be in the 50s today…
cut 6 (08) “….there for sure”

The Lenten season begins today with Ash Wednesday and that means meatless Fridays for many in Louisiana. Chairman of the Gulf Seafood Institute Harlon Pearce says the crawfish crop looks good, wild-caught Louisiana catfish is becoming more popular and there’s also plenty of oysters…
cut 11 (05) “…right now”
Many restaurants are offering seafood dinner specials during the Lenten season.

New data from the CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control shows Louisiana ranks fifth in the nation among states with the highest per capita gun death rates in 2018. The states with the highest rates are Mississippi, Alabama, Wyoming, Missouri followed by the Bayou State. Violence Policy Center, Legislative Director Kristen Rand explains what these states have in common.
Cut 13 (09) “…gun ownership.”
Rand says reduced exposure to guns, coupled with strong gun laws can save lives.

Matt Doyle spoke with a Marrero Democrat who says Louisiana’s working-class deserves a raise and he’ll push to increase the minimum wage when lawmakers convene for the legislative session…
Cut 1 (28) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Remember the controversy surrounding Odell Beckham Junior and the handing out of cash to players after the national championship game. Wide receiver Justin Jefferson says he donated his money handshake to his church. That’s what Jefferson told N-F-L-dot-com. Jefferson added it was a mistake to accept the money and he spoke with the LSU compliance office after it happened.

Shreveport television stations are reporting a robbery suspect was fatally shot last night by police. Officers were reportedly investigating a robbery near an apartment complex when they spotted the suspect, who shot at officers. Police returned fired, striking him. He died at a local hospital and no officers were injured. It was one of three deadly shootings in Shreveport yesterday.

The Violence Policy Center says Louisiana has the fifth highest gun death rate in the nation as 21 out of every 100-thousand people die by the use of a firearm. V-P-C legislative director Kristen Rand…
cut 14 (10) “….since 2009”
And Rand says their research has determined states with the weakest gun laws and highest gun ownership lead the nation in gun deaths.

Ash Wednesday marks the start of the Lenten season and for those who abstain from meat on Fridays, the seafood supply is looking good. Kevin Barnhart has more.
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

A cold front has dropped temperatures in the Bayou State. And National Weather Service Meteorologist Brad Bryant says there’s also a strong wind out of the northwest….
cut 5 (04) “…30 miles per hour occasionally”
Bryant says we’ll also see cool temperatures tomorrow, but it will warm-up on Friday and the weekend looks really nice.

After a run of mild weather, winter temperatures return to the Bayou State today. National Weather Service meteorologist Brad Bryant says we’ll also see gusty winds out of the northwest…
cut 4 (06) “…pretty chilly”:
High temperatures today will be in the low to upper 50s.

The Violence Policy Center says based on data from 2018, states with weak gun laws and higher gun ownership lead the nation in gun deaths. The V-P-C says Louisiana has the fifth highest gun death rate as 21 individuals for every 100-thousand people die from the use of a firearm. That’s nearly double the nationwide gun death rate. V-P-C Legislative Director Kristen Rand says it’s time for Louisiana to get proactive and prevent gun deaths…
cut 15 (10) “…death rate”

Ash Wednesday marks the start of the Lenten season and seafood is a popular dish for Catholics. Chairman of the Gulf Seafood Institute Harlon Pearce says the seafood supply is good, especially crawfish as high water levels and weather conditions have resulted in a bountiful crawfish crop.
Cut 10 (10) “…into the season.”
Pearce says there are also plenty of oysters to go around and wild-caught Louisiana catfish is gaining popularity.

State lawmakers will soon return to the State Capitol for the start of another legislative session and there will once again be an effort to raise the minimum wage. Lobbyist groups that represent businesses have fiercely pushed back on proposals in years past but that hasn’t stopped Marrero Representative Kyle Green from filing a bill to raise the minimum wage from $7.25 to nine-dollars an hour…
cut 8 (07) “…pay increase”
The legislative session begins on March ninth.

Governor John Bel Edwards wants to raise the state’s minimum wage and Marrero Representative Kyle Green has filed legislation that would increase the minimum wage from $7.25 to nine dollars an hour in 2021. He says since the economy is booming, there’s no reason businesses can’t afford to pay their workers fairly.
Cut 7 (07) “…of this state.”
Green’s bill will be debated in the legislative session that begins March ninth.

Today is Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent, which means lots of Louisiana residents will abstain from eating meat today and Fridays for the next 40 days. Chairman of the Gulf Seafood Institute Harlon Pearce says wild-caught Louisiana catfish is becoming a popular dish…
cut 12 (09) “…farm-raised shrimp”

New data shows gun death rates in the Bayou State continue to rise. Brooke Thorington spoke with Violence Policy Center Legislative Director Kristen Rand about the disturbing trend.
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Former LSU Quarterback Joe Burrow ends speculation that he would try to force his way out of Cincinnati as he says he’ll play for the Bengals if they take him with the number one pick. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

With two float related fatalities within days of each other involving tandem floats, New Orleans Police Superintendent Shaun Ferguson made the call to cease the use of tandem floats for the remainder of the 2020 festivities.  Ferguson praises Krewes that cooperated with the last minute changes.

Cut 14 (10) “…to do it”

Millions are celebrating Mardi Gras around the world, but no one does it bigger than New Orleans.  The celebration has a large economic impact on the Big Easy, bringing in over $1 billion annually, which is roughly 2 percent of the city’s GDP.  Personal finance website WalletHub analyst Jill Gonzales says it’s growing too.

Cut 9 (06) “…impact from 2011.″

A massive party is taking place across south Louisiana on this Fat Tuesday. There are parades all day in Lake Charles and Lafayette. K-PEL Radio’s Bernadette Lee says in the Hub City, the big party started this morning…

Cut 8 (26) “…Lee report

At the NFL draft combine in Indianapolis, former LSU quarterback Joe Burrow put to rest rumors that he would not play for the Bengals if Cincinnati selected him with the top overall pick. Some NFL reporters have speculated Burrow would pressure Cincinnati not to draft him. Burrow will not throw at the combine, but he looks forward to meeting with several teams, including the Bengals…

Cut 4 (09) “…think about ball.”
With two float related fatalities within days of each other involving tandem floats, New Orleans Police Superintendent  Shaun Ferguson made the call to cease the use of tandem floats for the remainder of the 2020 festivities.  Ferguson received criticism for making the decision but he feels he made the correct choice.
Cut 13 (09) “…that decision.”

Ferguson says safety is his top priority for the citizens of New Orleans and its visitors.

A massive party is taking place across south Louisiana on this Fat Tuesday. There have been parades all day in Lake Charles and Lafayette. K-PEL Radio’s Bernadette Lee says multiple parades will roll through downtown Lafayette…

Cut 7 (12) “     Mardi Gras today”  

Millions are celebrating Mardi Gras around the world, but no one does it bigger than New Orleans.  The celebration has a large economic impact on the Big Easy, bringing in over $1 billion annually, which is roughly 2 percent of the city’s GDP.  The average price to attend a Mardi Gras ball is about $190 a ticket. Personal finance website WalletHub analyst Jill Gonzales says a VIP experience of riding on a float is upwards of $3000.

Cut 11 (10) “…does add up.”

About 25 million pounds of beads are thrown during the celebrations.  92,000 pounds of beads are removed from storm drains after the celebration.

With two float related fatalities within days of each other involving tandem floats, New Orleans Police Superintendent Shaun Ferguson made the call to cease the use of tandem floats for the remainder of the 2020 festivities.  Ferguson says he wants to hold meetings in the immediate future to discuss safety measures.

Cut 12 (11) “… carnival season.”

According to WalletHub of the roughly half-million King Cakes sold during Carnival season, about 50-thousand are shipped out of state overnight, with the average cost being around $40.  But for those that want to come to New Orleans for the festivities, WalletHub analyst Jill Gonzales says visitors can expect to pay just shy of $300 per night to stay in the French Quarter.

Cut 10 (09) “…this time alone.”

A massive party is taking place in the Big Easy and across south Louisiana on this Fat Tuesday. There are also parades all day in Lake Charles and Lafayette. K-PEL Radio’s Bernadette Lee says multiple parades will roll through downtown Lafayette…

Cut 7 (12) “     Mardi Gras today”  

At the NFL draft combine in Indianapolis, this morning former LSU quarterback Joe Burrow spoke to a group of reporters. JaMarcus Russell was the last LSU quarterback drafted with the top pick in 2007. But Russell turned out to be a big bust in Oakland. Burrow is confident he’ll succeed in the NFL…

Cut 5 (08)  “…fund it”