Louisiana Radio Network News, I’m Matt Doyle

Many folks think that Mardi Gras is a celebration that only takes place in Southeast Louisiana, but festivities surrounding Carnival are happening across the state. The Acadiana region celebrates with events that draw over 200,000 people every season. That’s according to Executive Director of the Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission, Ben Berthelot. He says there’s a lot to see down there…:

Cut 5  (08)  “twenty or thirty minutes”

Monroe-based CenturyLink is opening a new outbound sales center bringing 150 jobs to the area. A job fair will be held later this month in Monroe to help fill the new jobs. CenturyLink spokesperson Anne Marie Sartor Sartor says there will be a couple of ways people can apply for the jobs…

Cut 8 (11) “Garden Inn.”

LRN

_______________________________________________

An Offers.com survey says Louisianans are the top spenders this year for Super Bowl parties. Even though the Black and Gold missed the Super Bowl by a hair, big game parties will still be raging across the state, and Forget gumbo, jambalaya or crawfish, Yarborough says Louisiana has a fairly standard go to for Super Bowl snacks.

Cut 11 (09) “this Sunday”

Respected forecasters Punxsutawney Phil the groundhog and Louisiana’s own Pierre C. Shadeaux the nutria are at odds in their predictions this year.  Phil predicted another six weeks of winter, while Shadeaux says spring is coming soon.  LSU Climatologist Barry Keim says Shadeaux’s prediction may be closer on the mark…

Cut 13 (10) “telling us.”

Keim says while the longterm weather might be unpredictable, he’s comfortable saying it’s going to rain this weekend.

Louisiana Radio Network

Louisiana Radio Network, I’m Matt Doyle

Monroe-based CenturyLink is opening a new outbound sales center bringing 150 jobs to the area.  Kelley Ray has more…

Cut 2 (29) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

Peninsula Pacific is evaluating the prospect of moving it’s Diamond Jack Casino in Bossier City to Tangipahoa Parish. The company is looking at moving the casino to the Tangipahoa River at the Robert exit. The move would require a difficult series of local and state requirements to be met and approved before the project could be initiated, but Tangipahoa Parish President Robby Miller says it’s a great opportunity for the parish. The project could cost north of 100 million dollars.

Forecaster Punxsutawney Phil and Louisiana’s own nutria forecaster Pierre C. Shadeaux are at odds in their predictions this year.  Phil saw his shadow and predicted another six weeks of winter, while Shadeaux didn’t see his in New Iberia today and says we will see a longer spring, delaying summertime heat longer.

While the spring forecast might be up in the air, LSU Climatologist Barry Keim says one things for sure, it’s going to rain this weekend for carnival.

Cut 15 (12) “out there.”

An Offers.com survey says Louisianans are the top spenders this year for Super Bowl parties. Even though the Black and Gold missed the Super Bowl by a hair, big game parties will still be raging across the state. Offers.com spokesperson Carson Yarborough says Louisiana spends nearly 40 percent more per party than the average state.

Cut 10 (11) “national average”

The Super Bowl kicks off at 5:30PM Sunday.

Louisiana Radio Network

Big and small towns will have Mardi Gras Parades this weekend. Kelli West with the Alexandria-Pineville Convention and Visitors Bureau, says tomorrow morning for the second year in a row, the town of Ball will host a big parade at 10 A-M along Highway 165….
cut 4 (09) “…as well”
Two weekends of parades also begin tonight in Acadiana. Executive Director of the Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission, Ben Berthelot, says they have a big party on February 9th at Cajun Field called Le Festival de Mardi Gras….
cut 6 (10) “…great fun”

And in New Orleans there’s controversy surrounding “Forever Lee Circle” beads which are in response to the statue of General Robert E Lee being taken down last year. Krewes are asking members not to toss them during parades.

CenturyLink announces they are adding 150 jobs in Louisiana as they are opening a new outbound sales center in Monroe. CenturyLink recently merged with Level 3 Communications. CenturyLink spokesperson Ann Marie Sartor says there was initial concern as to how the merger would affect employees in the Monroe area, but this shows their commitment to Louisiana.…
Cut 9 (10) “it well.”
A job fair will take place February 12th for anyone interested in working for CenturyLink.

Offers-dot-com surveyed a thousand people and found that Louisiana residents will spend on average 71-dollars on their Super Bowl viewing parties. Spokesperson Courtney Yarborough says there’s another category the Bayou State paces the nation in….
cut 12 (06) “…have fun”
Kick-off is at 5:30.

Festivities surrounding Mardi Gras are happening across the state starting this weekend. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 1 (32) “I’m Michelle Southern”

The Krewe of Muses is asking that Forever Lee Circle beads or any other Confederate-themed parade throws not be thrown this year.  The Advocate is reporting it’s a safety issue.  The krewe is concerned people will throw those beads back at them or the person throwing them could be harmed by angry paradegoers.

Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow and predicted another six weeks of winter while Louisiana’s own forecaster Pierre C. Shadeaux didn’t see his in New Iberia today and says we will see a longer spring.  LSU Climatologist Barry Keim says it’s understandable everyone wants to see spring come sooner since January was a very harsh month in Louisiana…

Cut 14 (08) “of salt.”

An Offers.com survey says Louisianans are the top spenders this year for Super Bowl parties.  Forget gumbo, jambalaya or crawfish.  Spokesperson Carson Yarborough says Louisiana has a fairly standard go to for Super Bowl snacks.

Cut 11 (09) “this Sunday”

And we like to spend money for Super Bowl parties, nearly 40 percent more than other states.

Mardi Gras celebrations are taking place throughout the state the next two weekends. Executive Director of the Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission Ben Berthelot says the city of Lafayette holds big parades, and rural communities do Mardi Gras their own special way…:
Cut 5 (08) “twenty or thirty minutes”
Central Louisiana’s Mardi Gras gets bigger and bigger every year.

Punxsutawney Phil and Louisiana’s own nutria forecaster Pierre C. Shadeaux are at odds in their predictions this year. Phil saw his shadow and predicted another six weeks of winter, while Shadeaux didn’t in New Iberia today saying expect more spring. LSU Climatologist Barry Keim says Shadeaux’s prediction may be closer on the mark…:
Cut 13 (10) “telling us”

An Offers.com survey says Louisianans are the top spenders this year for Super Bowl parties. Even though the Black and Gold missed the Super Bowl by a hair, big game parties will still be raging across the state. Offers.com spokesperson Carson Yarborough says Louisiana spends nearly 40 percent more per party than the average state…:
Cut 10 (11) “national average”
The Eagles and Patriots will battle on Sunday at 5:30pm on NBC.

The LSU Board of Supervisors is expected to approve today new contracts for LSU offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger and defensive coordinator Dave Aranda. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says Ensminger’s contract is 800-thousand dollars a year…:
Cut 16 (05) “would be”
He says Aranda’s annual salary will go up to 2.5 million dollars.

Many folks think that Mardi Gras is a celebration that only takes place in Southeast Louisiana, but festivities surrounding Carnival are happening across the state. They do it big in Alexandria with two weekends packed with fun events. Kelli West with the Convention and Visitors Bureau says tonight Pineville will roll with their massive 4th Annual Light the Night Parade:
CUT 3 (11) “two cities”
West says once the parade is over tonight, the Light the Night After-Party kicks off at 8pm in downtown Alexandria.

The iconic Voice of the Saints Jim Henderson is retiring. He says it wasn’t an easy decision, but the hectic football season can take a toll on your family…:
Cut 25 (12) “of sacrifice”
Henderson says most of all, he’s looking forward to just being a fan again.

A 74-year-old man and 10-year-old boy died in a fire this morning in West Baton Rouge Parish. Officials say a woman and girl were also injured in the blaze. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Monroe based CenturyLink is opening a new outbound sales center bringing 150 jobs to the area…:
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Kelley Ray”

Governor John Bel Edwards has raised five million dollars and has a 56 percent approval rating at the moment, Matt Doyle talked to a political analyst about what that means for his reelection chances.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

Pierre C. Shadeaux, the Cajun groundhog, did not see his shadow this morning, meaning a longer spring and a slow return of summer heat.  The New Iberia rodent  predicts differently that Punxsutawney Phil.  Shadeaux looks for a longer spring or an earlier summer.

Monroe based CenturyLink is opening a new outbound sales center bringing 150 jobs to the area.  The center will be located on Forsythe Avenue.  CenturyLink spokesperson Anne Marie Sartor says the center will focus on small businesses throughout the country in helping them with their needs…

Cut 7 (09)  “them grow.”

The job fair will be held in West Monroe at the Hilton Garden Inn Monday February 12^th from 7am to 7pm.

The iconic Voice of the Saints Jim Henderson is retiring after a storied 31-year career calling the most triumphant and heartbreaking moments in Black and Gold history.  Henderson fondly remembers his first time in the Saints broadcast booth.

Cut 15 (12) “we go”

Governor John Bel Edwards has five million dollars in his reelection war chest at the midway point of his term.  The fundraising numbers from his annual campaign finance report, combined with his high favorability ratings, give the governor a strong starting position heading into the 2019 governor’s race. Political Analyst Clancy DuBos says it still might not be enough to get him a second term.

Cut 7 (08)  “perhaps several.”

New Dodge Chargers are coming to the State Police fleet starting this month.  State Police Lt. J.B. Slaton says they realize  there will be drivers who think they are trying to camouflage themselves better, especially with the less visible reflective silver lettering and logos. But Slaton says safe law abiding drivers have nothing to worry about…

Cut 12 (09) “the road.”

One northwest Louisiana private school is rooting hard for Philadelphia in Super Bowl 52 Sunday.  The Eagles’ head coach Doug Pederson was the head coach for Calvary Baptist Academy in Shreveport.  Academy Superintendent Chad McDowell says even though some students weren’t around when Pederson was at the school, they still like him…

Cut 5  (07)  “their uniforms.”

Pederson was at the school between 2005 and 2009

The iconic Voice of the Saints Jim Henderson is retiring after a storied career calling the most triumphant and heartbreaking moments in Black and Gold history. The announcement came as a shock to many, as the Saints are a team on the rise, full of young talent, but Henderson says that’s exactly why he chose this moment to leave.

Cut 13 (10)  “go out”

L-S-P will have new Dodge Chargers on the highway and some of them will be more difficult to detect as State Police vehicles…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu has responded to the Alabama billboards in the area which direct drivers to Mobile which the message touts as the “original” home of Mardi Gras. Landrieu said that was then, and this is now — and Mobile’s claim to be the first is not relevant. He added there’s only one great Mardi Gras in the world.

Governor John Bel Edwards has five million dollars in his reelection war chest at the midway point of his term. The fundraising numbers from his annual campaign finance report, combined with his high favorability ratings, give the governor a strong starting position heading into the 2019 governor’s race. Political Analyst Clancy DuBos says the governor is good at connecting with Louisiana voters…:
Cut 9 (11) “to them”
According to Morning Consult, Edwards is the nation’s most popular Democratic governor, with a 56 percent approval rating.

The iconic Voice of the Saints Jim Henderson is retiring. He says it wasn’t an easy decision, but the hectic football season can take a toll on your family…:
Cut 14 (12) “of sacrifice”
Henderson says most of all, he’s looking forward to just being a fan again.

Governor John Bel Edwards filed his annual campaign finance report Thursday showing about $5 million dollars cash on hand at the halfway point of his term. 85 percent of those funds came from Louisiana, but Political Analyst Clancy DuBos says the governor will have to ramp up his national fundraising to keep up with his GOP rivals…:
Cut 8 (10) “other option”

State Police troopers will soon have a new look on the roadway. LSP is adding new Dodge Chargers to its fleet and some of them will be unmarked. Lt. J.B. Slaton says using a “ghost logo” will help them to better blend in:
Cut 11 (11) “aggressive drivers”
The interiors will retain the current safety features and equipment and trooper uniforms will remain the same.

Calvary Baptist Academy is celebrating former head coach Doug Pederson’s trip to the Super Bowl as the Philadelphia Eagles head coach…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray”

The LSU Board of Supervisors is expected to approve today new contracts for LSU offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger and defensive coordinator Dave Aranda. Tiger Rag reports Ensminger’s contract is 800-thousand dollars a year, while Aranda’s annual salary will go up to 2.5 million dollars.