Folks in Louisiana are enjoying Mardi Gras Festivities, despite the bone chilling temps. These revelers in New Orleans we spoke with say they aren’t going to let a little cold stop them from enjoying Fat Tuesday celebrations and parades…:
CUT 3 (08) “don’t hurt”
The popular Courir de Mardi Gras got off to an early start this morning in Mamou. Mayor Ricky Fontenot says revelers aren’t letting the cold get them down one bit…:
CUT 5 (07) “it’s still on”
State Climatologist Barry Keim says if you haven’t set out yet be sure to bring your heavy coats, gloves and blankets…:
CUT 12 (08) “kinda windy”

One of the state’s more unique Mardi Gras traditions happens in the Calcasieu Parish town of Iowa. Scott Carwile reports…:
CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

Northeast Louisiana has a lot to celebrate as IBM made a huge announcement yesterday that they are bringing 400 jobs to Monroe and partnering with CenturyLink on research and technology services. The State is also providing $4.5 million dollars to support computer science programs to higher ed institutions in the area to help meet workforce needs.

The question over which city “started” Mardi Gras, New Orleans or Mobile, Alabama, is up for debate again this Fat Tuesday. Michelle Southern reports…

cut 1 (29) “reporting”

In Vernon Parish, a Rosepine employee is under arrest, accused of theft of approximately $3,500. Officials say Troy Miers was taken into custody after he allegedly used the town’s fuel credit card for personal use. Miers is charged with one count of unauthorized use of an access card.

IBM technology announces plans for a 400-job services center in Monroe. Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo says this announcement is in addition to the 800+ jobs coming to the CenturyLink technology center which will open in March….

cut 15 (08) “to be huge”

Officials say IBM will provide software technology services to clients across the nation.

One of Louisiana’s more unique Mardi Gras traditions is the Iowa Chicken Run in Calcasieu Parish. The parade stops at homes to collect ingredients for a gumbo that will be served later in the day. When a donation is made, a chicken is released for children to catch. Organizer, Rodney Victorian, says the event attracts visitors from all over to partake in the festivities…

cut 9 (10) “all over”

Victorian says his grandfather started the event 36 years ago and he’s just trying to keep the tradition alive.

IBM technology announces a 400-job application development and innovation center that will open in Monroe. Michelle Southern reports…

cut 3 (31) “reporting”

State Police say a train-truck crash in Desoto Parish killed two men and left another critically injured. Authorities say 23-year-old John Watson of Centerville drove into the path of an oncoming train. Watson and one passenger, 24-year-old Michael Ryder II of Goldonna, were pronounced dead at the scene. Another passenger, 35-year-old Herbert Barras III of Charenton was taken to an area hospital, reportedly in critical condition. None of the men were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash.

The debate over which city “started” Mardi Gras, New Orleans or Mobile, Alabama, continues. Big Easy Mardi Gras expert Arthur Hardy says while Mobile enjoys the second largest and longest running parade season in America, New Orleans has the biggest celebration in the world…

cut 6 (08) “that’s indisputable”

Hardy says the style of parade — floats, costumes, and masks — did in fact start in Mobile, but they didn’t roll on Mardi Gras day until 11 years after New Orleans did.

Now that a strong cold front has moved through, Canadian air has settled over Louisiana leaving us with another chilly Mardi Gras day. State Climatologist Barry Keim says for revelers who plan to be outside all day, make sure you bring a lot heavy coats, gloves and blankets…

cut 12 (08) “kinda windy”

Keim says if you’re headed to parades today anywhere in the state, it might be a good idea to bring an umbrella just in case but you probably won’t need it.

IBM Technology announces plans for a 400-job application development and innovation center in Monroe. Officials say IBM will partner with CenturyLink on research and product innovation initiatives. Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo says big companies are attracted to CenturyLink which has corporate headquarters in Monroe…

cut 14 (09) “to come here”

Governor Bobby Jindal says $4.5 million dollars will be provided to ULM, Louisiana Tech and Grambling for additional computer science programs to help meet IBM’s workforce needs.

Which city “started” Mardi Gras, New Orleans or Mobile, Alabama? Mobile Mayor Sandy Simpson says they did. But Big Easy Mardi Gras expert Arthur Hardy says their Mardi-Gras-like parades, which featured floats followed by a tableaux ball were staged on New Years Eve…

cut 5 (11) “I’m not sure”

He says the first New Orleans Mardi Gras parade was held in 1857, while Mobile’s Fat Tuesday parades did not begin until 1868.

If you’re heading out to Mardi Gras parades today, you’ll want to bundle up now that a strong cold front has moved through the state. State Climatologist Barry Keim says it’s going to be a very cold Fat Tuesday pretty much throughout The Bayou State…

cut 11 (09) “miserable day”

Afternoon highs will be in the mid to upper 40s statewide today.

If you’re looking for a unique Mardi Gras experience, you may want to head to Calcasieu Parish for the Iowa Chicken Run. The parade will begin at 10AM and will stop at participating homes to collect ingredients for a gumbo that will be served later in the day. Organizer, Rodney Victorian, says kids can try to catch something other than beads and toys in Iowa…

cut 8 (06) “stuff like that”

The chickens are not harmed and not used to make the gumbo.

IBM Technology announces plans for a 400-job application development and innovation center in Monroe. Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo says this is huge for Northeast Louisiana…

cut 13 (10) “here in Monroe”

Officials say IBM will provide software technology services to clients across the nation and partner with CenturyLink on research and product innovation initiatives.

The question over which city “started” Mardi Gras, New Orleans or Mobile, Alabama, is coming up again this Fat Tuesday. Mobile Mayor Sandy Simpson is bragging that the Alabama destination is where the celebrations originally began in the US. Big Easy Mardi Gras expert Arthur Hardy says the first New Orleans Mardi Gras parade was held in 1857…

cut 4 (10) “New Years Eve”

Hardy says Mobile’s parades on Fat Tuesday did not begin until 1868 — after the Civil War.

Cold Canadian air has settled over Louisiana leaving us with another chilly Mardi Gras day. State Climatologist Barry Keim says southeast Louisiana should brace for temperatures today in the upper 30s this morning, then high temperatures this afternoon only in the upper 40s…:

cut 10 (09) “bundle up”

He says if you’re headed to parades today anywhere in the state, it might be a good idea to bring an umbrella just in case but you probably won’t need it.

One of the state’s more unique Mardi Gras traditions happens in the Calcasieu Parish town of Iowa. The Iowa Chicken Run is an all day celebration that begins and ends at the Knights of Columbus Hall. Organizer, Rodney Victorian, says his grandfather started this event 36 years ago…

cut 7 (11) “for the community”

The parade will will stop at participating homes to collect ingredients for a gumbo that will be served later in the day. When a donation to the gumbo is made, a chicken is thrown in the air for the children to catch.

IBM technology announces plans for a 400-job application development and innovation center in Monroe. Officials say IBM will provide software technology services to clients across the nation and partner with CenturyLink on research and product innovation initiatives. Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo says this is huge for Northeast Louisiana…:
CUT 13 (10) “here in Monroe”
Mayo says this announcement is in addition to the 800+ jobs coming to the CenturyLink technology center which will open in March.

State Police say two people have died in a crash involving a truck and a train in DeSoto Parish. They say the vehicle was hit by the train and a third person is critically injured at the University Health Center in Shreveport. It is not known why the truck was on the tracks but the investigation is ongoing.

State Police has increased its numbers in New Orleans for Mardi Gras and they’re making their presence known. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

It’s been a wet and dreary Lundi Gras and even though meteorologists say the rain should be gone by tomorrow, it’s still going to be a very cold Mardi Gras across the state. They say Fat Tuesday will be breezy and cold and it appears clouds could linger for most of the day if not the entire day.

It’s a dreary and wet Lundi Gras for much of Louisiana. Jeff Palermo has more on our Mardi Gras forecast..
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Governor Bobby Jindal announces an IBM 400 job application job development and innovative center to be established in Monroe along Highway 165, across the street from the century Link corporate headquarters. This announcement accompanies the IBM new technology center in downtown Baton Rouge.
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Louisiana State Police has increased their numbers in New Orleans for Mardi Gras and they’re making their presence known. Over 150 additional troopers are patrolling the French Quarter and the metro area, and so far, troopers have made over 140 arrests…
CUT 9 (08) “of the streets”
That’s State Police spokesman Melissa Matey.

A U.S. District Judge has dismissed a 2013 lawsuit filed against oil and natural gas companies, by The Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-East. Their claim that drilling, pipelines and other exploration efforts made Louisiana more vulnerable to hurricanes. Legal Analyst Chick Foret says the lawsuit did not get a lot of state support…
CUT 14 (06) Q: ‘original lawsuits’
Enviromentalists supported that lawsuit effort.

With this Mardi Gras cold front, the state is dealing with rain, and cold temperatures this evening, with many areas at close the freezing mark by daybreak. Donald Jones, with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles, says with the remaining precipitation overnight…
CUT 7 (08) Q: “Monroe area”
And this front could also include a wintery mix brought to south central and southwest Louisiana as well.

A controversial lawsuit against oil and gas companies alleging they should pay billions for damage to Louisiana’s coast has been dismissed by a federal judge. The Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-East filed the lawsuit in 2013 highlighting six different claims on why the oil industry should be liable…
CUT 13 (08) Q: ‘viable claims’
That’s Legal Analyst Chick Foret.
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An accused rapist is back behind bars after slipping out of his shackles and running from Washington Parish Sheriff’s deputies early Saturday Morning. Chief Deputy Mike Haley says 39-year-old Kaundra Magee was recaptured just before noon on Sunday when a deputy heard some movement in a large drain in Franklinton…
CUT 3 (07) “any incident”
Hailey says they have taken additional security measures to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

Over 150 additional officers are now patrolling the French Quarter to make sure it is a safe finish to Mardi Gras. So far, authorities have taken over $376,000 worth of the illegal drugs, and confiscated over a dozen illegally possessed weapons…
CUT 11 (10) Q: ‘Carnival 2015″
That’s State Police Spokesperson Melissa Matey.

A strong cold front moves through the state bringing rain and colder temperatures. Donald Jones, with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles, says it will be a cold Fat Tuesday
CUT 6 (09) “40s”
Central Louisiana could receive some wintery mix overnight.

Washington Parish Sheriff’s deputies capture an accused rapist who slipped out of his prison shackles during a transport back to jail after some medical treatment on Saturday. Thirty-nine year-old Kaundra Magee escaped the police car, and was found in a storm drain in Franklinton on Sunday. Now, authorities have a new plan….
CUT 5 (09 ) “be house”
That’s Washington Parish Chief Deputy Mike Haley.
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The energy industry is applauding a federal judge’s decision to dismiss a controversial lawsuit against oil and gas companies alleging they should pay billions of dollars for damage to Louisiana’s coast. Legal Analyst Chick Foret says US District Judge Nanette Brown gave a detailed 49-page explanation…
cut 12 (09) “of appeal”

Law enforcement in the Crescent City has been busy trying to keep Mardi Gras safe. The number of arrests is now approaching a hundred and fifty, most of which were illegal drug charges. State Police Spokesperson Melissa Matey says there were also arrests for 14 illegally possessed weapons…
CUT 10 (10) Q: ‘those guns out’
And she’s says it’s all about protecting the public.

There is a massive cold front moving through Louisiana right now and rain and cool temps are creeping in. Donald Jones with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles says if you plan to attend parades, bundle up because high temperatures will struggle to get out of the 40s…:
CUT 8 (09) “be outdoors”
He says we could see some ice pellets or freezing rain in central to north Louisiana between midnight to 8am tomorrow morning.

An accused rapist in Washington Parish has been apprehended after sneaking away from cops over the weekend. Chief Deputy Mike Haley says 39-year-old Kaundra Magee was able to free himself from his leg shackles and escape a police car, but he was recaptured beofre noon yesterday. Haley says Magee is now facing additional charges of simple escape…:
CUT 4 (06) “against him”
He says the are working to ensure this alleged criminal doesn’t escape again.

State Police has increased its numbers in New Orleans for Mardi Gras and they’re making their presence known. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

CC’s and Raising Cane’s, two prominent Louisiana-born businesses, made the 2014 Top 10 Excellent Fast-Food Chains list. The California based research firm Sandelman & Associates ranked Raising Cane’s number four and CC’s Coffee House number six in the Quick-Track Awards of Excellence for quick service chains.