It’s the pinnacle of carnival, Fat Tuesday and Mardi Gras Guide publisher Arthur Hardy says while it’s been an early carnival season it’s been a calm one for the most part in New Orleans because it doesn’t coincide with spring break.

Cut 3 (11) “…is good.”  

Next year Fat Tuesday is March 4^th so he expects bigger crowds especially with the Super Bowl in New Orleans also.

It’s Fat Tuesday and in Eunice instead of catching beads it’s a tradition to catch chickens during the chicken run. Events Coordinator, Courtney Elkins says people from around the world visited their rural town.

Cut 6 (12) “…New Zealand.”

The parade starts at 3 pm.

The Get a Pulse on PAD campaign is raising awareness of peripheral artery disease. Dr. Foluso Fakorede (fa-lou-so fak-o-ree-dee) at Cardiovascular Solutions of Central Mississippi says one in 20 adults will be diagnosed with PAD. He says fatty deposits called plaque can become clogged in your arteries like your kitchen sink…

Cut 7 (12) “…our arteries.”  

Risk factors include family history, high blood pressure, diabetes, and tobacco use. For more information about peripheral artery disease, visit PADPulse.org.

cut 28 music”
Parades are rolling across south Louisiana on this Fat Tuesday as revelers are enjoying the sunny skies and cool temperatures, catching beads and other items flying off of moving floats.

You won’t find your typical Mardi Gras festivities with floats and beads in Eunice today, but you will find colorful costumes and a chicken run. Teiko Foxx explains…
Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services will no longer participate in the Summer EBT program. Louisiana Budget Project Executive Director Jan Moeller says the Summer EBT program helps feed nearly 600-thousand Louisiana children with food insecurity…
Cut 13 (13) “…this opportunity.”
But DCFS Secretary David Matlock says the state’s primary focus is for families to be self-sufficient.

The Get a Pulse on PAD campaign raises awareness of peripheral artery disease. Dr. Foluso Fakorede (fa-lou-so fak-o-ree-dee) at Cardiovascular Solutions of Central Mississippi says PAD affects millions of Americans who have never heard of the disease or its risks.
Cut 6 (13) “..an amputation.”
Fakorede says pain when you walk, one extremity is cooler than the other, irregular hair and nail growth are symptoms.

Mardi Gras has been called the greatest free show on earth. Colleen Crain looks at the masked riders who make it possible…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

State Police has a message for motorists on this Fat Tuesday, please buckle up. Lt. Melissa Matey….
cut 10 (12) “…the traffic”

Traditional Mardi Gras celebrations take place in Iowa and Eunice today. Events coordinator for Eunice, Courtney Elkins says they’ll have men and women on horseback, chasing chickens, and wearing hand-crafted wire masks, with colorful costumes and…
cut 5 (12) “…old clothes”
Elkins says they’ll have visitors from nearly every state and around the world watching their celebration today.

The state is not participating in the Summer E-B-T program which helps feed children of low-income families during the summer. DCFS secretary David Matlock says the state should be more focused on self-sufficiency. Jan Moeller with the Louisiana Budget Project blasts the decision…
cut 14 (14) “…ends meet”

It’s Fat Tuesday and in Eunice instead of catching beads it’s a tradition to catch chickens during Courir de Mardi Gras & Chicken Run. Events Coordinator, Courtney Elkins says people from around the world visited their rural town.

Cut 6 (12) “…New Zealand.”

Elkins says attendance continues to grow each year. The Courir de Mardi Gras parade starts at 3 pm.

Parade goers get free beads and gifts to take home. But When it comes to joining a krewe, Publisher of The Mardi Gras Guide, Arthur Hardy says none are free….

Cut 7 (09) “…dues, costume.”

Hardy says there are expenses for krewe members throughout the year, and it makes no economic sense for the krewe members to give gifts to strangers while hiding their faces.

The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services will not participate in the Summer EBT program. Louisiana Budget Project Executive Director Jan Moeller says if Louisiana had opted in $71 million in federal funds would have been designated for the Summer EBT program.

Cut 15 (11) “…in Louisiana.”

Moeller says Louisiana has the second-highest poverty rate in the country and the third-highest child poverty rate in the US.

State police are reminding Louisianans to use technology to stay safe during Mardi Gras.  Lt. Melissa Matey says taking the time to simply drop a pin where you’ve parked your vehicle can come in very handy later.

Cut 11 (06) “…turned around.” 

Matey also suggests using the See Something, Send Something app.

Louisiana has decided not to accept $71 million in federal funds for the Summer EBT program, which helps low-income families feed their children when they are not in school. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Louisiana Department of Insurance will hold a two-day public hearing starting tomorrow on the proposed sale of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana to Indiana-based Elevance Health. State lawmakers are concerned this is a bad deal for Louisiana, but Blue Cross says Elevance can better serve its customers and slow rising health care costs.

It’s Tuesday, but here in Louisiana, it’s Fat Tuesday, the final day of the carnival season. And it goes out with a bang with dozens of parades across south Louisiana. Publisher of the Mardi Gras guide, Arthur Hardy, says being a krewe member and riding in a parade is the highlight of the year for many…
cut 8 (09) “….really is”

Traditional Mardi Gras celebrations will take place in Iowa and Eunice today. Events coordinator for Eunice, Courtney Elkins says they’ll have men and women on horseback, chasing chickens, and wearing hand-crafted wire masks, with colorful costumes and…
cut 5 (12) “…old clothes”
Elkins says they’ll have visitors from nearly every state and around the world watching their celebration today.

If you’re looking for a different kind of Mardi Gras experience today, head to Eunice. Instead of catching beads and doubloons, revelers chase chickens in colorful costumes during the Courir de Mardi Gras & Chicken Run. Events Coordinator, Courtney Elkins…
Cut 4 (13) “…a gumbo.”
Elkins says the celebration dates back to the late 19th century.

Today concludes a short carnival season, but for many it’s their favorite part of the year. Mardi Gras guide publisher Arthur Hardy says for krewe members it’s a financial commitment, but well worth it…
cut 9 (09) “….you say”
And the weather is cooperating today, sunny skies with temperatures in the low 60s.

The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services will no longer participate in the Summer EBT program. Louisiana Budget Project Executive Director Jan Moeller calls it’s a travesty. Moeller says the Summer EBT program helps feed nearly 600-thousand Louisiana children with food insecurity…
Cut 13 (13) “…this opportunity.”
But DCFS Secretary David Matlock says the state’s primary focus is for families to be self-sufficient and he calls the Summer EBT program a piecemeal program that comes with more strings than long-term solutions.

State Police Lt. Melissa Matey asks parade goers to download the app See Something, Send Something. She says if you see something that needs to be reported to law enforcement, a picture taken by your phone can be invaluable.
Cut 12 (10) “…Send Something.”

It’s a full day of parades today across south Louisiana. There are three parades in Lafayette. Lafayette Travel spokesperson Kaylie Leblanc…
cut 20 (11) “….1:00”
There’s also the Independent Parade at 2 PM and a Mardi Gras festival at Cajun Field.

Mardi Gras has been called the greatest free show on earth and Publisher of The Mardi Gras Guide, Arthur Hardy says it’s never been easier to join a Krewe – some you must be born into, and others are looking for members, but none are free, and none are cheap…
Cut 7 (09) “…dues, costume.”
The weather looks great today, sunny skies with high temperatures in the low 60s.

You won’t find your typical Mardi Gras festivities with floats and beads in Eunice today, but you will find colorful costumes and a chicken run. Teiko Foxx explains…
Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

State Police has a message for motorists on this Fat Tuesday, please buckle up. Lt. Melissa Matey….
cut 10 (12) “>…the traffic”

With four parades rolling on Fat Tuesday, Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou marketing manager Ian Wallis encourage revelers who are headed to Lafourche Parish to arrive early for a good spot. He says parking over the weekend at their carnival parades was hard to come by.

Cut 5 (09) “…really good.”

Expect sunny skies and high temperatures in the low to mid 60s on Fat Tuesday. The first parade in Lafourche Parish rolls at 11 am.

Visit Lake Charles spokesperson Matt Young says there’s a traditional Mardi Gras celebration in Iowa (eye-oh-way) that begins at 8 AM and a chicken run. He says individuals on horseback are essentially gathering ingredients to cook gumbo.

cut 11 (11) “…their lifetime”

From noon until 8 pm on Fat Tuesday, Young says there’s a block party featuring parades, live music, food, kids events, and more.

The Kansas City Chiefs defeated San Francisco 49ers in overtime in Super Bowl 58 last night in Las Vegas. Today Vegas officials handed off the football to New Orleans who will host Super Bowl 59 next year. Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation CEO Jay Cicero says they are moving into phase two of their preparation…
cut 12 (12) “…properly”

LSU Alexandria Chancellor Paul Coreil says LSUA’s enrollment has reached an all-time high 5,405 students, nearly a six-percent increase since the fall semester. Coreil says LSUA is gaining in popularity because of its tuition.

Cut 8 (10) “…so affordable.” 

LSU Alexandria is growing. Chancellor Paul Coreil says more prospective students are enrolling in their innovative degree programs that prepares them for in-demand jobs, including nursing, aviation, cyber security, and…

Cut 7 (12) “…the nation.”  

Louisiana airports are getting a ten point 5-million-dollar grant from The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is coming to as part of the Airport Terminal Program in Sen Bill Cassidy’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Seven Million Dollars is going to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport for connector roads, two million dollars goes to Shreveport Regional Airport (SHV) for a new terminal gate, and one point five million dollars goes to South Lafourche Leonard Miller, Jr. Airport to help fund the airport’s new terminal building.

The good times continue to roll in Lafourche Parish with four parades set for Fat Tuesday. Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Sales and Marketing Manager Ian Wallis says parades will be rolling from Thibodaux to Chackbay and Golden Meadow.

Cut 3 (10) “…good time.”  

And in Calcasieu parish, Visit Lake Charles spokesperson Matt Young says one of the most traditional Mardi Gras events begins at 8 am with the Iowa (Eye-oh-way) Chicken Run parade. He says individuals on horseback are essentially gathering ingredients to cook gumbo.

Cut 11 (11) “…their lifetime.”

A ten point 5-million-dollar grant from The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is coming to Louisiana airports as part of the Airport Terminal Program in Sen Bill Cassidy’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Seven Million Dollars is going to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport for connector roads, two million dollars goes to Shreveport Regional Airport (SHV) for a new terminal gate, and one point five million dollars goes to South Lafourche Leonard Miller, Jr. Airport to help fund the airport’s new terminal building.

LSU Alexandria says it’s the fastest growing public university in Louisiana. Chancellor Paul Coreil says LSUA’s enrollment has reached an all-time high 5,405 students, nearly a six-percent increase since the fall semester…

Cut 6  (13) “..the university.” 

On-campus enrollment is up nearly 18-percent since Spring 2023, totaling 26-hundred students.

If you’re looking to celebrate Mardi Gras more traditionally head to southwest Louisiana. Brooke Throington has more.

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

Super Bowl 58 is over and Super Bowl 59 is coming to New Orleans February 2025. Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation CEO Jay Cicero expects the Super Bowl next year will produce an economic impact of over 500-million dollars for the local economy. He says the game will bring in over six-thousand media members…

Cut 13 (09) “…what we do.”