LRN PM Newscall February 12

LSU Alexandria says it’s enrollment surge is continuing, exceeding 54-hundred students. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

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If you’re looking to celebrate Mardi Gras more traditionally and take in all the pomp and circumstance, you’ll want to head to southwest Louisiana. Brooke Thorington has more.

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

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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.”  

Wallis says what makes their carnival parades unique is that they are family-friendly, and you never meet a stranger in Lafourche Parish.

Cut 4 (09) “…for us.”

Wallis says you’ll want to get there early for a good spot on the parade route with four rolling on Fat Tuesday in Lafourche Parish. Over the weekend he says parking was tough considering the crowds.

Cut 5 (09) “…really good.”

On Tuesday Krewe of Gheens rolls at 11 am, Krewe of Neptune in Golden Meadow is at noon, Krewe of Ghana in Thibodaux is at 1 pm, and Krewe of Choupic is also at 1 pm in Chackbay.

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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.

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.”  

LSUA’s online programs increased by nearly 59 percent compared to the previous spring, with 2, 727 students. LSUA boasts a remarkable 90 percent retention rate, with 9 out of 10 first time freshmen returning this spring.

Coreil says LSUA is gaining in popularity because of its tuition.

Cut 8 (10) “…so affordable.” 

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Outside of New Orleans one of the busiest spots on the globe Mardi Gras-wise is Calcasieu Parish. Visit Lake Charles spokesperson Matt Young says their season got off to a big start Friday with the Merchants parade and on Sunday they celebrated with a children’s parade.

Cut 9 (11) “…environment.”

And tonight is another big night with the Royal Gala at the Lake Charles event center. Young says it’s where all the Kings, Queens, and their courts from than 50 krewes are presented.

Cut 10 (10) “…take in.”

And for Fat Tuesday, 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.”

From noon until 8 pm on Tuesday Young says there’s a block party in Lake Charles featuring parades, food trucks, live music, kids events, and arts and crafts.

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Super Bowl 58 ended last night with Kansas City beating San Francisco in overtime in Las Vegas. Today Vegas officials handed off the football to New Orleans who will host Super Bowl 59 on February 9, 2025. Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation CEO Jay Cicero says they are moving into phase two of their preparation…

Cut 12 (12)  “..properly”  

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.”