Today is Mardi Gras; and while the celebration in New Orleans is the one that the world talks about, there’s one in Eunice that’s also quite notable. Mayor Scott Fontenot says Cajun Mardi Gras is a one-of-a-kind celebration.

Cut 5 (07) “…can’t duplicate this.”

Australian-based energy company Woodside Energy’s logo will be on all LSU uniforms starting next athletic year as a part of a multi-year, multi-million-dollar deal. Woodside executive vice president Daniel Kalms says this historic initiative goes beyond the playing field.

Cut 6 (10) “…beyond that.”

Woodside Energy has been operating in Louisiana for nearly two decades. While the company’s logo is red, the logo patch will match LSU’s traditional purple and gold.

New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter is among those remembering civil rights icon Jesse Jackson, who died today at the age of 84. Carter says Jackson was an influential part of his life, including at the outset of his professional career.

Cut 9 (12)  “…nurture it.”

Since 2012, the only time of year you were able to catch a non-stop flight on Allegiant Airlines from Shreveport to Orlando or vice-versa was during the summer months. But Mark Crawford, the airport business and development manager for the Shreveport Airport Authority, says that changes this year.

Cut 13 (11)  “…throughout the year.”

Fares start at 73 dollars one way – less than the price of a daily pass at Disney World.

Remembrances are pouring in for civil rights icon Jesse Jackson, who died today at the age of 84. Congressman Troy Carter says he remembers his very first meeting with Jackson as a 23-year-old staffer for Mayor Signey Bartholemey and got his autograph, and that connection had endured ever since, including after he was elected to congress.

Cut 10 (09) “…his son, Jonathan.”

While the big Mardi Gras celebration is going on in New Orleans, there’s also a world renowned festival in Eunice every year with Cajun Mardi Gras. Eunice Mayor Scott Fontenot says it attracts people from everywhere.

Cut 4 (11) “…from all over.”

Cajun Mardi Gras is a tribute to the Acadian people who settled in Southwest Louisiana, providing the foundation of the culture that defines the region.

Woodside Energy, which is building a massive LNG export terminal in Calcasieu Parish, will have its logo on all of LSU’s uniforms starting next athletic season. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Unfortunately, there have been several bad actors this Carnival season, and New Orleans Police say they arrested a man who fits that description in more ways than one. They say six-time Golden Raspberry nominee Shia LeBoeuf was punching people after he was thrown out of a business on Royal Street.

Global energy company Woodside Energy, which is building a massive 17-billion-dollar L-N-G plant in Calcasieu Parish has signed an agreement with LSU to have its logo on all of the Tiger uniforms. Woodside Energy’s logo is red, but Executive vice president Daniel Kalms says the logo patch will match the LSU’s traditional purple and gold colors…

Cut 8 (06) “…decision for us.”

Woodside Energy has been operating in Louisiana for nearly two decades.

Starting tomorrow, SNAP recipients will no longer be able to use their benefit cards to purchase soft drinks, energy drinks and candy. Louisiana Health Secretary Bruce Greenstein says the state received a waiver from the feds that prevents SNAP recipients from using government assistance to purchase these items….

Cut 17 (11) “…candy bars.”

Greenstein hopes this change will result in SNAP recipients purchasing healthier foods.

While the world normally associates Mardi Gras with New Orleans, there’s another community in Louisiana where the celebration is world renowned. Cajun Mardi Gras in Eunice is a tribute to the Acadian people who settled in Southwest Louisiana, providing the foundation of the culture that defines the region. Eunice Mayor Scott Fontenot says the Courir de Mardi Gras and Chicken Run has been a staple…

Cut 3 (05) “…in downtown Eunice”

During a courir, riders go from house to house begging for donations to add in a community-wide gumbo.

A Baton Rouge businessman is looking to form a public-private partnership to buy Spirit Airlines and move its headquarters to New Orleans. John Miller says the purchase of Spirit is the first step in making Louis Armstrong International Airport a hub airport and making New Orleans a hub can further transform Spirit by opening it up to international destinations.

Cut 19 (12) “…international markets overseas.”

Both Frontier and JetBlue attempted to buy the Airline but Spirit’s shareholders rejected Frontier’s offer in 2022, and a judge blocked JetBlue’s 3.6-billion-dollar offer in 2024.

New Orleans Police have charged actor Shia LaBeuof with two counts of simple battery for punching two people in the French Quarter as Mardi Gras celebrations were taking place during the overnight hours. LaBeouf has been in some big movies, including “Transformers” and “Holes.”

While New Orleans may be home to the most famous Mardi Gras celebration in the world, there’s another world renowned celebration taking place in Eunice. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Many are saddened over the death of Reverend Jesse Jackson. The civil rights icon has passed away at the age of 84.  President Trump calls Jackson a good man who truly loved people. New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter says as we honor his legacy, may we recommit ourselves to the work he began and carried forward with faith and courage….

Cut 11 (14) “…of his time”

On Valentine’s Day, Leland and Gussie Lacaze (luh-KAH-zuh) of Robeline were honored as this year’s longest known married couple. For 79 years, the Natchitoches Parish couple has been husband and wife. Louisiana Family forum president Gene Mills says the couple met in 1945.

Cut 21 (13) “…they got married.”

Mills says the Lacaze’s are still in great health.

New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter is among those remembering civil rights icon Jesse Jackson, who died today at the age of 84. Carter says Jackson was an influential part of his life, including at the outset of his professional career.

Cut 9 (12)  “…nurture it.”

Today is Mardi Gras; and while the celebration in New Orleans is the one that the world talks about, there’s one in Eunice that’s also quite notable. Mayor Scott Fontenot says Cajun Mardi Gras is a one-of-a-kind celebration.

Cut 5 (07) “…can’t duplicate this.”

The signature event is the run, which is actually a parade in which participants wearing traditional Cajun attire go through rural areas on horseback, collecting ingredients for a traditional gumbo that they’ll make at the end.

Starting this fall, all of LSU’s athletics uniforms will don a patch containing the logo of Woodside Energy. The Australian-based energy company was given the option to have its logo only on football uniforms, but executive vice president Daniel Kalms says they decided to support all 21 sports on LSU’s campus.

Cut 7 (10) “…female athletes.”

While Woodside Energy’s logo is red, the logo patch will match LSU’s traditional purple and gold.

Legendary high school coach Jerry Arledge died this past weekend at the age of 83. As West Monroe’s head coach, Arledge went 103-and-22 with two 5A state championship appearances. Earlier, he was the defensive coordinator for the Rebels’ eight state title teams. KNOE-TV Sports Director Aaron Dietrich says his defenses were elite.

Cut 13 (11)  “…period of time.”

While the big Mardi Gras celebration is going on in New Orleans, there’s also a world renowned festival happening in Eunice with Cajun Mardi Gras. Eunice Mayor Scott Fontenot says it attracts people from everywhere.

Cut 4 (11) “…from all over.”

Cajun Mardi Gras is a tribute to the Acadian people who settled in Southwest Louisiana, providing the foundation of the culture that defines the region.

Australian-based energy company Woodside Energy’s logo will be on all LSU uniforms starting next athletic year as a part of a multi-year, multi-million-dollar deal. Woodside executive vice president Daniel Kalms says this historic initiative goes beyond the playing field.

Cut 6 (10) “…beyond that.”

This past weekend, Leland and Gussie Lacaze (luh-KAH-zuh) of Natchitoches Parish were honored as the state’s longest married couple. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Unfortunately, there have been several bad actors this Carnival season, and New Orleans Police say they arrested a man who fits that description in more ways than one. They say Shia LeBoeuf was causing a disturbance at a business on Royal Street and was punching people after he was thrown out and after he returned. The six-time Golden Raspberry nominee is charged with two counts of simple battery.

In 49 states, it’s a normal day. But here in Louisiana, it’s a state holiday. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says hundreds of thousands of people come to the state for Mardi Gras, and they’re not just going to New Orleans.

Cut 11 (10) “…up every year.”

And another of those places is Eunice, which is home to Cajun Mardi Gras – a tribute to the Acadian people who settled in Southwest Louisiana, providing the foundation of the culture that defines the region. Mayor Scott Fontenot says it’s been a staple for more than 100 years. 

Cut 3 (05) “…in downtown Eunice”

The signature event of Cajun Mardi Gras is the run, which is actually a parade in which participants wearing traditional Cajun attire go through rural areas on horseback, collecting ingredients for a traditional gumbo that they’ll make at the end.

A Baton Rouge businessman is seeking to buy and transform Spirit Airlines and use that as the catalyst in turning New Orleans International Airport into a hub airport. John Miller says that would be the foundation of a 12-billion-dollar annual economic impact for New Orleans, with five-million new visitors to one of the most visited cities in the country.

Cut 25 (05) “…to almost 500.”

Legendary high school football coach Jerry Arledge died this past weekend at the age of 83. Arledge served as West Monroe head coach from 2013 to 2022, leading the team to two state title game appearances. KNOE-TV Sports Director Aaron Dietrich says Arledge took great pride in coaching.

Cut 14 (12) “…every single day.”