If you want to experience a Mardi Gras like no other, then you might want to spend it in Eunice chasing poultry, but in costume of course. Brooke Thorington explains.
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President Biden’s State of the Union address is tonight, with many speculating what he may tell American and the world. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
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Six months since Hurricane Ida, Terrebonne Parish is still in recovery mode. David Grubb has the latest on the progress after the storm.
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One of the most unique Mardi Gras customs in the state takes place in Eunice, where instead of beads and doubloons you’ll see revelers on horseback in pursuit of live chickens. Administrative assistant to the mayor, Courtney Elkins says it’s a time-honored tradition to chase chickens in the small St. Landy Parish town.
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Elkins says they kicked off their celebration Friday with one of the largest turnouts they’ve ever had with live bands and parades. And to keep the chicken chasing tradition going, she says they limit the number of participants.
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If the act of chasing a chicken isn’t enough to get your attention, Elkins says the traditional costumes worn by riders and runners are also a sight to see.
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Elkins says Fat Tuesday events start at 9 in the morning and continue into the night.
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Tonight President Joe Biden will address the U.S. and the world in his State of the Union speech. What may the President tell us, after what has been a fairly bad first year in office? U.L.-Monroe political science professor Joshua Stockley says Mr. Biden needs a win right now…:
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Under Biden’s leadership, the U.S. has seen skyrocketing fuel prices and runaway inflation, a disastrous pull-out from Afghanistan, an unsecured southern border and now the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Stockley says the President would be wise to use tonight’s speech as an opportunity for some course correction…:
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Members of the U.S. House and Senate will be there tonight, along with other dignitaries and invited guests, to hear what Biden has to say. Dr. Stockley says he cannot predict what the president may say, but he really needs tonight’s address to “move the needle” with American and the world…:
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Recent polls have Biden’s approval rating in the low 40’s.
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State Police arrest three people in a suspected drunk driving crash that killed 14-year-old Zashawn Dawson of Baton Rouge early Monday morning on Interstate 10 in Ascension Parish. Trooper Taylor Scrantz says the SUV Dawson was traveling in, was attempting to merge back onto the interstate after pulling off to the side and was struck by a truck driven by 24-year-old Emanual Ruiz of Pride.
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Scrantz says initially one of the passengers in Ruiz’s truck, 22-year old Tyler Melancon of Greenwell Springs told officers he was driving the truck.
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Investigators say Ruiz was impaired and faces vehicular homicide charges. Melancon was also arrested for obstruction of justice.
Troopers arrested a third person after taking inventory of the vehicles involved finding a stolen gun. Scrantz says 18-year old Cartara Johnson of Baton Rouge who was in the SUV with the 14-year-old who died was arrested.
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The driver of the third vehicle that struck the victim after he was ejected, was properly restrained not injured. Toxicology reports are pending.
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It’s been six months since Hurricane Ida tore its path through Louisiana. Terrebonne Parish saw catastrophic damage, as utilities were knocked offline and roads were covered with debris. But today, Parish President Gordon Dove says Terrebonne has stepped out of the rubble and moved into recovery.
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While much work has begun, dealing with insurance providers has been a consistent issue for residents. Something not unexpected, but certainly an inconvenience with people anxious to rebuild says Dove.
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Even with three thousand residents still in FEMA trailers, there are a lot of encouraging signs in Terrebonne, Dove says. Businesses have returned, people are working both on and off shore, and dollars are starting to flow back into the parish. It’s a pace of progress that would have been hard to predict six months ago.
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