With two float related fatalities within days of each other involving tandem floats, New Orleans Police Superintendent Shaun Ferguson made the call to cease the use of tandem floats for the remainder of the 2020 festivities.  Ferguson says he wants to hold meetings in the immediate future to discuss safety measures.

Cut 12 (11) “… carnival season.”

A massive party is taking place in the Big Easy and across south Louisiana on this Fat Tuesday. There are also parades all day in Lake Charles and Lafayette. K-PEL Radio’s Bernadette Lee says multiple parades will roll through downtown Lafayette…

Cut 7 (12) “     Mardi Gras today”  

Former LSU Quarterback Joe Burrow ends speculation that he would try to force his way out of Cincinnati as he says he’ll play for the Bengals if they take him with the number one pick. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

A two-vehicle crash on I-10 in St. John the Baptist Parish Monday takes the life of 27-year-old Tyandra Lewis of Baton Rouge, who was six-months pregnant with twins, and her 7-year-old son who was riding in the back seat.  Trooper Monroe Dillon says the accident remains under investigation.

Cut 11 (12 ) “…as witness information.”

At the NFL draft combine in Indianapolis, former LSU quarterback Joe Burrow put to rest rumors that he would not play for the Bengals if Cincinnati selected him with the top overall pick. Report have speculated Burrow would pressure Cincinnati not to draft him.  Burrow will not throw at the combine but says he looks forward to meeting with several teams, including Cincinnati.

Cut 4 (09) “…think about ball.”

The town of Iowa(I-oh-ah) is celebrating Fat Tuesday with its annual Mardi Gras Run.  Kevin Barnhart has the details on this unique event.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.” 

With Mardi Gras crowds, Trooper Lt Nick Manale says pickpockets are looking for an opportunity. Don’t make it easy for them. Manale says always be mindful of where you place bags.

Cut 14 (06) “…to another location.”

A massive party is taking place in the Big Easy and across south Louisiana on this Fat Tuesday. Rex the King of Canrival has the key to the city…
cut 6 (09) “…day and night”
There are also parades all day today in Lake Charles and Lafayette. Down on the bayou, there’s a parade in Thibodaux at 1 PM and a nighttime parade in Golden Meadows.

Law enforcement warns revelers to be aware of their surroundings in an effort to keep from becoming a victim of pickpocketing. State Police Lieutenant Nick Manale says make sure to keep your belongings minimal.
Cut 13 (10) “…those thieves too.”
Over the course of the past weekend, troopers have made numerous arrests and recovered thousands of dollars in stolen items nabbed by pickpocket suspects.

The votes are in for the 5th Annual King Cake Snob Competition. This year’s competition saw nearly 2,500 cake reviews from more than 500 different cakes from 170 bakeries across the Bayou State. Andrew Alexander with King Cake Snob says last year’s overall winner Manny Randazzo fell short of defending its crown.
Cut 4 (11)_ “…to be exact”
Fremin’s Food and Furniture in New Iberia won for Best Presentation with its Pecan Praline and Cream Cheese king cake.

In southwest Louisiana, the Iowa Mardi Gras Run continues today. Run captain Rodney Victorian says a parade rolls through town with floats, horses, and four-wheelers, looking for contributions to be put in a big pot of a gumbo.
Cut 7 (13) “…of the donation.”
Gumbo will be served to the riders from two to four PM at the Knights of Columbus Hall.

A two-vehicle crash on Interstate 10 in St. John the Baptist Parish has claimed the life of a Baton Rouge mother, 27-year-old Tyandra Lewis, who was pregnant with twins. Her seven-year-old son was also killed when their vehicle was hit from behind. State Police Trooper Monroe Dillon says for some reason, they stopped in the left lane of travel…
cut 12 (09) “…avoidable”
Monroe says the driver of the other vehicle was not injured.

Despite this sad news, Mardi Gras celebrations will take place across south Louisiana today. In Iowa, revelers participate in a traditional Mardi Gras celebration where they go throughout the town seeking ingredients to cook a large pot of gumbo….
cut 9 (07) “…good gumbo”
That’s run captain Rodney Victorian, who says the gumbo will be served between two and four pm at their local Knights of Columbus Hall.

King Cake lovers have spoken, after 25-hundred reviews at King-Cake-snob-dot-com, Antoine’s Bakery was voted as the best traditional cake and Caluda won for Best Filled for its strawberry cream cheese. Caluda’s in Harahan also won for Best Flavor and Best Freshness. King Cake snob spokesperson Andrew Alexander…
cut 5 (07) “…in year five”
Fremin’s Food and Furniture in New Iberia won for Best Presentation with its Pecan Praline and Cream Cheese king cake.

At the NFL draft combine in Indianapolis, former LSU quarterback Joe Burrow put to rest rumors that he would not play for the Bengals if Cincinnati selected him with the top overall pick. Burrow spoke to a large group of reporters this morning…
cut 3 (06) “…show up”
Some NFL reporters have speculated Burrow would pressure Cincinnati not to draft him.

The investigation continues into yesterday’s fatal crash on I-10 in St. John the Baptist Parish that claimed the life of a pregnant mother, 27-year-old Tyandra Lewis of Baton Rouge and her seven-year-old son. State Trooper Monroe Dillon says they are not sure why their car stopped in the left lane of travel, which resulted in their vehicle being hit from behind…
cut 11 (12) “….as witness information”
The driver of the other vehicle was not hurt.

If you are heading out to the parades today, State Police is asking you to limit what you carry, keep your wallet in your front pocket and do not leave anything unattended…
cut 14 (06) “….to another location”
That’s Lt. Nick Manale who says Troopers have made several arrests and recovered thousands of dollars in stolen items from pickpocket suspects during this Carnival season.

The winner of the annual King Cake Snob contest is revealed did your favorite top the list? Brooke Thorington has the results.
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

Former LSU Q-B Joe Burrow jokes he may retire after news broke that his hands measured just nine inches at the NFL draft combine in Indianapolis. They are the smallest hands for a projected first-round quarterback since 2008. Burrow posted on Twitter, he plans to retire because of his tiny hands and to keep him in his thoughts.

A Baton Rouge woman, 6-months pregnant with twins is one of two people killed in an I-10 crash near Belle Terre Road in St. John the Baptist Parish…
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

The lawyer for a Bossier City businessman and a former police officer who allegedly killed, dismembered and disposed of co-worker Garrett Wilson, says his client is innocent. Wilson’s remains were found in a north Bossier Parish field. Defense attorney Randal Fish tells KTBS-TV that John Hardy uses a walker to get around and finds it hard to believe Hardy could do this in his ambulatory condition.

They will chase live chickens today in the southwest Louisiana town Iowa as residents there still celebrate Mardi Gras the traditional way. Run Captain Rodney Victorian says they will go around town knocking on doors seeking ingredients to make a community gumbo and at each stop, a live chicken is released…
cut 8 (11) “…to catch them”
The gumbo will be served from two to four PM at the local Knights of Columbus Hall.

In the voting for the best King Cake, Antonie’s Bakery and Caluda’s King Cake emerged victorious as nearly 25-hundred people voted for their favorite brands and flavor varieties. King-Cake-snob- spokesperson Andrew Alexander says not only does the survey rate King Cakes, but they also ask participants to admit to particular behaviors during the carnival season…
Cut 6 (12) “…is looking”
To view the results you can visit KingCakeSnob.com

A pregnant Baton Rouge mother expecting twins and her 7-year-old son are dead following a two-vehicle crash on I-10 near Belle Terre Road in St. John the Baptist Parish. State Trooper Monroe Dillon says 27-year-old Tyandra Lewis was eastbound on I-10 when for reasons under investigation, their Toyota Camry stopped in the left lane.
Cut 10 (08) “…vehicle from behind.”
Lewis and her son sustained fatal injuries from the impact. The driver of the other vehicle was not injured.

Today is a big day of parades across south Louisiana and State Police is asking Carnival goers to be mindful of pickpocketers. Lt. Nick Manale says never pat your pocket to see if your wallet is there because that lets a thief know where you keep your money and credit cards….
cut 15 (09) “….bring with you”

One unique Mardi Gras celebration encourages its participants to catch a chicken. The Iowa Mardi Gras Run started in 1978 and the tradition is continuing today. Run captain Rodney Victorian says a parade rolls through town with floats, horses, and four-wheelers, looking for food contributions for a gumbo to be made at the end of the event.
Cut 7 (13) “…of the donation.”
Gumbo will be served to the riders from two to four PM at the Knights of Columbus Hall.

The winner of the annual King Cake Snob contest is revealed did your favorite top the list? Brooke Thorington has the results.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

_____________________________________

The town of Iowa is celebrating Fat Tuesday with its annual Mardi Gras Run.  Kevin Barnhart has the details on this unique event.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.” 

___________________________________________

A Baton Rouge woman, 6-months pregnant with twins is one of two people killed in an I-10 crash near Belle Terre in St. John the Baptist Parish.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (32)  “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”  

____________________________________________

The votes are  in for the 5^th Annual King Cake Snob Competition. This year’s competition saw nearly 2,500 cake reviews from more than 500 different cakes from 170 bakeries across the Bayou State. Andrew Alexander with King Cake Snob says last year’s overall winner Manny Randazzo fell short of defending its crown.

Cut 4 (11)_ “…to be exact”

Since the contest began Alexander says they’ve seen bakeries not just concentrated in the New Orleans area be added to the list of consideration to the King Cake Snob competition.

Cut 5 (07)  “…in year five”

Alexander says not only does the survey rate King Cakes, but they also ask participants to admit to particular behaviors during the carnival season, so they learn a bit about King Cake connoisseurs.

Cut 6 (12) “…is looking”

To view the results you can visit KingCakeSnob.com

____________________________

One unique Mardi Gras celebration encourages its participants to catch a chicken. The Iowa Mardi Gras Run started in 1978 and the tradition is continuing today. Run captain Rodney Victorian says a parade rolls through town with floats, horses, and four-wheelers, looking for food contributions for a gumbo to be made at the end of the event.

Cut 7 (13) “…of the donation.”

Victorian says with each stop, a live chicken is released and some of the younger participants will attempt to catch them.

Cut 8 (11) “…to catch them.”

Victorian says the parade ends this afternoon at KC Hall with a zydeco dance and all the food donations being put into a pot and made into a gumbo.

Cut 9 (07) “…a good gumbo.″

____________________

A pregnant Baton Rouge mother and her 7-year-old son are dead following a two-vehicle crash on I-10 near Belle Terre in St. John the Baptist Parish.  Trooper Monroe Dillon says the deceased were traveling eastbound on I-10 when for reasons under investigation, their Toyota Camry stopped in the left lane.

Cut 10 (08) “…vehicle from behind.”

The Camry driver 27-year-old Tyandra Lewis was six-months pregnant with twins.  Her 7-year-old was riding in the back seat.  There were also two passengers, 43-year-old Clarence Muse of Baton Rouge and his 3-year-old son, that were airlifted to area hospitals.  Dillon says an accident like this initially leaves everyone with more questions than answers as the investigation continues.

Cut 11 (12 ) “…as witness information.”

The driver of the pickup truck, 39-year-old Willy Buchan of Tyler, Texas, was unharmed.  Seat belt usage is still pending, but Dillon says the message is clear that all occupants in a vehicle must be restrained, regardless of seating position.

Cut 12 (09) “…been 100% avoidable.”

_____________________________________

Mardi Gras means big community celebrations, but law enforcement warns revelers to be aware of their surroundings in an effort to keep from becoming a victim of pickpocketing.  Trooper Nick Manale says make sure to keep your belongings minimal.

Cut 13 (10) “…those thieves too.”

Over the course of the past weekend, troopers have made numerous arrests and recovered thousands of dollars in stolen items nabbed by pickpocket suspects.

Manale says always be mindful of where you place bags.

Cut 14 (06) “…to another location.”

Manale says never pat your pocket to see if your wallet is there.   This is an indication that criminals look for to figure out the precise location of valuables.

Cut 15 (09) “…bring with you.”