Mardi Gras celebrations are taking place throughout the state the next two weekends. Executive Director of the Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission Ben Berthelot says the city of Lafayette holds big parades, and rural communities do Mardi Gras their own special way…:
Cut 5 (08) “twenty or thirty minutes”
Central Louisiana’s Mardi Gras gets bigger and bigger every year.

Punxsutawney Phil and Louisiana’s own nutria forecaster Pierre C. Shadeaux are at odds in their predictions this year. Phil saw his shadow and predicted another six weeks of winter, while Shadeaux didn’t in New Iberia today saying expect more spring. LSU Climatologist Barry Keim says Shadeaux’s prediction may be closer on the mark…:
Cut 13 (10) “telling us”

An Offers.com survey says Louisianans are the top spenders this year for Super Bowl parties. Even though the Black and Gold missed the Super Bowl by a hair, big game parties will still be raging across the state. Offers.com spokesperson Carson Yarborough says Louisiana spends nearly 40 percent more per party than the average state…:
Cut 10 (11) “national average”
The Eagles and Patriots will battle on Sunday at 5:30pm on NBC.

The LSU Board of Supervisors is expected to approve today new contracts for LSU offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger and defensive coordinator Dave Aranda. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says Ensminger’s contract is 800-thousand dollars a year…:
Cut 16 (05) “would be”
He says Aranda’s annual salary will go up to 2.5 million dollars.

Many folks think that Mardi Gras is a celebration that only takes place in Southeast Louisiana, but festivities surrounding Carnival are happening across the state. They do it big in Alexandria with two weekends packed with fun events. Kelli West with the Convention and Visitors Bureau says tonight Pineville will roll with their massive 4th Annual Light the Night Parade:
CUT 3 (11) “two cities”
West says once the parade is over tonight, the Light the Night After-Party kicks off at 8pm in downtown Alexandria.

The iconic Voice of the Saints Jim Henderson is retiring. He says it wasn’t an easy decision, but the hectic football season can take a toll on your family…:
Cut 25 (12) “of sacrifice”
Henderson says most of all, he’s looking forward to just being a fan again.

A 74-year-old man and 10-year-old boy died in a fire this morning in West Baton Rouge Parish. Officials say a woman and girl were also injured in the blaze. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Monroe based CenturyLink is opening a new outbound sales center bringing 150 jobs to the area…:
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Kelley Ray”

Governor John Bel Edwards has raised five million dollars and has a 56 percent approval rating at the moment, Matt Doyle talked to a political analyst about what that means for his reelection chances.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

Pierre C. Shadeaux, the Cajun groundhog, did not see his shadow this morning, meaning a longer spring and a slow return of summer heat.  The New Iberia rodent  predicts differently that Punxsutawney Phil.  Shadeaux looks for a longer spring or an earlier summer.

Monroe based CenturyLink is opening a new outbound sales center bringing 150 jobs to the area.  The center will be located on Forsythe Avenue.  CenturyLink spokesperson Anne Marie Sartor says the center will focus on small businesses throughout the country in helping them with their needs…

Cut 7 (09)  “them grow.”

The job fair will be held in West Monroe at the Hilton Garden Inn Monday February 12^th from 7am to 7pm.

The iconic Voice of the Saints Jim Henderson is retiring after a storied 31-year career calling the most triumphant and heartbreaking moments in Black and Gold history.  Henderson fondly remembers his first time in the Saints broadcast booth.

Cut 15 (12) “we go”

Governor John Bel Edwards has five million dollars in his reelection war chest at the midway point of his term.  The fundraising numbers from his annual campaign finance report, combined with his high favorability ratings, give the governor a strong starting position heading into the 2019 governor’s race. Political Analyst Clancy DuBos says it still might not be enough to get him a second term.

Cut 7 (08)  “perhaps several.”

New Dodge Chargers are coming to the State Police fleet starting this month.  State Police Lt. J.B. Slaton says they realize  there will be drivers who think they are trying to camouflage themselves better, especially with the less visible reflective silver lettering and logos. But Slaton says safe law abiding drivers have nothing to worry about…

Cut 12 (09) “the road.”

One northwest Louisiana private school is rooting hard for Philadelphia in Super Bowl 52 Sunday.  The Eagles’ head coach Doug Pederson was the head coach for Calvary Baptist Academy in Shreveport.  Academy Superintendent Chad McDowell says even though some students weren’t around when Pederson was at the school, they still like him…

Cut 5  (07)  “their uniforms.”

Pederson was at the school between 2005 and 2009

The iconic Voice of the Saints Jim Henderson is retiring after a storied career calling the most triumphant and heartbreaking moments in Black and Gold history. The announcement came as a shock to many, as the Saints are a team on the rise, full of young talent, but Henderson says that’s exactly why he chose this moment to leave.

Cut 13 (10)  “go out”

L-S-P will have new Dodge Chargers on the highway and some of them will be more difficult to detect as State Police vehicles…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu has responded to the Alabama billboards in the area which direct drivers to Mobile which the message touts as the “original” home of Mardi Gras. Landrieu said that was then, and this is now — and Mobile’s claim to be the first is not relevant. He added there’s only one great Mardi Gras in the world.

Governor John Bel Edwards has five million dollars in his reelection war chest at the midway point of his term. The fundraising numbers from his annual campaign finance report, combined with his high favorability ratings, give the governor a strong starting position heading into the 2019 governor’s race. Political Analyst Clancy DuBos says the governor is good at connecting with Louisiana voters…:
Cut 9 (11) “to them”
According to Morning Consult, Edwards is the nation’s most popular Democratic governor, with a 56 percent approval rating.

The iconic Voice of the Saints Jim Henderson is retiring. He says it wasn’t an easy decision, but the hectic football season can take a toll on your family…:
Cut 14 (12) “of sacrifice”
Henderson says most of all, he’s looking forward to just being a fan again.

Governor John Bel Edwards filed his annual campaign finance report Thursday showing about $5 million dollars cash on hand at the halfway point of his term. 85 percent of those funds came from Louisiana, but Political Analyst Clancy DuBos says the governor will have to ramp up his national fundraising to keep up with his GOP rivals…:
Cut 8 (10) “other option”

State Police troopers will soon have a new look on the roadway. LSP is adding new Dodge Chargers to its fleet and some of them will be unmarked. Lt. J.B. Slaton says using a “ghost logo” will help them to better blend in:
Cut 11 (11) “aggressive drivers”
The interiors will retain the current safety features and equipment and trooper uniforms will remain the same.

Calvary Baptist Academy is celebrating former head coach Doug Pederson’s trip to the Super Bowl as the Philadelphia Eagles head coach…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray”

The LSU Board of Supervisors is expected to approve today new contracts for LSU offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger and defensive coordinator Dave Aranda. Tiger Rag reports Ensminger’s contract is 800-thousand dollars a year, while Aranda’s annual salary will go up to 2.5 million dollars.

Governor John Bel Edwards has raised five million dollars and has a 56 percent approval rating right now. Matt Doyle reports…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The iconic Voice of the Saints Jim Henderson is retiring, and fondly remembers his time in the booth…:
Cut 15 (12) “we go”

A high school in northwest Louisiana is rooting for their former football coach Doug Pederson as he leads the Philadelphia Eagles in Sunday’s Super Bowl. Pederson was the head coach for Calvary Baptist Academy in Shreveport between 2005 and 2009. There’s been quite of bit of media coverage about Pederson being the first Louisiana high school coach directing a team into a Super Bowl. Academy Superintendent Chad McDowell says Pederson always speaks about his time here fondly…:
Cut 6 (08) “Baptist Academy”
The Eagles will kick off against the New England Patriots Sunday at 5:30pm on NBC.

Alabama made national news with its slam at New Orleans; billboards saying Mobile was the “original” home of Mardi Gras celebrations. The signs in Southeast Louisiana and south Mississippi tell drivers how close they are to “America’s original Mardi Gras.” New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu responded saying, that was then — this is now and Mobile’s claim to be the first is irrelevant.

Governor John Bel Edwards has five million dollars in his war chest at the midway point of his term. The fundraising numbers and high favorability ratings give Edwards a strong position heading into the 2019 race. Political Analyst Clancy DuBos says the governor still has a hill to climb..:
Cut 7 (08) “perhaps several”
According to the polling company Morning Consult, Edwards is the nation’s most popular Democratic governor, with a 56 percent approval rating.

Louisiana State Police will be adding Dodge Chargers to their fleet with a twist. Some of the new vehicles will be fully marked, others semi-marked, and a few not be marked at all. Lt. J.B. Slaton says the units will allow LSP to blend in with traffic and stop drivers who are reckless..:
Cut 10 (07) “the road”
The less visible vehicles will roll out this month.
—————————-
One northwest Louisiana private school is rooting hard for Philadelphia in Super Bowl 52 Sunday. Eagles head coach Doug Pederson coached for Calvary Baptist Academy in Shreveport between 2005 and 2009, leading them to their first ever district title. Academy Superintendent Chad McDowell is not surprised Pederson is on the biggest stage of the sports world…:
Cut 4 (08) “Andy Reid”
The Eagles will kick off against the New England Patriots Sunday at 5:30pm on NBC.

After decades of being the play-by-play man for New Orleans Saints games, Jim Henderson has decided to hang up his headphones.