It’s an early start to the revelry in New Orleans on this Fat Tuesday because of anticipated severe weather this afternoon. The Krewe of Zulu started rolling before seven o’ clock this morning and Rex is scheduled to roll at 9:30. There are no marching krewes, bands or truck floats, and both routes are shortened. In Jefferson Parish, parades are canceled today, but NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick says it was important to have parades in New Orleans.

Cut 12 (10) “…going to try.”

President Donald Trump delivers a primetime address to a joint session of Congress tonight. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says in Trump’s first 44 days in office the President made many changes and is pushing for more and this is his chance to explain why this is the path America should take…

Cut 4 (13) “…a lot of attention.”

If you are looking to attend a traditional Mardi Gras celebration today. Eunice is the place to go. Andrew Greenstein reports.

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State Police have arrested a Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s deputy on allegations of cruelty to a juvenile. Twenty-eight-year-old Matthew Frost of Lafayette was booked yesterday. Authorities say Frost committed cruel actions against a single victim on two separate occasions last June.

Many Mardi Gras parades across south Louisiana are starting earlier than scheduled this morning because of high winds and approaching severe weather. Michelle Southern has more…

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There’s an enhanced risk, level three out of five, for severe weather for all of north and central Louisiana today. Baton Rouge and Hammond and much of the north shore are also covered in that enhanced threat. Slight risk for the rest of the state.

It’s a traditional Mardi Gras celebration in Eunice today. The Cajun Mardi Gras festival started last Friday and wraps up today with a parade that pays tribute to the heritage and customs of the Acadian people who settled in southwest Louisiana. Eunice Mayor Scott Fontenot says for visitors it’s truly a unique experience.

Cut 7 (08) “…the whole outfit.”

Fontenot says there of course a run where men on horseback will collect the ingredients to make a traditional gumbo.

President Trump will give a speech to a joint session of Congress tonight at 8 PM. A senior administration official says Trump will likely focus on immigration, tariffs, DOGE and DEI. After the President speaks, LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin will give the Democrats response…

Cut 6 (08) “….at the present time”

Tonight, President Trump will address Congress. Sean Richardson spoke with a local political analyst on what we can expect to hear.

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A very different kind of Mardi Gras parade in Eunice. Andrew Greenstein reports.

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Mother Nature is expected to put a damper on Fat Tuesday. Michelle Southern reports.

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President Donald Trump delivers a primetime address to a joint session of Congress tonight. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says in Trump’s first 44 days in office the President made many changes and is pushing for more and this is his chance to explain why this is the path America should take

Cut 4 (13) “…a lot of attention.”

Republicans hold majorities in both chambers, giving Trump an advantage in promoting his legislative agenda. Hogan says Trump will focus a lot on immigration and foreign policy following Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s meeting in the oval office last week.

Cut 5 (10) “…with foreign policy.”

Democrats will present a televised response, delivered by Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin.  Hogan says a great deal of attention will be given to Slotkin…

Cut 6 (08) “…at the present time”

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It’s a Mardi Gras celebration in the Cajun tradition in Eunice, and it has its big finish today. The Cajun Mardi Gras festival started last Friday and wraps up today with a parade that pays tribute to the heritage and customs of the Acadian people who settled in southwest Louisiana. Eunice Mayor Scott Fontenot says it attracts people from not just all across the country, but from all over the world; and he says it’s something that most people have never witnessed in their entire lives.

Cut 7 (08) “…the whole outfit.”

Mayor Fontenot says it’s actually more of a run than a parade.

Cut 8 (07) “…the whole time.”

The participants run through the countryside begging for ingredients for the gumbo that they’ll make at the end. While the weather will likely turn rainy and windy by the end, that’s not going to stop the participants – in fact, nothing has ever stopped them.

Cut 9 (05)  “…they had lockdown.”

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With severe weather impacting much of the state today, many cities are adjusting their Mardi Gras parade plans. In Lafayette, Police Sergeant Robin Green says they’re moving up two parades and are cancelling a third.

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The independent parade was slated to start immediately after the Lafayette Mardi Gras Festival parade, but the weather will not hold up at that time.

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(Watch for updates in the following story)

As of right now, New Orleans is planning on holding two parades and moving them earlier with the high winds rolling in. The Zulu parade will start to roll at 6:30 a.m., followed by the Rex parade. There will be no marching krewes, bands or truck floats, and both routes are being shortened. The trucker parade has been cancelled and is rescheduled for Sunday morning. Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick says the city is working hard to maintain important traditions.

Cut 12 (10) “…going to try.”

Kirkpatrick says there’s still a chance that she may need to cancel the Zulu and Rex parades altogether.

Cut 13 (13)  “…at that point.”

If the parades do roll this morning, Kirkpatrick is urging you to go to the bathroom ahead of time. Due to the forecasted high winds, there will be no porta-potties along the routes.

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Mardi Gras is always a festive occasion in Louisiana. But this year, Mother Nature has other plans. The entire state is bracing for severe weather today. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says in the New Orleans area…

Cut 14 (09) “…finally tapering off.”

And it’s much of the same further west, including Lafayette and Lake Charles. Keim says after noon, winds will start to really pick up.

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A high wind warning is in effect in Southeast Louisiana from nine this morning to nine tonight.

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LSU has moved up to number one in D-1 Baseball’s Top 25 ranking. The 11-and-1 Tigers are ranked ahead of Tennessee who is undefeated on the season. D-1 baseball’s Aaron Fitt on why LSU has a slight edge over the defending national champs…

Cut 16 (18) “…LSU rotation.”

Fitt says LSU’s offense looks very good through the first dozen games of the season. He says Tigers first baseman Jared Jones could be in store for a big season…

Cut 17 (20)  “…terrifying presence.”

Second baseman Daniel Dickinson is emerging as a star. The transfer from Utah Valley is leading the Tigers with 21 RBIs. Dickinson didn’t have a single scholarship offer from a Division One school coming out of high school in Seattle, but that didn’t stop him.

Cut 18 (14)  “…like that.”

LSU right-handed pitcher Casan Evans was named the Southeastern Conference co-freshman of the week. The Houston product recorded a save against nationally ranked Dallas Baptist and got the win on Friday against Kansas State. Evans was also a very good high school shortstop, but he’s only focusing on pitching at LSU….

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Severe weather is putting a damper on Mardi Gras parades. Andrew Greenstein reports.

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Matt Hemingway with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says the greatest threat for severe weather tomorrow is all of north and central Louisiana and a part of south Louisiana…

Cut 7 (05) “….south of I-10”

Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain met with U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollands on how to deal with the effects of bird flu and how to get egg prices under control.

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Strain says it also might be time to import foreign eggs to help lower prices.

Former LSU offensive lineman Will Campbell ran the 40 yard dash under five seconds and made a vertical jump over 30 inches at the NFL draft combine, which is impressive for the former Neville star. Campbell believes he’s the best offensive tackle in the draft…

Cut 19 (17) “..separates me.”

There are some mock drafts that have the Patriots taking Campbell with the fourth overall pick.

Severe weather is expected to move into Louisiana tomorrow and that means Mardi Gras celebrations will be cut short. In New Orleans Marching krewes and truck parades will not parade but Zulu will roll at 7 a.m. and Rex at 9 a.m. but and all parades must wrap up by noon. Collin Arnold, New Orleans’ director of homeland security and emergency preparedness, says while Mayor LaToya Cantrell has input and influence, she wasn’t the decision-maker in this instance.

Cut 13 (04)  “…of that decision.”

Arnold says not all floats are able to withstand high winds.

Jefferson Parish has cancelled both of their parades. Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng says if those wind speeds are high enough to keep buses and Entergy crews off the roads, they’re certainly high enough to make conditions for a parade unsafe.

Cut 4 (14) “…tents, chairs, tarps.”

Parade times in New Roads, Kaplan, and Franklin have been moved up and Mardi Gras Festival in Cajun Field in Lafayette has been cancelled.

Authorities have made at least one arrest in a shooting that wounded five people after Mardi Gras parade in Franklinton last night. Jeff Palermo has the story…

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Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain met with U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollands on how to deal with the effects of bird flu and how to get egg prices under control.

Cut 9 (17)  “…and for poultry.”

The Bird flu has had a significant impact on egg prices and Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain met with U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollands getting prices under control and help farmers who have lost millions. The US is temporarily allowing imported eggs to help ease the prices and allow farmers time to rebuild their supply. Strain says there is not an overnight solution but is confident that in time egg prices should be back under control, and back to normal.

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The state is forecast to have its first major potential spring weather event and unfortunately it arrives on Fat Tuesday. Meteorologist Mattt Hemingway with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says the severe weather threat begins tomorrow morning….

Cut 6 (11) “…there as well.”

Mardi Gras parades will not be rolling in Jefferson Parish tomorrow. Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng says that’s because the high winds in the forecast will make conditions unsafe.

Cut 3 (11) “…hour is possible.”

While parades in Jefferson Parish are cancelled tomorrow due to the high winds, New Orleans is working to allow some parades to roll.  Zulu will roll at 7 a.m. and Rex at 9 a.m. Marching krewes and truck floats will not be allowed, and all parades must wrap up by noon. Collin Arnold, New Orleans’ director of homeland security and emergency preparedness, says not all floats are able to withstand high winds.

Cut 14 (12) “…wind as others.”

Lafayette has cancelled Mardi Gras Festival in Cajun Field and the towns of Kaplan, Crowley, New Roads and Franklin have moved their parade times up.

Severe weather is putting a damper on Mardi Gras parades. Andrew Greenstein reports.

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In New Orleans, Zulu will roll at 7:00 am and Rex at 9:00am. Marching krewes and truck parades will not be allowed, and all parades must wrap up by noon. Collin Arnold, New Orleans’ director of homeland security and emergency preparedness, says the city made the most of a tricky situation.

Cut 12 (06) “…the last day.”

In Lafayette, Mardi Gras Festival in Cajun Field has been cancelled. Parade times have been moved up in the towns of Kaplan, Crowley, New Roads and Franklin.

The state is forecast to have its first major potential spring weather event and North Louisiana will be under an enhanced risk for severe thunderstorms which could include strong winds, hail and the possibility of tornados. Meteorologist Mattt Hemingway with the National Weather Service in Shreveport…

Cut 8 (11) “…through sunset.”

In an effort to get egg prices under control after bird flu caused an increase, Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain met with Secretary of U-S Department of Agriculture Brooke Rollands. Strain says imported of eggs will be allowed into the United States temporarily to help and allow poultry farmers time to increase the egg supply.

Cut 10 (15) “…rebuild the population.”