Mardi Gras isn’t just for New Orleans – it’s something that the whole state celebrates. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

They’re celebrating the start of phase two of their downtown revitalization project in Monroe.  City leaders broke ground at Fourth and Desiard Streets yesterday.  The project includes a pedestrian experience with landscaping, green drainage, bike racks, wider sidewalks, decorative pavers, and an upgraded crosswalk for  safety.

————————————————

Mardi Gras in Louisiana is a time of fun, parades, and celebration, but it also comes with risks—especially head injuries. Common causes include tripping on curbs, falling off floats, or getting hit while scrambling for beads. Ochsner Neurology Group Nurse Practitioner Kadyn Brooks says to stay safe, be aware of your surroundings,

Cut 12 (11) “…with your head.” Do you know where your shrimp is coming from?  A study found that in Lafayette, one-third of restaurants sampled that claimed to be serving locally-caught shrimp were actually serving imported shrimp instead. Sherry Blanchard, a board member at the Southern Shrimp Alliance says imported shrimp is a lot less safe.

Cut 3 (14) “…polluted waters.”

If you’re a shrimp eater, you should know a recent study found that one-third of restaurants Lafayette restaurants sampled that claimed to be serving locally-caught shrimp were actually serving imported shrimp instead. As of the beginning of this year, restaurants became required to say where their seafood comes from and disclaimers if it’s imported.  Sherry Blanchard, a board member at the Southern Shrimp Alliance, says the law also enhances enforcement by the Louisiana Department of Health.

Cut 4 (13) “…by the retailers.”

Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser has been working to dispel that notion that Mardi Gras is just a New Orleans thing.  He wants everyone to know there are celebrations statewide…and that each one is unique.

Cut 10 (09) “…things and themes.”

————————————

Mardi Gras in Louisiana is a time of fun, parades, and celebration, but it also comes with risks—especially head injuries. Ochsner Neurology Group Nurse Practitioner Kadyn Brooks says be sure to drink responsibly, as alcohol affects balance and coordination.

Cut 13 (12)  “…oncoming traffic.”

Thrilling win for the LSU Tigers yesterday in the opening game of the Frisco College Baseball Classic as LSU defeated Kansas State eight to five in ten innings. Josh Pearson had the game-winning hit and Daniel Dickinson drove in six runs. Casan Evans earned the win as he pitched two scoreless innings out of the bullpen. The Tigers will take on Nebraska this afternoon at around 4 PM.

And second ranked LSU gymnastics posted a score of 198.125 over George Wasington at the Raising Cane’s River Center in Baton Rouge.  It was a season high score for the team.  Haleigh Bryant was the all-around champ.

St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s officials have arrested a fellow law enforcement officer for possession of drug paraphernalia and on a warrant for charges of pornography involving juveniles and sexual abuse of animals.  31 year old Javon Charles worked for Patterson PD when the initial complaint was made, but has since been employed by the Jeanerette Police Department.

A big misconception just about everywhere is that Mardi Gras is strictly a New Orleans staple. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser has been working to dispel that notion. He got the idea to promote Mardi Gras as a family-friendly statewide celebration after talking to a counterpart at a lieutenant governor’s conference.

Cut 9 (09)  “…didn’t realize it.”

Nungesser says each Mardi Gras celebration throughout the state is different and even those who regularly take in Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans should expand their horizons.

——————————

If shrimp is on the menu this Mardi Gras, you may want to ask where it’s coming from. A new study shows a third of Lafayette restaurants sampled are saying their shrimp is local when it’s not.  Here’s Sean Richardson.

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

It is Mardi Gras everywhere in Louisiana.  That includes cities up north like Shreveport and Bossier City with two parades this weekend,  president of Visit Shreveport-Bossier, Stacy Brown…

Cut 7 (08) “…of Highland parades.”

Mardi Gras isn’t just for New Orleans – it’s something that the whole state celebrates. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

They’re celebrating the start of phase two of their downtown revitalization project in Monroe.  City leaders broke ground at Fourth and Desiard Streets yesterday.  The project includes a pedestrian experience with landscaping, green drainage, bike racks, wider sidewalks, decorative pavers, and an upgraded crosswalk for  safety.

————————————-

Mardi Gras in Louisiana is a time of fun, parades, and celebration, but it also comes with risks—especially head injuries, from. Common causes include tripping on curbs, falling off floats, or getting hit while scrambling for beads. Ochsner Neurology Group Nurse Practitioner Kadyn Brooks says to stay safe, be aware of your surroundings,

Cut 12 (11) “…with your head.”

Do you know where your shrimp is coming from?  A study found that in Lafayette, one-third of restaurants sampled that claimed to be serving locally-caught shrimp were actually serving imported shrimp instead. Sherry Blanchard, a board member at the Southern Shrimp Alliance says imported shrimp is a lot less safe.

Cut 3 (14) “…polluted waters.”

Mardi Gras is not just for New Orleans. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser, who’s riding in the Krewe of Bacchus parade Sunday evening, says there are Mardi Gras parades throughout the whole state, and each celebration is different.

Cut 10 (09) “…things and themes.”

Stacy Brown, the president of Visit Shreveport-Bossier, says Mardi Gras is something that the region greatly embraces.

Cut 6 (09) “…Louisiana as well.”

In fact, there will be two parades in Shreveport-Bossier City this weekend.

Cut 7 (08) “…of Highland parades.”

Carnival season wraps up on Fat Tuesday there with a children’s parade in the parking lot at Pierre Bossier Mall. Brown says in all, the Mardi Gras parades are a huge economic driver for the region.

Mardi Gras is the time when doctor’s offices see the most patients needing treatment for head injuries. Common causes include tripping on curbs, falling off floats, or getting hit while scrambling for beads. Ochsner Neurology Group Nurse Practitioner Kadyn Brooks says always be aware of your surroundings,

Cut 12 (11) “…with your head.”

As Mardi Gras approaches, do you know where your shrimp is coming from? A study found that one-third of restaurants sampled in Lafayette that claimed to be serving locally-caught shrimp were actually serving imported shrimp instead, in violation of a new state law. Sherry Blanchard, a board member at the Southern Shrimp Alliance, says the law also enhances enforcement by the Louisiana Department of Health.

Cut 4 (13) “…by the retailers.”

It’s the weekend before Mardi Gras — do you know where your shrimp is coming from? A new study shows one-third of restaurants in Lafayette claim their shrimp is locally caught when it’s actually imported. Sean Richardson reports.

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

___________________________________________________

Mardi Gras isn’t just for New Orleans – it’s something that the whole state celebrates. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

___________________________________________________

It’s the weekend before Mardi Gras — do you know where your shrimp is coming from? At some restaurants, the answer might be a tad misleading. A study found that in Lafayette, one-third of restaurants sampled that claimed to be serving locally-caught shrimp were actually serving imported shrimp instead. Sherry Blanchard, a board member at the Southern Shrimp Alliance, imported shrimp is a lot less safe.

Cut 3 (14) “…polluted waters.”

Louisiana’s seafood disclosure law, first enacted in 2008, was recently strengthened. As of the beginning of this year, restaurants must explicitly state seafood origins and include disclaimers if serving imported products. Blanchard says the law also enhances enforcement by the Louisiana Department of Health.

Cut 4 (13) “…by the retailers.”

Blanchard says the U-S needs to have higher standards Like Europe and Japan for imported seafood.

Cut 5 (06) “…we will eat anything.”

______________________________________________________________

Mardi Gras is a celebration that the entire State of Louisiana gets into, not just New Orleans. That includes the cities on the opposite end of the state – Shreveport and Bossier City.

Cut 6 (09) “…Louisiana as well.”

Stacy Brown, the president of Visit Shreveport-Bossier, says there will be two parades this weekend.

Cut 7 (08) “…of Highland parades.”

Brown says Shreveport-Bossier City puts its own spin on Mardi Gras throws.

Cut 8 (11) “…of great things.”

Carnival season in Shreveport-Bossier City wraps up on Fat Tuesday with a children’s parade in the parking lot at Pierre Bossier Mall. Brown says in all, the Mardi Gras parades are a huge economic driver for the region.

______________________________________________________________

One big misconception is that Mardi Gras is strictly a New Orleans staple. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser has been working to dispel that notion. He got the idea to promote Mardi Gras as a family-friendly statewide celebration after talking to a counterpart at a lieutenant governor’s conference.

Cut 9 (09)  “…didn’t realize it.”

Nungesser says each Mardi Gras celebration throughout the state is different.

Cut 10 (09) “…things and themes.”

Nungesser says even those who regularly take in Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans should expand their horizons.

Cut 11 (11) “…of the state.”

___________________________________________________________

Mardi Gras in Louisiana is a time of fun, parades, and celebration, but it also comes with risks—especially head injuries. Common causes include tripping on curbs, falling off floats, or getting hit while scrambling for beads. Ochsner Neurology Group Nurse Practitioner Kadyn Brooks says to stay safe, be aware of your surroundings,

Cut 12 (11) “…with your head.”

Brooks says to drink responsibly, as alcohol affects balance and coordination.

Cut 13 (12)  “…oncoming traffic.”

Brooks says know the symptoms of head injuries and if you suspend a head injury to go to an urgent care facility.

Cut 14 (06) “…sound sensitivity.”

After getting a conviction against a man for sexual battery, Calcasieu Parish prosecutors may need to start again from square one. That’s because the judge has declared a mistrial in the case of 42-year-old Joshua Boyd because of the actions of Sheriff’s Captain Todd Ory during deliberations. Sheriff Stitch Guillory could not go into detail of what those actions are because of the ongoing internal affairs investigation; he says his heart goes out to the victim and her family.

Cut 12 (10) “…through this again.”

A recent study found that a third of restaurants sampled in Lafayette restaurants that claimed to be serving Gulf-caught shrimp were actually serving imported shrimp. Sherry Blanchard, with the Southern Shrimp Alliance, says imported shrimp is less safe.

Cut 3 (14) “…polluted waters.”

Granted, most Mardi Gras visitors head to New Orleans but we know it’s something that the whole state celebrates. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

After talking to a counterpart at a lieutenant governor’s conference, Lt Governor Billy Nungesser wants to promote Mardi Gras as a statewide celebration. He says even those who regularly take in Carnival celebrations in New Orleans should expand their horizons.

Cut 11 (11) “…of the state.”

He wants others to know there are many family friendly parades and events.

A suspect has turned himself in in Monroe in connection with gang-related fights over a shoe release at Pecanland Mall.  24-year-old Rayshawn Hollins is facing a rioting charge.   Monroe Police Chief Victor Zordan

Cut 8 (10) “…the stomach area.”

As revelers have fun celebrating at parades this weekend Ochsner Neurology Group Nurse Practitioner Kadyn Brooks says to stay safe, be aware of the risks and symptoms of head injuries.

Cut 14 (06) “…sound sensitivity .”

If you suspect someone has sustained a head injury, seek medical attention without delay.

A new study shows a third of Lafayette restaurants claim their shrimp is Gulf-caught when it’s actually imported. Sean Richardson reports.

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

After a conversation with a counterpart at a lieutenant governors’ conference, Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser has been working to promote Mardi as a diverse Statewide Celebration…

Cut 9 (09)  “…didn’t realize it.”