There are folks celebrating Mardi Gras all over the state today despite the cold weather. These revelers in New Orleans say they came prepared…:
CUT 4 (08) “day progresses”
Forecasters say it might warm up some but the clouds are sticking around so temps probably won’t get out of the 40s for the parades.

A recent report by the Schott Foundation for Public Education shows the black male high school graduation rates in Louisiana trails whites’ by 16 points. For the 2012-13 school year, only 53-percent of black male students graduated compared to 69-percent of white males. Foundation President John Jackson says these numbers are reason for concern…:
CUT 13 (12) “to succeed”
He says the results of this study indicate a climate that doesn’t foster health living and learning environments for black males.

State Police say a train-truck crash in Desoto Parish has killed two men and left another critically injured. Trooper Matt Harris says a group of oil field vehicles were traveling on a private road yesterday afternoon when a truck, driven by 23-year-old John Watson of Centerville, approached some railroad tracks…:
CUT 7 (10) “was too late”
Watson and one passenger, 24-year-old Michael Ryder II of Goldonna, were pronounced dead at the scene. Another passenger, 35-year-old Herbert Barras III of Charenton remains in critical condition.

IBM technology announces plans for a 400-job services center in Monroe. Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo says this announcement is in addition to the 800+ jobs coming to the CenturyLink technology center which will open in March. He says this is great news for Northeast Louisiana.

Folks in Louisiana are enjoying Mardi Gras Festivities, despite the bone chilling temps. These revelers in New Orleans we spoke with say they aren’t going to let a little cold stop them from enjoying Fat Tuesday celebrations and parades…:
CUT 3 (08) “don’t hurt”
The popular Courir de Mardi Gras got off to an early start this morning in Mamou. Mayor Ricky Fontenot says revelers aren’t letting the cold get them down one bit…:
CUT 5 (07) “it’s still on”
State Climatologist Barry Keim says if you haven’t set out yet be sure to bring your heavy coats, gloves and blankets…:
CUT 12 (08) “kinda windy”

One of the state’s more unique Mardi Gras traditions happens in the Calcasieu Parish town of Iowa. Scott Carwile reports…:
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Northeast Louisiana has a lot to celebrate as IBM made a huge announcement yesterday that they are bringing 400 jobs to Monroe and partnering with CenturyLink on research and technology services. The State is also providing $4.5 million dollars to support computer science programs to higher ed institutions in the area to help meet workforce needs.

The question over which city “started” Mardi Gras, New Orleans or Mobile, Alabama, is up for debate again this Fat Tuesday. Michelle Southern reports…

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In Vernon Parish, a Rosepine employee is under arrest, accused of theft of approximately $3,500. Officials say Troy Miers was taken into custody after he allegedly used the town’s fuel credit card for personal use. Miers is charged with one count of unauthorized use of an access card.

IBM technology announces plans for a 400-job services center in Monroe. Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo says this announcement is in addition to the 800+ jobs coming to the CenturyLink technology center which will open in March….

cut 15 (08) “to be huge”

Officials say IBM will provide software technology services to clients across the nation.

One of Louisiana’s more unique Mardi Gras traditions is the Iowa Chicken Run in Calcasieu Parish. The parade stops at homes to collect ingredients for a gumbo that will be served later in the day. When a donation is made, a chicken is released for children to catch. Organizer, Rodney Victorian, says the event attracts visitors from all over to partake in the festivities…

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Victorian says his grandfather started the event 36 years ago and he’s just trying to keep the tradition alive.

IBM technology announces a 400-job application development and innovation center that will open in Monroe. Michelle Southern reports…

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State Police say a train-truck crash in Desoto Parish killed two men and left another critically injured. Authorities say 23-year-old John Watson of Centerville drove into the path of an oncoming train. Watson and one passenger, 24-year-old Michael Ryder II of Goldonna, were pronounced dead at the scene. Another passenger, 35-year-old Herbert Barras III of Charenton was taken to an area hospital, reportedly in critical condition. None of the men were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash.

The debate over which city “started” Mardi Gras, New Orleans or Mobile, Alabama, continues. Big Easy Mardi Gras expert Arthur Hardy says while Mobile enjoys the second largest and longest running parade season in America, New Orleans has the biggest celebration in the world…

cut 6 (08) “that’s indisputable”

Hardy says the style of parade — floats, costumes, and masks — did in fact start in Mobile, but they didn’t roll on Mardi Gras day until 11 years after New Orleans did.

Now that a strong cold front has moved through, Canadian air has settled over Louisiana leaving us with another chilly Mardi Gras day. State Climatologist Barry Keim says for revelers who plan to be outside all day, make sure you bring a lot heavy coats, gloves and blankets…

cut 12 (08) “kinda windy”

Keim says if you’re headed to parades today anywhere in the state, it might be a good idea to bring an umbrella just in case but you probably won’t need it.

IBM Technology announces plans for a 400-job application development and innovation center in Monroe. Officials say IBM will partner with CenturyLink on research and product innovation initiatives. Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo says big companies are attracted to CenturyLink which has corporate headquarters in Monroe…

cut 14 (09) “to come here”

Governor Bobby Jindal says $4.5 million dollars will be provided to ULM, Louisiana Tech and Grambling for additional computer science programs to help meet IBM’s workforce needs.

Which city “started” Mardi Gras, New Orleans or Mobile, Alabama? Mobile Mayor Sandy Simpson says they did. But Big Easy Mardi Gras expert Arthur Hardy says their Mardi-Gras-like parades, which featured floats followed by a tableaux ball were staged on New Years Eve…

cut 5 (11) “I’m not sure”

He says the first New Orleans Mardi Gras parade was held in 1857, while Mobile’s Fat Tuesday parades did not begin until 1868.

If you’re heading out to Mardi Gras parades today, you’ll want to bundle up now that a strong cold front has moved through the state. State Climatologist Barry Keim says it’s going to be a very cold Fat Tuesday pretty much throughout The Bayou State…

cut 11 (09) “miserable day”

Afternoon highs will be in the mid to upper 40s statewide today.

If you’re looking for a unique Mardi Gras experience, you may want to head to Calcasieu Parish for the Iowa Chicken Run. The parade will begin at 10AM and will stop at participating homes to collect ingredients for a gumbo that will be served later in the day. Organizer, Rodney Victorian, says kids can try to catch something other than beads and toys in Iowa…

cut 8 (06) “stuff like that”

The chickens are not harmed and not used to make the gumbo.

IBM Technology announces plans for a 400-job application development and innovation center in Monroe. Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo says this is huge for Northeast Louisiana…

cut 13 (10) “here in Monroe”

Officials say IBM will provide software technology services to clients across the nation and partner with CenturyLink on research and product innovation initiatives.

The question over which city “started” Mardi Gras, New Orleans or Mobile, Alabama, is coming up again this Fat Tuesday. Mobile Mayor Sandy Simpson is bragging that the Alabama destination is where the celebrations originally began in the US. Big Easy Mardi Gras expert Arthur Hardy says the first New Orleans Mardi Gras parade was held in 1857…

cut 4 (10) “New Years Eve”

Hardy says Mobile’s parades on Fat Tuesday did not begin until 1868 — after the Civil War.

Cold Canadian air has settled over Louisiana leaving us with another chilly Mardi Gras day. State Climatologist Barry Keim says southeast Louisiana should brace for temperatures today in the upper 30s this morning, then high temperatures this afternoon only in the upper 40s…:

cut 10 (09) “bundle up”

He says if you’re headed to parades today anywhere in the state, it might be a good idea to bring an umbrella just in case but you probably won’t need it.

One of the state’s more unique Mardi Gras traditions happens in the Calcasieu Parish town of Iowa. The Iowa Chicken Run is an all day celebration that begins and ends at the Knights of Columbus Hall. Organizer, Rodney Victorian, says his grandfather started this event 36 years ago…

cut 7 (11) “for the community”

The parade will will stop at participating homes to collect ingredients for a gumbo that will be served later in the day. When a donation to the gumbo is made, a chicken is thrown in the air for the children to catch.

IBM technology announces plans for a 400-job application development and innovation center in Monroe. Officials say IBM will provide software technology services to clients across the nation and partner with CenturyLink on research and product innovation initiatives. Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo says this is huge for Northeast Louisiana…:
CUT 13 (10) “here in Monroe”
Mayo says this announcement is in addition to the 800+ jobs coming to the CenturyLink technology center which will open in March.

State Police say two people have died in a crash involving a truck and a train in DeSoto Parish. They say the vehicle was hit by the train and a third person is critically injured at the University Health Center in Shreveport. It is not known why the truck was on the tracks but the investigation is ongoing.

State Police has increased its numbers in New Orleans for Mardi Gras and they’re making their presence known. Eric Gill reports…:
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It’s been a wet and dreary Lundi Gras and even though meteorologists say the rain should be gone by tomorrow, it’s still going to be a very cold Mardi Gras across the state. They say Fat Tuesday will be breezy and cold and it appears clouds could linger for most of the day if not the entire day.