It’s D-C Mardi Gras weekend in the nation’s capital. Jeff Palermo has more on the big social and political networking event.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Former Louisiana Congressman Garret Graves has announced that he will not run for congress in the newly open 5^th Congressional District Race, saying this is not the time nor office that makes sense for him. Current 5^th District Congresswoman Julia Letlow announced last week she’ll be challenging Senator Bill Cassidy in his run for re-election.

—————————————
Louisiana had a net population gain last year. The U.S. Census Bureau says between July 1st, 2024, and June 30th, 2025, Louisiana added about 33-hundred people to its population total. Demographer Greg Rigamer says that net increase still does not get Louisiana’s population back to the level at the beginning of the decade.

Cut 7 (09) “…40-thousand people.”

Louisiana trails other Southern states in internships and apprenticeships for high school students. That’s why the Leaders for a Better Louisiana are alerting businesses about a new state tax credit employers can take advantage of if they hire interns or have an apprenticeship program. Leaders for a Better Louisiana Chief Policy Officer Barry Erwin…

Cut 4 (09)“…them do that.”

While Louisiana had a modest gain in population last year, it still has a long road ahead. Andre Champagne reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

____________________________________________

It’s D-C Mardi Gras weekend in the nation’s capital. Jeff Palermo has more on the big social and political networking event.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

____________________________________________

Rockin’1000 is a gathering of one-thousand musicians on the same stage, and they come from all walks of life and of all ages. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

______________________________________________

Louisiana trails other Southern states in internships and apprenticeships for high school students. That’s why the Leaders for a Better Louisiana are alerting businesses about a new state tax credit employers can take advantage of if they hire interns or have an apprenticeship program. Better Louisiana Chief Policy Officer Barry Erwin…

Cut 4 (09)“…them do that.”

Erwin says providing internships and apprenticeships to young people can help enhance the workforce and help employers identify future full-time workers. He says the credit is available to businesses that make eligible hires this year, and they can claim the credit on their tax returns beginning in 2027.

Cut 5 (07) “…for that student.”

Erwin says employers must employ the individual for at least 100 hours in the tax year to qualify.

Cut 6 (11) “…dollars a year.”

______________________________________________________

Louisiana had a net population gain last year. The U.S. Census Bureau says between July 1st, 2024, and June 30th, 2025, Louisiana added about 33-hundred people to its population total. Demographer Greg Rigamer says that net increase still does not get Louisiana’s population back to the level at the beginning of the decade.

Cut 7 (09) “…40-thousand people.”

Rigamer says Louisiana’s population growth last year still pales in comparison to the gains experienced by neighboring states like Texas, Tennessee, Florida and North Carolina.

Cut 8 (08) “…to a place.”

Rigamer says, however, the fact that Louisiana had a net increase is a good sign, and the state needs to maintain the momentum.

Cut 9 (10)  “…or no growth”

______________________________________________________________

One of Louisiana’s biggest political networking events of the year is underway in the nation’s capital, as it’s D-C Mardi Gras time. LaPolitics publisher and editor Jeremy Alford says there will be a dinner dance on Friday night and a Mardi Gras ball on Saturday, but before that there’s plenty of opportunities to rub elbows.

Cut 10 (11) “…governments to universities.”

Alford says there are big issues and storylines in the backdrop of this year’s D-C Mardi Gras.

Cut 11 (09) “…cycle as well.”

Alford says with this year being an election year, the candidates running for U.S. Senate and the now-open fifth congressional district seat will use this event secure campaign donations.

Cut 12 (11) “…in touch with.”

______________________________________________________________

This afternoon, after months of practicing on their own, the musicians who will make up the Rockin’1000 will gather on the Superdome floor to rehearse as a group for the first time ahead of Saturday night’s show. Unlike your typical rock concert which features musicians you’ve idolized your entire lives, these musicians are your average Joes – people from all walks of life, young and old. They include 70-year-old drummer Andy Chetta of Covington. Despite first taking up the drums at the age of 13, Saturday will be his very first gig.

Cut 13 (06)  “…couldn’t pass up.”

Chetta admits that he may have a little stage fright – understandable, since most people’s first gigs are in venues much smaller than the Superdome – but Rockin’1000 organizers are putting him and everyone else at ease.

Cut 14 (09) “…won’t get noticed.”

On guitar either behind Chetta – or on the other end of the floor, depending on where they put him – will be 10-year-old George Schafer, also of Covington. He’s been playing guitar since he was five – literally half his life – and he says being a part of the show will be an incredible experience.

Cut 15 (05) “…they were 10?”

Chetta, Schafer and the 998 other musicians will be busy rehearsing together today, tomorrow and Saturday afternoon.

______________________________________________________

The sixth-ranked LSU women’s basketball team is currently riding a five-game winning streak, and the Lady Tigers look to make it six straight tonight against Arkansas at 7 p.m. Head Coach Kim Mulkey says this is one of the closest teams she’s ever had in her time in Baton Rouge.

Cut 16 (16) “…get too low.”

Sophomore guard Jada Richard (ree-SHARD) has made significant strides from her freshman to sophomore season. Through seven SEC games, Richard is averaging 13 points per game. Mulkey says Richard’s success this season stems from being more comfortable with running the offense.

Cut 17 (18)  “…level of college.”

Not only has Richard been able to score the ball as of late, but she’s also dishing out 3 assists per game. Mulkey says playing the point guard in her system comes with several responsibilities.

Cut 18 (18)  “…you shoot it.”

______________________________________________________

Saints veteran linebacker Demario Davis becomes a free agent this offseason, and it sounds like he is open to testing the market. Davis appeared on Kay Adams’ “Up & Adams’ show on FanDuel TV earlier this week, and this is what he had to say on potentially returning to New Orleans for his 15th season in the NFL.

Cut 19 (18) “…we shall see.”

Davis, who has played for New Orleans since 2018, led the Saints in tackles this year with 143. Davis says he’s noticed a lack of veteran leadership on defenses around the league and believes he could help fill that role.

Cut 20 (17) “…your services more.”

With temperatures getting up to the mid-40s, north Louisiana is beginning to thaw out. Tens of thousands of customers, however, remain without electricity according to power-outage dot-us, with more than half of those being in Ouachita Parish. In nearby Lincoln Parish, the outages were not nearly as significant. Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker…

Cut 9 (12)  “…three hours.”

Things are back to normal along I-20, after crews were able to clear all the stalled 18-wheelers that had ground traffic to a standstill, stranding drivers for hours on end. Erin Buchanan with DOTD says you’ll still want to pay attention along I-20, as you should always do.

Cut 13 (10) “…the most part.”

Over the last seven days, Red Cross disaster action teams have responded to no fewer than 44 single-family home fires and two multi-family home fires throughout the state. Shelby Wells with the Red Cross of Louisiana says those teams are 100-percent volunteer-based.

Cut 7 (10) “…to anyone anywhere.”

The Red Cross helps those displaced with money for immediate needs like temporary housing, clothes and food, and all the money comes from donations.

The frigid temperatures this week put a temporary pause on the harvesting of crawfish. LSU Ag Center crawfish agent Todd Fontenot says when it gets really cold, crawfish bury themselves in the mud…

Cut 3 (07) “…the mud.”

Fontenot says we can still expect the peak supply of crawfish from late February and into April.

LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier is at the Senior Bowl this week to showcase his talents to NFL scouts, coaches, and general managers. Nussmeier’s father, Doug Nussmeier, is currently the offensive coordinator of the Saints and has coached in the NFL for over eight years. Nussmeier says his father has helped him prepare for the NFL interviewing process.

Cut 19 (13) “…to be asked.”

LSU head coach Lane Kiffin and running backs coach Kevin Smith were in the 337 today to do some high school recruiting. Their first stop was in St. Martin Parish at Cecilia High School, likely checking in with four-star athlete Braylon Calais. Calais is rated as the No. 47 player in the country in the Class of 2027. Kiffin and Smith also stopped at Acadiana High School before ending their trip at Billy’s Boudin and Cracklins in Scott.

Saints’ linebacker Demario Davis hinted at testing the NFL free agency market yesterday. Davis appeared on Kay Adams’ “Up & Adams’ show yesterday, saying he would be returning to the NFL for a 15^th season in 2026, but didn’t specify that he’d be back in New Orleans. Davis has played for the Saints since 2018.

The LSU men’s basketball team looks to avoid their third straight loss tonight as the Tigers host Mississippi State at 6 p.m.

Louisiana Tech men’s basketball is at UTEP tonight at 8 p.m. as the Bulldogs look to win their second straight.

Last night, McNeese men’s basketball defeated Southeastern 76-66 to improve to 17-4. Freshman guard Larry Johnson led the team in scoring with 20 points. The Cowboys are still second in the Southland, one game behind Stephen F. Austin.

Last night, UNO dominated Nicholls 80-62 in Thibodaux to improve to 8-13 on the year. Junior center Churchill Abass scored 20 points in the Privateers’ win.

The No. 6 LSU women’s basketball team goes for its sixth straight win tomorrow night as the Tigers host Arkansas at 7 p.m.

Life for many in north Louisiana is starting to get back to normal. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Tens of thousands of customers, however, are still without power in North Louisiana, according to Power Outage-dot-u-s, with the vast majority of those in the dark being in Ouachita Parish. Utility companies say crews have been working around the clock and are making headway, and they should have everyone back online by tomorrow at the latest.

With conditions evocative of New England winters gripping Louisiana, Red Cross disaster action teams have responded to no fewer than 44 single-family home fires and two multi-family home fires throughout the state over the last seven days. Shelby Wells with the Red Cross of Louisiana says the organization is able to help those displaced with immediate financial assistance. 

Cut 6 (08) “…really immediate needs.”

The arctic blast also put a pause in crawfish harvesting. LSU Ag Center crawfish agent Todd Fontenot says now that the temperatures are starting to warm, however, crawfishermen can get back on their ponds and resume harvesting.

Cut 5 (06) “…their bait.”

Fontenot says we can still expect the peak supply of crawfish from late February and into April.

Red Cross disaster action teams have responded to scores of home fires in the last week. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

____________________________________________

Life for many in north Louisiana is starting to get back to normal. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

____________________________________________

The frigid temperatures this week put a temporary pause on the harvesting of crawfish. LSU Ag Center crawfish agent Todd Fontenot says when it gets really cold, crawfish bury themselves in the mud…

Cut 3 (07) “…the mud.”

Fontenot says not only did the cold temperatures halt harvesting activities, it also kept mudbugs from growing, because they just burrow deep into the mud to stay warm …

Cut 4 (04) “…somewhat.”

Fontenot says now that the temperatures are starting to warm, crawfishermen can get back on their ponds and resume harvesting…

Cut 5 (06) “…their bait.”

Fontenot says we can still expect the peak supply of crawfish from late February and into April.

____________________________________________

With conditions evocative of New England winters gripping Louisiana, Red Cross disaster action teams have responded to no fewer than 44 single-family home fires and two multi-family home fires throughout the state over the last seven days. Shelby Wells with the Red Cross of Louisiana says the organization is able to help those displaced with immediate financial assistance.

Cut 6 (08) “…really immediate needs.”

Wells says Red Cross home fire response teams are 100-percent volunteer-based.

Cut 7 (10) “…to anyone anywhere.”

Wells says the money that the Red Cross gives to those who are displaced by fires is never a loan.

Cut 8 (08) “…all donation-funded.”

Meanwhile, the Red Cross is currently managing six shelters serving more than 120 people. In addition, it’s supporting 21 partner shelters and 19 warming centers.

______________________________________

With temperatures getting up to the mid-40s, north Louisiana is beginning to thaw out. About 70-thousand utility customers remain without electricity according to power-outage dot-u-s, more than half of those outages are in Ouachita Parish. In nearby Lincoln Parish, the outages were not nearly as significant. Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker…

Cut 9 (12)  “…three hours.”

According to the Lincoln Parish Journal, Mayor Walker and his wife Kay served gumbo to linemen, street workers and first responders. Walker says he also provided food and water to the hundreds of vehicles stranded on I-20 because of stalled out trucks..

Cut 10 (12) “…that much ice.”

Walker says hundreds of vehicles were stranded on I-20 in very cold temperatures….

Cut 11 (10) “…or whatever.”

_______________________________________________________

Those of you who need to drive from Shreveport to Monroe or vice-versa, you can once again do so with relative ease. Erin Buchanan with DOTD says crews were able to clear I-20 of all of those stalled 18-wheelers that had ground traffic to a halt for hours.

Cut 12 (13) “…the sunshine too.”

Buchanan says you’ll still want to pay attention along I-20, as you should always do.

Cut 13 (10) “…the most part.”

Buchanan says icy conditions, however, still have one significant section of roadway closed just south of I-20 on the far western edge of the state.

Cut 14 (09) “…quickly as possible.”

The state health department has confirmed another winter storm-related death, but the number of deaths connected to the ice storm is still eight. That’s because the death of a 62-year-old man in Sabine Parish is no longer considered storm related. So, the eighth death tied to the storm is a 65-year-old man in Jackson Parish who died from hypothermia after his home lost power.

Red Cross disaster action teams have responded to scores of home fires in the last week. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Traffic is flowing smoothy once again on I-20 between Shreveport and Monroe.  Erin Buchanan with DOTD says crews were able to clear I-20 of all of those stalled 18-wheelers that had traffic halted for multiple days.

Cut 12 (13) “…the sunshine too.”

Ruston Mayor Ronnie Walker says with help from local police, he went to I-20 on Monday to provide the hundreds of stranded motorists with food and water…

Cut 10 (12) “…that much ice”

Another contributing factor….according to Governor Jeff Landry the brine sprayed on I-20 to prevent ice from forming, actually froze, so it was NOT able to act as an anti-icing agent.

The American Red Cross says over the last seven days they’ve responded to no fewer than 44 single-family home fires and two multi-family home fires throughout the state. Shelby Wells with the Red Cross of Louisiana says they are not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of Americans to perform its mission. Wells says the money that the Red Cross gives to those who are displaced by a fire is never a loan…

Cut 8 (08) “…all-donation funded”

The cold weather is not good for crawfish as mudbugs find warmth by burrowing into the mud. LSU Ag Center crawfish agent Todd Fontenot says that keeps them growing…

Cut 4 (04) “…somewhat”

Another blast of arctic air is expected this weekend, but Fontenot says we are still on pace for a normal peak crawfish season that runs from late February through April.

Vehicles are finally moving at a normal speed on I-20 as the interstate that crosses north Louisiana is finally free of the dangerous ice that had traffic at a standstill for multiple days. DOTD spokesperson Erin Buchanan says drivers on I-20 still need to be careful…

Cut 13 (10) “….the most part”

Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker says hundreds of vehicles were stranded on I-20 in very cold temperatures…

Cut 11 (10) “…or whatever”

You may have heard about a private jet crash in Maine that killed six people last Sunday. One of the victims is Sabine Parish native and Tulane graduate Tara Arnold. Arnold was a personal injury attorney in Houston. The plane was on its way to France and it stopped in Maine. The aircraft crashed shortly after take off in snowy conditions in Maine.

With temperatures getting up to the mid-40s, north Louisiana is beginning to thaw out. About 72-thousand customers remain without electricity according to power-outage dot-us, more than half of those being in Ouachita Parish. In nearby Lincoln Parish, the outages were not nearly as significant. Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker…

Cut 9 (12)  “…three hours.”

I-20 is flowing once again. DOTD crews were able to clear all the stalled 18-wheelers that had ground traffic to a halt, in some areas for hours on end. Erin Buchanan with DOTD says icy conditions, however, still have one significant section of roadway closed just south of I-20 on the far western edge of the state.

Cut 14 (09) “…quickly as possible.”

Over the last seven days, Red Cross disaster action teams have responded to no fewer than 44 single-family home fires and two multi-family home fires throughout the state. Shelby Wells with the Red Cross of Louisiana says those teams are 100-percent volunteer-based.

Cut 7 (10) “…to anyone anywhere.”

The Red Cross helps those displaced with money for immediate needs like temporary housing, clothes and food, and all the money comes from donations.

The frigid temperatures this week put a temporary pause on the harvesting of crawfish. LSU Ag Center crawfish agent Todd Fontenot says when it gets really cold, crawfish bury themselves in the mud…

Cut 3 (07) “…the mud.”

Fontenot says we can still expect the peak supply of crawfish from late February and into April.

With conditions evocative of New England winters gripping Louisiana, Red Cross disaster action teams have responded to no fewer than 44 single-family home fires and two multi-family home fires throughout the state over the last seven days. Shelby Wells with the Red Cross of Louisiana says the organization is able to help those displaced with immediate financial assistance. 

Cut 6 (08) “…really immediate needs.”

The latest numbers from PowerOutage.us show that almost 74-thousand customers in north Louisiana are still without power. Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis says if you are using a generator, make sure it’s 20 feet away from the home.

Cut 15 (11) “…any of us.”

Ouachita Parish has the highest number of power outages by far.

Senator Bill Cassidy is calling for a full joint federal and state investigation into a pair of deadly shootings in Minneapolis at the hands of federal agents, saying the credibility of ICE and the Department of Homeland Security are at stake. Cassidy says it seems that they may have lost sight of the purpose of the enhanced immigration enforcement operation, and that could have a profound effect on President Trump’s legacy.

Cut 8 (12) “…that primary vision.”

To put together its first U.S. show, the people of Rockin’1000 sought out a heavy-hitter – and they found one in New Orleans’ very own Harry Connick Junior. The legendary musician is serving as special guest artistic director for the show that will rock the Superdome Saturday night.

Cut 10 (09) “…to our city (2x).”