| By Drew Broach | Deputy metro editor
LOST AT SEA: The Coast Guard suspended its earch Thursday evening for a 32-year-old woman who jumped from the Carnival Valor into the Gulf of Mexico, after what passengers described as a scuffle with the cruise ship's security staff.
THE BLUE WAVE: You remember, do you not, that New Orleans will have a United States Football League team this spring? Yes, the New Orleans Breakers are back, and on Thursday the team published images of the new player uniforms.
CUPS! BEADS! SPEARS! The big push to Mardi Gras begins Friday, with the first of 21 float parades rolling across the New Orleans. That doesn't even count the walking, floating, lawn-mowing and pet processions.
Thanks for starting your Friday with us. We've got more news all day at NOLA.com. D.B. | 
