Final weekend of Carnival

with Jennifer Wadsworth | Assistant metro editor

Good morning! Here's what our reporters have been covering today.

Final weekend of Carnival

The final weekend leading up to Fat Tuesday is a big one for Carnival parades in the Baton Rouge area.

The Krewe of Southdowns leads the way, traditional flambeaus and all, through the eponymous neighborhood starting at 7 p.m. Friday. "It's Showtime" is the theme for the family-friendly parade as the krewe rolls, marches and dances for the 35th year.

Five more major parades make a comeback this year, which you can read about here. 

EBR charges dropped

Matthew Mire — who's accused of killing a state trooper and a family member in Ascension Parish — no longer faces criminal charges in East Baton Rouge Parish stemming from the multi-parish rampage.

Joe Gyan Jr. has the story.

New life for shuttered Shell complex

After closing its Convent refinery at the end of 2020, Shell has confirmed it plans to revive the facility as an alternative fuels complex.

Here's what business reporter Robert Stewart was able to find out about the conversion.

Check back in soon. We'll have updates on stories throughout the day.