Shreveport Daily Briefing for February 17, 2026
Shreveport, LA — February 17, 2026 — A weekend crash injures two children, Mardi Gras events wind down, and an arts nonprofit faces a pivotal vote.
Shreveport Daily Briefing
Date: February 17, 2026
Two children hurt in Bert Kouns crash
Shreveport police and paramedics responded Saturday afternoon to a two-vehicle collision near West Bert Kouns Industrial Loop. According to initial dispatch details, one vehicle was pulling out of an apartment complex when it was sideswiped by another vehicle entering the roadway.
Damage to the vehicles was described as minor, but two girls, ages 7 and 11, were taken to a local hospital for evaluation. Both children reported leg and arm pain but were described as stable during transport with normal vital signs. Authorities have not announced any charges or updates, and the crash remains under review.
Mardi Gras weekend brings crowds downtown
Shreveport’s Mardi Gras season hit its peak over the weekend as residents and visitors lined downtown routes for parades and events. The Krewe of Gemini rolled on Saturday with large crowds along Clyde Fant Parkway and surrounding streets, continuing a tradition that has helped revive Carnival in the city since the 1980s.
At Sci-Port Discovery Center on the riverfront, the Red River Mardi Gras Bash offered an indoor vantage point on the parade, with live music, local food and a family-friendly space to watch floats pass by. City tourism officials say Mardi Gras continues to be one of Shreveport-Bossier’s biggest annual draws, filling hotels and supporting small businesses along the parade route.
Regional arts council faces possible eviction
Across the river in Bossier City, a key arts organization that serves the wider Shreveport-Bossier community is bracing for a pivotal vote. The Bossier Arts Council has been notified of a proposed city ordinance that would end its long-standing cooperative agreement and require it to leave the Old Municipal Building on Barksdale Boulevard, its home for more than four decades.
The move follows findings from the state legislative auditor that the council fell behind on required financial reporting. Current staff members say they are working with new accounting support and board leadership to correct the issues and hope to reach an agreement that allows the council to stay. The proposed ordinance is scheduled for discussion at a Bossier City Council meeting, and supporters are being urged to attend and speak on the group’s behalf.
Looking ahead
With Mardi Gras winding down, city leaders are expected to refocus on long-term issues like blight reduction, economic development and public safety as the 2026 budget year continues. Residents can expect more discussion in the coming weeks about how to balance neighborhood investment with growing regional events and tourism.
Sources
- https://localaccidentreports.com/shreveport-la-2-children-injured-in-crash-on-bert-kouns-industrial-loop/
- https://www.simpletix.com/e/2026-red-river-mardi-gras-bash-february-14-tickets-208337
- https://www.almagestlsus.com/news/shreveport-set-2026-mardi-gras-parades
- https://shreveportbossierjournal.com/2026/02/13/bossier-arts-council-faces-possible-eviction-from-old-municipal-building/
